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Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:32 pm
by heirglockmeister
I've heard a bunch about "double tap". I know this has been asked before, but bare with me, how do you control accuracy while doing a double tap?
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:34 pm
by dukesean
The way I try to control my double tap is to keep my wrist extra firm. Instead of trying to compensate for the recoil and intentionally aiming downwards, I find that just maintaining a firmer wrist gives me better results.
Not sure what is technically the "best" way to control double taps, but this is what works for me.
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:37 pm
by heirglockmeister
Thanks, dukesean. Next time I'm out on my land I will have to give this a try. The range I shoot at frowns on such things.
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:03 pm
by dukesean
welcome to the forum, by the way.
wow, I'm surprised your range doesn't allow you to double tap. I know many don't like rapid fire, but it's always nice to practice double taps. Don't try practicing double taps at anything more than 7 yards, I find that impractical, since in most self defense scenarios when you would actually utilize a double tap you are probably even closer than that. just my 2 cents though
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:20 pm
by seamusTX
To the extent that I can talk about this topic, it's more muscle memory than sighting. Every time I shoot, I re-acquire the sight picture immediately. After doing that a couple of thousand times, I can shoot about one-tenth as fast as Jbirds.
- Jim
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:32 pm
by heirglockmeister
Thanks for the welcome dukesean. I will keep that in mind when I practice. I'm shooting a G36 so it's going to take a little getting used to. You shooting from eyelevel or from the side/waist area?
Thanks seamus to you too. Muscle memory is something I'm kind of familiar with since my hobby is bowhunting. I use a traditional set up for that so it may help these old muscles of mine get retrained kind of.
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:38 pm
by flintknapper
heirglockmeister wrote:Thanks for the welcome dukesean. I will keep that in mind when I practice. I'm shooting a G36 so it's going to take a little getting used to. You shooting from eyelevel or from the side/waist area?
Thanks seamus to you too. Muscle memory is something I'm kind of familiar with since my hobby is bowhunting. I use a traditional set up for that so it may help these old muscles of mine get retrained kind of.
Welcome to the forum Sir,
Good to see another "traditional" bowhunter here. That has been a passion of mine for almost 40 yrs. now.
As others have already stated: A good firm grip (and practice) will help in controlling your weapon.
A true "double tap" is (two shots off of one sight picture). The first shot of course...is deliberately aimed, and the second shot follows it as quickly as the shooter can recover from the recoil. To this end....a good grip, releasing and prepping the trigger while in recoil, and concentrating on your target...will speed things up and help to form proper muscle memory for your follow up shot.
It is important to recognize that the second shot of a Double Tap/Hammer is NOT sighted, hence the need to be able to return to an indexed point in order to maximize accuracy.
Often times, the term "double tap".... is used generically to describe any two shot in rapid succession. The double tap has it's applications, but generally a "controlled pair"/dedicated pair will serve you better (two shots off of two distinct sight pictures).
Then you have the "accelerated pair" (two shots off of two "flash" sights). Confusing.....I know, but I wanted to be certain we are addressing your question correctly.
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:30 pm
by heirglockmeister
40 years sounds about like myself with stick and string. Nothing like it though. Flintknapper your description/explanation is also very good information...thank you. I think I"m going to like this site. Especially since I just sent in my paperwork for my CHL.
Re: Double Tap
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:48 am
by dukesean
flintknapper wrote:
It is important to recognize that the second shot of a Double Tap/Hammer is NOT sighted, hence the need to be able to return to an indexed point in order to maximize accuracy.
Ah yes, good point Flintknapper. When I practice double taps the second shot is definitely not sighted, and I rely on my grip and muscle memory. If you can do 2 quick sighted shots, then that is preferrable. I practice both, actually. However, the situation may arise when you are sufficiently close to the BG and a double tap is in order.
Anyways, find yourself a range that allows double taps

Re: Double Tap
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:48 am
by flintknapper
dukesean wrote:flintknapper wrote:
It is important to recognize that the second shot of a Double Tap/Hammer is NOT sighted, hence the need to be able to return to an indexed point in order to maximize accuracy.
Ah yes, good point Flintknapper. When I practice double taps the second shot is definitely not sighted, and I rely on my grip and muscle memory. If you can do 2 quick sighted shots, then that is preferrable. I practice both, actually. However, the situation may arise when you are sufficiently close to the BG and a double tap is in order.
Anyways, find yourself a range that allows double taps 
I keep one about 200 yds. outside my back door.