Hand Held Release

[Becky]

I just newly discovered these... does anyone use one? I LOVE(d) my tru-fire hardcore wrist release but it's been bruising my wrist/side of my hand by my thumb ever since I upped the draw weight of my bow.

I don't really want to change release styles but unsure what else to do  so just wondering about these hand held releases. I never see anyone use them, is there a reason?

[danderson]

I  been using the old school hand held release for the last 25 years or so, probably because I'm an old dog and cant learn any new tricks 

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I went up in draw weight too.  My wrist release felt odd as I got to drawing it.  Felt like it was on the side of my hand.  I just position the wrist release in the center of my hand before drawing.  That fixed it.  No need to switch styles.

[Becky]

DIY it feels normal on my wrist but after shooting for a full week at the higher weight my wrist was swollen and bruised on the side.. I keep shooting through the pain but it's not seeming to get any better like I thought. It's been 3 weeks now, some days I can only get through one set of 5 shots before I have to stop shooting. I have a very high pain tolerance and this almost brought me to tears one day :/ I keep waiting for it to toughen up but it just feels like it's getting worse and not better.  we have the Rhinehart 100 shoot coming up in a week so I thought of switching release styles but I don't know... don't want to, but not sure what else to do. Open to suggestions I guess

[lostbackpacker]

I switched from a wrist style to a carter chocolate lite hand held. You can use your thumb to trigger or use it like an true back tension release.
Just last weekend I tried to shoot my wrist style just for a practice session. My groups went to crap and I was really punching the trigger.
I'm not one to brag but last night I shot 4" groups at 80 yds with my chocolate lite. Probably just a one time deal.  But my groups overall have improved greatly with a handheld.
I don't think I could go back to wrist strap. Although I might keep it in my pack as a backup

Wrist releases are the norm. You do have to retrain your shot process with a handheld. But if you shoot a lot it will come quickly

[4fletch]

I have been shooting a Jim fletcher hand release for 35 yrs the style is called concho it had a large button on the end of the release which puts the pressure between the little finger and the outer side of the hand   HArd to explain. There is no pressure on the wrist. You have to shorten the plastic tube to adjust for the size of your hand. I add a longer lanyard to it so it dangles from my wrist. No sweating or Velcro to deal with it has a adjustable trigger well built. Check out his web sight and give them a shout

[hoyt2002]

Try a free flight release. My wife uses one. Her right wrist was injured and can't use a normal wrist strap release. This has been able to keep her shooting. Her draw weight is at 70 lbs and has no pain using this release.

[coachcw]

draw weight can be an issue with a hand held . if your have a tough time drawing it now you may re think it . you may wanna try a wider strap first . I have never had issues with the scotts .

[lamrith]

Is there something that can be done to add padding/material to widen the strap on your current release and maybe spread out the pressure?

I also have noticed that the buckle stye releases tend to be thin and less comfortable.  I had one of the $20 trufire releases when I started.  they have thick, wide strap but it was velcro and noisey for hunting.  All the buckle style I looked at the strap was 1/2 the width and thin material, they cut in and get painfull right behind my thumb.

[Come Get Some]

I have many Carter T handle releases for sale. Heavier poundage will not be harder to draw. I switched many years ago from a wrist strap and will never go back. Almost everyone in our group shoots a T handle release. You will not have to change your style either. Typically most archers are not set up correctly with a wrist strap from the beginning. Moving forward to a T handle is very easy. I have a bowq with a safe draw on it for release demo's. Keep's you from shooting arrows in the trees. I have sold hundreds ,with a little instruction is is very easy and comfortable.  PM me if you want to discuss them.

[earlmarne]

I just got rid of all my wrist releases.Got me a stan just x handheld.
Ive tried running handhelds in the past but never gave it time and went back to my wrist release due to being comfortable.
After setting this last handheld up and running it on the old ladies bow I am very confident that I will stick with it once my bow gets home.
Seems easier to fire a handheld with back tension than it was my wrist release.

[Becky]

Yea it feels like the tissue around my wrist, right behind my thumb and down is too soft to take the weight so that's what swells each time. I was tempted to cut up a sink sponge and wrap it inside  just to cushion it somewhat.

I have no issue pulling the weight at all, so that's why I was looking into the hand releases because I feel as though I'd be just fine using one if I got the hang of it. That way there's no ripping feeling on my skin either. Thanks for all the input, I guess more people use these than I thought and with impressive results. I have an offer to try out a member's carter chocolate lite release before I drop the coin and buy my own.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

That's a sweet deal.  I do agree that the higher draw weight changes the wrist strap release a ton.  Mines pretty old maybe I'll give a hand held a try.  Hope what you get works for ya.   

[KimWar1911]

 A month or so back I switched to a carter simple one handheld thumb release from my carter quickie wrist type. It is different and has taken some time to adjust but now that's it's become more natural I rarely am off the mark. I wasn't bad using the quickie but the groups have definetly gotten tighter now and I have also found little effort is needed in drawing my bow, at least compared to the wrist release. I don't see myself going back.

[RadSav]

If you get the right size hand held they can be great!  My problem is I tend to lose them when not attached to my wrist.  I do favor the Carter hand held like Come Get One says.  Next favorite, and easier to find, is the Tru-Ball.  I'm not sure how Come Get Some teaches to use the T-Handle as there are many good but different ways.  Most women with a four finger release I teach to use pinky finger to activate more than other forms.  I also use that method when using the four finger myself.  Pretty hard to pound the trigger with a pinky

I do see quite a few ladies that have added some lambs wool to their wrist straps.  So I expect yours is not an unusual problem.  But I do believe close to 90% of the time it is a result of improperly sized release.  Both in the size of the strap and the length from strap to trigger.  If you are reaching out to the trigger your hand becomes narrower allowing the strap to ride out further on the thumb.  Then after the shot when your hand bounces back into natural position it bites into the release.  Tru-Fire release straps can be a little stiff too making for even more pain.  Carter gives you the option of a few different strap styles.  May favorite is the Tarantula strap on a Quickie.
 
The big key to a wrist strap release is making the trigger at full draw well behind the finger tip.  There are days at 3-D shoots I do not see a single person with a properly tuned wrist strap!  It is one of the most common mistakes bowhunters make.  And it does hamper accuracy!!  A lot of T-handle shooters have them set up improperly too, but I think those are fewer by ratio.