The more fingers you can wrap around a release handle, the more you can distribute the pressure of the draw weight.

However, you also have the potential to apply inconsistent pressure from each finger to the handle and either affect the angle of the release when you anchor, or during the shot process.

You give up some control and leverage when you use a release with fewer than 4 fingers, but the benefit is it is easier to be consistent. You basically have fewer ways to affect the angle of the release at full draw or fewer points of pressure to affect the shot process.

That's why 2-finger releases are popular with some, but I think 3-Fingers are a good balance.

 

For me, just personal preference. I started with a Carter Too Simple 3-finger. I wanted a back up and found a Too Simple 4-finger on AT classifieds. Once I got the 4-finger and shot it a little, I much preferred it, so I sold the 3-finger and bought another 4-finger.

Bisch

 

Only you can answer your question. I can't shoot a 4 finger because I let my take over the shot process.

 

AJBHolsters nailed it.

I started with a 2 finger, moved to 3, and now have been shooting 4.

I like 4 because it gives me somewhere to put my pinky. I can drop it and shoot as a 3 finger, and then drop my ring and shoot it as a 2. I prefer that flexibility

 

4 finger

 

Started with 2- felt like i didnt have enough control
Moved to a 3- like it just fine
Am contemplating going to 4- want to see if i can change the head angle without having to apply as much pressure on my ring finger

 

IMO a 4 finger can make the release feel a little hotter. Imagining the sear/hook point as a fulcrum, and adding that extra finger further along the body of the release grip will slightly reduce the perceived force/ROM required to make the shot go

 

Like most anything in archery, nothing more than a personal preference.
Mine is 3 finger, why, because I like the release, nothing more, nothing less.

 

4 finger

 

3 finger

 

I feel that with 4 finger my fingers tend to hurt less than 3 fingers and pressure is evenly distributed. Its all in personal preference but i like 4 finger better.

 

It really boils down to personal preference.

I like 2 or 3 fingers. When I shoot 4 finger IMO it's too easy to rip through a hinge or panic fire a thumb.

 

Thanks for the thread, I’m new to archery and had the same thought.

 

I shoot tighter groups with my 3 finger thumb releases. I think having that little finger loose & relaxed helps the rest of your release hand stay relaxed & consistent. A 4 finger just never felt right, might even effect your anchor point.

 

They both feel nice in hand, afraid I’m not skilled enough to really get a good feel on which is more accurate. Anchor point seems to stay true as well. I’ll just have to get some reps in to see.

 

4 finger is easier to draw with but tends to cause torque. 3 finger is a little harder to draw with but causes less torque. I seem to shoot better with 3 fingers after shooting with 4 for many years.

 

I am using a 2 finger thumb button. I found that I was putting extra pressure with my 3rd finger and not being consistent.

 

I’m using a thumb a well, when I fire the release I collapse my hand. Bringing my ring and pinky fingers toward the pass of my thumb. I find good consistency or what I consider good for my skill level. Is there a better more consistent way to fire a thumb release?

 

I did notice the draw is easier, I didn’t notice the torque until filming myself. It’s definitely hard for me to avoid with the four. I was using the axis and bumped up to the OnneX click, the four felt like a better grip. Might have to go to the three if I can’t fix the torque consistently

 

I'm with the 3 finger crowd. I started with 4 and loved it but then tried a 3 and feel less "torque" and got better accuracy for me.

Best way is to try em, everyone is different.

 

I shoot a 3 finger. There's some great advice already on this thread. Though I shoot a 3rd finger I focus on my index and middle finger and only use my ring finger to pull.

 

I’ve been shooting some today and maintaining less torque with the four takes away quite a bit of focus from the actual shot execution. Four feels really nice in the hand but I’d like to be able to keep the sequence as clean as possible. Gonna just go with three

 

Just to follow up on this thread, I’ve been shooting with two fingers all week. Anchor is consistent, POI is good, execution is the same. Pin stability is definitely taking a hit vs 4 finger. Even still, 2 is feeling excellent.

 

Are any of the top pros shooting four fingers?

 

Absolutely- Bodie Turner shoots 4, think Levi Morgan does too. Seen him shooting 3 or 4 depending on the release

 

No right or wrong answer. Always preferred 3 myself.

 

have a few 3 and 4 finger releases, much prefer the 3 finger