archery_plunger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O6-lTwaZyw
The plunger serves basically two purposes.
The most important is the adjustment of centershot. That is done by the physical placement of the plunger in and out.
The exact same function can be had by an adjustable side plate (bolt), or simply building up the side plaet little by little to get that setting right.

The second function is the spring cushion. That cushion absorbs the side-ward push of the arrow into the riser induced by a finger release. That is why you never see a plunger used with a mechanical release, just fingers. Someone shooting light arrows with a very clean release will have a very light spring setting, because the push is very little. Someone shooting heavy arrows, or with a rough release will need more spring tension. By absorbing that push, the arrow is allowed to stay on the centerline during launch. Without some cushion, the arrow will bounce away from the riser, throwing it off course. The plunger allows very precise and easy tuning of this effect, BUT, the same effect
(but cruder) can be had by building some cushion into the sideplate material. This can take a lot of dicking around, but certainly can be done.

For longer distances and more precise shooting, the plunger pays off. At shorter distances you can get close enough without one. The two downsides to a plunger are possible noise, which can be eliminated with a little care, and arrow displacement during the draw, which is simply the arrow falling above the plunger somehow. Plungers are generally equiped with small tips. Neither of these things have ever been a problem for me. One aspect of a plunger that does bug me is the fact that it sticks out on the side of the riser, and can get hung up on clothes. It could also end up damaged if you drop the bow. This is why I developed the ultra short plunger for my bows. It helps a good deal with that.

Lots of people like to hold the arrow on the bow with their finger while hunting. That works best without a plunger. The shelf is a big safe place for the arrow to rest, while the plunger is a smaller side support. Hunting can be more of a bar fight than a duel. That is why you see lots of people who use plungers on all of their target bows, but shoot off the shelf to hunt. Some guys, like me, just really feel more comfortable with that plunger working for them. Different mindsets I guess. Having hunted my whole life in the West, longer shots just happen more often. That has certainly shaped my beliefs. I have made many 40 yard+ kills. If I grew up hunting at the shorter distances common in the South, and other areas, I would likely be a shelf and sideplate guy.

Pressure buttons, compensator buttons, plungers... Lots of names, but what does it do and why do we need one at all?

Well the answer is you don't! A six inch nail would be better than an inconsistant pressure button.

The design is to compensate for the inconsistancy in the archer's release and make any differences less noticeable to the flight of the arrow.

It has become the first adjustment when tuning arrows. I think this is a mistake. Whilst a useful aid, I believe it is over used and errors in form and quality of release are attempted to be tuned-out unsuccessfully.

Click-adjustment buttons are the fiddler's delight! Their use is likely to be totally wasted on all but 1 or 2% of archers

Remember, you can only tune as well as you can shoot, but the problem here is that most archers think they can shoot better than they actually can."

Beiter $130	Cartel $40	Beiter Clone	Nika Click Action Amazon
With Finger Release (RF, CF) Align the “tip” of the arrow point 1 /16" to 1 /8" (1.6- 3.2 mm) or less outside the bowstring with the bowstring properly centered according to Fig. 7. The arrow tip is placed slightly outside the string to provide compensation for the amount the cushion plunger or side loading device compresses into the bow when the arrow is released. With a finger release, the arrow bends horizontally, first bending in toward the bow, then bending away from the bow, which causes the arrow shaft to leave the arrow rest. In the next bending sequence, the arrow nock disengages from the bowstring. The arrow is then on its way, freely oscillating all the way to the target. The amount of oscillation decreases as the arrow travels farther from the bow. With Mech Comes in various shaft links Superior Spring Positive Click Long Life Most common Olympic EbayDog Point 5/16-24 set screw https://www.grainger.com/product/FABORY-Socket-Set-Screw-5XCL9 For backup. See Jennings. Ideally 5/16"-24 Nylon Machine one from remainder SAS Section (might be easiest) ... Stainless Cap screw 5/16" knob May be able to use M8 metric plastic bolt. Use 5/16" bolt with epoxied on felt pad glued on plus nylon washers to space out. Teflon Tape for detent. Thrust Nut?		Good Value Great Service Pin is 6mm on Beiter .236" 1 Beiter Plunger with an installed hard spring (0.60) 1 Open Spanner, 1 Spanner 2 springs ”extra hard” (0.70) 1 spring ”hard” (0.60) 2 springs ”soft” (0.45) 1 Allen Head Wrench 1,5mm Pen spring is around 4mm in diameter. Springs Cut to length Springs	Purchase Ebay Ebay Version Kentucky Ebay USA Reworking Less Expensive Clones Pen Springs Polishing Video Plastic Plunger Contact Point
Decut Click	Avalon Ideallly for Shooting Just one arrow type.	Chinese W/Micro Click*** ~$15	Amazon Click

	Alternative	Alternative	Alternative SAS $19 for 5
Beiter Dimensions		Full Capture Good In wind. Quiet for Hunting May interfere with sight picture for instinctive shooters. Set screw from the opposite side of the riser to make sure the bolt does not move. Rug	Ebay Version $4 each @5qty Various Qty's $4 @3qty Jennings