But there’s reaction time, too (thought lag): about 2/5 of second in faster, healthy average folks, before they move. Fighters react more quickly, not because of faster reaction time (thought) but because they perceive what is called in the fighting sports, “telegraphing” by their opponents (subtle movements of other parts of the body preceding strikes). The same could apply to a “gunslinger,” but that would follow pointing for fire at practical near targets (7 yards, give and take) for self-defense rather than aiming—a kind of practice done by only a few of times past. ...take many more rounds of range work than nearly all today would take the time to do. ...and, of course, techniques taught by a few of the old masters.
And yeah, I like to work with single action on my range. ...very interesting and enlightening but time-consuming hobby, with much handloading study and experience part of the game.
Reflexes are an interest of mine as well. I know that decreased serum magnesium increases deep tendon reflexes. I have always wondered if it increases all polysynaptic efferent reflexive actions as well (such as the fast draw). I hypothesize that it should. While I wouldn’t suggest inducing hypomagnesemia, I would suggest that, all else being equal, a gun slinger with a serum magnesium level in the low end of normal (around 1.6 mEq/ml) would be quicker than a gun slinger with a serum magnesium level in the high end of normal (around 2.4 mEq/ml. Furthermore, I would speculate that reflexes occuring in the presence of a heightened sympathetic nervous state i.e. “an adrenalin rush” would be quicker than a reflexive action occuring during a period of heightened parasympathetic nervous state (such as shortly after having eaten a large meal). As such, I would further hypothesize that a degree of hunger would facilitate increased reflexes. This would be further promoted by ingestion of any chemicals that stimulate sympathetic activity (red bull, Pseudoephedrine, epinepherine, etc.).