Beginner release question

Hi people. Im looking to get a mechanical release with my new compound bow and I am wondering why they are all positioned for the hand to be horizontal with the trigger on the side? Can the head be rotated? Are there any releases more like a gun trigger with the hand vertical, similar to a finger release? If not, why not? Surely it would be possible?

I realize these are mega noob questions but I just couldnt seem to find the answers in my searches. Thankyou.

 

Welcome welcome....I too am a bit of a newb at this, but from what I have gathered, the reason for positioning your hand Palm facing away from your cheek, is anchoring. It makes it easier to anchor with your hand in that position, plus it allows your sight eye to line up with the peep and pins and keeps the alignment of the bow and arrow in proper location with your face...
Wrist strap releases (what I currently use) allow the trigger head to rotate and your hand could be vertical, palm facing towards your face like a gun trigger....but anchoring in this position would probably be a bit cumbersome.
Here is the type of release I believe you are looking for:
Amazon.com : TruFire Hardcore Buckle Foldback Adjustable Archery Compound Bow Release - Camo Wrist Strap with Foldback Design : Archery Release Aids : Sports & Outdoors

 

As fowcbler talked about, it is all about a repeatable anchor location. With a wrist style release (index release) it is recommended to place the first knuckle of your index finger (the prominent knuckle when you make a fist) on the very end of your jawbone for a repeatable spot to anchor it.
It is also so that you don't induce some kind of torque on the d-loop/string during the release. On an index release the arm the head is attached to aligns in the center of your palm, which is aligned with your drawing arm forearm and elbow. The elbow, forearm, index arm, and caliper head should all be aligned with your arrow so that you get a release with no sideways torque. With that being said, torque is way more often induced from your bow hand position on the bow grip than it is from your release arm.
The arm length of the release is recommended to be of a length that allows you to set off the trigger with the pad of your index finger between the middle knuckle joint and the last joint, rather than the very end pad of your finger like most do with a rifle.

Twisting your hand to align the trigger vertical like a firearm trigger would make it very difficult to maintain all of the above alignment with the arrow, but it probably could be done I suppose. I think you'll find that having a horizontal trigger rather than vertical like a firearm is no problem to get used to.
There are hand held releases too, a handheld thumb release would be vertical like your are talking about...but your thumb would squeeze off the shot rather than your "trigger finger". These types are recommended to place the back of your hand against the side of your face with your jaw line between your index finger and middle finger.
There are also back tension and hinge type hand held releases.
I'd recommend watching some youtube videos about how all the different style of releases are used, and then you should be able to go to a Pro Shop and get them to let you try out a few styles before buying.

 

Thankyou both for your informative answers. I will learn the recommended way.

I would go to an archery store but there doesnt seem to be any in NT, Australia. Theres a gun store and camping shops but hardly any selection and the staff are not archery pros. The bow sales up here are mostly private sales from bowhunter club members or purchased online and sent through the mail.

 

I'm new myself but I definitely prefer a caliper release to the gun trigger style. Thumb doesn't entice me either but to each their own! Good luck!

 

I would have tried a crossbow but they are mainly illegal here in Australia now.

 

I've tried 2 release's while I was at the Archery shop. Dual Caliper and Hook style. I did not like the dual style because it was to hard to close on the D-loop, maybe it was because it wasn't set right for my hand. Then I tried the hook style and it was so much easier just to hook the loop and shoot. Wish you luck finding a good release .

 

I have shot a hook style release for probably 20 years now - I had a Scott Rhino which finally crapped out on me 2 seasons ago, then tried a Scott Ghost to replace it but couldn't get it to adjust to feel like the Rhino so sold it a bought a Cobra Moment and really like it......tons of adjustment