RE: Thumb trigger release question.
Most everything has been covered nicely by rick.
The one question you asked is how do the heads clear.IMO.It is like a slingshot.When you squeeze off the release,the pressure from the string will throw the head out of the way.The Short & Sweet that you have pictured,actually will recock itself because of the force,atleast it is supposed too.Mine usually will but not always.
Another thing,the thumb triggers are not usually even shot with the thumb,they are shot by putting the trigger in the palmand using back tension to fire them.