I've always hunted with a pump shotgun, tried automatics a couple of times and didn't like them for some reason so I switched back to my Mossberg pump. It does everything I want and brings down the game, but I'm just a hair too slow with it on quail so I thought I might get a new gun. I never liked over/unders so I bought a CZ Ringneck side by side 20 gauge with single trigger and I freaking loved that gun and I was deadly with it. I then sold it for some strange reason and I still can't figure out why I sold it but recently saw they stopped making the Ringneck so I bought an old Ugartachea 12 gauge. It has the english straight grip and double triggers, and is in mint condition and I've never shot a gun with double triggers before I hope the learning curve isn't too bad.
Anybody hunt with a SxS double trigger shotgun?
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finesse_r
Member
As a kid with my father who used a very old side by side 12 gauge with a stock he hand carved himself. My brother has that gun today. it was my father's first gun and it was the first long gun I shot at about age 10 or 11. Today the only side by side I have is a coach gun with the short barrel and I rarely use it at all any more. I use a pump 98 percent of the time these days.
Rpg
Member
I hunt only with vintage sxs guns. All have double triggers. It's pretty simple and doesn't take long to learn.
Don't try choosing which barrel to shoot: start with the forward trigger (right barrel). This is usually the most open choke. You just slide your finger to the second trigger for a second shot.
Get to a trap range and shoot a few rounds( of trap) from low position so you learn to mount the gun while you disengage the safety.
Then practice shooting doubles at trap, also from low position. This helps develop muscle memory to move on to the second trigger.
Don't overthink this.
The biggest problem I've seen folks have in the field is trying to pick a choke for a shot: slows them up, often they can't find the second trigger for a follow up to the usually missed first shot.
I'm sure others have better ideas and advice.
Don't try choosing which barrel to shoot: start with the forward trigger (right barrel). This is usually the most open choke. You just slide your finger to the second trigger for a second shot.
Get to a trap range and shoot a few rounds( of trap) from low position so you learn to mount the gun while you disengage the safety.
Then practice shooting doubles at trap, also from low position. This helps develop muscle memory to move on to the second trigger.
Don't overthink this.
The biggest problem I've seen folks have in the field is trying to pick a choke for a shot: slows them up, often they can't find the second trigger for a follow up to the usually missed first shot.
I'm sure others have better ideas and advice.
I don't know why you would sell a 20ga Ringneck either!! Single triggers were long the rage, but a number of people now want 2 triggers, even converting single trigger guns. It instantly gives you choice of which choke to fire. It's nice when that quail surprises you and takes flight 40 yards away to pull the trigger on the mod choke instead of IC.
dave holl
Absent Comrade
Old Corp
Member
Use a c.1920's Ithaca 20 SxS and a relatively new CZ Bobwhite 28 ga. SxS. Both have double triggers.
It's never been an issue. A far, crossing bird is handled, I hope, by the rear trigger/snugger choke. All others, the forward, more open.
It's never been an issue. A far, crossing bird is handled, I hope, by the rear trigger/snugger choke. All others, the forward, more open.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have 4 sxs shotguns and 1 sxs rifle. As a rule never place a finger on each trigger! However the once in a while opportunity for very quick repeat shots, in sporting clays. Since you always see the birds before you have to shoot a station, you get to choose how to shoot it. The hardest combo for both triggers for me is rear first then front. If you don't practice it every few months, you're better off staying with a single finger! And never ever walk with a finger on any trigger, you might end up like V.P. Dick Chaney, and add a lawyer to you daily bag! (Of course, Texas has no closed season or bag limit on lawyers!)
Ivan
Ivan
All my SXSs have 2 triggers and splinter FEs. I only have one gun that has a straight hand stock (Merkel) but I wish they all did. Larry
Jack Flash
Member
I've hunted crows and deer with a K-Mart Savage-Stevens 12g double trigger SxS. I don't remember ever having issues. I bagged a few crows with it, never a deer.
I did like the SxS double trigger set up for deer hunting because you could put a slug in one barrel and buckshot in the other. Nothing else is this versatile, except maybe an O/U with a selective trigger. Eventually I decided that I needed better sights for deer so I bought a shotgun with a rifled barrel I could mount a scope on. I have lost track of how many deer it has accounted for.
I got tired of my cheapie SxS and traded it for a used Fox Model BSE SxS with a non-selective single trigger. I like the feel and overall quality of the Fox a whole lot more. I wish it had a selective trigger though.
I did like the SxS double trigger set up for deer hunting because you could put a slug in one barrel and buckshot in the other. Nothing else is this versatile, except maybe an O/U with a selective trigger. Eventually I decided that I needed better sights for deer so I bought a shotgun with a rifled barrel I could mount a scope on. I have lost track of how many deer it has accounted for.
I got tired of my cheapie SxS and traded it for a used Fox Model BSE SxS with a non-selective single trigger. I like the feel and overall quality of the Fox a whole lot more. I wish it had a selective trigger though.
Like this Browning Sidelock?
Love 'em. I had a CZ Bobwhite SXS with two triggers for a while, but it was just too petite for my hands.
I also have a Browning BSS box lock 20 gauge with a single trigger and a straight grip. Purportedly an advantage with two triggers is that in effect you have two guns in case one trigger goes south, but I've never seen that happen. Then again I haven't seen a lot of things, or gone hunting for months in the Dark Continent.
I just think SxS's are pretty, feel good to me, and are easy to handle. I can shoot anything with an average of below average ability.
I like pumps and over/unders also, but just can't warm up to semi-auto's for some reason, just a personal glitch.
Love 'em. I had a CZ Bobwhite SXS with two triggers for a while, but it was just too petite for my hands.
I also have a Browning BSS box lock 20 gauge with a single trigger and a straight grip. Purportedly an advantage with two triggers is that in effect you have two guns in case one trigger goes south, but I've never seen that happen. Then again I haven't seen a lot of things, or gone hunting for months in the Dark Continent.
I just think SxS's are pretty, feel good to me, and are easy to handle. I can shoot anything with an average of below average ability.
I like pumps and over/unders also, but just can't warm up to semi-auto's for some reason, just a personal glitch.
Love the SxS's, nice gracefull shotgun. Hunted with all actions but stayed with the double. Had a nice Merkel and CZ Brno sidelock with 2 triggers and sold the Merkel. Found a nice Beretta 626 onyx with tubes, beaver tail and pistol grip. That's my favorite gun now but has 1 trigger. Never had a problem with the double triggers. The CZ is for sale now also, have a 311 in 20 ga as a back up gun. Larry
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Only doubles I've ever used were double-trigger SXS boxlocks. I loved them and still do. The use of the triggers immediately becomes second nature, and for me the double guns just mount and swing better.
Bill Bates
Member
I've been shooting side by side for years. I prefer them with double triggers. I have two in the safe with single triggers, the wife AH Fox 20 gauge and my DeHaan 28 gauge.
I don't shoot the single trigger guns all that much. I have found myself, more than once, searching with my trigger finger for a back trigger that isn't there. It is amazing how that momentary mental lapse cause misses.
Of course on the other end of the learning curve when I got my first double trigger gun more than once I found my self pulling that front trigger hard trying to get that second shot.
Really it doesn't take all that long to use to a double trigger gun. One hint double triggers are much easier to deal with on straight grip and Prince of Wales gripped guns. The trick is to stretch for the front trigger so your finger slips easily back to the second trigger. You don't move your hand so open grips that give your hand plenty of room work best.
With a little practice you can fire that second barrel faster than your friends can get off their second shot from a semi auto.
Another plus for double triggers are they are much more reliable than single triggers. There is also a quick pick of choke with double triggers.
Two barrels and two triggers is just how it should be.
I don't shoot the single trigger guns all that much. I have found myself, more than once, searching with my trigger finger for a back trigger that isn't there. It is amazing how that momentary mental lapse cause misses.
Of course on the other end of the learning curve when I got my first double trigger gun more than once I found my self pulling that front trigger hard trying to get that second shot.
Really it doesn't take all that long to use to a double trigger gun. One hint double triggers are much easier to deal with on straight grip and Prince of Wales gripped guns. The trick is to stretch for the front trigger so your finger slips easily back to the second trigger. You don't move your hand so open grips that give your hand plenty of room work best.
With a little practice you can fire that second barrel faster than your friends can get off their second shot from a semi auto.
Another plus for double triggers are they are much more reliable than single triggers. There is also a quick pick of choke with double triggers.
Two barrels and two triggers is just how it should be.
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You do have the options of either barrel first, and both at the same time if you are really mad at something. Also, a dud in the first barrel can really mess up your swing and follow through with a single (inertia) trigger. Double triggers really help when you're huntin' with the preacher.
italiansport
Member
If ever the statement "what goes around" applies it would certainly fit double barrel shotguns. When I first started 12 gauge, single triggers and 26" barrels were all the rage but this has changed.
Now the preference is for smaller gauges like the 20 ,double triggers and 30" barrels.
I personally think if you're only going to own 1 shotgun you're better off with a 12 gauge as it will do anything the smaller gauges will do and probably better. This observation is based upon 40 years of shotgunning experience with any and all gauges and types of shotguns made.
Just a note on single triggers and also ejectors while I'm at it. If either of these features goes out of whack they are very expensive to get repaired.
Jim
Now the preference is for smaller gauges like the 20 ,double triggers and 30" barrels.
I personally think if you're only going to own 1 shotgun you're better off with a 12 gauge as it will do anything the smaller gauges will do and probably better. This observation is based upon 40 years of shotgunning experience with any and all gauges and types of shotguns made.
Just a note on single triggers and also ejectors while I'm at it. If either of these features goes out of whack they are very expensive to get repaired.
Jim
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ky wonder
US Veteran
Way back in my safe sets a 16ga Stevens 311a that was my first gun in the 60s, and 70's I ve killed a truck load of quail with that old gun , wish I could still follow a bird dog but that activity in the past.
there is also a 20 ga 311a, a 410 ,311a,an old ranger (sears) 16ga Fulton box lock, and a old fox b model 12 ga single trigger
I love a double gun always have and always will. in the past I have owned parkers,Beretta silver hawks, Winchester 21's, Lc smith's, uncle dan's upper level lefever guns, all quality shotguns but I just seem to be able to shoot the old utlity grades the best and while they are not works of art they do work
grandson and 3 senior classmates were at the hunting cabin last week on spring break, they had brought down a JM Mossberg 930, and a pump remiington 877, and they all loved shooting the old fox 12 and could hit with it better than the new guns
there is also a 20 ga 311a, a 410 ,311a,an old ranger (sears) 16ga Fulton box lock, and a old fox b model 12 ga single trigger
I love a double gun always have and always will. in the past I have owned parkers,Beretta silver hawks, Winchester 21's, Lc smith's, uncle dan's upper level lefever guns, all quality shotguns but I just seem to be able to shoot the old utlity grades the best and while they are not works of art they do work
grandson and 3 senior classmates were at the hunting cabin last week on spring break, they had brought down a JM Mossberg 930, and a pump remiington 877, and they all loved shooting the old fox 12 and could hit with it better than the new guns
Fishinfool
Member
Farmer17
Can't add much to what has already been said about double trigger guns, but I will mention your new Ugartechea SxS. You don't see many of them around. I had one in 12ga for a number of years, and it was a very nice handling, high quality, well made shotgun. Picked it up at a gunshop's bargain rack, sitting there with assorted Russian and Brazilian SxS's. He didn't know what he had, and I got it at a very good price. Bought it for Pheasant and Grouse. Unfortunately, I just could not hit with it - It just didn't fit me, so I eventually sold it, and replaced it with an old Ithaca that works well for me. Enjoy yours. Pic attached of mine.
Larry
Can't add much to what has already been said about double trigger guns, but I will mention your new Ugartechea SxS. You don't see many of them around. I had one in 12ga for a number of years, and it was a very nice handling, high quality, well made shotgun. Picked it up at a gunshop's bargain rack, sitting there with assorted Russian and Brazilian SxS's. He didn't know what he had, and I got it at a very good price. Bought it for Pheasant and Grouse. Unfortunately, I just could not hit with it - It just didn't fit me, so I eventually sold it, and replaced it with an old Ithaca that works well for me. Enjoy yours. Pic attached of mine.
Larry
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The first gun I ever picked out for myself was a Sears/Stevens 311, with 30" barrels, full/modified chokes and double triggers that my mother ordered for me from the Sears-Roebuck catalog in those before GCA-68 days. A Sears truck delivered it a few days later.
I worried about the double triggers. It was worry for the sake of worry. I never had a problem with remembering to just slide my finger back to the rear trigger.
I still love a double gun (an over and under is not a "double gun" in my humble opinion...it's an over and under), but haven't owned one for years, until a week or so ago when I purchased a 1921 Parker Trojan.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. I found a sporting clays range not far from here, so I might give that a try just for grins and giggles.
I worried about the double triggers. It was worry for the sake of worry. I never had a problem with remembering to just slide my finger back to the rear trigger.
I still love a double gun (an over and under is not a "double gun" in my humble opinion...it's an over and under), but haven't owned one for years, until a week or so ago when I purchased a 1921 Parker Trojan.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. I found a sporting clays range not far from here, so I might give that a try just for grins and giggles.
