SINGLE SELECTIVE TRIGGER VS Double TRIGGERS

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sgt.rock

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This is kind of a dumb question I guess (but I don't know the answer) so here goes. I have owned side by sides and over/unders but never have I owned one with a SINGLE trigger. How do they actually work? Is there a switch like a tang safety to change which firing pin is being used?
Is it a pull-pull situation where a pre-determined barrel fires first, and then the other?
Thanks for any help. This has kept me from exploring ownership of one, as I thought there was a switch to flick, therefore being a little slower to fire off that second shot. I have a fair amount of luck with SxS guns with 2 triggers, but how would a single trigger fare in speed of that second shot??
Thanks for all the insight.
 
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Some guns have a selective switch for which barrel fires first. My Ithaca SKB 500 for instance has that and it is just a little push button around the trigger. Other guns you push the safety switch sideways for barrel selection.
 
The only one i have had used the safety as a selector. Once the first barrel is selected, it is just a matter of pulling the trigger twice. Mine was recoil activated. The recoil of the first shot, switched firing mechanism to the other barrel.
 
The main advantage of the SST is the speed for the second shot. Some over/unders have mechanical triggers, so even if the first shot fails to fire, you can still shoot the 2nd barrel.
 
P PREFER double triggers on my hunting shotguns because it is easier for me to select the barrel I want rather than mess with the selector.
That being said, here is something most shooters that I have talked to do not realize .
Most double trigger SXS guns have the front trigger running the right hand barrel.
What I have found is that I have a far easier time pulling the BACK trigger first, so if you have screw in chokes, put the open choke on the LEFY side instead of the right ( front trigger ) side.
The gap between the front trigger and the guard is farther than the back trigger and the front trigger, so there is less fumbling for the second shot.:)
In skeet, you shoot you "away" bird first, so shooting my fixed chokes guns is a breeze, and when shooting birds, I usually have a bit more time to go to my tighter barrel anyway.
However, when a bird takes to flight, I find it far easier to select either the front or back trigger as opposed to trying to switch the selector then swing on the bird.....

Cat
 
I believe most that shoot sxs's feel the double trigger is faster as you just slide your finger back to the next trigger. You also have instant choke selection with the double triggers and if something goes wrong with one trigger, you still have the other barrel to hunt with. With many single triggers, if something happens to the mechanism, you are done hunting until it is fixed. Most of my sxs's are double trigger. The couple of single triggers I have, the barrel selection is selected by sliding the safety one way or the other and the second barrel fires after firing the selected barel. If you want to switch barrels, you have to move the safety whereas with double triggers you just pull the other trigger. I personally prefer double triggers but it is entirely a matter of choice and some find the single trigger easier.
 
DT vs. SST – the age old question of “to be or not to be” …… :)

One’s preference over the other will always depend much on hunting scenarios that an individual may usually encounter followed in parallel by the component of experience/familiarity with either of those particular features on a shotgun.

The SST functionality – be that actuated via the switch “embedded” on a tang safety (Beretta, Browning etc) or via a design integral to the trigger system (SKB, Baikal etc) – was/is not really meant to facilitate a quick shift “on the fly” in terms of instant choke selection.

Consequently, the individual (using an SST equipped firearm) would be left at a certain disadvantage in a terrain where the flushing behavior of birds is always unpredictable and in situations where there is a strong need for a double gun to be equipped with both tight as well as open choke constrictions. Besides, it may also be a cause for frustration in many ways when an attempt is made to quickly move the SST switch with a gloved finger.

On the other hand, SST will work fine for the Upland hunter who is solely accustomed to scenarios where the shooting distance is close and demands a need for more (similarly) open chokes in both barrels (example: Ruffed Grouse/Woodcock hunting in the more confined surroundings of a densely wooded terrain).

Unlike DTs, the SST design will conform better to a somewhat thicker gloved trigger finger (in winter conditions). Moreover, in the case of many individuals, the positioning of that single trigger inside the trigger guard can offer great convenience as that may prevent putting the hurts on the knuckle of the middle finger due to recoil.

As far as double triggers may be concerned – nothing will beat that arrangement when it comes to instant choke selection. Additionally, due to the simplicity of the mechanism involved, one may be confronted with comparatively far less issues during operation. At the same time, it would be unfair not to point out that given the modern manufacturing process/design technique – the SST design on most brands of shotguns usually work fine.

Personally, if given an option for selection, I would choose a mechanical SST over an SST configuration that is inertia driven.
 
catnthehatt said:
P PREFER double triggers on my hunting shotguns because it is easier for me to select the barrel I want rather than mess with the selector.
That being said, here is something most shooters that I have talked to do not realize .
Most double trigger SXS guns have the front trigger running the right hand barrel.
What I have found is that I have a far easier time pulling the BACK trigger first, so if you have screw in chokes, put the open choke on the LEFY side instead of the right ( front trigger ) side.
The gap between the front trigger and the guard is farther than the back trigger and the front trigger, so there is less fumbling for the second shot.:)
In skeet, you shoot you "away" bird first, so shooting my fixed chokes guns is a breeze, and when shooting birds, I usually have a bit more time to go to my tighter barrel anyway.
However, when a bird takes to flight, I find it far easier to select either the front or back trigger as opposed to trying to switch the selector then swing on the bird.....

Cat
Click to expand...

Hey Cat:
With regards to your F.A.I.R Express rifle, is it's SST of the mechanical, or inertia variety? I am also curious to know if you got the optional 20 gauge
barrels with your rifle? I really do like that express rifle of yours.:)
 
358 BLR said:
Hey Cat:
With regards to your F.A.I.R Express rifle, is it's SST of the mechanical, or inertia variety? I am also curious to know if you got the optional 20 gauge
barrels with your rifle? I really do like that express rifle of yours.:)
Click to expand...

THAT is anothger kettle of fish!!
The express is in fact a rifle with optional shotgun barrels, so there was no need for them to put a selector in there!

Now, my first barrel to fire ( the bottom) is always set with the more open choke because when huntng geese the second barrel is normally shot at a longer distance.
However,
I never worry too much about which choke I am using , I worry MOST aout where the shot string is going!:D
Cat
 
gunsaholic said:
I believe most that shoot sxs's feel the double trigger is faster as you just slide your finger back to the next trigger. You also have instant choke selection with the double triggers and if something goes wrong with one trigger, you still have the other barrel to hunt with. With many single triggers, if something happens to the mechanism, you are done hunting until it is fixed. Most of my sxs's are double trigger. The couple of single triggers I have, the barrel selection is selected by sliding the safety one way or the other and the second barrel fires after firing the selected barel. If you want to switch barrels, you have to move the safety whereas with double triggers you just pull the other trigger. I personally prefer double triggers but it is entirely a matter of choice and some find the single trigger easier.
Click to expand...

Interesting story about that...

A few years ago (4 I think) I was shooting some trap with an old SxS that had double triggers. One of the triggers broke, but I could at least continue using the other barrel.
 
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