doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com First time shooting my double

A few weeks back I scored an Antique Williams and Powell 22 bore double. I got some good info from folks on here as it is my first double barrel so thank you if you helped out.

Took it out into the back today for the first time to see what sort of patterns I got. Rear trigger / left barrel is a tighter pattern and the right (front trigger) is spread wider. I did find out that using the front trigger first led to a ba-boom which sounded like a slam fire in a semi auto as the recoil or my trigger pull ALSO pulled the rear trigger. This got me thinking.. I assume that rear trigger is for tighter pattern as you�d use that first, with the thought that if needed the front was still available for a closer shot. Is there any standard for trigger/ barrel and pattern in these things??

Sounds like something is wrong because usually front trigger is pulled first. Are you left handed by chance? If so, the recoil from first shot may be causing the left index finger to inadvertently touch the rear trigger upon firing, and causing doubling?. Otherwise and if right handed, there may be something amiss with the gun, such as an incompetent left sear??

I agree with buzz, however, if you were wearing gloves that might have been enough to cause it as well. I have found that some gloves will put a fold in my trigger finger behind the first trigger that can induce a double, but more likely, you have a left sear issue. Should be an easy fix though.

Just a thought as you dem in-experienced with doubles. You weren't putting to fingers on the triggers, were you? If so Don't, they were made to use one finger & shift between shots.

In answer to the last post , yes I had two fingers in the guard one on each trigger. This explains the situation somewhat.so front trigger first, as in bird flying away, so closer then further.

As ever , a mine of information and knowledge here which I appreciate no end.

22 bore ??

22 bore ??

It could well be a 20 gauge with an undersize bore. 22 = .596" & 21 = .605". These bores may have accepted a 22 gauge plug gage but not a 21 gauge. Assuming the barrels have a 22 proof mark on them the bores could have been anywhere between those two dimensions. "Or", it may just be a typo.

I was wondering if it might be a muzzleloader. But regardless, it should never double unintentionally.

Try it out with only one finger at a time on the triggers

I've had folks I've hunted with who were inexperienced with sxs guns. They sometimes want to borrow my double during the shoot to see how they like it. Invariably, they use two fingers and get a big surprise. Not an uncommon mistake Eighteen Ninety...Geo