A fine English style side by side shotgun should be an extension of your body - point a finger at a bird and go bang. When you point at something you do so with a straightish arm

The splinter forend is not meant to be held - it's simply there to smooth out the end of the action.

On a side by side you should be holding the barrels so that your fore arm is nearly straight when gun is pointing at the object - say a driven phaesant. Forefinger should be pointing along the barrels.

Your trigger hand should not be aiming, rather all it does is to lift the butt to the shoulder and squeeze the trigger. A side by side should be shot and is designed to be shot from gun down position.

A side by side barrel does get hot after a number of quick shots - a side effect of being in a hotspot!! You cn get sleeves that go on the barrels to protect your hand if this is really a problem.

With a rifle, trap gunor clay pigeon gun which is aimed rather than pointed the trigger hand has much more control of the aiming function - hence chunky pistol grips.