Single or double trigger?

[smokedawg SASS#60968]

Howdy all,  it has been many years since I have owned a SXS.  I decided that I needed on back in my life.  I'm undecided on the trigger.  I figured here is the place to ask.

 

What do you guys prefer?  Single?  Double?

 

For the record, I'm not good enough that the ''faster'' option will make any difference.

 

thanks.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

I are personally a "Double Trigger" aficionado.  Preferably one with Exposed Hammers.  A "thing" I like to remember, a Double Trigger Hammer Double is like having TWO shotguns mated together.  If one side quits, the other side is still functional (mostly).  And, besides, an Exposed Hammer Double Gun is just plain COWBOY!!

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Smoke,

 

I suggest double triggers. All of my doubles have two triggers and once you get used to them it's second nature and you don't even think about it. With the light loads we shoot sometimes the inertial (recoil operated) triggers don't reset. A mechanical trigger is the answer if you are determined to have a single trigger Don't ask what brand shotguns have mechanical triggers. I don't know (note: see my first line above). 

Not that you asked, but I think you will find that, as a rule, double trigger guns are often less expensive.

That's all I understand about what I know about it.

Rev. Chase

[Equanimous Phil]

+1 for double trigger:

It happens now and then that I miss a SG target which gives me the great opportunity and joy to reload two shells and pull both triggers at once! 

And as others said, simpler concept with fewer parts, less prone to malfunction, less expensive, a bit more cowboy 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I prefer double trigger myself. 

I think I have 8 or 9 SxS Double's all in double triggers. 

Rooster 

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

Double trigger for me also.....

[Eyesa Horg]

Double, but then I've never shot a single trigger.

[Old Man Graybeard]

I had a double trigger when I first started. I had grown up using pump and semi auto's. I had a very hard time with the two trigger concept. I was trying to find the right trigger all the time. I was not used to reaching so far ahead in the trigger guard to find a trigger....or I would try to keep pulling the same trigger again. I have gone to single trigger doubles myself. I do have a hammered double I play with once in a while...for some reason it is easier for me to do the double triggers on it

[Bison Bud]

I too have always preferred the double trigger.  It's what I used rabbit hunting as a kid and what I am used to using, plus as others have stated some of the reset single triggers can be picky about ammo, etc.  I have owned a couple of very nice single trigger SXS's and always ended up pulling on the trigger guard for the second shoot at some point.  Also, there will be those that claim one is faster than the other, but I have serious doubts that it really makes a difference in speed.  

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

I would not recommend a single trigger Stoeger. They have been problematic. 

[Texas Maverick]

It doesn't really matter. I started with a Stoeger double trigger and shot it for about 5 years. You get to the point after a few stages that muscle memory takes over and you don't even think about it. Just shoot. About 2 years ago I switched over to a CZ single trigger and it took about 2 stages to get switched over and now again muscle memory has take over and you don't even think about it. Just go with what you want and shoot it. It just works.

 

TM

[Choctaw Jack]

I prefer double triggers, but two of the three that I own have had the triggers swapped.

This allows one continuous "sweep" of both triggers with one motion of the finger.

I'll have the third shotgun swapped eventually,  as I don't shoot it a lot. 

Those pesky " rabbit ears" keep tripping me up .

Choctaw

[Buckeye Pete, SASS # 29941]

I have both and prefer the single  trigger version.  My second shot "seems" faster with the single trigger version.

 

Buckeye Pete

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

just shoot southpaw and ya ain't gotta change the triggers 

 

  CB 

[John Kloehr]

21 hours ago, Choctaw Jack said:

I prefer double triggers, but two of the three that I own have had the triggers swapped.

This allows one continuous "sweep" of both triggers with one motion of the finger.

I'll have the third shotgun swapped eventually,  as I don't shoot it a lot. 

Those pesky " rabbit ears" keep tripping me up .

Choctaw

 

11 hours ago, Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 said:

just shoot southpaw and ya ain't gotta change the triggers 

 

  CB 

 

If you stick two fingers in the guard, one for each trigger, only southpaws need the triggers reversed.

 

Shooting a double trigger does require excellent trigger control, hence the expression "give 'em both barrels."

 

If I'm going to manage every part and every step of the gun, I like the dual trigger setup. No opinion on fast as I can take two or three times longer than most shooters shooting any stage. I do think I am naturally faster with a SxS than with a '97. Shot a '97 in competition for the first time last month. Humbled.

 

Widder I think has different DNA. I can not believe how fast he is with the '97 and accurate. For me, load two rounds in the SxS. point at first target, index finger, repoint to second target, middle finger, open action (and remove fingers from trigger guard), move if advantageous while shucking and reloading, stop moving before closing action, third target index finger, fourth target middle finger, open action. Adjust everything for misses .

Edited December 12, 2024 by John Kloehr

[Griff]

Double triggers for over 50 years... if there's only one trigger I'd be ripping the forend off trying to pump it!  'Sides ain't a singletrigger gonna look stoopid on a mule-eared side by side? 

[watab kid]

ive always owned double trigger guns and dont think that will change in my lifetime , i dont like depending on an inertial reset with light loads on the clock , 

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

I'll buck the trend here. Even though I shot a hammered sxs for years in Classic Cowboy and will always like them, I prefer the single trigger SKB with inertia triggers that is properly set up for light loads.

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

7 hours ago, watab kid said:

ive always owned double trigger guns and dont think that will change in my lifetime , i dont like depending on an inertial reset with light loads on the clock , 

You do know that with a cut Ruger vaquero trigger spring you can make an SKB both mechanical and inertia reset ... Right? 

 

Phantom

[KingSnake]

Single trigger mechanical reset SKB for me. 
I don’t miss my double trigger Stoeger at all. 

[Shawnee Hills]

Another vote for a single trigger.  Switching to SKBs improved my shotgun runs significantly.

[Skullbone Willie]

Single trigger for me.

[smokedawg SASS#60968]

A question for you single trigger guys.  What gun are you shooting?  How do you rate the Stoeger?

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

SKB model 100 for me.

If you're talking about the single trigger Stoeger I have no hands on experience with one, but I hear nothing but complaints about them.

[Maddog McCoy SASS #5672]

I shot a double trigger Stoeger for years and wore it out.. Then I got a single trigger SKB. Several months later, I got my Stoeger back and was so use to the single trigger shotgun the I kept pulling the front trigger twice. I sold it and got another single trigger SKB for backup. As long as I load 2 shells, I never have any problems with makeups and it always goes off on one of the barrels. I now prefer the single trigger shotgun.

Get what fits your budget and works 100% of the time, and as soon as you get use to it, you will be good to go.

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Hey Brown,

 

Benchrest shotgun is not a normal CAS event. 

 

Rev. Chase

[smokedawg SASS#60968]

10 minutes ago, Reverend P. Babcock Chase said:

Hey Brown,

 

Benchrest shotgun is not a normal CAS event. 

 

Rev. Chase

New Category?  Long Range shotgun?

[Three Foot Johnson]

More often than not, I use a single trigger setup, either a Tedna 12g or a Baikal 20g. So far, so good, but both of them experience doubling now and then - maybe every 1000 rounds or so. 

[watab kid]

13 hours ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said:

You do know that with a cut Ruger vaquero trigger spring you can make an SKB both mechanical and inertia reset ... Right? 

 

Phantom

nope , did not know that , ive never owned an SKB either bit i shall tuck that way for future reference , thats good info to know , thanks ,