Questions about double-barreled shotguns.

S

stephenkl

New member
I still got a lot to learn about how double-barreled shotguns reocock themselves, and how you select a barrel to fire.

How do you select which barrel to fire? I've seen SxS shotguns with two triggers, and i've seen the Stevens uplander that uses a selector switch near the single trigger (I think). But i've never seen a o/u shogun with double triggers, how do you select a barrel in that case?

WHat about cocking? What exaclty is inertia cocking? I've seen SxS guns with exposed hammers, but not o/u guns. How is cocking performed with double-barreled guns in general?

I'm asking about it because i'm interested in a 20 or 28 gauge double, atleast 28". The only shotgun I own is a 18" synthetic tricked-out combat 870, and i'd like a more elegant 'field' gun. I've got my eye on the Stevens 311 but then again, I dont know enough about o/u guns. Do they even make an affordable o/u?
 
The only examples of internal-hammer boxlock guns I've seen recock as you lower the barrels. Like, a lever/transfer bar is forced back by a lug on the bottom of the barrels near the pivot as they drop open and that recocks the hammers. Thats the only example I've ever seen, but I'm sure there are other types. Uh, not much more I can tell ya about that.

I have seen both o/u and s/s shotguns with double triggers, but the former is rather rare. As for the single trigger double-barrel guns, the tang-mounted safety acts as a selector switch; the middle is safe, one offset-position sets it for top/bottom/left/right barrel, and the opposite position selects the other barrel.

I'm pretty sure I'm right. Like 95% sure. :o
 
I think it was a Berretta I shot. The safety was the selector. You pushed it to one side, then up. It would reset after you opened it too.
 
There's a couple different ways that doubles recock, mostly there's a mechanism in the forend that works as the action is opened and closed.

Also different mechanisms for barrel selection. The safety location is most common. Some doubles do not have an option, one barrel always fires first. On SxS shotguns it's usually the right barrel, on O/Us the bottom.

Doubles are great fun and oft excellent shooters, but caveat emptor. Good ones are rarely cheap and cheap ones rarely good.
 
Every double barrel shotgun I have ever seen cocks both hammers as the barrels are broken open. The fore end pushes a plunger that cocks the hammers. Removing the forestock (takes about 2 seconds on most guns) will cause it not to cock when it is broken open (the barrels will also come off).
Barrel selection as to which fires first is usually on the safety as described above. Some guns don't have this feature.
Inertia cocking is not really cocking, but a method of selecting the second barrel to fire. I have a Beretta 686 that requires the jolt from recoil before the second barrel will fire. If I dry fire the gun (with snap caps), the first barrel will fire but the second will not unless I rap the butt on the floor to simulate recoil. I don't see this as a problem, as it has been absolutely reliable so far.
I hope this explanation helps.
 
There exists tremendous variety in double guns, so blanket statements rarely fit.

Ruger O/U's cock when you close the barrels, at least the older ones did. Some guns have the barrel selector in or around the trigger guard. A few do not allow you to select the first barrel fired. At least one Browning model had double triggers that allowed you to choose the first barrel fired by selecting the trigger, but the trigger would fire both barrels in sequence without having to switch triggers! O/U's with two triggers are popular in europe, most Beretta models aare available there with double triggers.

Outside hammer guns must be cocked manually, and yes they are still made by some gunmakers!

Double guns are very personal guns, moreso than any other firearm. Once you have owned one and start to begin to understand them you WILL change your idea as to what makes your ideal gun. Double gun addicts usually end up with a safe full of guns they no longer shoot, still looking for the perfect gun. Ask a Trapshooter if he still has that Remington 3200 in his safe that he has not shot since the late 80's :D

The Stevens 311 is a good start, if you can find one that the CAS crowd hasn't butchered. :eek:
 
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