Double-Barrel Shotgun Triggers

Q: I’ve hunted with a Remington 870 for decades, but now I want a double-barrel shotgun. Some come with mechanical triggers, others with inertial triggers. What’s the difference?

A: In a mechanical trigger system, the sear or sear selector mechanically switches to the second barrel after the first barrel is fired. If the first barrel fails to fire, the sear or sear selector will still switch to the second barrel. Mechanical systems are reliable but more expensive, and for this reason are found on modern, high-grade double-barrel guns.

An inertial trigger system depends on the inertia from recoil forces to reset the sear for the second barrel. Should the first barrel fail to fire or the shooter hold the gun too loosely, the sear or sear selector may fail to reset the second barrel. Inertia systems are very popular, and are found on many value-priced and standard-grade double-barrel guns.