Double-Barrel Shotgun Triggers

by
posted on May 5, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
qa_ah2015_fs.jpg (37)

undefinedQ: 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.

Latest

LEDE 2
LEDE 2

Hot from SHOT: Top 10 Items for Backcountry Hunters

Every year manufacturers debut new and exciting guns, optics, backpacks, clothing, footwear and a plethora of other fun gear during the January Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Tradeshow (SHOT) in Las Vegas, Nev. This year I cruised the floors in search of awesome new gear suitable to my favorite kind of hunting: wilderness, backcountry-type adventures in wild and remote places. Here’s what I found.

AH Hunts: Late Season Alberta Geese Pt. 1

Senior Executive Editor Jon Draper joins American Hunter contributor Brad Fenson for a late-season Alberta goose hunt. Check out part 1 of the hunt here.

Sierra Bullets Announces 15 New Products for 2026

Sierra Bullets has announced its 2026 new product lineup. Beginning in early 2026, Sierra will roll out three waves of new bullets ...

Benelli Expands SBE3 A.I. Sub-Gauge Lineup for 2026

Benelli USA has announced new 28-ga. A.I. models with cold-weather controls, and updates to the SBE3's camouflage. Why? Because it looks cool. 

Hardware Review: Benelli NOVA 3

Although the Nova 3 might be unorthodox in construction, the controls will be familiar to nearly anybody who’s used a pump-action shotgun before.

First Look: POF PST-7 Suppressor

Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc. (POF-USA) has announced the release of its the PST-7 suppressor, a .30-caliber can engineered to deliver effective signature reduction with extremely low back pressure.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.