Double-barreled shotgun CONTENTS and Construction [edit]

"Double-barreled" redirects here. For the concept in names, see Double-barrelled name.

Shotgun with two parallel barrels

Shotgun view of a typical double-barreled shotgun mounted side-by-side, with the breech of an Anson & Deeley box shotgun open and the extractor visible. The lever and safety catch are also clearly visible. An "over/under" view of the bolt of a typical double-barreled shotgun ("over and under", O/U) with the bolt open and the ejectors visible.

Double-barreled shotgun

is a carbine with two parallel barrels, allowing two single shots to be fired in quick succession.

Construction[edit]

Modern double-barreled shotguns, often called doubles

, almost universally disrupt the action, with the hinge barrel down at the rear to expose the breech ends for unloading and reloading. Because no reciprocating action is required to eject and reload cartridges, double shotguns are more compact than repeating designs such as pump-action, lever-action, or autoloading shotguns.

Barrel configuration[edit]

See also: trainer's gun and sawn-off shotgun

Double-barreled shotguns come in two basic configurations: side-by-side

(S × S) and
above and below
("top/bottom", O/U, etc.), which indicates the horizontal and vertical arrangement of the trunks. The original double-barreled shotguns were almost all S×S designs, which was a more practical design for muzzleloaders. Early cartridge-firing shotguns also used the S×S action because they retained the exposed hammers of the earlier muzzle-loading shotguns from which they were derived. When the non-impact design began to become common, the O/U design was introduced, and most modern sport doubles are O/U designs. [1]

One of the significant advantages of doubles over single-barreled repeating shotguns is the ability to have more than one chokus at a time. Some sporting shotgun shooting, such as skeet shooting, uses intersecting targets presented at a narrow range of distances and requires only one level of choke. In other sports, such as sport clay shooting, the shooter is presented with targets at different distances, and the targets may move closer to or further away from the shooter, and therefore must be engaged at different distances. Having two barrels allows the shooter to use a more open choke for close targets and a tighter choke for longer targets, providing the optimal shot pattern for each range.

The disadvantage is that the barrels of double-barreled shotguns, regardless of O/U

or
S×S
, are not parallel, but slightly inclined [
citation needed
], so that the shots from the barrels converge, usually at a distance of "40 yards.
from". For an S×S
, the string continues its path to the opposite side of the ridge after the vanishing point;
for example, the left barrel discharge passes to the left of the scope until it reaches dead center 40 yards away, after which the discharge continues to the right. B O/U
In a parallel rib configuration, both barrels will be dead center, but after 40 yards the lower barrel will shoot higher than the upper barrel. Thus, double-barreled shotguns are only accurate at practical ranges, although the range of their ammunition easily exceeds this distance by four to six times.

S×S

shotguns are often more expensive, and may require more practice to effectively aim than
O/U
.
S×S
shotgun can make shooting the barrel on the side of the body a little more painful compared to an
O/U
, single-shot, or pump/lever action shotgun.
Gas powered and, to a lesser extent, recoil powered designs will have less recoil than any other. More S×S
than
O/U
guns have traditional "drop" stocks, where the end of the buttstock tilts slightly to the right, allowing right-handers to aim their sights more easily. [1]

Double-barreled shotguns are also inherently safer, as anyone present can tell whether the shotgun is loaded or can be fired, such as at a clay pigeon, trap, or clays range while another shooter is shooting; if the bolt is open, the gun cannot fire. Likewise, double shotguns are easier to check for loading than pump-action or semi-automatic shotguns, whose breech must be opened and the chamber carefully examined or felt to ensure it is unloaded; With a double shotgun (or a single shotgun with an intermittent action), whether the shotgun is loaded, i.e. whether there are cartridges in any chamber, is easily and immediately visible at a glance (and just as easily unloaded). [ citation needed

]

Trigger mechanism[edit]

Early doubles used two triggers, one for each barrel, located front to back inside the trigger guard. The index finger was used to pull either trigger, as having two fingers inside the trigger guard could result in very unwanted double discharge induced recoil. Double trigger designs are generally intended for right-handed users. [1] With dual trigger designs it is often possible to pull both triggers simultaneously, firing both barrels at the same time, although this is not generally recommended as it doubles the recoil, hitting both the shotgun and the shooter, especially if it was unexpected or unintentional. Double-shotting has long been a hunting technique used by hunters using 8-gauge "elephant" shotguns, firing two two-ounce pellets for absolute stopping power at close range. [ citation needed

]

Later models use a single trigger that fires both barrels alternately, called a single selective trigger

or
SST
. The SST does not allow two barrels to be fired at the same time, as the trigger must be pulled twice to fire both barrels. The transition from one barrel to the next can be done by a clock-type system, where the cam alternates between barrels, or by an inertial system, in which the recoil of the first barrel switches the trigger to the next barrel. A double-barreled shotgun with an inertia trigger works best with full-power ammo; Firing low-recoil shotguns often does not cause the inertia trigger to fire reliably, sometimes resulting in an apparent misfire when attempting to pull the trigger a second time to fire the second barrel (this can also happen if the first round fails to fire). There is usually a method for selecting the order in which the SST shotgun barrels fire; this is usually done by manipulating the safety by pressing one side to select the top barrel first and the other side to select the bottom barrel first. In the event that the inertia trigger does not switch to the second barrel when firing low recoil shotguns, manually selecting the second barrel order will allow the second barrel to fire when the trigger is pulled again.

One of the advantages of a double-barreled double trigger shotgun, or SST, is that a second shot can be fired almost immediately after the first, with just a second pull of the trigger, without having to manually operate the bolt (which inevitably destabilizes the gun's shoulder position and aiming), and can use different chokes for the two shots (provided, of course, that the shots are fired at full power, at least for a double-barreled shotgun with an SST inertia type, if necessary to switch the inertia trigger). This may be noticeably faster than a pump-action shotgun, which requires manually pumping the fore-end to eject and reload for a second shot, and may be faster or no slower than a semi-automatic shotgun (since there is no breech movement to delay pumping the second round). Note, however, that in neither pump-action nor semi-automatic mode will the second shot be different from the first shot, whereas for a double shot the two shots are usually fired with different choke. Thus, depending on the nature of the hunt, the appropriate choke for the shot is always at hand. For example, during field bird hunting, the first shot is usually closer than the second because the bird is flying away from the shooter; Thus, a more open choke (and barrel) will be better for the first shot, and if a second shot is needed as the bird flies away, a more closed (and therefore longer distance effective shot pattern) choke (and barrel). Conversely, in a driven hunt, when birds are being driven towards the shooter, the closed (longer effective distance) choke (and barrel) should shoot first, saving the open (closer effective distance) choke (and barrel) for the approaching bird. None of this is possible with a single-barreled gun, only with a double, be it S×S or O/U.

Regulations [edit]

Regulation

is a term used for multi-barreled firearms that refers to how close to the same aiming point the barrels will fire. A poorly adjusted gun may consistently hit with one barrel but miss consistently with the other, rendering the gun virtually useless for anything that requires two shots. However, the short distances and spread of shots provide significant overlap, so a small adjustment error in a double is often too small to be noticed. Typically, guns are adjusted to hit the point of aim at a given distance, usually the maximum expected distance, since this is the range at which the full choke is used and where fine adjustment makes the most difference. Adjustment is usually more important on SxS guns because felt recoil is different.

Double-barreled hunting rifles

A double-barreled shotgun is the most classic, reliable and proven tool for a hunter.
It is successfully used in hunting both birds and animals. For a long time there were no competitors to double-barreled shotguns, but with the advent of self-loading shotguns, hunters' opinions were divided - what to choose for hunting? Double-barreled shotgun or semi-automatic?

Konstantin Potekhin, arms sales department:

“Of course, there is no clear answer to this question. There are fans of both semi-automatic and double-barreled shotguns. If I am asked for advice, I still recommend a double-barreled shotgun. First of all, for beginners, since it is easier to handle a double-barreled shotgun, and it is also safer for an unsure user. Still, a semiautomatic weapon requires certain skills in using weapons. With a double-barreled shotgun, everything is very simple and obvious. Besides, double-barreled shotguns seem more aesthetically pleasing to me. And – an important detail – many experienced hunters consider a double-barreled shotgun to be the most honest way to get a trophy.” Today, many famous European manufacturers produce double-barreled shotguns; the choice is unusually wide. The hunter has the opportunity to choose a model for any budget and for any task. One of the most inexpensive Italian shotguns is produced by CD Europe.

Shotgun CD Start

CD Start

By building the gun on a frame lock, it was possible to make the block very light and compact. The height of the block is one of the smallest among shotguns in this price segment. At the same time, the light-alloy block, which ensures excellent balance of the gun and its low weight, is additionally reinforced with a steel insert on the front plate.

When designing the mechanism of the gun, the task was to ensure maximum reliability and survivability of the gun over a long period of time and intensive use. The CD Europe company succeeded in this - the mechanism is extremely simple and, at the same time, reliable: it consists of two massive triggers and sears, a selector and coiled mainsprings. There is simply NOTHING to break in the mechanism of the gun. At the same time, the simplicity of the design does not impair performance characteristics - one trigger and a pendulum-type selector allow you to quickly and accurately select the firing order, and the extractor with massive hooks reliably extracts spent cartridges, ensuring quick reloading in real hunting conditions. At the same time, the design of the gun allows you to save spent cartridges, which is often important for hunters who are engaged in self-equipping ammunition.

The gun barrel block is made at the highest level of quality, is equipped with replaceable choke constrictions and has a convenient ventilated sighting rib. All connections, including the interbarrel strip, are made only with silver solder, which ensures the highest reliability and durability of the structure. The barrel block is locked by a massive locking bar and has a large contact area with the barrel block.

At the low price of CD Start, the manufacturer offers a very decent set of guns, which includes a set of five interchangeable chokes (0.0-0.25-0.5-0.75-1.0), a choke key and swivels - that’s all. The client receives what is necessary for a successful hunt along with the gun. By the way, all these accessories are packed in a convenient and compact plastic case.

CD Start

Despite the affordable price, the gun looks very decent, the butt and fore-end are made of high-quality walnut, and the notch has a very complex structure and is made using a laser. In addition to the aesthetic component, a notch of such complexity also performs a purely practical function - it ensures reliability and ease of holding.

A slightly more expensive version of the double-barreled shotgun is produced by FABARM. The basic version of their double-barreled shotgun is the Elos.

The concept of the Fabarm company is to offer its customers traditionally high Italian quality at the lowest price

fabarm elos
This version is distinguished by an unusual design: an unconventional shape of the trigger guard, a rounded receiver (usually this box shape can be seen on much more expensive models). Has the function of adjusting the opening force. This allows the gun owner to avoid the feeling of “looseness” when opening, even after a large shot. Thanks to the optimal combination of price and quality, Fabarm Elos is today one of the most popular double-barreled shotguns in Russia.

One of the most significant options for a shooter is the FABARM - TRIBORE® barrels. The company is deservedly proud of them. Their profile is even depicted on the company logo. The breech of the barrel has an increased diameter, thanks to which it was possible to reduce recoil - after all, the gas explodes in a “room” of a larger volume, and, therefore, the force of the explosion will be small. Then the barrel gradually tapers and finally turns into a choke. This allows the projectile to gain the maximum possible speed, which significantly increases the sharpness of the battle. In turn, this means that the hunter will be able to “take” targets further away.

Especially for women and teenagers, the company produces a version of Elos - Venti. The gun is designed for 20 gauge, and the geometry of the butt is designed for a small shooter.

FABARM Venti

Venti

A gun from the Italian company Antonio Zoli GC Expert will cost a hunter a little more.

Antonio Zoli GC Expert

Antonio G.C.

This is a universal model that is suitable for both sports shooting and hunting.

The company also produces an exclusively hunting version - Columbus, with a removable trigger. The Boss-type locking system ensures a low-set barrel, which gives the shooter ease of aiming and, as a result, a more accurate shot. Columbus receivers are made from a single piece of forged steel - a classic, time-tested solution. Despite the fact that this is an expensive and resource-intensive technology, the company uses it because it gives excellent results.

Antonio Zoli Columbus Columbus.

One of the most advanced models is Blaser F3. The gun is also available in a sports version, but today we will discuss only the hunting version - GAME.

Blaser F3 Game Lux

Blaser F3 Game Standard

The main difference between Blaser double-barreled shotguns is their unique trigger mechanism, which is triggered almost instantly, which makes it possible to shoot at a target with almost no anticipation. This makes the gun not only more productive, but also gives the owner great pleasure from use. The trigger in the F3 is not hammer-operated, as in most double-barreled shotguns, but striker-fired. It is this design that allows for a quick shot. It also guarantees the gun great survivability - the mechanism is designed so that there is nothing in it to break.

The gun has a modular design - if a hunter also shoots sports disciplines, he can simply purchase an additional block of sporting barrels and, in fact, have two guns that can be assembled on one block. At the same time, Blaser F3 is unique in that all parts are 100% interchangeable. This means that any additional block of barrels (and any spare part) is guaranteed to fit any gun without any additional “modifications”, and this also means absolute maintainability.

Another nice detail - especially for duck hunting, where a lot of shots are fired - the walls of the barrel cool down almost instantly. At the same time, the patented drilling of the trunks allows for the highest sharpness of combat and uniformity of scree.

The cost of the gun can be seen here: Blaser F3 Game

Blaser also produces the Game Competition version - a universal tool suitable for both hunting and sports shooting.

Blaser F3 Game Competition

Merkel 2002C Merkel 2002

This is the heir to one of the most popular models of the legendary company Merkel from Germany. Such versions are bought by hunters who want to get not only a reliable and productive, but also a beautiful gun. Decorated with fake boards with hunting engravings. The forend consists of three parts.

This version features classic solutions such as modified Anson & Deely locks and the Kersten lock.

More complex - and, as a result, more expensive - is the Merkel 2003 model, equipped with removable side locks. This is a complex mechanism with powerful springs that ensure optimal firing time and is very reliable to use.

Merkel 2003

A separate conversation is, of course, double-barreled shotguns with horizontal barrels. Today, very few companies produce them, and, as a rule, any horizontal is a seriously budget-busting pleasure.

FABARM is a rare exception, as their side-by-side shotguns are relatively affordable. The flagship of the model range is FABARM Classic Grade IV. This version is richly finished and the stock is made from the highest quality wood. This model features finely engraved side plates by Italian craftsman Cesar Jonavelli, and rich engravings also cover the trigger guard and lower receiver. Just like all other guns from the company, the model is equipped with TRIBORE barrels and chokes with a hyperbolic HP profile, which can significantly increase the production efficiency of the gun.

grade

Today, almost all FABARM shotguns are equipped with chokes with an HP profile. The inside of the choke has a hyperbolic shape, that is, there are completely no sharp corners. This makes it possible to minimize the deformation of pellets, which inevitably occurs when they pass through the choke. An imperfectly round pellet, of course, always flies in an unpredictable direction, but thanks to HP chokes, there are significantly fewer such spoiled pellets.

A more expensive model is from the Spanish manufacturer Grulla, which specializes exclusively in the production of shotguns with horizontal barrels. The mechanism of this gun is assembled on side boards, which is considered the height of skill for a gunsmith; very expensive and beautiful walnut is used in the decoration; the gun is decorated with complex hand-made engravings.

Grulla

grulla

#blaser

#zoli

#fabarm

Double-barreled rifles and carbines and combined shotguns E.V. Steingold

Construction[edit]

Barrel configuration[edit]

Trigger mechanism[edit]

Regulations [edit]

See also[edit]

Double-barreled hunting rifles