pros and cons for a double gun.

[Hillbilly]

I'll be using it for upland birds. I have always wanted one when watching hunters on TV use them to harvest quail and pheasants. So what are the pros and cons of a double gun.

Thanks

Casey

[AJ]

Re: pros and cons for a double gun.

PROS

Multiple Chokes - Because you have 2 barrels they can be choked for different shots. One barrel with an open choke and smaller shot the second barrel with a tighter choke and larger shot. If you need the second shot the target is typically farther way, this is the easiest way to connect.

Safety - Carry the action open until the dogs on point. I have each chamber loaded but the gun is open. Once the dog is pointing, the action gets closed and I move in for the shot. This makes it impossible for "acidental discharges".

Safety II - Most field double guns automatically engage the safety when the action is opened. When the shooter is excited about scoring on his double, shooting or shooting at the target they have just shot, or whatever, when the action is opened to reload, the safety will automatically be engaged. There is no chance to forget and have a hot gun that is off safe.

Balance - A good double gun is so fun to shoot. Its balance is different that a pump or semi. The pump or semi has a lot of weight in the action and magazine. The double guns have their weight in the barrels. The manufacturers will choose how much to hollow out the butt stock to get the proper balance.

Size - Since the double gun does not have an action length of 7 or 8", it is a more compact unit. It allows the shooter to use longer barrels and still have a shorter overall length. This provides better patterns, easier follow throughs, and less recoil.

CONS

Price - Good doule guns cost more than single barrel repeaters. There are cheap guns out there, but they are disposable. When they break in 10 years you can't get parts for them, unless they are custom made. Cry once and get a good quality gun.

Strength - Double guns are not quite as durable as pump or semi auto guns. The double will need gunsmithing work before the pump or semi auto. The action needs to be taken care of more so than the single barrel repeaters. Proper lubing of the hinge points, lockup parts, hammer springs reset mechanisim, and ejectors are the most common points.

Complexity - Double guns are a lot more complex than pumps or semi autos. This is kind of the first two combined. The higher cost is due to the tolerances needed to make the double gun function correctly. Regulating both barrel to get the same point of impact is not easy. The timing of the inertia triggers and making the selective ejectors work is far beyond anything in the pump or semi auto. Breakage requires a gunsmith to repair most problems. Doubles are not really DIY friendly.

Shots - I don't really consider this to be a con but some will. There are only two shots with the double gun. The 3rd, 4th or 5th ..... shot is not there. Odds are that if you have not hit your target with the first two, you will miss it the rest of the shots anyway.

Those are what I can think of off the top of my head.

[too_pointer]

Re: pros and cons for a double gun.

Great job AJ,you covered that well

[RangerClay]

Re: pros and cons for a double gun.

If you get a side by side you can also shoot CAS with it

Ranger

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Re: pros and cons for a double gun.

I've got 2 OU's and 1 SBS and each of those 3 shotguns see more action every year than my 2 autos, 3 pumps (one is for home defense and not suitable for hunting) and 1 single shot combined.

[Canadian_Goose]

Re: pros and cons for a double gun.

i love my o/u. Makes you a better shot becuse you have to focus for those two shots instead of worrying about pumping out the triple (this is more true for decoy hunting).