Single vs Double Triggers?

[Greebe]

Hey guys. I am finally getting parts ordered for my build and had a question concerning triggers. I am trying to build a .40 cal early Virginia / Lancaster type rifle and need to decide on whether to get a single or double trigger.

I am thinking of getting a singe trigger. Seems like if it is adjusted properly it should have a nice smooth let off and work nicely. I have a .54 with double triggers and I often think it would be nice to just have one good trigger instead.

What are your guys thoughts?

Thanks
Greebe

 

[azmntman]

I like my set triggers but if I had the knowledge to "tune" my triggers to a better pull I believe I would prefer one. I like a light crisp trigger too... a bit heavier than the hair set triggers.

 

[kopfjaeger]

I have flintlocks with both triggers. I like a double set trigger when shooting on the range or even squirrel hunting. But when it comes to hunting bigger game like coyote, deer and bear I prefer a well tuned single trigger just because of the simplicity.

 

[Col. Batguano]

How about a double action single set trigger? You get the best of both worlds that way.

 

[gunmaker43]

Do you have gunsmith Grenville co ? He goes into detail on setting up a single tgr. 2-3 lb quite possible...Tom

 

[galamb]

I don't like double triggers - just more things to adjust or "go wrong" at the wrong moment - like when a Boone and Crockett buck is in the sights.

BUT some rifles just wouldn't be proper without them.

If you are building a "generic" rifle it won't matter.

If you are building a rifle from a specific maker, see if they have examples where they used a single trigger - just about every gunsmith, back in the day, made at least one rifle with a single trigger if they routinely built with DST's.

If it's hunting rifle there is zero advantage to having a DST, in fact, there may be drawbacks.

 

[rafterob]

A single trigger is just hunky-dory if set up right. :thumbsup:

 

[B.Habermehl]

It's not hard to set up a single trigger to achieve a three pound pull or a smidge less. Location of the trigger pivot pin is important. Lots of info out there. BJH
PS A well set up single trigger is safer with cold excited hands.

 

[Artificer]

I don’t like a light trigger on a hunting rifle and especially one where it is cold when hunting and your fingers don’t have the sense of touch they do in warmer weather.

I don’t like anything less than a 3 lb trigger for target shooting, either. Maybe I’ve had too many years of using 4-4 ¼ lb triggers on NM Pistols, 4 5/8 lb. triggers on NM M1’s and M14’s and 3-4 lb on M40A1 sniper rifles. Besides, I have found a LOT of people who think their trigger is actually lighter than what it actually weighs when certified trigger pull weights are used.

The definition of an “early” Virginia rifle means different things to different people, I have come to find out. I consider an “early rifle” to be pre French and Indian War, but many consider it to be any rifle made before or during the ARW. So the time period of one’s early Virginia rifle may or may not call for having a double set trigger.

If I were going to use the rifle for both hunting and target shooting, I also suggest a double action single trigger. You will have more room in the trigger guard for a gloved finger if you do that. It would also be more externally correct for about any early period rifle that did not have double triggers. Still, I could be quite content with a single nonadjustable trigger that weighs 3 ½ to 4 lbs for both hunting and target shooting.
Gus

 

[sheba]

For hunting I prefer a single trigger especially for late deer season in the cold months when gloves are usually worn.

 

[hanshi]

I have guns with both double and single triggers. On a longrifle I like, and am use to, a double set trigger. The rifle will fire with a pull on the front trigger but even when hunting the "set" is what I use. When set my longrifles fire with a pull measured in ounces rather than pounds. In measuring two of mine they both broke at 13oz; and I have another that is even lighter. And NO, it is not dangerous. The only safety or danger lies with the brain behind the stock.

 

[nchawkeye]

It's what you get used to and use...

I got my first flintlock in 1977, it had double set triggers...I used it, got used to it and when I built another in 1988, I went with the same design...

Now, especially with a .40 you will probably be target shooting and squirrel hunting, this is where a set trigger shines...

Some say a set is not good for hunting, I haven't found that to be true...If you are deer hunting and a deer is close you don't have to set the trigger...At close range it's not necessary...

But, a couple of years ago, I was deer hunting when a 8 point buck came trotting by...Without thinking, I pulled the hammer back, set the trigger, hollered at the buck which stopped him briefly and took the shot...From the time I saw him until I shot him couldn't have been more than 3 seconds...

I've never seen the set trigger as a disadvantage when hunting... :thumbsup:

 

[galamb]

I guess it's all in how you use it. I hunt "close" - usually under 30 yards from a bow stand in "dense" hardwoods - you don't "see" Bambi coming in, he is just "all of a sudden" in your shooting lane which is generally no more than 4 or 5 yards wide - if I'm lucky.

So I would "not" set the trigger once Bambi shows up, I would be worried about him hearing the "metallic click" and spooking him off.

Because of that I also have the hammer "cocked" while in the stand (don't need that double click either with him standing often at 10-15 yards).

So with a cocked hammer and most often gloves on I don't want the trigger "set" where a light "brush" trying to get the finger in the trigger guard might set it off.

Others may hunt differently - not cocking until they are ready to shoot or whatever.

But in my style of hunting/shooting it is more than unwise for both safety and to ensure that I don't put the ball in the air instead of on Bambi to shoot with a set trigger - or even a super light pull for that matter.

It depends how "you" shoot...

 

[Greebe]

Thanks for all the good info. I know that the single trigger plate is smaller then the double. Would it be possible to go with the single and then later change to a double if I did not like it? I know they would be mortised out different, so maybe all you would have to do is open up the mortise for the longer trigger plate.

Part of why I want a singe trigger is because I shoot a lot of modern rifles and am more used to that then the double. I do not mind the double on my .54 but feel I would rather not mess with it. Especially the one I have the set trigger is set off with very little pressure. Almost too little in my opinion, and without the set trigger pressed, the trigger pull is very heavy and not smooth at all.

So I figure if I had a well tuned single trigger I would probably like that better. Plus I would rather not have the extra step while hunting. Just pull to full cock and fire.

 

[azmntman]

don't need that double click either with him standing often at 10-15 yards
:rotf: one time I "suddenly" saw a 4 pt whitetail (which is a rare thing at 8K feet where I was) only like 40 yds away and he was grazing along and had yet to see me rumbling through the forest. So of course I pulled the trigger, pulled the hammer back so he wouldn't hear it....and ya, you got it, blew a nice hole in the dirt! Trigger had never failed before on that gun (a kit gun I bought at an Albertsons? grocery store in Phx in 1985). He didn't even look up :shocked2: but got spooked before I could reload and that's the end.

 

[nchawkeye]

As I said, you don't have to use the set trigger...

We have thick forests here in NC as well, if a deer is close, just use the front trigger, no need to set... :thumbsup:

 

[nchawkeye]

I use modern rifles and shotguns as well...Heck, one of my shotguns even has double triggers (and barrels too)... :grin:

 

[AZbpBurner]

Many of my rifles have double set triggers, while some don't. I've been shooting with set triggers for nearly a half century, so I know the feel and performance of the set triggers. There are occasions when I don't set, but just fire with the un set trigger.

My most recent flintlock is a single triggr, and I thought I'd not like it, but is is smooth, crisp and performs to my satisfaction, nearly as well as one of the set trigger rifles.

I like the option to be able to set or not to fire, but with a single trigger, I don't have that choice.

 

[Stumpkiller]

For hunting I prefer a single, crisp and simple (not settable) trigger. Especially when wearing gloves or mittens.

 

[don hepler]

I shoot so much, it has become automatic. I can see a deer, raise the rifle to my shoulder, cocking the hammer and setting the trigger, while focusing on the sights, and be ready for the shot.

In the Hunting stories section, I told about a hunting experience entitled, "Better than Luck", that tells about this, and how I rehearsed it in mind before I saw the deer. The more I practice and prepare, the luckier I get.

Shot some today, as a matter of fact.