How to load a double

zippy13 · June 4, 2012, 02:54 PM

Something I've not noticed, here at TFL, is any mention of how to load a double shotgun.

After you've dropped fresh shells in your SxS or U/O do you:
Grip it firmly and smartly close the action, or

Return your thumb to the lever and ease it back after closing the action?

BigJimP · June 4, 2012, 03:39 PM

On all of my O/U's ....I grab the forend firmly ...and close it "gently" ...making sure it closes completely.

I do not operate the lever with my thumb ..close the breech - and then release the lever... and I don't "slam" a gun shut ....or whip the barrels up by putting 2 hands on the stock ( like I see a few guys do ) to close the gun .... or release the lever..and grab the gun stock in 2 hands and flop the barrels open either....
-----------
Here's are Brownings instructions on the Citori ...but ...I suppose there may be a better way ...

" L o a d i n g
When loading your shotgun Always keep the muzzle pointed
in a safe direction, Always place the “sAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE
position and keep your fingers away from the trigger.
Failure to follow these warnings could result in serious
injury or death.
1 Move the top lever to the right and open the breech.
2 Check the chambers and bores to be certain they are clear
of obstructions.
3 Insert a shell in each chamber, or in the chamber you intend to
fire, and close the breech.

TheKlawMan · June 4, 2012, 04:32 PM

I think if you closed the barrel with the lever to the right and then released the lever you may not have gotten a good lock. I will go with the first option.

oneounceload · June 4, 2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

...I grab the forend firmly ...and close it "gently" ...making sure it closes completely.

I do not operate the lever with my thumb ..close the breech - and then release the lever... and I don't "slam" a gun shut ....or whip the barrels up by putting 2 hands on the stock ( like I see a few guys do ) to close the gun .... or release the lever..and grab the gun stock in 2 hands and flop the barrels open either....

BINGO - no slamming of moving the gun to snap it open or closed - THAT will ruin a hinge faster than throwing sand in it. Just close the action gently and all will be well for a long time

Scorch · June 4, 2012, 06:34 PM

Why, pilgrim, just snap yer wrist and slam it shut!

Not.

Drop the shells in, and applying pressure with the right wrist, firmly but gently close the action until the thumb lever comes home.

TheKlawMan · June 4, 2012, 07:03 PM

Scorch, Is that a picture of two of your skeet guns on your home page? What do you use; cannister loads?

.300 Weatherby Mag · June 4, 2012, 11:56 PM

Too many people slam guns shut!!!

Scorch · June 5, 2012, 02:51 AM

No, those are my friend's 3-pounders. I am not sure, but I think he has a hard time with doubles.

oneounceload · June 5, 2012, 09:08 AM

Watching an English friend of mine on the skeet field, he places his hand at the end of the butt and gently raises it to close the gun with his other hand holding the forearm. He claims it is easier to close a stiff gun that way (more leverage) and it puts less strain on the hinge pin. I do not know about the latter, but it makes sense for the former

Lee Lapin · June 5, 2012, 09:30 AM

I was taught to close a double gun by holding the barrels still and gently lifting the butt as well...

PetahW · June 5, 2012, 04:25 PM

Most often, the worst abuse a gun receives is the manner in which it's repeatedly closed.
Most shooters don't realize the damage they inflict by slamming shut, or even vigorously closing, their guns.
It's totally unnecessary.

No gun, however well designed, can accommodate the stress on the hinge pin & locking system that's caused by slamming a gun shut.
The gun, treated thusly, will rapidly loosen, requiring repair.
Shotguns are designed for repeated firings, but not for the stress of banging closure.

A doublegun should always be closed firmly, and hammerguns opened slowly, much like moving a heavy door that has a stained glass panel.

(from: Lock, Stock & Barrel, by Adams & Braden)

.

scotts_4x · June 5, 2012, 06:03 PM

I don't slam mine closed but I don't baby it all the time either. Most of the time my reloads come under stress of watching where other hunters in the group are at, where my dogs are, and where the flushing birds have flown to. Most of my reloads come without even noticing I have done it, so most of the time after the rush is over I'm checking the gun to make sure I have 2 fresh ones in the tubes.

-scott

PJR · June 5, 2012, 06:31 PM

I close the gun gently but firmly and let the top lever seat on its own.

oneounceload · June 5, 2012, 06:32 PM

To Petah's post I would add the same results are in for those who push the opening lever over and then "flip" or "snap" the gun when OPENING - that puts even more wear on the hinge pin

M4BGRINGO · June 5, 2012, 07:17 PM

I have started putting the barrels of the gun on the rubber pad, moving the lever over, and use the butt stock to open the gun, catching the shell in my free hand (when shooting trap).

I have my right hand on the stock as if I am going to shoot it, finger out of the trigger gaurd, and use my left hand to gently, but firmly, close the gun. I do this as I am raising the gun to my shoulder.

Crunchy Frog · June 5, 2012, 07:21 PM

If not-so-gentle treatment of a double gun makes you cringe, stay far, far away from a cowboy action shooting match.

The most coveted doubles are Browning BSS and SKBs. Cowboys buy 'em, bob 'em, and gut 'em (polish the insides, ease the springs and funnel out the chamber mouths). Then they slam them open and closed, and throw them down when we're done.

Enough to make a bird hunter cry.

zippy13 · June 5, 2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Then they slam them open and closed, and throw them down when we're done.

Sounds like the way cowboys treat their women, too.

oneounceload · June 5, 2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

If not-so-gentle treatment of a double gun makes you cringe, stay far, far away from a cowboy action shooting match.

The most coveted doubles are Browning BSS and SKBs. Cowboys buy 'em, bob 'em, and gut 'em (polish the insides, ease the springs and funnel out the chamber mouths). Then they slam them open and closed, and throw them down when we're done.

Enough to make a bird hunter cry.

Enough to point out the yahoos and "wanna be" cowboys, because a cowboy would never do anything deliberately to ruin or break his essential tools out in the middle of BFE

June 4, 2012, 02:54 PM	#1
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	How to load a double Something I've not noticed, here at TFL, is any mention of how to load a double shotgun. After you've dropped fresh shells in your SxS or U/O do you: Grip it firmly and smartly close the action, or Return your thumb to the lever and ease it back after closing the action?

June 4, 2012, 06:34 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Why, pilgrim, just snap yer wrist and slam it shut! Not. Drop the shells in, and applying pressure with the right wrist, firmly but gently close the action until the thumb lever comes home. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 4, 2012, 11:56 PM	#7
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	Too many people slam guns shut!!! Last edited by .300 Weatherby Mag; June 5, 2012 at 09:14 AM.

June 5, 2012, 02:51 AM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	No, those are my friend's 3-pounders. I am not sure, but I think he has a hard time with doubles. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 5, 2012, 09:30 AM	#10
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	I was taught to close a double gun by holding the barrels still and gently lifting the butt as well... __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

June 4, 2012, 03:39 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	On all of my O/U's ....I grab the forend firmly ...and close it "gently" ...making sure it closes completely. I do not operate the lever with my thumb ..close the breech - and then release the lever... and I don't "slam" a gun shut ....or whip the barrels up by putting 2 hands on the stock ( like I see a few guys do ) to close the gun .... or release the lever..and grab the gun stock in 2 hands and flop the barrels open either.... ----------- Here's are Brownings instructions on the Citori ...but ...I suppose there may be a better way ... " L o a d i n g When loading your shotgun Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, Always place the “sAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE position and keep your fingers away from the trigger. Failure to follow these warnings could result in serious injury or death. 1 Move the top lever to the right and open the breech. 2 Check the chambers and bores to be certain they are clear of obstructions. 3 Insert a shell in each chamber, or in the chamber you intend to fire, and close the breech.

June 4, 2012, 04:32 PM	#3
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	I think if you closed the barrel with the lever to the right and then released the lever you may not have gotten a good lock. I will go with the first option.

June 4, 2012, 07:03 PM	#6
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Scorch, Is that a picture of two of your skeet guns on your home page? What do you use; cannister loads?

June 5, 2012, 09:08 AM	#9
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Watching an English friend of mine on the skeet field, he places his hand at the end of the butt and gently raises it to close the gun with his other hand holding the forearm. He claims it is easier to close a stiff gun that way (more leverage) and it puts less strain on the hinge pin. I do not know about the latter, but it makes sense for the former

June 5, 2012, 04:25 PM	#11
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Most often, the worst abuse a gun receives is the manner in which it's repeatedly closed. Most shooters don't realize the damage they inflict by slamming shut, or even vigorously closing, their guns. It's totally unnecessary. No gun, however well designed, can accommodate the stress on the hinge pin & locking system that's caused by slamming a gun shut. The gun, treated thusly, will rapidly loosen, requiring repair. Shotguns are designed for repeated firings, but not for the stress of banging closure. A doublegun should always be closed firmly, and hammerguns opened slowly, much like moving a heavy door that has a stained glass panel. (from: Lock, Stock & Barrel, by Adams & Braden) .

June 5, 2012, 06:03 PM	#12
scotts_4x Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Posts: 71	I don't slam mine closed but I don't baby it all the time either. Most of the time my reloads come under stress of watching where other hunters in the group are at, where my dogs are, and where the flushing birds have flown to. Most of my reloads come without even noticing I have done it, so most of the time after the rush is over I'm checking the gun to make sure I have 2 fresh ones in the tubes. -scott

June 5, 2012, 06:31 PM	#13
PJR Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Posts: 1,127	I close the gun gently but firmly and let the top lever seat on its own. Last edited by PJR; June 5, 2012 at 07:15 PM.

June 5, 2012, 06:32 PM	#14
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	To Petah's post I would add the same results are in for those who push the opening lever over and then "flip" or "snap" the gun when OPENING - that puts even more wear on the hinge pin

June 5, 2012, 07:17 PM	#15
M4BGRINGO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2011 Posts: 256	I have started putting the barrels of the gun on the rubber pad, moving the lever over, and use the butt stock to open the gun, catching the shell in my free hand (when shooting trap). I have my right hand on the stock as if I am going to shoot it, finger out of the trigger gaurd, and use my left hand to gently, but firmly, close the gun. I do this as I am raising the gun to my shoulder.

June 5, 2012, 07:21 PM	#16
Crunchy Frog Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 591	If not-so-gentle treatment of a double gun makes you cringe, stay far, far away from a cowboy action shooting match. The most coveted doubles are Browning BSS and SKBs. Cowboys buy 'em, bob 'em, and gut 'em (polish the insides, ease the springs and funnel out the chamber mouths). Then they slam them open and closed, and throw them down when we're done. Enough to make a bird hunter cry.