question on doubling

[charlie cleveland]

i was hunting doves with the 3 frame ph grade hammerless 12 ga and it began doubling on me after about 15 shells shot in the gun.am just wondering what to look for on the average that causes this problem..one thing for sure its not me making it double first i said i could have caused it to double but after the 5 th time that day i said its definely the gun..i will take the old gun apart and look at it any advise appreiated...charlie

[B. Dudley]

First thing is to make sure of which side is the problem. If it doubles all the time when pulling the right trigger, but never when pulling the left first, then the left is the issue. Or visa versa. Usually doubling is a worn sear, hammer or both.

[Bill Murphy]

I am now up to two single trigger Parkers that no longer double, but once did, no work performed. I have a double trigger Parker that doubles for me but not for its previous owner. I haven't tried to switch sides.

[J. A. EARLY]

Charlie,

Besides worn sear(s)/hammer(s) it can also be a perfectly fine Parker with the tang screws cranked down so hard the trigger is actually depressing the sear partially when assembled. Happens when people tighten a loose action into a spongy stock.

Also look for a replaced trigger, too tall, that is doing the above.

Take the stock off, clean everything, clean and put no oil on the sears and hammers if they are not worn, put the gun back together with the tang screws tightened to the correct depth (flush with the top and bottom tangs) and use snap caps to see if there is a light trigger pull, after determining which way it doubles as Brian suggested.

p.s. Assembled you should have a little play between the sears and the triggers that is taken up by the very light flat or round double spring. Look for the trigger to be pressing the sear when everything is assembled correctly and the rear screw not overtightened. I've had to take a few thousandths off triggers that the replacement stock had lost too much wood when made.

[J. A. EARLY]

Charlie,

I was not clear in my instructions. Assemble the gun completely without the stock and all screws to the proper depth so you can see what is happening and how light the triggers are and all the clearances at the triggers without the stock.

[charlie cleveland]

thanks fellows i will definetly look for all these possibilitys...old gun only doubles when firing shells in it...charlie

[J. A. EARLY]

We understand Charlie, but the first shot is jarring the second barrel making it shoot. If it is the sear and hammer are worn, I'm told Del Grego has the jig to recut them properly. Can't trust to just anyone.

I have a 20 ga VH that busted my head open one opening day as every time I chose the left/full barrel, both went off. Three times it did it. Gave it to a trusted smith and he took apart, and found nothing wrong. Put it back together and it would not do it again through a whole box of shells. Can't explain. But I've been gun-shy to use it since.

[Harry Collins]

Papa's 20 Trojan started doubling on me and I was heart broken that it might be an expensive fix. I took it apart and there was a glob of gook under one of the sears. Cleaned everything up and all has been well for years. I hope that is your problem as it is an easy fix.

Harry

[MarketHunter]

The help of a trusted professional would be what I'd seek out. Messing with hammers and sears is a tricky business.

Destry

[Grantham Forester]

A friend had a nice 20 VHE- but he felt that the trigger pulls were quite heavy, so he had a "rookie" gunsmith re-work the sears- he closed it with the muzz;les down, pointed towards the ground about 3 feet from his prized grouse dog's head- and it discharged when he closed it, with the safety slide in the SAFE position. Ruined the dog for hunting, became gun shy (wonder why?) and he sent it to Larry DelGrego to get it fixed right-