I have had a few doubles. Historically, I have had my middle finger beat all to hell by my doubles, 500 NE & a 470 NE. My wife is a hand surgeon. I do not like the look on her face when she looks at my hand.

I used to think it was the recoil causing this. Then I shot birds in Pakistan with several high-end doubles with two triggers. In spite of shooting light loads, I also got my middle finger beat all to hell. It was so bad that I could hardly hit anything with these super expensive doubles. When I switched to a single trigger Beretta, I just hammered them.

I have not shot my 500 NE in several years. I took it to my ranch this past weekend and shot it probably 10 times. I noticed something interesting. If I loaded it with a single round where I could only shoot the back trigger, I had ZERO problems.

I must be doing something wrong to be receiving the beating I get when I pull the front trigger. Any ideas?

THanks!

Being an apostate, shoot the rear trigger first.
I just had to say it.

quote:

Originally posted by Arniet:
Being an apostate, shoot the rear trigger first.
I just had to say it.

That can cause some guns to double . Doesn’t stop the problem when a second shot is necessary.

Do you think perhaps you aren't holding the grip quite tight enough? I would think that if your grip is sufficiently tight...then when the gun recoils, your hand should travel backwards with the rifle to prevent the knuckle busting. Something else that could help would be a padded glove of some kind (with fingertips exposed) to lessen the damage.

Larry, it may just be the shape or size of your hand.

It must be a fairly common problem since Galazan/Connectict Shotgun actually sell a rubber bumper for the rear of the trigger guard.

You may want to give it a try. I’ll see if I can get you a link.

Here you go: Bumper Buster

Check you Length of Pull

Larry, I had the same issue with my first double in 500NE, a Merkel. The length of pull was too short for me. My second double was a VC in 577NE, the one Aaron Neilson first owned. It was also too short in length of pull and beat the crap out of my trigger hand. I had JJ add a 1.5" spacer to lengthen it and that solved it 100%.

My VC 500NE was bespoke built to my exact LOP. It was never an issue with my hand.

You might look into that. Maybe find a slip on recoil pad that adds an inch or so and see if that helps. If it does, get JJ to put a permanent thicker pad on it for you.

It can also be the shape of the trigger guard. Parker Reproductions tore me up...nothing else.

I have the same problem with a lot of rifles. Make my own stocks now and I move the grip back. I think I have seen a product to cushion the back of the trigger guard.

Larry, it could be that we are just getting OLD. I know this seems silly, but I found a gray hair the other day. And I don't have much hair.

Larry, Todd is right you need a longer LOP. A properly fitting double should never bang your fingers. Also you should shoot the front trigger first on a double trigger gun. If you start shooting a double pulling the rear trigger first you will develop a bad habit and not be able to go to front trigger when you really need to fast. I had a Searcy and a Chapuis that were both a little short for me and they beat the crap out out of me. Both fingers and my shoulder. I shoot my 577 a lot or used too and never had an issue but it fits me properly.

quote:

Originally posted by Brain1:
Larry, it could be that we are just getting OLD. I know this seems silly, but I found a gray hair the other day. And I don't have much hair.

I disagree. I have been old for a while!

I'll look into the length of pull. I am 5'9". It is hard for me to believe a gun is too short for me. Who knows. I'll try a recoil pad first.

I’m guessing gun fit is probably the issue. Owned a Merkel 500 15ish years ago that beat the hell out of my face and hand. I’ve learned to only buy doubles that fit well with my proper LOP and comb drop. No more issues. Currently have 9 doubles from 400/360 Purdey to 577. All fit good and no more problems. Still can’t do a 600 however no matter how well it fits me.

I have suffered the same middle finger pain, and none of the cures have worked to suit me!!, a straight grip makes the problem worse, pulling the rear trigger first sorta works , and going to the front trigger with an open hand after firing the rear is almost workable once you figure it out..

A single trigger and shooting flat nose solids works well for me, on DG. The other options are less than ideal for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by McKay:
I’m guessing gun fit is probably the issue.

This is where I'm at. I think the distance from the trigger to the grip vs your hand size, shape of the grip, and how you naturally hold that shape largely explains why some guns do that more than others with even more recoil.

With a really heavy recoiling guns I try to consciously rotate my right hand (I'm right handed) a bit more counter-clockwise to get the recoil more into the web of my hand rather than just my thumb trying to stop the rifle. If I grip like I naturally hold a 375 or 12 gauge the gun can break free just enough that the trigger guard slams my middle finger (had a friend film me slowmo and had an "Ah-Ha! moment when I saw it). Before I figured that out I did electrical tape a small piece of foam to the back of the trigger guard on my 4-bore for a few years. That definitely helped a lot too.

Bob