What are the double set triggers for?
In Quigley Down Under (1990) there is a scene where Quigley displays his capabilities of long range shooting with his rifle by shooting a bucket. In the scene, Quigley describes his weapon.
Marston: The legendary Sharp.
Quigley: You know your weapons. It's a lever-action breech loader. Usual barrel length's 30 inches. This one has an extra four. It's converted to use a special .45-caliber, 110-grain metal cartridge with a 540-grain paper-patched bullet. It's fitted with double set triggers and a vernier sight. It's marked up to 1200 yards. This one shoots a mite further.
The scene in question can be viewed on youtube:
So what exactly is the purpose of the double set triggers?
Best Answer
Reduced trigger pressure
At first I thought it was just Wild West techno babble to fuel a badass boast about his amazing weapon.
But lo and behold... there is a reason for it, as explained on Wikipedia's page on triggers.
A set trigger allows a shooter to have a greatly reduced trigger pull (the resistance of the trigger) while maintaining a degree of safety in the field compared to having a conventional, very light trigger.
[A] double set trigger accomplishes the same thing, but uses two triggers: one sets the trigger and the other fires the weapon. Set triggers are most likely to be seen on customized weapons and competition rifles where a light trigger pull is beneficial to accuracy.
So in short: it allows him to have a very light trigger pressure (which makes it easier to maintain accuracy) while at the same time not having his rifle go off at every bump, jolt and shove.
Pictures about "What are the double set triggers for?"
What is a double set?
Definition of double-set trigger : a set-trigger mechanism employing two triggers one in front of the other by means of which a very light trigger pull may be obtained.How does a double trigger shotgun work?
Set triggers are a firing mechanism that releases a rifle's sear while allowing for a light trigger release without undue wear to the rifle's sear surfaces. Set triggers make it relatively easy to adjust a trigger pull up or down, depending upon the rifleman's preference.What are set triggers?
Tikka trigger isA precisely manufactured trigger results in a crisp, clean trigger pull with a fast lock time that improves the accuracy of the rifle.Double (set) trigger and how it works
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Images: Ryutaro Tsukata, Nothing Ahead, Nothing Ahead, Nothing Ahead