Well as I have said before, I have had three double discharges on game. Never one on targets. Two on two different water buffalo and one on a cow elephant.

With one of the double discharges I felt my finger sap the rear trigger. But I have not discounted mechanical problems totally, but neither do I discount my error either.

The rear trigger is normally much heavier than the front trigger. So much heavier that when shooting targets it feels too heavy. It makes the second barrel much harder to shoot accurately. Of course on big game it feels like nothing.

I read not too long ago an old account where it was recommended to use the rear trigger first. If this works just like anything, once one gets used to it, it would be no problem.

As for regulation depending on the front trigger/barrel being fired, with my rifle at least it doesn't matter and I understand most rifles it doesn't matter. Some rifles were designed to fire the left barrel (rear trigger) first as well. If firing a barrel makes such a huge difference to regulation, what would that mean to shots 3, 4, 5, 6 etc? It isn't a very logical argument. I would ask the people claiming this, is this theory or from personal direct experience? As I have said, my own personal direct experience from a handful of doubles is that it makes no difference at all which barrel is fired first.

As with a double barrelled shotgun of course it is faster to use the front trigger first as the finger will automatically move backwards on recoil putting it in place for the second barrel. Maybe my years of shotgunning with two triggers are causing a problem but a 12 gauge shotgun's recoil might not be enough to set the second trigger off.

An African PH told me, that one would be amazed how many clients double their double rifles. But my guess is few will admit it

. The recoil on firing makes it more likely than not, as compared to a shotgun. His opinion was it is smarter to use the rear trigger first. Certainly I used the rear trigger first on my second elephant without any great conscience thought. Just like several water buffalo an earlier trip.

Maybe my grip is too light. I usually concentrate on the beast. The rifle action is automatic and instinctive. I don't give it much thought. I saw some constructive comments on finger placement on the trigger which actually looked useful. I think that was better than holding the grip in a death's grip.

As for a comment about not taking a double rifle "out into the weeds" before being tested, my rifles are users, not wall hangers