Fired both barrels

[John Aug]

Had my Sterly out yesterday and it doubled on me!
I have to admit I was shooting Kent'sTungston Matrix shells that are heavier than my Nice Shot reloads.
My friend shoots them all the time in his SW with no problems. I went back to my reloads and had no problem.
I shoot left handed, Do you think I fat fingered that shot? It was single digit weather and I didn't want to press
my luck with the Matrix shells back in. What would cause this mechanically?
The blue bill didn't survive the double and I wasn't sure I'd survive another!
Thanks for the help, John

[mike campbell]

If, in fact, it was a mechanical malfunction and not a "fat finger" or such, it could result from debris in the action. Something created a hair-set situation....limited sear engagement.... with the second trigger. The debris could have been in the sear notch on the hammer or under the trigger. I had 2 instances in 7,000 rounds of handloads using Red Dot. In one case, a trigger wouldn't set at all. Worse, in the second case, it set with a hair engagement and the gun fired when I closed it. Both times I found burned and unburned Red Dot residue in the action. No issues with cleaner powder and another 20K rounds.

There's a fine line between various forms of trigger malfunctions. Not re-setting is an inconvenience, but not unsafe. A hair set can be deadly, especially if it fires upon closing.

In any event, I wouldn't be comfortable until I'd disassembled and checked it over.

[John Aug]

Thanks for the reply Mike,
It's interesting in that my reloads are with Red Dot! I've never had this gun apart
but there is a first time for everything, I'll check it out.
Thanks again, John

[John Aug]

Mike,
Your disassembly instructions made that job very easy. I cleaned about 100yrs of junk out
of there and got her back together. After cleaning I coated the works with Fluid Film and then
blew it out and wiped it dry. Plan to get out this weekend and try it again.
Thanks for the help, John

[mike campbell]

You're welcome, John. Good luck with her...I know it takes awhile to rebuild the trust in a loving relationship.