# What's with the double trigger set up on semi-auto pistols **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939 "2026-01-22T21:57:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/181 "2026-01-27T21:34:18Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > It takes a while to master the bolded text. I’ve also met seasoned shooters who knew nothing about it, interestingly. I’m still bad at it, I’ll admit. Just not enough live practice, and I’ve read conflicting info on practicing technique with snapcaps (which I own, keep completely separate from my ammo, and added additional coloration to make sure I distinguish). If anyone has advice on long term consequences of snapcap practicing, I’m all ears. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/182 "2026-01-27T21:40:49Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > If anyone has advice on long term consequences of snapcap practicing, I’m all ears. I don’t shoot nearly as much as I used to, but I practiced a lot with snapcaps. I have no evidence it makes any difference from personal observation - I was a crap shot before, and remained a crap shot after. OTOH, my son is a competitive shooter for his branch of the military, and he uses snapcaps. He’s a pretty good shot and runs through ammo like it’s going out of style. I think he’d say it works to keep his mechanics sharp. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/183 "2026-01-27T21:41:06Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Just not enough live practice, and I’ve read conflicting info on practicing technique with snapcaps (which I own, keep completely separate from my ammo, and added additional coloration to make sure I distinguish). I have some too. I found them mostly useful for practicing loading and unloading. Which isn’t easy at first for an automatic pistol, especially the last couple of rounds as the spring gets tighter. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/184 "2026-01-27T21:43:56Z")
@ricepad - so true, lol! > [@enipla](#): > > My Wife appears to be a ‘natural’. I mean really, accurate with a snub nose as a first time shooter? From my posts you might be thinking I’m a great shot. Nope. Very mediocre. Below average, honestly. Not sure why. Poor hand/eye coordination? Inability to concentrate? I once instructed a young woman on shooting a rifle for the first time, and she did much better than me. Talk about humbling. I think concentration is key. One of the best shooters I know has the ability to completely ignore everything around him, and focus 100% of his energies on hitting the target. Wish I could master that. > [@ParallelLines](#): > > I’m still bad at it, I’ll admit. If I haven’t shot in a while, I will completely forget about trigger control (the sear-set thing). It’s only after a dozen rounds I’ll say to myself, “Oh, crap, I forgot about trigger control.” ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/185 "2026-01-27T21:52:34Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I think concentration is key. One of the best shooters I know has the ability to completely ignore everything around him, and focus 100% of his energies on hitting the target. Wish I could master that. Me too. ☹ My brain isn’t made that way. Funny enough, I took my oldest to shoot a bow and arrow at an archery range a few years ago, and I found it totally natural and had no problem hitting the target. When I was in scouts, when I was patient I could hit bullseyes with a BB gun (rifle), but couldn’t shoot a bow. Now it almost seems like the opposite (although to be fair, a rifle and a pistol are so different I’m comparing apples to oranges, and I haven’t tried to fire a rifle in decades, plus a BB gun and real ammo are also very different to shoot with). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/186 "2026-01-27T21:55:01Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I think concentration is key. One of the best shooters I know has the ability to completely ignore everything around him, and focus 100% Yes this. My wife and I play a lot of darts. I call this ‘Zening out’ I’m sort of no longer here, do not talk to me, I’m in this focus mode. If I’m at the board and my wife talks to me, I have to back away to answer. Now this is not good for a combat situation, but for target/dart shooting it’s how I am. And I never interurpt my wife either. Heck, playing pool is the same way. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/187 "2026-01-27T21:58:50Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I have some too. I found them mostly useful for practicing loading and unloading. Which isn’t easy at first for an automatic pistol, especially the last couple of rounds as the spring gets tighter. Get a Maglula UpLULA, if you don’t have one already. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/188 "2026-01-27T21:58:59Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yes this. My wife and I play a lot of darts. I call this ‘Zening out’ I’m sort of no longer here, do not talk to me, I’m in this focus mode. I think the underlying skills that are required to be a great shot with a gun are the same underlying skills necessary to be good at pool/billiards, darts, curling, etc. One difference with a gun, though: it is very unnatural to have an extremely loud BANG occurring a couple inches away from your ear. I think that’s the hardest part to overcome. It’s why flinching occurs. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/189 "2026-01-27T22:00:43Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Get a Maglula UpLULA, if you don’t have one already. I do have one, and I swear by mine. I’ve had it for years. It’s awesome. I learned to do it by hand without it first, though. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/190 "2026-01-27T22:00:48Z")
I used to be an archer. Not that good really. I ended up buying a high powered pellet rifle about 4 years ago because I wanted to target shoot on my own property without disturbing anyone. I takes a special compresor to get the pressure up, I think it’s 6000psi. Serious shit. Anyway, 16x scope and tack drive again and again. Well, I could put ten rounds in a dime sized target at 100 feet. The gun is a lot more accurate than I am. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/191 "2026-01-27T22:03:26Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I wanted to target shoot on my own property without disturbing anyone. Just an FYI, but there’s no longer a $200 fee on suppressors. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/192 "2026-01-27T22:08:16Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > One difference with a gun, though: it is very unnatural to have an extremely loud BANG occurring a couple inches away from your ear. I think that’s the hardest part to overcome. It’s why flinching occurs. Well, or in another lane. Very true. We have very good electronic ear muffs, so that sound is really reduced. You can feel the shot more that hear it. My wife did get used to it. And I’ve been shooting for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/193 "2026-01-27T22:12:15Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Funny enough, I took my oldest to shoot a bow and arrow at an archery range a few years ago, and I found it totally natural and had no problem hitting the target. This is interesting. I’m unnaturally good at archery. In Scouts, I earned a sharpshooter badge (medal?) using a 35lb recurve bow on a 100 yard range, with almost no prior experience save for that week at camp. But with a firearm? I may as well be throwing rocks. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/194 "2026-01-27T22:14:13Z")
I only have 1/3 of an acre now. Neighbors next door might wonder why there is a man walking around with a rifle. I’ll have to pass on that. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/195 "2026-01-27T22:16:35Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > using a 35lb recurve bow on a 100 yard range, I have one too. How did the skin on your forearm do? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/196 "2026-01-27T22:16:59Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I only have 1/3 of an acre now. Neighbors next door might wonder why there is a man walking around with a rifle. I’ll have to pass on that. Agree. I assume it would have been more acceptable at your previous place, up in the mountains. We live on 15 acres in rural Ohio. Around here, it’s kinda unnatural to see someone walking around _without_ a gun in hand, lol. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/197 "2026-01-27T22:19:42Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > How did the skin on your forearm do? IIRC, the camp had loaner forearm guards and finger tabs. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/198 "2026-01-27T22:20:06Z")
He, yeah where we used to live, we could hear people ‘tuning up’ for hunting season. But I just didn’t want to do that. It sort of would ruin the, if I may, splendor, and certainly the tranquility. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/199 "2026-01-27T22:22:35Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > IIRC, the camp had loaner forearm guards and finger tabs. Yeah that forearm scape is bad. I just have a two finger glove for the string. 100 yards is very impressive though. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/200 "2026-01-27T22:25:57Z")
Yeah, I was pretty proud of it. I wish I knew where the medal/badge went. It’s probably in a box in my mom’s garage, so I may never see it again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939.md?page=11)