# 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:** 11
**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, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/201 "2026-01-27T22:26:34Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Agree. I assume it would have been more acceptable at your previous place, up in the mountains. I could shoot from my kitchen table to a target in the back yard, but that’s getting into “that guy is weird teritory” And it would be breaking a couple of rules of safe shooting. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/202 "2026-01-28T02:14:39Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Just an FYI, but there’s no longer a $200 fee on suppressors. Cite? ---
**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 28, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/203 "2026-01-28T02:35:50Z")
It’s pretty much on most gun sites that sell them, here’s a representative sample that’s more detailed than most - in short, the $200 _Federal_ tax on them is gone as of 2026, though it’s possible different states may still have additional charges. Otherwise, still an application period with the usual delays. > **[Suppressor Tax Stamp Removal 2026: New Rules To Know](https://dividegun.com/suppressor-tax-stamp-removal/)** > > The suppressor tax stamp removal takes effect Jan 1, 2026. Here's what hunters and gun owners need to know about the new rules, costs, and buying process. It’s one of the microscopic specifics I generally approve of in HR1 “One Big Beautiful Bill”. ---
**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 28, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/204 "2026-01-28T03:06:07Z")
Yea, the $200 federal thing on suppressors was always stupid, and will always be stupid, IMO. They should never have imposed it in the first place. Just stupid all around. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/205 "2026-01-28T04:52:26Z")
This afternoon I thought more about it, and there’s no way the range was 100 yards. After thinking about how big a football field is, I’m pretty sure it was a 50 yard range. Then again, it was nearly 50 years ago, so my memory has gotten a lot more golden since then. But it was definitely NOT 100 yards. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/206 "2026-01-28T05:14:55Z")
Even Robin Hood born again would consider 100 yards not a fun shot, so 50 seems more accurate. The best bow hunters prefer to do about 40, a bad shot on a living animal is worse than a target but also losing an arrow is expensive and more likely farther. My local bow range maxes out at 80 yards I believe, and it’s not like it’s because we’re hurting for space because the rifle range is nearly 1000 yards. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/207 "2026-01-28T14:10:28Z")
My wife and step-daughter are also much better shots than I am. I’ve shot on and off for many years, but they come to the range and easily do as well as I do at ranges of less than 50 feet. I think there are a couple factors at play. First, they follow instructions, holding the firearm, aligning the sights, and gently squeezing the trigger at a slow, but smooth, pace. (Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.) Second, they don’t fight the gun. A lot of guys try to use strength (often our biggest weapon) to OVERCOME the gun. When I tell them not to use their thumbs to apply pressure in a two-handed grip, they don’t. Women I work with don’t milk the handle as much or push the gun sideways when they pull the trigger. Just my non-professional observations. ---
**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 28, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/208 "2026-01-28T14:16:04Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > or push the gun sideways when they pull the trigger. [This](https://www.spartanfirearmstraininggroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/trigger-control-600x566.jpg) diagram shows where to place your finger on the trigger. And [here](https://inside.safariland.com/blog/trigger-finger-placement-tips-to-improve-your-shooting/) is an article on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/209 "2026-01-28T14:22:41Z")
Disagree with that diagram. Finger placement depends on how big and or strong your hands are. And if you are shooting a revoler in single or double action mode, or shooting a semi-auto. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/210 "2026-01-28T14:30:00Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Disagree with that diagram. Well, the last sentence of the caption explicitly says “only you can determine what works best for you”. Surely you don’t disagree with that? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/211 "2026-01-28T14:36:29Z")
Most any published advice most anywhere on most anything is aimed (heh 😉 ) at the fat center of the bell curve of users and use cases. The more the user or use case is an outlier, the less applicable the generic guidance is. But the value of generic guidance is it gives the novice a place to start from, and then deviate from _if and as necessary_. Trying the orthodox way first is standing on the shoulders of the collective experience of the world. The logical alternative is newbies just running off willy nilly with whatever technique they randomly happen to hit upon. Which will almost certainly be worse. A good trainer will be able to predict which deviations from standard _might_ be helpful in a particular case. But even then there’s value in ensuring the trainee knows the standard and knows they’re deviating for [reason] and why they’re doing so. With increased skill and e.g. hand strength, they may well be able to more closely conform to the standard pedagogy later and do better for it. _May_. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/212 "2026-01-28T15:26:20Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Well, the last sentence of the caption explicitly says “only you can determine what works best for you”. Surely you don’t disagree with that? No, I don’t disagree. I did disagree (not out loud) with the range officer trying to show my wife how to hold her revolver. My wife might up with a semi-auto, and you don’t want that muscle memory. The ‘tea-cup’ hold is best. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/213 "2026-03-10T22:28:58Z")
So to continue, my Wife shot a number of .38 spls (rented) and bought a Taurus .38 spl. It failed after 10 shots. Gun Smith time failure. Not impressed. So she is shooting my Walther .380. And doing quite well. Probably the range again in a few days. She has gotten comfortable with the .380 . But a little extra time before she goes to class. She is taking a women’s defensive gun use class or something. First she has to take a CCW class, which is weird. So she is gonna have her CCW but does not plan on carrying a weapon around. Nor am I. It surprised me that she wanted to learn to shoot. She is not a natural, well none of us are, but she does need guidance on this. I saw 8 bullseyes at 15 feet from her today. Standing. 3rd time at the range. That’s a 2 inch diameter circle, from 15 feet. Perhaps she is a natural. OOoooookaaay. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/214 "2026-03-10T22:32:15Z")
IOW, don’t piss her off! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/215 "2026-03-10T23:19:09Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > So to continue, my Wife shot a number of .38 spls (rented) and bought a Taurus .38 spl. For her first gun my wife bought the Taurus .357 magnum. That was 20 years ago and fortunately it still works well. Sorry to hear of your experience. > [@enipla](#): > > That’s a 2 inch diameter circle, from 15 feet. Perhaps she is a natural. IME women are often better natural shooters than men are. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/216 "2026-03-11T10:28:01Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Sorry to hear of your experience. Yeah. Sucked. I suggested a revolver because they are less complicated to shoot. I’m hoping that after shooting my Walther, she will decide on a .380. I joke with her that we can keep the .38 spl for guests. We are shooting again today because she is busy the rest of the week. She will use my .380 in the CCW class this Sunday. It needs to feel natural for her so she can concentrate on the instruction. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/217 "2026-03-11T13:50:36Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > She will use my .380 in the CCW class this Sunday. I don’t remember if yours is a PPK, but, sounds like you have your own Bond Girl there with you. Good luck in the class. I’ve seen enough scary gun handling in some CCW classes\* that it scares me to think of the idiots out there who are packing. I’m not concerned about you or your lady. Just saying. \* — specifically, in TX (Austin) and FL (Hollywood). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/218 "2026-03-11T14:35:28Z")
PD .380 not a PPK. It’s a little bigger frame. I’ve done now… 5 table top lessons with Mrs. Bond. She’s been to the range 4 now times now I think. One more trip before class. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/219 "2026-03-11T19:37:02Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It failed after 10 shots. Gun Smith time failure. Not impressed. How does a revolver fail like that? That gun is widely considered reliable. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/220 "2026-03-11T20:24:15Z")
I’m guessing it’s a trigger safety failure. Some revolvers have a trigger lockout that helps impede negligent discharges if, e.g., it is dropped. A guess. IANAE. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939.md?page=12)