My K80 doubled ! !

Just what the title says. I'd shot a round with my K80 using my reloads of 1 oz of shot in front of a claybuster wad, promo powder, and winchester primers. No problem in the 100 shells.

A friend handed me two factory shells and said to try them as they were 1,340 fps and therefore he claimed less lead was required on the longer targets. I chambered the two shells, called for the targets ( true double pair ), and pulled the trigger. The gun fired, knocked me back a half step, caused my right thumb to slam into my nose (I'm right handed), and left a ringing in my ears which still hasn't subsided.

Not realizing what had happened, I opened the gun expecting only one shell to eject since I'd only pulled the trigger once. Much to my surprise both shells ejected and then it dawned on me the gun had doubled. It still took a little while to sink in as I've never, with any gun, experienced this happening.

Theories were offered that the more "powerful" shells had caused the gun to double. Although I have concluded the only variable was the shells, I certainly can't get comfortable with a gun that will do this with a factory loaded shell. I was actually foolish enough to put two more of his shells in the gun and repeat. Same thing - both barrels fired simultaeneously.

I bought the gun used from someone on Trapshooters a few years ago. It has a 2014 serial number. I probably haven't shot more than a couple thousand shells thru it and the lever is far to the right indicating little usage. I've not had any maintenance performed or an annual done since owning the gun.

So - the question is what caused ( or causes ) a gun to double ? The triggers are pull/pull with no modifications as far as I know. What causes a gun to double ? Suggestions, thoughts, comments, etc, please.

 

If it only did it with the factory shells it was probably caused by the recoil and not actually a double. What happens sometimes as the gun bounces off your shoulder so fast you don't realize it but you actually squeezed The trigger on the rebound of the gun . Did you shoot any more of your 1 ounce reloads and if so to happen again? I'm not saying that it didn't double but I've seen a loose hold cause that more often than the actual double .

 

Listen to iceman!

 

A lawsuit over the ATA allowing 3 1/4 + dram loads will eventually happen.

 

I agree with this, "it was probably caused by the recoil and not actually a double" .....

And for this,"Did you shoot any more of your 1 ounce reloads and if so to happen again?", I would use one shell and pay attention to the second barrel ejector being "tripped", or not. Because it sounds like you are on a fast-track for a release trigger, "I was actually foolish enough to put two more of his shells in the gun and repeat. Same thing - both barrels fired [sic] simultaeneously". The "gun-fit/recoil" on that shotgun for you may need more attention than the triggers .....

 

I would be willing to bet you tried it more than once just to "make sure".
When my MX8 started to double a few years back I tried it after the first time it happened. It took 300 rounds or so but it it did happen again.
I would also be willing to bet you didn't pull the trigger twice. LOUD, isn't it. You know when you touch the trigger and hear that ONE LOUD report that something weird just happened and it wasn't you being Barney Fife and shaking yourself into pulling the trigger AGAIN.

This is how I was introduced to mine.
Reloads (3 dram) at sporting clays shoot.Now, the trigger pull on my bottom barrel is 2-1/2 pounds. It has ALWAYS been 2-1/2 poinds and is still 2-1/2 pounds so it ISN'T a too light trigger.
Left to right climbing target. BOOOOOM!
WTF? Pull out the trigger, check for anything broken, reload and try it with the gun level. No problem, finish the other 70-80 targets
Couple of weeks later, reloads (3 dram normal) shooting farm pigeons, gun pointed at an angle tracking a rising bird, BOOOOOM!
Pull the trigger group, nothing. Shoot almost 100 more pigeons all kind of up and down angles, no problem. Raise the gun up at a steeper angle BOOOOOM!
That's, it, gun in the case, send it to Giacomo.
Pay him $100, trigger comes back at 2-1/2 pounds and no more problems.
For about 6 months.
Zone 2 Sporting clays championship. High right to left, BOOOOOM! Well there went a $100 wasted. Double WTF? Angles? Interia block? Dirty? Broken part? Try something else without spending another $100.
Do a little on line research about MX 8 trigger doubles, cleaned the trigger group with a good spray cleaner and blew it dry. Only oiled the pin/pins I was supposed to oil and no more problem.

Shot the hell out of it for another 6 months and then went to Valley View for the labor day shoot.
First ring, 5th bird, box 2, bird comes up and hovers(Homer). BOTH barrels, 3-1/4 on the bottom and 3-3/4 on the top.
Pigeon never had a chance.
The puller looks at me like WTF? I smiled and told him the rules say MUST fire 2 shots. It doesn't say how much time has to elapse between them. Dead bird, bring me 5

Now I will say I never owned a K gun, but it sounds like you need to take it to someone that can take her apart and, while you are standing there watching, show you if something is broken or worn.

Now that I typed all this stuff the thing will probably double the next time I shoot it.

Good luck,

 

You'd lose the bet. I only put two more of my friends factory shells in my gun. It doubled the second time and I put the gun away. Two in a row was enough for me.

I did go home and work up the courage to put two of my own shells in the gun. I cringed and pulled the trigger. First barrel fired. Pulled the trigger again. Second barrel fired. No issues.

I think I'm going to put one of my friend's shells in the first barrel and snap cap in the second barrel and pull the trigger. If I open the gun and both shells eject it will be a good indication that the heavier recoil of the hotter shell is causing the second hammer to fall. However, to me that is still an indication of a problem with the triggers, not a shell problem.

I've shot the gun long enough to state I'm almost positive I didn't "double trigger" the gun. There was no delay whatsoever between the barrels firing. I'll either take the gun to the Cardinal center in a couple of weeks or send it to Krieghoff for them to look at it. Either way, sure don't want to experience a doubling of the gun again ! !

Thanks for the comments

Noel

 

"I did go home and work up the courage to put two of my own shells in the gun. I cringed and pulled the trigger"

When I read this sentence I thought it was the second time you tried it. Once with your friends factory shells and once with your reloads. Either way, you are more than likely correct that it is the triggers not the shells.