Help wanted from SXS shooters

[HWB13]

 I have an old (real old) Sexton side by side with exterior hammers and double trigger.  My question goes out to field shooters.  Having never used an exterior hammer sxs before, what is the easiest way to fire in a field type upland bird scenario.  After a day on the range I was still having a little trouble getting used to the hammer cock and trigger set, more so, on the left barrel and rear trigger.  After I got home , I was running scenario after  scenario through my head.  What if I cocked the left barrel during the presentation, then it would be easier to cock the right barrel from the shoulder if a follow up shot was needed.  What do you think?  I’m hoping someone has more experience with this one than I do.
My second question is, this gun does not have ejectors or extractors and the spent shells don’t drop out freely.  I have not measured the chamber yet, probably should.  But I’m wondering if a simple chamber polish job would do the trick or if I would have to go more extreme.  I’m shooting Baschieri & Pellagri  12 ga 2 ½” , 1oz ,#7’s at 1160 fps.  I hope someone has an answer for this one to.  I really enjoyed shooting it and would hate the thought of walking around the woods with a 30 inch stick to remove spent shells.
 

[RPRNY]

Sounds like a great gun. In my limited experience with external hammers - a 12 ga Boss with Damascus barrels that I use in the UK, I cock both hammers on the mount. I am used to double triggers, so that's not an issue but you have to work on the right hand double cock. It's all driven shooting in the UK,  so I'm standing a peg. I don't know that I would be as confident walking up grouse in cover!

No extractors? They aren't there or they don't work? Not there is odd indeed. I take it these are 2 9/16" chambers? You aren't shooting 2 3/4" shells in them? I doubt a chamber polish will do the trick. Two 30-06 cartridges filled with lead shot and glued over at primer and case mouth dropped down the barrel from the muzzle will clear your chambers without doing much damage. A couple of 7/8 oz lead 20 ga slugs may due the same with even less risk of damage.

Enjoy!

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[spruce]

Having no extractors is an oddity and does present some problems for quick reloads!  I can't think of any good solutions for that.
 
You didn't mention it, but does this old gun have damascus barrels?  I know some people shoot them with light loads, but personally I would not take the chance.  Due to the nature of their construction they could have hidden imperfections, small voids left during construction that can corrode from the inside out.
 
As far as cocking the hammers, the technique varies depending on how the hammers are configured.  The spurs on some are offset somewhat towards the centerline so with a little practice it's relatively easy to cock both at the same time by laying the thumb across both spurs.  Others are more widely spaced and difficult to cock at the same time.  The height and curvature also varies a lot and also greatly affects the best technique to use.
 
Double triggers feel awkward to most people at first, but shooting a few doubles thrown from a hand trap is usually about all it takes to get the feel for it.  Proper technique is to pull the forward trigger first, then slide your finger back onto the rear trigger.  Much more natural than pulling the rear first and then having to reach forward to fire the second shot.

[HWB13]

The barrels are belgian laminated steel, very simular to demascus.  Only shooting light loads and have did a great deal of testing before it was fired.

[pastorp]

HWB,

On going away targets you fire the right barrel first. On incoming targets you fire the left barrel first. That's because the open choke is in the right barrel the tighter is in the left barrel. Unless someone has played around with the chokes.

I believe it to be unsafe gun handling to walk around in the bush with the gun cocked. If you are hunting over dogs and cock as you walk in to the flush maybe. But IMO best to just practice you gun handling until you get used to the exposed hammers.

Regards,

[HWB13]

Pastor P, I completely agree that it would be unsafe to walk the woods with a cocked gun, even if not for the fact that there was no such thing in the 1880's as a hammer block safety.  I did measure the barrels right was IMPC and the left was just over IMP MOD.  I may open up the left alittle.  I would never shot to where I would need that tight of a choke.  I do need to get used to the dual triggers and hammers.  Thanks

[Doublebass73]

Another technique that I've heard of but never seen in practice with hammer guns is to leave the action open with 2 shells in the pipes and both hammers cocked back. You have to keep your thumb over the shells while walking to keep the shells from falling out. When the birds flush you close the action while bringing the gun up and you're ready to go at that point.