Beretta’s Double Single Trigger

From our September/October 2025 Issue

Bird hunters have long had multiple choices when selecting a method of discharging a shotgun. For 200 years, twin triggers were the bee’s knees on British doubles, but recently the Italian single trigger with a barrel selector has been in the ascendant. Now comes the “double single trigger,” or “doppio monogrillo,” from Beretta, with which the shooter can choose a barrel sequence without recourse to a selector.

The innovation features two triggers. On an over/under, pulling the front trigger will fire the bottom barrel first, and pulling it again will fire the top barrel. Pulling the back trigger will fire the top barrel first, and pulling it again will fire the bottom barrel. Or as Beretta puts it: “The first trigger will drive the sequence ’First — Second Barrel. ’The second trigger will drive the sequence ’Second — First Barrel.’”

The driving force behind the double single trigger was Fausto Ronchi, who has been collaborating with Beretta for a number of years. We asked Ronchi, “What happens if you pull the front trigger and then the back?” To which he replied: “Pull the front trigger, and it will first fire the bottom barrel; and if you then pull the back trigger, it will fire the top barrel, like a traditional double trigger.”

Older shooters may recall the defunct Spanish gunmaker Laurona introducing something similar many years ago. It was thought to be particularly useful for shooters accustomed to double triggers on side-by-sides who are switching to O/Us. The difference is that Beretta’s double single trigger can be retrofitted to a number of already extant guns, including the Silver Pigeon I, II, IV and V; 686 Series models; 687 Series models; and the Gold Pigeon, Onyx and Onyx Pro—as long as they are not more than 45 years old. We asked if SV10 models can be retrofitted. Ronchi responded: “It is possible to mechanically upgrade all Beretta O/U shotguns in any gauge built in the last 45 years (except S series), the entire 680 series, all Silver Pigeons; the Ultralight; the SV10; the entire 690 series [pictured]; and the Ultraleggero.” He added, “At the moment, the Ultraleggero is the only gun to offer this trigger ’out of the box.’”

Will the double single trigger consign previous ignition systems to history? It seems unlikely, but for some shooters it will offer yet another arrow to draw on in a quiver of choices.

Beretta encourages those interested to contact their local dealers.