"The Sharps Rifle and Carbine were the favorite of most soldiers because they didn't need special ammo like the Spencer. They were slower to load but more accurate."
And they hit harder at a far greater range.
Where did I read that a unit -- I think Berdan's -- started with the single-trigger and gradually converted to the set-trigger model?
texaswildcat:
To elaborate only slightly on Shane's excellent post, the trigger travel (distance from start of pull to hammer release) was fairly long (1/2-inch?) and quite heavy (5-6 lbs. on the Sharps) because the movement had to slide the sear against a springloaded surface. Both the travel and pull detract from the gunner's ability to hold steady on a really small target (someone's head at 500 yards, for example),
In a double-trigger version, the first trigger takes up that distance and effort, leaving the final twitch for the set trigger which needs little more than a touch to drop the hammer. Modern target and sniper rifles are equipped either with a set trigger or mechanisms designed and worked by skilled hands to minimize the travel and pull.
Just a thought.
Ole