Demographics and economics play a big part, but also to blame is the undermining of the double gun concept by the makers themselves.

It is easy to superficially copy an English SXS. The problem is that the copy does not have the two basic elements that made the English prototype so coveted: feel and custom fit.

Ironically, autos have progressed and offer stock adjustablity and choke selectivity, while doubles have no similar advance to show, plus they lost the handling and balance of the originals. No wonder the new generation of shooters prefer autos.