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Joined: 21 May 2015 Posts: 128

This may sound like a stupid question. But, I've seen some nice hammerguns on the market, and I'd like to know how you safely hunt.

I carry my break actions open with shells in my jacket pocket.

When my dog goes on point I chamber the rounds.

And, just before I walk in for the flush I close the action, barrels down (pulling the stock up) safety off. As I walk in to flush I carry my gun port arms.

When you hunt with a hammer gun, do you cock both hammers before the flush?

Thanks,

3ds

I carry with the hammers cocked gun open.

I hunted one once! Carried it loaded & hammers down. Dog went on point, cocked gun, but bird flushed out of range. I was a bit excited I guess. Grabbed a hammer and pulled trigger to ease back hammer. WRONG! Pulled wrong trigger and other barrel fired. Scared the H--- out me. Thankfully no harm done. Gun sold; no more hammer guns.

grew up on 97's - no worries - 1/2 cock loaded . My 1889 . shells in , gun open till imminent . My 37's all have rebound and carry loaded . My pistols have rebounds , but have locking cylinder 1/2 cocks - keep on an open cyl . Whether hammer or not , usually have the gun open on the rebound when with company afield . It's actually the repeaters that are more pesty when gathering . The more you handle something , the more likely to screw up !!

Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 827 Location: N. Shore, mn

I hunt Ruffed grouse from time to time with a couple different single shot hammer guns. A Winnie red letter model 37 & an "Invincible" single shot. Both are 16 ga. I carry them loaded with the hammer in the safe or half cock-locked posn. On a bird rise I cock the hammer while mounting the gun & trigger off a shot if I have a "shot".
Hunting grouse doesn't give me time to lock & cock.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

Back in the day I hunted with my dad's H&R HandyGun 410. I'd carry it loaded and closed with hammer down, then when a bird flew as I was raising the gun I'd cock the hammer and proceed with point/shoot. It was a single shot so things were simple. The guys that shoot hammer doubles have a lot more coordination.

Member Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 371 Location: mpls mn

Hammers down ,walk up to pointed bird cock hammers,flush bird and shoot, wild flush I just focus on one hammer cock that and shoot

Closed with the hammers at half-cock for my non-rebounder and hammers down on my rebounder. Full cock on the flush - I can cock both hammers with a single sweep of my thumb on both of my hammer guns.

Member Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 451 Location: La-Tx

Gun closed, hammer on half cock and cocked on the rise.

Hammers cocked and action open in some wild flush situations, but most of the time it's hammers down and cock when walking up on dog on point.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

When using that HandyGun I was warned against having the hammer cocked when closing the action; but as I think about it, it's not any different from my standard practice of walking along with chambers loaded and action open, then when the bird flushes closing the action while raising the gun to shoulder.

Joined: 19 Apr 2014 Posts: 429 Location: Maine

My hunting buddy Norm can be a "Hammer Head" sometimes and can occasionally go off "Half Cocked", but we tend to stay away from any extra step thrown in to shoot a bird. Hearing them, seeing them, and shooting them is challenge enough.

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1695 Location: Minnesota

here's where we discussed the subject almost exactly a year ago
http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18535&highlight=hammer
Hope it helps you

Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 567 Location: wheeling, wv

This was my first year to hunt with a hammer gun, a little Belgian J Manton 20 ga with 30" open choked twist steel barrels. I even shot a 5 bird grouse limit with it one day in Mich. I have a hard time cocking on the flush, so often carried it loaded but open. Since I was by myself, I didnt have to worry about it as much as if hunting with others. Of course no problems with sporting clays, cept it does draw attention. I am now looking for one in 16 ga.

Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 2124 Location: Hudson,Wy

I would be hesitant to carry any break open gun in the open position. In the event of a stumble and fall event that thing could get slammed shut, catching a finger or whatever: severe injury. I once had the edge of my palm caught in a closing gun. I'll never forget it. Plenty of pretty red blood.

This is also a good way to introduce extra debris into the action, not great treatment for a fine old double.