Cocking effort is way different in different guns.

That is what I figured but wasnt sure , the other 10 ga hammerguns(English built ones) I owned/have they dont require as much effort so it had me wondering .

Something I learned shooting them is the difference between each gun makes me like them in their own way .

The Cheddite primers are notorious for piercing in certain firearms in the Trapshooting world. There seems to be quite a variance in primer cup thickness which would explain why not every shell had the pierced primer.

The real issue with such piercing is erosion of the firing pin over time. The gases coming back out of the primer are several thousand degrees and will make the tip of the firing pin brittle and eventually crack off pieces. This is an issue that is resolved by either shortening the firing pin or switching primers.

Ive read also the problem with Cheddite hulls Win 209s or other US brand primers fit loose in them . Seems the best solution is to just spend a little extra $ and go with a better hull/primer combo . Well I just looked Cheddite hulls appear to no longer be cheaper than the Federals so there doesnt seem to be a reason anymore to use those unless its as a last resort .

Never pierced a primer with Winchester 209s.

I cock my Hammer guns with the Breech open & before Loading. Seems to require less effort. Don’t load & close the gun until ready to low mount & get into shooting position. That’s not the best solution for hunting though.

William

I think they will be easier to cock with hunting gloves on, something for the knurl part of the hammer to grip to .

Seems I remember my Dad (back in the 50's) carrying his hammer gun cocked and open with shells in place. He would not shoot (go to the point with gun closed) unless the dog pointed and held the bird.

I have done this when I hunted alone with a hammer gun and it worked fine for me. No one else to worry about.....

I think a poll would find a number of hunters who carry their hammer guns loaded but open until there's a point. I often do when preserve hunting in open ground, especially if hunting with someone else. You have to be careful to not lose shells, but that's a small price to pay for safety.

most hammer guns are easly cocked...I have a dingle barrel 12 ga that is very hard to cock and the trigger pull is about 15 lbs...its my great grandpaws gun bought new by him...I would fix the trigger and hammer if it not his gun...charlie

Several years back some shotgun primer mfgs switched to using aluminum in there primers instead of brass. I had to retire my wifes .410 311 and have had to make a firing pin on a Ithica N I D. If the guns have non rebounding locks they can drive the pins in so far as to break off the pin tips when opened,use care take the forend off and wiggle untill the pin leaves the primer. Will