Neat Hammer Guns Researcher! I'm looking forward to my new W.C. Scott hammer gun. For years I shot an original 1861 Musket. I still own it. I shot percussion revolvers for years too. One an original '51 Navy. A very nice shooter, an early early number pistol. But my favorite BP pistol is a Ruger Old Army. Now those, while modern, are wonderful shooters.

Modern shooters? A few. A nice Winny Model 70 in 270. With that rifle, I need no other. I shoot it with open sights. A Savage 99 in 300 Savage. Hard to find ammo for it. An old Winny '73 in 32/20. Made in 1883. Neat rifle and like new. I guess it does not qualify for a "new rifle". A Mannlicher Schaneaur (no one can spell that word) in 30'06. I load that little rifle like a cannon and take cover when I touch it off.

I had three Scott’s a 10 that was my grandfathers and a 12 an 20 that previously were owned by a Mr. Peters of Peters Cartridge fame . But they weren’t hammer guns but rather crystal indicator guns . The 12 and 20 are gone but the 10 will be with u til they throw me in the box .

When we’re guiding a bird hunt and hear a hunter click his safety on and off a lot (usually on a pump or semi), that hunter is asked to leave the field. Trust me, even with hearing loss we can hear the tell-tale clicking of the safety.

I’ve hunted a lot of birds with a hammer gun and it’s carried cocked and action open. Keeps it safe.

Cocked and action open has been my hammer gun system for many years.

I always carry my hammer guns cocked with the action open in the field.

Further, when shooting clays, i will always cock my hammers before closing the breech… Cocking hammers after closing the breech on live shells leaves open the possibility of the hammer slipping off your thumb and causing an unintentional discharge.





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I do hunt grouse with hammer guns, I have 3 20s, but only do so when hunting by myself. Otherwise it's a 20 Parker VHE or a 28 Ugartechea or Dickinson

OK, I'll be the philistine here. Hammer guns just have never interested me, for a number of reasons - one of which is that I have enough trouble just getting my safety off :). They are pretty to look at though; wouldn't mind having one over my fireplace :cool:.

I am late to the conversation on this one! Steve, as you have read in the replies it's time for you to get a hammer gun...

I enjoy the history, quality and craftmanship that comes from a nice hammer gun. The Parker Lifter was such a great and ergonomically thought out design that I recommend you start there.

Shooting a hammer gun is just fun. Whether a double on clays or taking these treasures out in the field, these guns are just too much fun. I feel I shoot a hammer gun just as well as any other type of shotgun.

Once you get one, I will talk to you about shooting all brass black powder shells. like these guns would have shot when new.

Let us know when you get one :)

Further, when shooting clays, i will always cock my hammers before closing the breech… Cocking hammers after closing the breech on live shells leaves open the possibility of the hammer slipping off your thumb and causing an unintentional discharge.

I'm surprised how many guys I see cocking the hammers with the gun closed:shock::knowbetter:

But when shooting certain hammer guns, hammers can only be cocked after lever is too the left, so no other way

It took me a while to get used to closing the gun with hammers cocked . I was always a bit worried that a hammer might fall when closing . About the only negative I’ve had with a hammer gun was a Grade 1 top lever 16 gauge 30” that a couple times doubled on me . But the following day at the shop that SOB was apart and about four strokes with a file cured that BS !