Upland and Hammer guns
 

I intend to chase some roosters and possibly some huns and sharptails with hammer guns this season. Would appreciate some advice from the experienced. Pass shooting migratory would give time to have an open action, close, cock and fire. A rooster under my feet is a different story. Is an open action upland hike considered the best way to go regardless? I'm thinking closed action and thumb at the ready to cock a hammer might be necessary but I'll be listening to the experienced.
Thanks
Jack

I have tried to carry the gun cocked and open but the shells have a tendancy to fall out, some carry the gun closed, cocked with their hand placed between the hammers and the fireing pins. I think Dean does it this way. I use a pointing dog and can cock the hammers when I walk in to flush the bird.

Good luck with the Boswell this fall.

Thanks for the question Jack. I'll be going after quail in a couple of weeks and I'm also taking my hammer guns. And I was pondering the same question, I like Richard's answer since I'll be behind pointers.
And I'll get to use the Filsons I got from you.

jack if im hunting with a hammer gun for whatever i always hunt with hammers down unless im hunting deer late in the evening then gun has hammers cocked and ready.... charlie

hammers
 

with rebounding hammers, and pointing dogs, gun closed, cocking the hammers as I pass the dog walking in.


I have never been able to honestly blame cocking the hammers for a miss,




note - I said honestly

Rich is partially right. I keep the hammers cocked and the gun open except when I'm expecting to make game. Then it is gun closed, hammers cocked, muzzles to the sky, two fingers of my right hand (I'm right handed) covering the trigger area so as not to allow a twig or branch to trip a trigger. I hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock and those birds don't give you but seconds to direct a shot at them. If I were hunting in the open - for pheasants, waterfowl, and any birds of the open prarie I would most likely adopt a different method.
Angel, hunting behind pointing dogs almost always allows one to carry his hammer gun open and even unloaded until walking in for the flush. That's when you can load and close your gun, cock the hammers with the muzzles pointed skyward and walk in.
I'm not advocating anyone use my method but it works well for me and my hunting partners seem to be quite comfortable with me. (They won't find a more safety conscious partner than this one.)

Thanks all. Hope to have some luck with a lifter, the Boswell and a newly acquired Bland. You know, I was perfectly happy with one family VH until I needed a new barrel set and PGCA showed up on my search. Oh well..........................
Cheers,
Jack

Hammers Down Carry
 

This should be practiced before you go afield.

I have found that if you cock the left hammer first, the gun can be mounted, cocked and fired with no lost time. If necessary, the right can be cocked as you move your hand forward for the front trigger. I shot skeet doubles this way for a while- only tore up a little grass.

Best, Austin

Thanks for that bit of advice Dean. I'm hunting behind someone elses dogs and I don't want to make them nervous just because I'm using a hammer gun.
Austin, you wait to have the gun mounted then you cock the right hammer?
thank you both...

Cock the left hammer on the mount, and the right between shots if necessary.

Practice this many times dry fire- it will quickly become automatic

Best, Austin