Shooting hammer guns
 

I've been looking at hammer guns for sale and am considering purchasing one. However, I have never discussed shooting a hammer gun with anyone who owns one and I have NEVER seen anyone shoot one! Not once! There must be hammer gun shooters reading these pages. So can some of you hammer dudes tell me something about shooting hammer guns and if you do it, why?

Just another action type. Have shot pumps, semi-auto, levers, hammers and break action. Just need to get familiar with each.

Hammerless guns are boring 😴

Parker hammer guns are just way more fun:cool:

I honestly feel Parker and some other hammer guns, the lines are just beautiful, engraving, etc….

Only my opinion

Steve, I would suggest shooting a hammer gun that you could borrow. It is not for everyone. I took to it right away and love the feel, routine, and just the nostalgia of it. You can purchase a nice shooter for under $1000 and see how it goes. Ya wont lose if you want to send it down the road. I suggest a 1 frame 30" 12 gauge. Good luck with your endeavor.

Ditto what Dean and Stan say. I prefer a Parker hammer to a hammerless, the nostalgia et al., but it is not for everyone. The sight picture on non-Parker hammer guns is sometimes blocked by the hammers that do not cock below the sightline on the receiver. Good luck.

Stanley, in the event a boring hammerless gun comes along you do have my number, right? :rotf:

Steve, you’re getting good feedback, and you can see there are most certainly aficionados of hammer guns. You didn’t say for what purpose you wanted the gun, and that would certainly make a difference, presenting different matters.

I hunt with hammer guns. Dealing with the cocking is the main difference. On, for example dove or ducks, where you’re generally standing or sitting, it’s okay to have your gun cocked as you see game come in (obviously, being safe around your companions, both two- and 4-legged). I’ve had great hunts on wild Bobs over pointing dogs, but, I’m not personally comfortable using a hammer gun on grouse in thick cover (and with a companion). Some guys carry their guns loaded, cocked, and open. This doesn’t work for me.

I’ve had great hunts with my hammer guns. There is nothing quite like my 30” Cogswell and Harrison 16 bore back action gun which weighs less than 6lbs.

Every lover of old guns should try a hammer gun.

Don't be waiting by the phone Randy, all of my boring guns are way too short for your liking:cool:

Steve, if only you lived in New England you could join me at Addieville East Farms in RI and you could shoot any number of my Parker Lifter or T/A hammer guns from 10 gauge down to 16.






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My first gun, given to me by my maternal grandfather, was a 28 gauge hammer gun. I still have it. I bought a 16 gauge German hammer gun later, still have that one as well. I have used both and like both. My shooting skill is the same with both hammer guns and hammerless guns.......poor.