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.
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
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