Shooting hammer guns

[Stepmac]

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?

[Gary Cripps]

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

[Stan Hoover]

Hammerless guns are boring 😴

Parker hammer guns are just way more fun

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

Only my opinion

[Randy Roberts]

Originally Posted by Stan Hoover

Hammerless guns are boring 😴

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

[mobirdhunter]

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.

[Stan Hoover]

Originally Posted by Randy G Roberts

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

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

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Stan Hoover

Hammerless guns are boring 😴

Parker hammer guns are just way more fun

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

Only my opinion

I seem to remmember a rather long barreled hammer big gun you had something over 36” that I sure like the heck out of shooting

[6pt-Sika]

I have a 26” top lever hammer gun in a bigger bore that’s virtually no choke and very little choke that I took on a quail deal in 2023 , the gun isn’t cut it left the factory at 26” and with quite open chokes or rather lack of choke . I carried that gun cracked open with the hammers back and shells in the chambers and had no issues . I’ve done several tower shoots with big bore hammer guns and again I stand with the gun cracked open hammers back and shells in the chambers . I was told to go ahead and close the gun while waiting for the birds by the guy that puts the shoots on but I was never comfortable doing that .

[6pt-Sika]

From the last tower shoot I carried a hammer gun .

[Dean Hanson]

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.