Shooting hammer guns

[Stepmac]

So, after reading many posts here I have decided to buy a Hammer gun that I found on Guns International site. I emailed the sellor and he has not replied to me yet, but i think the sale will to thru. Now for a description of the gun. It is a W.C. Scott 12 F & F made in 1885 according to the site. "C" shaped hammers, Damascus barrels, very pretty wood. So we'll see. Why did I buy a hammer gun? Someone here mentioned that hammer guns can be carried, open with the hammers cocked and that sounds good to me. Sounds safe and unlikely to try to shoot while on safe, which we all have done and hate. Cost? $1500 plus shipping. Not too bad. Also the C shaped hammers look like when cocked they will be out of the way and out of my vision, something else I like. I have owned hammer guns before, but you know what? I cannot recall ever shooting one. When I was in the hospital last year I sold most of my shotguns, thinking it was curtains. I let some of my favorites go. I'm rebuilding my collection. It's fun.

[Stepmac]

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.

[Dean Romig]

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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[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

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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Probably...or maybe the most dangerous shotgun is the '97 Winchester. The safety is the half cock position of the hammer. When placing the hammer on half cock or taking thumbing it back to full cock it is easy for the hammer to slip off one's thumb and set off the charge. I've hunted with a guy who shot a 97 and he shot it well. He was a Naval Aviator. His call sign was "Fingers". He is gone now. We miss him.

[Harold Pickens]

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

[Phil Yearout]

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 .

[Jay Oliver]

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

[Stan Hoover]

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

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

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Stan Hoover

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

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 !

[Dave Moore]

While not a Parker, I just got this nice hammer gun. A Lindner Daly mfg in about 1888. I too am in the group that carries the gun cocked with the action open. Another thing is that I always cock the gun with the action open as well, one time I had the hammer slip under my thumb while cocking the hammer.