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Hammers or Hammerless??

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01 April 2003, 04:21
Lar45
Hammers or Hammerless??
Hi all, another newbie question here. It seems that all the old doubles were exposed hammer guns, but most everthing new is hammerless. Is there any advantage of the hammers except for silent cocking? Are both equally reliable and sutible?

Thanks.
01 April 2003, 04:31
Brent
quote:
Originally posted by Lar45:
Hi all, another newbie question here. It seems that all the old doubles were exposed hammer guns, but most everthing new is hammerless. Is there any advantage of the hammers except for silent cocking? Are both equally reliable and sutible?

Thanks.
I much prefer shotguns with hammers, but for certain, they are slower to operate if you are hunting on the half cock. If you expect lots of warning before the shot, hammers are fine and can be cocked quietly, but in surprise encounters, they are slower. Some hammer configurations are faster than others, and a big thumb helps.

Were I buying a double rifle, I would insist on hammers, but at the same time realizing they are generally a disadvantage.

Brent
01 April 2003, 05:26
577ne
Lar45: Another advantage to hammers is that you
can tell at a glance whether or not they are cocked.
01 April 2003, 08:20
500grains
On a dangerous game hunt there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Not being able to cock the hammers fast enough, or walking around with hammers cocked and no safety seem to be unnecessary risks.
05 April 2003, 17:52
Atkinson
It took us a 100 years to get away from those hammers, and it suits me fine...but for those who have hammer nostalgia, then I say for it, it is all about fun and games...