Recently i have read a few posts with negative comments on rifles with exposed hammers. Admittedly, i am in the total total dark on this. I absolutely do not understand what could possibly be wrong with using a rifle with a hammer.
While i am in the field hunting, my rifle is always carried uncawked, until the moment i wish to fire it; at that moment i cawk it. I like carrying my rifle around without the spring under tension. The rebounding hammer on the X7 i normally pack whilst hunting, cannot hit the firing pin, unless the trigger is pulled. The trigger cannot be pulled unless the hammer is cawked. This rifle is safe.
I also own a couple of rifles that don't have exposed hammers. If a primer is in place, these rifles require one to carry them cawked all day long whilst hunting. All day long the firing pin spring is under tension. What keeps these rifles from accidentally discharging is a trigger blocking safety. I guess this rifle is kinda safe, as long as the trigger is adjusted correctly. If i have to carry my rifle cawked all day whilst hunting, i would prefer it to have a sear blocking safety.
I, am unable to see the advantage of hunting with a rifle without a hammer. Perhaps someone can educate me, as to why carrying a cawked rifle around all day, is better than carrying an uncawked rifle around all day.
I have read of trigger blocking safety failure, and i once experienced such a failure myself. To my knowledge there are no muzzle loader that have sear blocking safety.
Ron I have always liked firearms with a hammer. I like them because they are visibly safe. And as you said. They are not constantly under tension.
I especially like them for teaching youngins, and others to hunt, and to shoot. Very safe in that respect as far as I am concerned.
However I do not like the rifles with a hammer and a safety. My 1886 Extra-Light has a hammer and a tang safety. And I do not like that at all. I am so used to hammers that I actually forgot the safety was there. And spent five minutes pretty upset with my rifle because it would not fire. Before I remembered the tang safety(old timer's).
I am sitting here watching the Bosie State game, listening to Three Dog Night on U-Tube(Never Been To Spain), and typing a respone to your post. So if anyone has any sense they probbly wouldn't pay any attention to what I say!! Tom.
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We need to stop using these terms today, "Sniper Rifle", "Tactical", "Assault Weapon".
Head, I know exactly what you mean. I have a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 that has one of those silly cross block safetys. I never use it for a couple reasons. 1. I carry the rile in the 1/2 c0ck position and 2. I am a lefty and its really awkward to operate it. You either have to use your off hand (the right one) or move your left hand up to the receiver and push it over with your thumb.
Quite frankly, I do prefer a hammer gun. And, I don't mean to offend anyone, but there is just something about a bolt action ML that just does not appeal to me. Not in the sense of an accuracy or funtionality but more asthetically.
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Its pretty much a preference for me. Both styles have some benefits. I could nit pick lock time but an exposed has never caused me to miss. I just prefer a bolt action.
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ULA Model 20 50cal
Savage MLII SS Pacnor 45
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Its a personal preference. i have use both all my life and see no difference in safety. Safety is in the operators hand and a hammer blocked open hammer is as safe as any other. The only difference I see is that a longer barrel adds FPS and with a bolt you have the bolt taking space that could be used by more barrel and still keep the balance and weight reasonable. Even that difference is reduced by the newer more potential energy powders.
I think it's because we are a couple of generations away from folks growing up with exposed hammers and being able to slip out the back door and go squirrel hunting with a single shot shotgun...
I grew up with a single shot exposed hammer shotgun and grew up hunting...I have no problems with hunting with them now...
You put one of them in the hands of a fellow 16-18 year old with little experience and it would be like handing me an I-pod and expecting me to know how to use it...
I own two deer caliber cartridge rifles. Both are exposed hammer single shots, a Browning B-78 25-06 and a Browning 1885 45-70. I love those old styles.
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Hammer or No
