The trigger of T/C Encore is single action only. It rests at a fully forward position (about a half inch from the “pulled” position) and cannot be pulled while the hammer is down and at rest. The hammer rests at “half-kock”, off the firing pin and is prevented from moving forward towards the firing pin by the hammer safety block. The hammer safety block cannot be disengaged until the trigger is pulled. So, what you’ve got is a trigger that cannot be pulled unless the hammer is being kocked, and a hammer that cannot move forward to strike the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. Very, very safe.
To boot, the hammer is not easily kocked; it takes a conscious effort to put enough force on the hammer (in the correct direction) to begin the kocking motion. Even if the hammer were being purposely kocked back (or was grabbed by a branch or a piece of clothing, etc) and slipped before it was locked back, it would not fire because of the hammer block. The only way it would fire while being kocked and then slipping is if the person had their finger where it was not supposed to be: on the trigger! The likelihood that “something” would grab the hammer with enough force to kock it while “something else” depressed the trigger simultaneously is about nil.
I am willing to bet that any accidental discharges with T/C muzzleloaders occurred due to negligence on the shooter’s part, and most “accidental” discharges fall into one of three scenarios:
The first being that the shooter was attempting to cock the gun silently, where, as soon as the hammer is being pulled back, the shooter depresses the trigger and then releases the trigger once the hammer is fully back. If the hammer slips before the trigger is released, the gun will fire.
The second scenario is where the hammer is kocked (and the gun ready to fire) and the shooter wants to dekock the hammer. In this instance, the trigger must be depressed, but the shooter must first firmly grip the hammer with his thumb and slowly begin to lower the hammer (the thumb should be placed the between the hammer and the firing pin as well). Once the hammer begins its descent, the trigger should be released while the hammer is still being lowered. This will prevent the hammer from contacting the firing pin should the hammer slip on its way down. As an added safety precaution, one could place the pinky of their non-firing hand between the hammer and firing pin, but this is not necessary. If the gun is not properly dekocked and the hammer slips while the trigger is depressed, the gun will fire.
The third scenario is where the shooter kocks the gun and simply forgets to dekock it. Here, all that is needed is a mere 3 pounds of pressure on the trigger and the gun will fire.
I have not heard of any faulty trigger blocks or hammer blocks on T/C muzzleloaders. If there have been, it has been a rare case and the blame would be laid on a manufacturing defect, but certainly not the inherent design of the rifle’s action. I would also imagine that there are quite a few people who have accidentally discharged their T/C in the above described scenarios. Some people admit their mistakes. Others cover them up by shifting the blame.
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"Well if it ain't loaded and c0cked, it don't shoot." -Rooster Cogburn
TC had a lawsuit against them for their contender? pistols, some guy dropped it, pistol fired, killed the guy, and when it went to court,tc made a video for the court showing how they dropped it for testing and it never fired. They got busted for the one missing video of where it DID fire.
Nothing is 100% fool proof.
Im not sure what happened in the most recent case but its a pure tragedy plain and simple. It should remind us to be more careful and slow down.
My brother and i were hunting with sidelocks one year and he had his rifle slung over his shoulder when we were tramping through thick oak brush. When we got out i looked at his gun and said, Stop dummy! Your friggin hammer is cocked all the way back!
Never had an AD with a muzzleloader, either sidelock or in-line. Had one many years ago with a .45 ACP 1911 that was entirely my fault and scared the bejeezus out of me. Regardless, even with a malfunction the only way an AD could ever injure someone is through sloppy gun handling. It goes into the same category as those "I thought it was a deer" shootings - stupidity and negligence.
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My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
Things I've Learned: (1) It's not possible to please everyone, but quite easy to piss everyone off. (2) If you love animals as I do, then you're not a vegetarian. (3) There's no need to act stupid, even if you're very good at it. (4) If you eat right and exercise, don't smoke or drink, you're going to die anyway.
I have to agree with what 7.62NATO said.what i think everyone is overlooking one thing.you cannot be shot unless the muzzle end of the weapon is pointed at you in almost all cases such as the one that SJ has pointed out, it ends up being operator error.was the rifle primed & cocked( yes) problem is it shouldn't have been cocked until it was stuck out the window to aim at said target.was the primed and cocked rifle lifted up by the barrel, muzzle end first!! i think you all see my point! in any case it's sad that the man was killed..
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Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish
Whoa, we can say "cock" now? I'm so used to having to type "c0ck" or "kock."
Cock cock cock cock cock cock.
I see that too - but don't go off half cocked - foul language caught in posts, and posted in a poor manner, will be an instant permanent ban - no ifs ands or butts!
Dave....JW
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Turkey Hunting! ~ One Turkey Calling Another!
Are some guns more easily to discharge accidentally
in almost all cases such as the one that SJ has pointed out, it ends up being operator error.was the rifle primed & cocked( yes) problem is it shouldn't have been cocked until it was stuck out the window to aim at said target.was the primed and cocked rifle lifted up by the barrel, muzzle end first!! i think you all see my point! in any case it's sad that the man was killed..
