Carrying a levergun...

[MechAg94]

Learning to decock the hammer is part of the manual of arms of any lever or pump action rifle (revolvers also). You ought to practice and learn to do it safely.

I guess walking around the woods, I would typically have a round in the chamber with the hammer at half-cock.

 

[absolute0]

My huntin' lever guns are all older Marlins without the crossbolt safety, so using a safety during certain operations just isn't an option.

I may try the chamber loaded, hammer at half cock method many of you fellows advocate.

 

[Terrierman]

There is a '79 Ford pickup that got a new clutch in what I think was 1985 or '86 thanks to a loaded lever gun. I don't believe that young man thinks that much of loaded chamber 94 scenario anymore. Sure he should have never had the loaded weapon in the truck, but just goes to show loaded chamber AD's are not that hard to accomplish with a lever gun. For that reason alone, I think lever guns are a poor choice for a first deer rifle.

 

[Byron]

If the need to shoot that fast by carrying half cocked and a round in the chamber,the strong possibility exists of too quick of a shot when it might be another hunter or hiker.I refer back to fatilities and injuries from The Georgia Dept of Natural Resources. I do feel the 94 with a cross bolt ot tang safety and its rebounding hammer elimination half cock is much safer. Byron

 

[Carl]

One time when I was plinking with my Win 94, I was seeing how accurate it was to hold down the trigger, and then pull the hammer back and slide my thumb off, therefore releasing the hammer all the way and firing. I actually liked how it worked.


Anyway, I usually load it when I get out of the truck, and then keep the hammer on half cock.

 

[MCgunner]

I lower the hammer to the half cock. If you know the safety rules, you'll know the muzzle should be pointed at the ground or in a safe direction always, and especially when you're lowering the hammer. If it slips, you shoot the ground. I've never had a problem, but I certainly don't point the gun at my foot or something when I'm lowering the hammer. I'm always muzzle aware.

 

[phonesysphonesys]

I load my Marlins and put a round in the chamber. I then lower the hammer all the way down. They have a two piece firing pin. It will not fire unless the lever is fully closed. Half cock is in case you slip cocking the hammer. It is not a safety device.

 

[TexAg]

From my Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited Manual: "The Hammer should now be in the Half Cock position and the safety on SAFE. This is the safest way to carry your rifle when it is loaded. At all other times the action should be open".

And thats how I carry mine.

 

[ECVMatt]

I know this will make some cringe...

but I have removed all the safeties from my Marlins and just use the half-cock with a round in the chamber. I have hunted this way for years and never had a problem. I have had the safety knocked on and missed a shot a game before I removed them. I never felt comfortable with them after that.

The half-cock is safe if you are.

Matt

 

[gezzer]

I carry my Marlin 1895 on safety notch or half cock, round in chamber.

I am not stupid enough to walk around with my finger on the trigger and thumb on the hammer "so's I can shoot quicker."

This is how a lever action goes off. The hunter trips and falls tightening their hand and the gun is cocked and trigger pulled.