Cock on Close Vs Cock on Open

[Mauser fan]

I have heard this debate, even read about it on some other forums and old magazines where the topic has been beaten into dead horse and have discussed it several times with a friend in person just never on a forum. So here it goes I'll be that guy to resurrect that dead horse. Pun intended.

So let's hear what you all have to say.

I like cock on close because it has proven to be faster in my hands than a cock on open for follow up shots.

 

[mcb]

I have bolt guns that do both, far more that cock on open than on close. I prefer the cock on open but I am happy to use either.

 

[herrwalther]

All my bolt action rifles minus my most recent one were cock on open. My newest is an Eddystone M1917 which is cock on close. It feels like it takes more effort to get the bolt handle down than a cock on open. It might just be that rifle or it might be I prefer cock on open.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

I Had a 96 mauser that was cock on close. I changed it. Probably because cock on open is what I'm used to.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I do not like cock on close.

 

[Bwana John]

While the SMLE is fast and smooth, the M1917 takes a lot more force to work quickly.

 

[Varminterror]

Cock on close sucks. Period.

The extra force required to cock the striker assembly disguises interferences in tight headspace, tight necks, fouled chambers, jamming bullets, crush fitting shoulders, etc… it’s more difficult to feel when your rifle is trying to tell you it is sick. Alternatively, a cock on open retains the sensation of bolt click at the top of the stroke, after the cocking is complete, to let us know if we have any pressure issues.

That extra force required to close the action also leaves the shooter more prone to push themselves off of target as they close the bolt to engage. Lots of folks like to claim cock on close is faster, the same as folks claim 60 degree throw is faster, but in application, that extra force applied during that bolt close cycle pushes sights off of target, so reacquiring the target picture takes longer.

Cock on close sucks. Period.

 

[LoonWulf]

Don't like COC! Tried it a couple times to be sure......



I dislike the feel of coc actions and dont feel they offer any advantage for what I do.

 

[Pat Riot]

Cock on close sucks. Period.

The extra force required to cock the striker assembly disguises interferences in tight headspace, tight necks, fouled chambers, jamming bullets, crush fitting shoulders, etc… it’s more difficult to feel when your rifle is trying to tell you it is sick. Alternatively, a cock on open retains the sensation of bolt click at the top of the stroke, after the cocking is complete, to let us know if we have any pressure issues.

That extra force required to close the action also leaves the shooter more prone to push themselves off of target as they close the bolt to engage. Lots of folks like to claim cock on close is faster, the same as folks claim 60 degree throw is faster, but in application, that extra force applied during that bolt close cycle pushes sights off of target, so reacquiring the target picture takes longer.

Cock on close sucks. Period.

Thank you for this perspective.
I have only owned a couple of bolt guns. I had a 1917 Springfield and a No.4 Mk 1 Enfield that cocked on closing and I was okay with it. I had friends that claimed cocking on open was better and safer but they couldn’t tell me why. They were probably parroting something they heard. I had a Remington 673 that cocked on open but that bolt was so screwy and felt like crap on closing that it probably wasn’t the best example of why cock on open was better.

 

[tark]

Cock on close sucks. Period.

Awwwwww ...come on... tell us what you REALLY think.

 

[Jim Watson]

Aren’t straight pull bolt actions effectively cock on close?

Can we now discuss the “easy opening” high end double shotgun?
Criticized as “easy opening, hard closing” by opponents.

 

[troy fairweather]

I Deafintly prefer cock on opening, as much as I like for example small ring mausers I still can't get used to pushing the bolt to cock. Some great guns are coc and I like shooting but takes some time getting used to.

 

[Mosin77]

The Enfield is the only CoC that’s actually superior, and it’s superior for its intended purpose specifically, being a fast bolt action battle rifle. The Cock on open design provides a lot better feel with only the most marginal sacrifice in speed. I can’t say that my Swede Mauser or Arisaka is any faster in practice, or quicker to cycle and get back on target, than a cock on open Mauser 98/Springfield. And those have a more satisfying and deliberate bolt feel. I also can’t imagine that in 2023 such a rifle would find itself in a situation, or with marginal enough ammo, that the reduction in opening force required of a ConC design would make itself felt.

So all things being equal, for me, today, I’d much rather have a new cock on opening gun. In theory a ConC design will have a few small advantages but in the real world I don’t think it really pans out.

 

[I6turbo]

Almost all of my bolt actions are COO because I've just bought the guns that I liked, and that's what they happened to be. I like shooting the two COC guns from the bench because I don't tend to upset the set-up and positioning on the bags as much when chambering another round; I can just gently squeeze the bolt closed with my thumb. I haven't noticed any significant downside to the COC for me, but some of the potential downsides do make sense.

 

[lysanderxiii]

To-MAY-to

To-MAH-to

 

[Walkalong]

Lots of folks like to claim cock on close is faster, the same as folks claim 60 degree throw is faster, but in application

any time saved is minuscule compared to time I lose from other things. I'll take a 90 degree bolt throw cock on open any day over anything else.

Edit: Fixed brain fart.

 

[Mauser fan]

I Deafintly prefer cock on opening, as much as I like for example small ring mausers I still can't get used to pushing the bolt to cock. Some great guns are coc and I like shooting but takes some time getting used to.

I'll be honest it took me some time to get used to the cock on close operation of the old war horses that I have and it wasn't until I fired an SMLE for the first time. Then and only then did I appreciate cock on close. That was years ago. They are just loads of fun.

 

[Jim Watson]

A club member had one of the first run of Ruger 77 in 7.62x39 with black “boat paddle” stock. It was not reliable with Chicom ammo until I showed him the Wolff Blitzschnell extra strong striker springs. He got the heaviest.
It popped those foreign primers but there wasn’t any rapid fire, bolt lift cock on opening was tough.

 

[bearcreek]

I'm certainly no bolt action aficionado, so forgive my ignorance. Are there any modern bolt actions that cock on close?

 

[Varminterror]

I'm certainly no bolt action aficionado, so forgive my ignorance. Are there any modern bolt actions that cock on close?

The Seekins Havak WAS cock on close upon its release a few years ago, until I pointed out that they couldn’t be used with certain popular triggers because of this design, and enough of us complained about it. Glen redesigned the bolt, and offered free retrofit to all Havak owners.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

It all boils down to what you are used to. I much prefer the coc lee enfields as they are quick on follow up shots. I can't imagine having any other bolt gun in the heat of battle.

 

[JerkyFreak]

On a battle rifle, cock on close is the way to go. Pin point accuracy is not required; just lead flying towards target. It is the faster cycle. And anyone that has fired a "mad minute" understands that. Primary extraction force and cocking force are spread through the cycle making it easier and faster. You do need a trained marksman though.

Thankfully bolt-action rifles are no longer battle rifles...

 

[kje54]

I never paid attention because until now I never knew I had to...........