Carry on empty chamber or carry half-cocked on full?

[STW]

What do you all think is the proper way to carry a lever gun? I know many people use the half-cock hammer position as a safety position so they can carry with a loaded chamber and not have to cycle the lever noisily (scaring game) when it's time to shoot. Is it ever proper to carry hammer fully down on a loaded round?

Do you all carry the same way all the time, or use one method for silent hunting, for example, and another method in other situations? Would you recommend this, or carrying with only one method so that you always know where you stand?

[John Traveler]

STW,

It is NEVER acceptable to carry an exposed hammer lever action with the chamber loaded and the hammer down resting on the firing pin!  That is just asking for an accidental discharge when the hammer gets even a small impact!

Back in "the good old days" all exposed hammer rifle users had the common sense to load the weapon's chamber and set the hammer on the half-cock notch ready for cocking and firing.  The half-cock ("safety") notch was specifically made for that use.

An empty chamber carry is safe.  A loaded chamber with hammer on the half-cock notch is next best.  A conscientious shooter that uses common sense around firearms is the best and safest of all!.

Even the cross bolt safeties on the newer Winchesters and Marlins should not be trusted.  They were put there to satisfy the product liability lawyers.



 :shock:

[STW]

An empty chamber carry is safe.  A loaded chamber with hammer on the half-cock notch is next best.  A conscientious shooter that uses common sense around firearms is the best and safest of all!.
 :shock:

Thanks for the answers. "Good old days" wisdom is what I was looking for.

For me, common sense suggests that I should only carry only one way, either chamber loaded or not, so that I won't be getting mixed up when it counts about which state the rifle is in.

On the other hand, I think I'd prefer to carry chamber loaded while hunting/stalking, but carry empty chamber for other general uses. The ease of checking for a round in the camber seems to make this ok, so just wondering what you all do.

[Mikey]

Hay STW:  Me times three.  With both my Winchester levers I carry the chamber loaded and the hammer on half cock.  My 94 Big Bore has a lever safety that won't allow the rifle to fire unless the lever is fully closed.  My pre-64 94 does not have that safety and is carried at half cock.  Mikey.

[Rick Teal]

I've read that a Browning lever has some sort of "recoiling" firing pin that makes it safe to carry it with a cartridge chambered and the hammer down.  I've never felt comfortable with this, and I always carry mine at half cock when hunting.