Author Topic: Proper Way to Carry Levergun in the Field (Read 2308 times)

Mainer · « **on:** December 12, 2004, 04:24:45 AM »

I have no experience with external hammer leverguns (I do have a .22 rimfire Ruger 99/22).

Can anyone tell me what is the proper way to carry an exposed hammer levergun in the field (woods) while stalking game (i.e., rifle in hand, not on sling)? Hammer cocked w/safety on? Uncocked? Half cocked?

Also, how fast are tubular magazine leverguns to unload (without firing)?

I am contemplating buying a centerfire levergun for future deer hunting but want to weight the pros and cons vs. other action types.

NYH1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2004, 05:50:45 AM »

Mainer, I have two Marlin lever action rifles. Both have the "cross bolt safeties". A lot of people don't like the "cross bolt safeties" but I'm glad mine have them! I use the safeties when I'm loading and unloading them. It makes sense to use them this way especially when you have to "chamber" every round in the gun to unload it.

When I'm hunting with them, I use the "half cock" position on the hammer instead of the "cross bolt". The hammer won't drop use less you pull back on it slightly and pull the trigger. It really is extremely safe this way. When it comes time to shoot, just pull the hammer back and your all set. Even if the hammer slips when your cocking it, as long as you don't touch the trigger it will stop at the half cock position and won't fire! Don't touch the trigger until your ready to shoot the rifle!

Do not let the hammer all the way down when there is a round in the chamber. The hammer will be resting on the firing pin, and the firing pin will be resting on the cartridge primmer. This is very dangerous and a accident waiting to happen!

As far as unloading it, work the action as fast as you want and it will unload just fine. I recommend using the "cross bolt safety" when unloading!

I also recommend a Marlin over a Winchester. I think Marlin makes a lot better gun. Browning makes some really well made lever action rifles to, with a good selection of calibers. I won't buy them because their made in Japan, but they are really good guns! I think they have the safety on the trigger guard instead on a "half cock" and "cross bolt" like the Marlin and Winchester's.

Good luck my friend!

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2004, 09:07:00 AM »

I use mine exactly like NY Hunter. I hate the cross bolt safety, but I do use it when unloading, or if I'm carrying my rifle between calling stands in the truck while a round is in the chamber. The cross bolt is ugly, but it definately is 100% safe.

leverfan · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2004, 09:42:18 AM »

I unload my lever guns by pushing on the loading gate, which lets a cartridge pop part way out. It's easy to pluck them out, and fewer end up falling into the mud. I'm a fumbler, I know one can easily catch hold of cartridges as they eject, but it's even easier to take them out the port, at least for me.

I pack my levers with one in the chamber, after lowering the hammer to half-cock. I learned how to handle lever guns that came out long before cross bolt and tang safeties, and I don't use those safeties now. They are probably a good idea for someone that's just learning their way around a lever rifle, though.

Usually, I pack them in my hand, rather than slinging them. It's especially easy to carry a Winchester 94 by the receiver, and I've never carried one any other way.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2004, 11:22:35 AM »

Mainer,

All my exposed hammer lever actions(Winchesters 92, 94, 71 and a Marlin 336) are on the old side. No safety except for half cock and that is how I carry them when stalking an animal. I dont carry with a shell in the chamber until game is spotted. I unload thru the loading port or jack the shells out thru the action after making sure the rifle is pointed in a safe direction. Lawdog

jackfish · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2004, 02:43:10 PM »

Half cock, round in the chamber. If you have to chamber a round you WILL miss game. Hell, I've missed bucks just from the noise of fully cocking the hammer from half cock.
Always control the muzzle of your firearm.
Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
Know your target and what is beyond.
Has worked for me for 27 years.

Mainer · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2004, 03:05:59 PM »

Thanks for the feedback.

It appears that most of you stalk with a round in the chamber with the hammer in half cock with no safety engaged. One of you votes for hunting with the chamber empty until game is spotted.

There seems to be more of a split of opinion on unloading by cycling the action or using the load gate.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2004, 05:45:13 PM »

I know of at least one alaskan who went to shoot a bear and forgot about the crossbolt safety, click. It cost him a really nice blackie. Always be mindful of that crossbolt safety. I only use mine when loading/unloading and traveling in the truck, half cock with one in the tube the rest of the time.

leverfan · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2004, 05:52:21 PM »

Quote from: Mainer

There seems to be more of a split of opinion on unloading by cycling the action or using the load gate.

Both ways are perfectly safe, if you use the safety between your ears. My dad cycles the action, I pluck them out of the gate, but it doesn't matter either way. I only unload through the gate because I'm a klutz, and I have trouble catching ejected rounds sometimes.

If my hunting style allowed for the chamber to be empty, I might carry my rifle that way. Where I hunt, I could bump into game at any moment, with little warning. Some of the game has teeth, and I almost got trampled by a small herd of elk this fall. Three noisy hunters spooked them, and the elk hadn't spotted me, so they all ran right at me. It got fun for a minute. As tight as the brush gets, I keep one chambered. Again, if you use the safety between your ears, both methods can work well and safely.

mr.frosty · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2004, 07:29:31 PM »

missed a doe because of the crossbolt and have dropped the gun due to
falling down a steep ridge and the crossbolt kept the gun from going off.

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2004, 07:36:51 PM »

Mainer,
I carry one in the chamber, crossbolt safety off, on half-cock. That crossolt does make me feel better while unloading...the only time I use it.
Leverfan is right on the money...the best safety is between the ears.
Best,
TnNuc

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2004, 03:24:12 AM »

Hi Mainer! I carry my Guide Gun with one in the chamber, hammer at half cock and the cross bolt off. I used to use the cross bolt saftey when unloading the rifle but I now unload through the gate, takes a little practice but you get the hang of it quickly... CEJ...

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:54:32 AM »

Mainer - the proper way to carry the lever action rifle afield while hunting is loaded, chambered and safetied. You didn't specify what brand lever action you had considered. What you purchased will determine the method of safe carry.

Older Winchester levers have a half cock safety. Newer Winchesters do not, and have a lever safety as well as the cross-bolt safety. Either is equally safe as far as I'm concerned. I believe the Marlin lever actions function in a similar manner, both older and newer. But LeverFan and TennesseeNuc are absolutley correct - the best safety is between the ears.

Yes, going from half cock safety to full cock in the old Winchesters on a cold, clear and frosty morning can sure seem loud at times. The cross bolts are nice and quiet, at least in my guns. HTH. Mikey.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2004, 06:34:03 AM »

The problem I see with the CBS is that there are a-lot of guys who have never had to use them on their older levers...and to change their habits now don't make much sense...but for those just getting a lever..it doesn't hurt to use it...
I've had deer jump up in front of me when hunting and it doesn't take anything to push the safty off...it takes less to do this than pulling the trigger from half cock to full,for me anyway...and the CBS is there for a reason...albeit...there are many who dispise the thing...it does work...granted I've never had a big ole hungry bear charge me...and I hope I never do...and that might make me forget to push the safety in...but untill said time...I'll just use it as it is...and not worry about it...

Mac

NYH1 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2004, 06:45:58 AM »

Quote from: Mikey

Yes, going from half cock safety to full cock in the old Winchesters on a cold, clear and frosty morning can sure seem loud at times. The cross bolts are nice and quiet, at least in my guns. HTH. Mikey.

I have two Marlin's and the noise from choking the hammer all the way back is almost nonexistent! Just choke it back slow and it shouldn't be an issue!

Leverdude · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2004, 12:33:05 PM »

I'm not saying I recomend this, but if you put your thumb on the hammer & begin to pull it back, then squeeze the trigger till the hammer is fully to the rear & let go of the trigger the hammer will be at full cock without the click. It sounds harder than it is. If your thumb should slip you can recock in any manner you want as the click wont matter at that point.

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2004, 11:57:43 AM »

newer winchesters have like a rebounding hammer. Half cock is all the way down on most any recent winchester. I cary mine on "half cock" with the crossbolt safety off. If I am in a blind and need to be 100% quiet I will silent cock like is described above. I put the safety on to unload and cycle the action, only I will short stroke the lever so they don't chamber all the way. Thais works for me, it might not for all lever guns.

STW · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2004, 07:06:06 AM »

Quote from: Mikey

Older Winchester levers have a half cock safety. Newer Winchesters do not, and have a lever safety as well as the cross-bolt safety.
Mikey.

Didn't realize that newer winchesters did not have a half-cock. So there's no way to carry half-cocked as traditional? or is it still possible as another poster says, with half-cock almost all the way down like a rebounding hammer?

I don't have a CBS (though I like the idea of having one for unloading) and I was happy that Winchester switched to a tang safety, but I have to admit it takes a grip adjustment and thumb stretch for me to put tang safety on and off whereas the winchester and Marlin CBS are right there.

'52 mod 94
1911/1991 Colt .45s

glock29 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2005, 05:01:37 AM »

I only use older non-tang/non-crossbolt safety levers.
I carry at Half-Cock with a round IN the chamber.

snowdog · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2005, 07:34:40 PM »

I use the safety as others have mentioned, during unloading, I usually
keep the hammer all the way up unless I am about to shoot, doesn't take
much to bring it down to fire....I muffle any noise by just covering the
hammer with alot of "hand".

foto · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2005, 06:27:31 PM »

Another thing to think about is whether you have a hammer extension because your gun is scoped. Got older and newer marlins with and without the cross bolt safety and luckily only the newer ones were scoped. Had the hammer extension catch on some branches while going through some tough scrub oak and was saved by the cross bolt safety. If you are using an older gun with only a half cock safety avoid any hammer extensions and stick to iron sights if neccessary. hope it helps.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2005, 01:09:20 PM »

I grew up on guns that didn't need a safety button, the half-cock did the job just fine with a round in the chamber. If you keep your fingers away from the trigger while unloading, you're fine. As to the "click" when going to full-cock, as long as you hold the trigger back while you ease the hammer back, it won't make a sound. I don't advise trying to learn this trick when your fingers are numb and frozen, but it's worked for me for thirty years. It also works on DA revolvers, and 1911's, just to name a few.

Papajohn

BoarHunter · « **Reply #22 on:** March 07, 2005, 12:27:59 AM »

The new production Win 94 don't have half cock and the hammer can rest on a loaded chamber.

I personnaly always carry it loaded, no safety engaged but uncocked. I cock the hammer when I hear game or while I am slowly shouldering the gun, game in sight. No cocking sound if you press the trigger and release it at full cock.
If the hammer slips and the gun goes bang, it's a miss as you only do that in a safe direction (except for your prey !).

Only use the safety when loading, unloading. The cross bolt design is a nuisance as it can get engaged accidently. This is the ultimate safety for your game !

I have therefore made a new safety that you engage by rotating it instead of pushing/pulling. No risk to have it accidently put on.