Pulling back the hammer on a deer. Isn't it too loud?

[jy951]

I'm considering using my 5.5" Redhawk for deer hunting.  But no matter how i try to cock the hammer, this thing is really loud.  So what do you guys do that hunt with a revolver?  Cock the hammer way in advance?  I don't like that idea.  Do you use the noise to stop the deer?  I also don't really like that as they will be looking right at you.  So how does it work?

[Graybeard]

You must shoot them from mighty close to be concerned. I've shot a LOT of deer with handguns and a lot at real close ranges and so far it's never bothered one yet. My first ever handgun deer I was in a stand with the Sniper Shack blind around me. I had three turkeys feeding under me and the buck was perhaps 15 yards away when I cocked the S&W revolver and fired. Neither the deer nor turkeys were aware I was there until the gun fired. Boy did those turkeys make a hasty retreat.

[quickdtoo]

I've had the same concern cocking the hammer on my levergun, but all it does it get their attention IF they hear it at all, by that time it's too late, the next thing they hear is them being killed, only they don't know it yet!!

Tim

[Jerry Lester]

I pull the trigger, hold it back, while cocking the hammer, then, while holding the hammer back, I very carefully release the trigger. This will allow you to get your revolver(or lever action) cocked with almost zero noise. I've used this method on deer that were literally within spitting distance, and never had one even "act" like he heard it.

[Redhawk1]

It sounds loud to us because we are so aware of any noise and we are right next to the gun. There are times I think I can hear my hair growing. LOL  I have hunted with a handgun for many many years, never has the animal heard the hammer come back. Like quickdtoo said, it was to late for the animal. 

[MS Hitman]

Just go out and kill yourself about 15 to 20 deer (legally of course) with your revolver and you will find that you have more important things to worry about.  As everyone else has said, this is not a problem.

[Mikey]

I tried that last hunting season to see if cocking the hammer would spook any game, and it did not.  I was standing in the doorway of an old pop-up trailer I use as shelter and had a flock of turkey feeding right in front of me, less than 10-15' away.  There were two doe less than 25m away browsing on shrubberies.  I repeatedly cocked and uncocked my S&W, not too gently either, and none of the game within hearing range paid the least bit of attention to the sound.

I would suppose that if there is but one animal and it is spooked and the entire world is absolutely silent except for the sound of the hammer being cocked back it may sound like it's at 120 decibels but they rarely take notice if at all.  

I have had both Rugers and Smith and Wessons and believe the S&W is the quieter.  However, that may be, ummm, 'hear'-say...........................Mikey.

[blhof]

I too have had no problem, even with my flint smokepole and they are loud and sometimes delay  ignition it's nerve wracking; but the deer still wait for the bullet.  The flint doesn't only cock loud but with the delay; there's a big puff of smoke from the pan before the shot ignites.  Smell and visual movement are more alerting to deer than a click.

[kennisondan]

no problem, I think; never heard my contender, even when I opened and closed it again to recock it.
dk

[45454]

Well, at least, this did answer my question too
My ears are bad enough.But not too far from hearing-aid time.
Thanks to all.

[Bitmap]

I pull the trigger, hold it back, while cocking the hammer, then, while holding the hammer back, I very carefully release the trigger.

Doesn't this only work with single-action revolvers, not double action?

[jy951]

ok, thanks for the info.  i am just too paranoid about making any sounds i guess.  i was hunting one time and went to pull back on my bow and the release made a small pop and that doe stared right at me and spooked.  i would just think the sound would be too loud.  i'll give it a try. 

[Jerry Lester]

I pull the trigger, hold it back, while cocking the hammer, then, while holding the hammer back, I very carefully release the trigger.

Doesn't this only work with single-action revolvers, not double action?

You may very well be right. I'm a die hard single action man myself, and I've never hunted with a double action revolver.

[Graybeard]

I hunt almost entirely with DA not SA and I've done it that way for years but see no real advantage and would do it only if one was under me. Works fine on my DAs. I guess the process is a tad different in that with the SA you can hold the trigger all the way back whereas with the DA you're kinda pulling it back as you do the hammer but in practice there is no difference to my ears in the sound made in doing it with a DA or SA.

Neither is a problem for me and has never spooked game for me.