Author Topic: Will the cocking of the hammer...? (Read 2241 times)

jk3006 · « **on:** July 04, 2005, 05:32:12 PM »

...scare a bear or deer that is right under my stand or within ten yards. I ask because I really want to use my revolver for bear hunting, but I'm really concerned that the cocking noise will spook them. For those of you that have experienced this, what do you think?

Jon

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2005, 12:41:11 AM »

I usually don't let them get that close. If I see them coming, I pick an open spot and wait for them to get close. I then pull back the hammer and wait for them to step into the opening. But if they are close, they may hear the hammer.

rickyp · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2005, 03:43:43 AM »

I normally do not let the deer get that close to me. the closer they are the harder the shot can be due to extreme angles.

When I see the deer and decide it take it. I will take a look around and make sure everything is safe and no other animals or PEOPLE are around. I will then take position and cock the hammer keeping my finger off the trigger.
once the deer is in a good shooting position I will take another quick look around aquire the sight picture and shoot. I like to keep the deer out to about 20 yards or so.

I have taken deer at 10 feet from sitting on a fallen tree. the deer had no clue I was sitting on it and walked right past me. I do practice in pulling the hammer back very slow this helps to quiet things a bit

longwalker · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2005, 04:44:38 AM »

I agree with the others. Don't let the critters get so close before you take action. I have taken deer very close, and the sound of the cylinder locking up was not a problem. However I hunt with a double action revolver and practice firing double action.

My advice, if the animal is so close that you think they will spook wait until the time is right. A rushed shot with a handgun will most likely require a long walk. In the case of bear hunting potentially toward an angry opponent.

longwalker

knight0334 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2005, 07:51:12 AM »

Its up to the individual animal.

I've had deer walk right up to me as I was sitting on a log, not really trying to be quiet. ...then I've had some that I swear they could hear my thoughts 250yds away and bolt like lightning.

I do try though to cock while the critter is at its farthest point away.

jk3006 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2005, 03:50:43 PM »

Thanks for the responses. I will be hunting bear over bait. I won't have a chance to cock the revolver while the bear is making its way in because the brush is so thick that I won't be able to see or hear the bear until it's in the bait pit. I wish it was easier than that, but it isn't. With all the hard work associated with baiting bear, I don't want to blow it with something ridiculous as cocking the gun. I realize it happens, but I would like to take those types of things out of the equation, if at all possible. This doesn't mean I'll forget the pistol (cause I really really want to use it), but I will look at all my options.

Here's another question. Of all the different types of single and double actions that you all have used, which one made the least amount of noise when being cocked?
For me this info is useful and could very well factor into my next revolver purchase.

Thanks,

Jon

rickyp · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2005, 03:54:30 PM »

get your self a very good set of ampflied hearing protection, they are well worth the money. you should be able to hear the bear coming in before you see it and they will save your hearing as well.

My T/C encore and contenders are very quiet when done right.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2005, 03:55:49 PM »

A lot of species in South Africa - have been lost because of the hammer cocking. Until I got my Freedom Arms. Then I could cook the hammer without any "click".

jk3006 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2005, 04:08:24 PM »

I would love to have a Freedom Arms. I may just get one, in due time of course ($).

BABore · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2005, 02:20:17 AM »

If you get caught with one close in try cupping your weak hand over the hammer to muffle the noise. Thumb it back one click at a time, real slow. Watch for any reaction after each click. You have some advantage in being above the animal in your tree stand. I've got away with this several times. You can also go a slow double action if the animal is that close.

mg66 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2005, 07:07:53 PM »

Its not often the game gets that close that the noise of cocking will spook them. Cock it while they are out a ways and finger outside the trigger guard and move finger onto trigger as they get within range.

If they are close enough that cocking the trigger may alarm the critter then use it double action. Key is here to practice double action shooting also before hunting season to ascertain what is required to get a good shot off double action.

Key is to practice both firing single and double action. Being a bow hunter, slow and deliberate is always the best approach to minimise movement and noise.

My experience from bow hunting is a deer usually locks up until it can work out what the threat is. That few seconds is enough to get a good shot off, sometimes even two. I have never hunted bear (yet) but would assume the same applies.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2005, 01:09:37 AM »

Quote from: mg66

Its not often the game gets that close that the noise of cocking will spook them. Cock it while they are out a ways and finger outside the trigger guard and move finger onto trigger as they get within range.

If they are close enough that cocking the trigger may alarm the critter then use it double action. Key is here to practice double action shooting also before hunting season to ascertain what is required to get a good shot off double action.

Key is to practice both firing single and double action. Being a bow hunter, slow and deliberate is always the best approach to minimise movement and noise.

My experience from bow hunting is a deer usually locks up until it can work out what the threat is. That few seconds is enough to get a good shot off, sometimes even two. I have never hunted bear (yet) but would assume the same applies.

Now if one is using a single action for hunting, we have no choice but to cock the hammer. I have had deer close to me and when they did not like what either they saw of smelled, in one quick leap, they were out of there.

Duffy · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2005, 02:41:37 PM »

On a Blackhawk holding the trigger back while cocking will reduce the amount of clicks to only the cyl stop BUT you BETTER Damn well practice this will an UNLOADED gun first to get the hang of it. You have to remember to let go of the trigger BEFORE the hammer. I usually place the thumb of my off hand between the hammer and frame for extra safety also gripping the cyl to quiet it down a bit.
Clicks, pops and snaps all seem to alert game animals more than thumps and bumps (lower freq)

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2005, 03:27:48 PM »

OK I HAVE SOME THING TO TOSS IN TO THE MIX
MIND YOU IVE NEVER BEEN IN THIS SITUATIONS BEFORE BUT UM
sorry for the caps but any ways

if u nead to cock the hammer then maybe have one of them mouth bleats in an make a call as u are cocking the hammer?

dave

S.B. · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2005, 04:00:09 PM »

I can't testify to the sound of a handgun hammer but, my muzzleloader hammer sure scared a whitetail away last year. And he was around 20 yards from my stand?

malenurse? · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2005, 04:36:59 PM »

I agree with Muffy. To make the cocking sound less of an issue while hunting, I practiced (many times) cocking while depressing the trigger to make the cocking as quiet as possible. I, too, place my other thumb between the hammer and frame to prevent a misfire just in case. That is the only way I have found to quiet the cocking sound.

-Jeremy

Hooker · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2005, 07:08:03 PM »

When I'm setting in a stand or ground blind I keep my hammer cocked. And my thumb between the hammer and the frame. And my fingers around the outside of the trigger guard.

Pat

erickrschaefer · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2005, 12:31:33 PM »

If it is bears on bait you are after wait unitl is chewing on some bait and he won't hear it, but for what it is worth by the time any animal hears the cock of the hammer it should be to late for them anyways. My gun is in the shooting position and my sight picture is pretty much lined up before I cock the hammer and when it is cocked the shot is taken before the animal even knows what happened. Just my experience.

Erick

daddywpb · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2005, 01:44:29 AM »

I have spooked deer and hogs that snuck up on me by cocking the hammer of my Bisley. If I know somethings coming into range I cock the hammer early, then rest the thumb of my support hand between the hammer and frame, just in case.

EastKY_DO · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2005, 01:16:00 PM »

Not meaning to step on any toes here, but . . . It occurs to me that sitting in a blind of any sort, especially an elevated one, with a cocked revolver is extremely risky. The potential for something happening to cause the hunter to drop the firearm cannot be dismissed. If this happens to a revolver that's already cocked it would be very easy for the gun to fall in such a manner that will cause it to fire. The hunter would have no control over the direction of the muzzle at the moment of firing and could be shot in the process.

Just my observations . . .

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2005, 01:25:30 PM »

Quote from: EastKY_DO

Not meaning to step on any toes here, but . . . It occurs to me that sitting in a blind of any sort, especially an elevated one, with a cocked revolver is extremely risky. The potential for something happening to cause the hunter to drop the firearm cannot be dismissed. If this happens to a revolver that's already cocked it would be very easy for the gun to fall in such a manner that will cause it to fire. The hunter would have no control over the direction of the muzzle at the moment of firing and could be shot in the process.

Just my observations . . .

How else are you going to shot any animal if you don't cock the gun?

A single shot must be cocked.

EastKY_DO · « **Reply #21 on:** October 24, 2005, 02:22:26 PM »

Of course you must cock the revolver before you can fire it. Likewise you must cock a single shot before you can fire it too. My observation isn't meant to imply that the gun shouldn't be cocked, only that cocking should take place just prior to taking a shot. Does the single shot you refer to have a safety, as a 1911 does, or do you mean that sitting for extended periods with a cocked firearm without a safety doesn't bother you?

equinoxbuilders · « **Reply #22 on:** October 24, 2005, 02:43:04 PM »

I have been guilty of sitting in my treestand for extended periods with my thumb pushed inbetween the hammer and the nipple on my Hawkens. with one end of the Grunt call tucked under my collar and the spit end up by my mouth.... I agree, this is dangerous and no one should do this. I would advise anyone including myself who have lost that shot on the ultimate buck because of a noisy hammer to take the weapon in to a quality smith to have work done.
And NO I've not done this while hunting with others....

Funny creatures, those Whitetails. You can hit em smack between the eyes with a giant louggy(I have done this), and all they do is look puzzled. But hammer back when they are within 50 yrds, and listen to em snort their way outa there....

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 24, 2005, 06:13:18 PM »

Quote from: EastKY_DO

Of course you must cock the revolver before you can fire it. Likewise you must cock a single shot before you can fire it too. My observation isn't meant to imply that the gun shouldn't be cocked, only that cocking should take place just prior to taking a shot. Does the single shot you refer to have a safety, as a 1911 does, or do you mean that sitting for extended periods with a cocked firearm without a safety doesn't bother you?

It is common sense to cock the hammer only when ready to shoot. My mistake was I meant single action revolver, not single shot. Either way I don't think anyone was implying to sit with a gun in the cocked position. Again common sense.

EastKY_DO · « **Reply #24 on:** October 24, 2005, 07:34:52 PM »

Okay, I agree with you about using common sense and only cocking a revolver just prior to taking a shot. I noticed that the post made by "Hooker" above and it indicated to me that he keeps the gun cocked while waiting and merely places his thumb "between the hammer and frame". That's the point I took to be unsafe.

jar-wv · « **Reply #25 on:** October 24, 2005, 08:54:37 PM »

Had a whitetail in real close last season while in tree stand (30' up). Weather was dry and very calm. One of those days when you could hear a twig crack from a mile away. Was wearing gloves and kinda covered hammer and more or less cocked it with the web of left hand between thumb and pointer finger while merely taking off pressure of cocking with right thumb. I was surprised to find it was pretty much noiseless. Shot was less than 10 yds from base of tree was deadly to doe.

jar

Hooker · « **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2005, 06:29:03 PM »

Quote from: EastKY_DO

Okay, I agree with you about using common sense and only cocking a revolver just prior to taking a shot. I noticed that the post made by "Hooker" above and it indicated to me that he keeps the gun cocked while waiting and merely places his thumb "between the hammer and frame". That's the point I took to be unsafe.

It make you uneasy, But I've hunted this way for almost 30 years.
It's quite safe if you member that a firearm is only as safe as the guy holding it.
Here's some advice don't drop the gun no matter what position you've placed the fire mechanism in

Pat

jro45 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 27, 2005, 01:06:10 AM »

Yes cocking the hammer with the bear or deer that close would scare it them away. You would have to have it cocked ahead of time or have a way of muffing the sound.

LJ Barrero · « **Reply #28 on:** October 30, 2005, 05:55:35 PM »

While handgun hunting, I carry a shoulder bag with me where I carry the gun and some ammo and food. When I see the deer (some time they sneak up quitely), I cock the gun insid the bag and the sound is minimum. Then, I pull the gun holding the hammer with my thumb and then I am ready to fire after the gun is out of the bag. I pull the gun out of the bag when they are not looking in my direction and aim at them when they get distracted. Otherwise, even a small glare from the stainless steel will send them running away.

LJB

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #29 on:** October 30, 2005, 10:22:48 PM »

I wouldnt want to recomend that anyone cock a hammer with there finger on the trigger especially under the pressure of a hunt. What if found works is i made a little piece of leather that has a hole in it that slides over the hammer of a cocked gun and blocks it from falling its just a matter of removing the leather when game comes in. Only time i use this deal is when hunting up close and personal like in a bow scaffold.