First timer - Hammered or Hammerless SxS?

T

Taffer

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Hey folks,

My intent is to buy a short side by side. Never owned one but I have the inkling I may enjoy them.
I'm likely use it for casual target shooting, mostly, but I may wish to do some Cowboy Action at some juncture.

What are the pros and cons of each type?

Would you steer a SxS newcomer to one or t'other and why?

Have you had any personal experiences with either that inform your opinion?

Any other random advice?

As always, I thank you in advance for your collective knowledge.
 
Hammer gun is kind of cool retro, but have one kind of serious drawback. It's much easier to experience a negligent discharge with a cocked hammer. Tree branches, clothing, hat ties can get caught inside the trigger guard if you are not watchful.
Generally speaking, most hammer guns do not have any kind if external safety. While hammerless shotguns, generally do have an external safety.
This is kind of important, especially for a novice.

My 2 bits only.
 
I own and use both. I see no cons to either as long as the hammers are rebounding. I own a linder Charles Daly without and must remember to tuck the firing pins back in so they don't catch when closing the action. For hammered guns I prefer the backlock action as the gun is slimmer and I like the looks. It comes down to personal choice. Some find the hammers to be an annoyance when shouldering the gun for flying targets as the hammers may or may not block some view. I don't notice them myself.
If buying older firearms many hammer guns have 2.5" chambers.
New production guns such as huglu sold at prophet river are steel proofed and have multi choke barrels and even barrel sets
If looking for a new hammered double the 2 barrel set is what I'd buy
You will find alot more variety in hammerless guns

I truly believe you need both styles
 
I own a Huglu Hammer SxS with dual triggers.

I like that setup for two reasons ...

1.) I can carry that gun loaded but not cocked when upland hunting .... and I feel a bit better than with a loaded and cocked gun and with the safety engaged. Once you have practiced it ... cocking a hammer and shooting a barrel is done in a second ...

2.) The double triggers allow me to choose the left or right barrel with different chokes in a split second ..... or with different loads .... for example ...slug in one and buckshot in the other ....

However, if you want to buy a new hammer SxS ... you will not have much choices .... there aren't too many on the market any more ... :-(
When I bought mine a couple of years back .... Pedersoli made a hammer 12ga SxS .... and Huglu made one .... but that was basically it if you want to stay within $2000.- ....
 
I have an older CIL hammerless 2.5", .410, double trigger, tang safety and I absolutely love it.
Light, short and stock has a small wrist, so the boy likes to shoot it as well.

Left barrel, front trigger, right barrel rear trigger. Id have to double check to know for sure if the barrels are choked the same of different.

Its a good bird gun for my application.
 
If you are going to get into cowboy action, a hammerless gun is faster .
I have been shooting both hammerrd and hamerless guns for a great many years as my main hunting shotguns , and prefer hammers and double triggers .
Cat
 
iron cat said:
If you are going to get into cowboy action, a hammerless gun is faster .
I have been shooting both hammerrd and hamerless guns for a great many years as my main hunting shotguns , and prefer hammers and double triggers .
Cat
Click to expand...

Double triggers I understand - being able to pick a barrel and load variable shot is an obvious advantage.

Why do you enjoy the hammerguns?
 
Taffer said:
Double triggers I understand - being able to pick a barrel and load variable shot is an obvious advantage.

Why do you enjoy the hammerguns?
Click to expand...

BTW - Single selective triggers allow you to chose barrels. I prefer single triggers for my shotgunning needs - eg clay shooting requiring pairs.
 
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