I know people who have missed chances because of the crossbolt safety. They were used to the old hammer-only, and simply forgot the crossbolt was there when they got new rifles. Personally I think they're unnecessary, and a lawyer's solution to gun safety. The only real safety is between your ears.
How to carry a lever safely with a round in the chamber?
- Thread starter Nipigon Jack
- Start date
I like to hunt with my 1906 Winchester 94. If I'm bumping through the woods I leave the rounds in the tube and none in the chamber. If I surprise a deer, the time it takes for me to cycle a round in is insignificant (either it's already gone or is startled and I have time). If I hunker down or if I'm 'sneaking', I will cycle a round in and leave the gun half-cocked. It's never fully cocked unless I am sure of my target. It takes a second and is pretty silent. You will not lose a shot because of cocking IMO. I never have.
Anyone who understands the hammer and sear geometry of a Winchester or Marlin hammer knows that the half-#### safety is as foolproof as it gets. If you drop the gun on the hammer, it still can't go off as the lever safety would not engage.
Half #### works and if you pull the trigger, nothing happens and you are still quiet. You can often try again and still get your deer/bear/moose etc.
Try that with a crossbolt and watch the spooked buck run off from the loud *CLICK*
Half #### works and if you pull the trigger, nothing happens and you are still quiet. You can often try again and still get your deer/bear/moose etc.
Try that with a crossbolt and watch the spooked buck run off from the loud *CLICK*
Model 94 half #### is for when the hammer slips off your thumb during cocking, half #### will catch it. The hammer down on the bolt is OK due to inertia firing pin.
Walking around in questionable terrain with a round in the chamber is foolish to me anyway, but it has been a long time since I hunted with a 94.
It's not the gun that is unsafe in this condition either way, it is you.
Be very careful and definitely alone when hunting like that. No deer is worth the price of an accident.
Walking around in questionable terrain with a round in the chamber is foolish to me anyway, but it has been a long time since I hunted with a 94.
It's not the gun that is unsafe in this condition either way, it is you.
Be very careful and definitely alone when hunting like that. No deer is worth the price of an accident.
Can someone explain to me how you rely on the "lever saftey"?. With the Marlin it only blocks the trigger when the lever is not fully closed. Does that mean you walk around with the lever slightly open when using this as a saftey feature?
I'm not as versed with the Winchester design.
I'm not as versed with the Winchester design.
then you are hunting with a cocked gun. its easier and safer to pull the hammer back when its time to fire. i would forget about the crossbolt safety and if you are using it instead of the halfcock its more dangerous and probably shouldnt even be there because of the possibility of the practice you describe. i woudnt hunt with a bolt gun with one in the chamber but i would with a lever or hammer single shot with half ####.
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you dont rely on it its there to make sure you are gripping the stock as if to fire. the lever is closed for the gun to function except for a trigger block which is removed when you sqeeze the last eighth inch of lever which is only sprung out for that purpose.
The trigger and sear are one part. If the trigger cannot pull back on a marlin, it's impossible for the sear to clear either the sear bent or half #### notch in the hammer.
I am well versed with the Marlin Action, the way you described it though being impossible for the gun to fire if accidentally dropped on the hammer due to the lever safety preventing it made no sense to me. If the lever is closed (as I assume it would be) it could fire.
To each there own,
it's not my "normal" practice to just walk with the rifle fully cocked. Typical is CBS and half cocked, my preference is to rely on the CBS prior to firing, much like a Bolt action.
I fail to see how a CBS is more dangerous.
Unloading is much safer as well.
The safety on the 464 has hammer stop, the lever safety is actually a mechanical trigger stop to make sure the bolt is fully closed before firing.
For folks using Mossberg 464's, you can have a round chambered & hammer lowered, but use the tang safety help ensure safe condition. These rifles have no half-####, but have the lever grip safety along with the tang mounted one. Either of them block the hammer.
Least they ain't got push buttons to screw up the looks of a decent rifle......Fookin' lawyers.
Gotcha, I see where your going with this, and I agree.
Thankfully (at least in the Marlin manual) they fully explain the function of the hammer half cocked saftey, their recommendation is to use it in-conjunction with the CBS.
OP I suggest reading the manual and doing what the manufacturer suggests. My BL-22 manual specifically says not to carry in half #### or even intentionally place the hammer in this position. Carry this rifle with hammer dropped. I believe my '74 BLR 308 is the same. 2c
I grew up as a kid with the BL-22. As others have said, safety is between the ears. That said, I do use the crossbolt safety on my Marlin SBL if I unload via the action. Otherwise, I find the CBS is something that I am always checking to make sure it hasn't engaged accidentally.
When I need any degree of readiness I have one in the chamber and hammer down. Growing up with a lever, pulling back a hammer is second nature. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would leave a lever in half-####. I always thought that the purpose of the half-#### is to catch the hammer if it drops accidentally when manipulating it with your thumb? What am I missing?
WetCoast
When I need any degree of readiness I have one in the chamber and hammer down. Growing up with a lever, pulling back a hammer is second nature. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would leave a lever in half-####. I always thought that the purpose of the half-#### is to catch the hammer if it drops accidentally when manipulating it with your thumb? What am I missing?
WetCoast
Whenever I unload my 1895 I don't cycle my rounds from the magazine into the chamber and then out.
I cycle the round from the magazine to the elevator and then roll the cartridge out through the ejection port so that the live round is never chambered. My dad taught me this a long time ago.
I cycle the round from the magazine to the elevator and then roll the cartridge out through the ejection port so that the live round is never chambered. My dad taught me this a long time ago.
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That's a good idea. I've seen one of my uncles bring an old, beat up, loaded Marlin 336 in 35 Remington into the house and cycle the action while it was pointed at a cement floor to clear the rifle. I was standing a few feet away when he began doing it, and ended up on the other side of basement when he was done. When he was finished, he looked up and saw that i had covered 10ish yards in 3 seconds, in reverse, and asked me why i had backed away...I think the look on my face must of been something like:
