Proper way to handle hammer guns - decocking

[Londonshooter]

This is something that I have not had any mentoring on or resources for, however quite sure someone here will know the exact answer and rationale.
So you #### a gun's hammers (on a break-action single or sxs, not a muzzleloader) and following this for whatever reason still have not fired at least one barrel and do not intend to. Is the best thing to break open your gun then ease back the hammer, or should it be the opposite?

 

[geologist]

I open the action and then ease down the hammer.

 

[tiriaq]

Some guns cannot be opened with the hammer cocked.

 

[Grock-co]

I dry fire every thing, it's a myth it causes any issues, great way to practice trigger control.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

Point in safe direction and ease down the hammer

 

[mr.e moose]

Point in a safe direction, ease down the hammer and then open. It would suck to drop on a slightly open breech.

 

[geologist]

https://eaacorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IZH43KH.pdf

 

[Hoakster]

Point in a safe direction
Hold Spur
Pull Trigger
Ease hammer down
Think happy thoughts.

Easy Peasy.

 

[Londonshooter]

Some guns cannot be opened with the hammer cocked.

My gun can definitely open with both cocked. I think opening the gun makes me not worry I will be pulling the wrong trigger as I ease back one hammer when both are cocked.
Grock-co:
Not worried about dry-firing - have live rounds in the chambers good to go.

 

[mr.e moose]

https://eaacorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IZH43KH.pdf

You are using a example of a hammer gun with a safety and one of the first rules is never trust a mechanical safety. Also never trust someone that has a hammer gun that does not know what trigger works each hammer.

 

[Londonshooter]

Right hammer is front-most trigger and left is the rear-most. I'm not applying for your trust.
I have been decocking as others have prescribed. Pointing in a safe direction, hooking my thumb over the hammer and breaking the correct trigger. Then extracting my shells. I wondered aloud here about the downside of opening the gun first.

 

[Wishalot]

Left handed here, hence, hammer guns are my practical weapons of choice. As I was taught by the oldtimers some fifty years ago, point that there gun where it is safe, use your thumb, hold that hammer back, pull the trigger back which will release the pressure, and ease the hammer back down. Now it is safe to remove and/or eject the ammo, but keep your finger off the trigger while doing so.

 

[wbaad]

I dry fire every thing, it's a myth it causes any issues, great way to practice trigger control.

That is not true. Most .22 guns should not be dry fired any large amount as it can distort the edge of the chamber and cause problems and unwanted surprises. Older guns generally don't like it as it can break firing pins and peen the metal under the hammer, or the hammer itself.

I would open if possible then ease hammer down while pointed in a safe direction of course

 

[Can-down]

Left handed here, hence, hammer guns are my practical weapons of choice. As I was taught by the oldtimers some fifty years ago, point that there gun where it is safe, use your thumb, hold that hammer back, pull the trigger back which will release the pressure, and ease the hammer back down. Now it is safe to remove and/or eject the ammo, but keep your finger off the trigger while doing so.

Pretty much, the key is safe direction, and as soon as the trigger releases the hammer, the trigger finger is removed.
It's a good idea to practice and if your hands are cold or wet or both it is possible to slip on the hammer if your not careful.... Safe muzzle direction!

I suppose if a guy was real paranoid about loosing control of the hammer on the way down he could position the web of his off hand or a gun sling in front of the hammer to act as a firing pin block.... while pointing the gun in a safe direction.

Opening the action if possible seems prudent.