Rolling block rifle - safety procedures?

[ginseng503]

I am the proud owner of a new Uberti Rolling Block Rifle in 22 Hornet. I normally walk along and hunt with the safety on, (with whatever I use). I am thinking the 1/2 #### position would be the "safety on" position. Let me know if you think this is correct. Is this also correct for a Winchester Model 94? Round in the chamber, on half ####. #### the rest of the way to fire?

The firing pin is inside the "rolling block". It is not a hammer firing pin like a SAA. I do not think it is a transfer bar safety as on some firearms?

 

[H4831]

I have an old, original Remington Rolling Block, in 43 Egyptian. The hammer takes a lot of pressure to pull it back, so carrying on half #### is a very good safety.
The fellows with the 94 Winchesters having been using the hammer safe for well over a 100 now. However, I have certainly heard of accidents with the hammer at half #### on a loaded round. Accidents almost always result from carelessness. And it is certainly careless to carry a rifle pointed at someone, but here is how it can happen.
Two people walking together. The one behind has a lever action, pointed forward. Some kind of snag catches the hammer, pulls it back to just about ####, then slips off and the rifle fires, maybe hitting the forward person.
A fellow once told me he was walking ahead of a another hunter and the one behind had a 30-30 lever action. This fellow heard the one behind #### his rifle, so he looked around, and straight into the business end of the 30-30 carried on the shoulder of the fellow behind, and a snag had pulled the hammer to full ####! On a loaded round.

 

[ginseng503]

H4831, thank you for your input. I had not thought of the snag scenario as you describe. The hammer on this Uberti is also strong and hard to pull back - especially by mistake or accident. That being said, I can also understand how it would be possible for an accident to occur.

I will take the appropriate care when a round is chambered.