Confession time

1084 Views 29 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Chrisj357, 9 d ago

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · 12 d ago

2

So, maybe a month ago wild pigs started coming into our neighborhood and in our front yard. That’s when I decided to load the.357 and leave it in the fireplace rack just in case.

Well, I have always been a revolver guy. Civilian and military training for over 40 years a full size revolver feels like part of me. I have never owned long guns. In fact the 1894 .357 was my first rifle. So, back to the pigs. A loaded .357 Marlin was not going to stay on the fireplace while I sleep. So, every night it goes to the safe. Every morning it goes to the fireplace. So each night I take the little rifle down and sit there with it practicing cocking it to half cock and back to decocked silently. I won’t do full cocked because it’s loaded

The gun is feeling second nature like my revolvers. I feel that is important. And it’s enjoyable. Also, I am thankful my wife goes to bed before me. lol

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Reactions: 5

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beenthere409

· #2 · 12 d ago

If the chamber is loaded, the hammer should always be at half-cock until ready to fire. Hammer-down is fine on an empty chamber.

Reactions: 5

Marksman1941

· #3 · 12 d ago

I recently picked up my first lever rifle, an 1894 in .44. Shooting it has made me realize how much my offhand shooting skills have degraded since my days of regular muzzleloader shooting. But between regular fondling of the rifle like you’re doing (my dad used to call it “making new friends”) and a few bricks of .22 shot offhand though a bolt gun, it’s starting to come back to me. It’s surprising how much you can learn about the rifle just by holding it and feeling how it moves in your hand

Reactions: 3

.DIRTY-.THIRTY

· #4 · 12 d ago

Great pics and a beautiful rifle! Bring on the pig meat!!!

Reactions: 2

Joe45colt

· #5 · 12 d ago

So how many pigs have meant their demise?

Reactions: 2

HIKayaker

· #6 · 12 d ago

Years back I had my 1894 357 mag discharge going from half cock to hammer down--with my thumb on the hammer extension. It was outside and pointed in a safe direction, so no harm done. But it sure did wake me up.

I don't recommend dropping the hammer from half-cock to down on a live chamber. Especially not in the house. Unless you don't mind more ventilation in your house. All it takes is letting that hammer go down a little bit faster than you intend.

Reactions: 5

old wound

· #7 · 12 d ago

Hammer manipulation in the house with one in the chamber, really ?

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Especially with those sausage fingers...

Reactions: 5

Ojaileveraction

· #8 · 11 d ago (Edited)

old wound said:
Hammer manipulation in the house with one in the chamber, really ?

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Especially with those sausage fingers...

Yeah, no gratuitous handing of loaded fire arms in the house. Sausage Fingers, haha.

I know about sausage fingers and otherwise.

Reactions: 2

ImALeverNotAFighter

· #9 · 11 d ago

HIKayaker said:
Years back I had my 1894 357 mag discharge going from half cock to hammer down--with my thumb on the hammer extension. It was outside and pointed in a safe direction, so no harm done. But it sure did wake me up.

I don't recommend dropping the hammer from half-cock to down on a live chamber. Especially not in the house. Unless you don't mind more ventilation in your house. All it takes is letting that hammer go down a little bit faster than you intend.

Happened to me at home with my Henry .22. Something sound odd, and then looked at my ceiling and saw a little hole. Good wake up call to not be an idiot that’s for sure

Reactions: 5

two80rem

· #10 · 11 d ago

I think it would be best to acquire some snap caps or make some dummy rounds for your evening sessions. You can never be too safe, especially with loved ones on the other side of the wall.

Reactions: 4

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #11 · 11 d ago

Well. I’m pretty much done with “making a new friend”. I think I accomplished what is able to accomplish. I’ll take all advice to heart though since I’m new to the lever.

Reactions: 4

NewtoSkeet

· #12 · 11 d ago

How hard is it to leave the chamber empty and cycle the lever when Porky comes calling?

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Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #13 · 11 d ago

NewtoSkeet said:
How hard is it to leave the chamber empty and cycle the lever when Porky comes calling?

I guess I feel like it’s the same as having all six of my revolver cylinder loaded. I’ve heard of people leaving the 12 o’clock hole empty. I do not leave it empty. And most likely racking the lever would be no problem but in the slim chance I sneak up on one it would be crucial to not make the noise.

Reactions: 2

bassetman1974

· #14 · 11 d ago

I'm more curious why you lock it up at night. I have two S&W's loaded and ready to go at all times. Thankfully, those cartridges haven't left the cylinders in over a decade.

Reactions: 4

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #15 · 11 d ago

bassetman1974 said:
I'm more curious why you lock it up at night. I have two S&W's loaded and ready to go at all times. Thankfully, those cartridges haven't left the cylinders in over a decade.

I put it in the safe, the safe is in my bedroom. So it’s not available to an intruder. I don’t lock the safe unless I leave the house. And yes I gave two revolvers and a shorty .20 ga ready to go if someone breaks in

Reactions: 5

Ojaileveraction

· #16 · 11 d ago

I play with my rifles all the time.
I have put together an assortment of snapcaps for all my centerfires.

Reactions: 5

GFK

· #17 · 11 d ago

Why not lock the safe? It is just one less thing to concern yourself with. We are only human and stuff happens.

Reactions: 1

rob42049

· #18 · 11 d ago

Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth, and buy a cup of coffee with the change.

Leave the chamber empty. Learn how to chamber a round silently when/if Porky shows up. Safety first.

Reactions: 1

Padraig

· #19 · 11 d ago (Edited)

Holy crap! How the OP stores his weapon is his business not ours! You donknow his circumstances. Sorry but sometimes I get grumpy. There us no reason to jump all, over the OP.

Padraig

Reactions: 3

Chrisj357

Discussion Starter · #20 · 11 d ago

rob42049 said:
Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth, and buy a cup of coffee with the change.

Leave the chamber empty. Learn how to chamber a round silently when/if Porky shows up. Safety first.

I sort of agree with you for one reason. It’s not the fact of having one in the chamber, I think that is safe with the gun at half cock. It’s the fact that when you close the action with a round going in the chamber the hammer is at full cocked. To me that’s the worst part. If you slip going to half it could easily go bang. I may start leaving the chamber clear for that reason.

Reactions: 3

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