1st gun

[Down2Earth]

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[Down2Earth]

"I had some cousins that used to hunt, they'd pull their guns out the day before deer season and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. "

I wonder if I had the same cousin!

[96trigger]

No, we agree, the shotguns with the hammer ARE the most dangerous shotguns out there.

[Shack]

Sorry for posting again, but I just do not see any reason for stating the hammer operated single shot shotgun is “dangerous”. This is the most widely used and most popular gun in American hunting history (IMO). If the hunter/shooter is properly gun trained and gun is in proper working order, there should be no concern. Unfortunately, a mishandled, poor condition and poor working order gun in any situation is “dangerous”. I did some major searching on internet about “most dangerous shot gun” and really came up with nothing.

I would think one would have some info to back this statement up. I can not find anything. I have found many statements and articles about how the single shot shotgun is a great 1st time gun, but nothing about an on going ban or the gun being of any danger to anyone, unless used improperly. May be that was the case in your guys situations. I do not know.

The only gun I have in my collection, which I will not fire and consider dangerous is my MossBerg 20ga pump. It was my second gun I had and first gun I had bought my self. I learned a lot after buying this gun about what to look for in a used gun. It had been heavily used with no maintenance. The breech had a hair line fracture in it. I learned the hard way. I how ever will not say the “Mossberg 20ga Pump” is a dangerous gun, because I have no proof of the other million guns that are out there being dangerous.

Sorry for the rant, but when someone attacks an American Icon like single shot shotgun, I figure someone should defend this gun. I started out on this gun and my boys will start out on this gun. Its a right of passage! They are a safe gun. Ask a gun smith! They are sold at every gun store, sporting goods store and more.

Click below to read about the single shot shotgun being a good first timers gun!

Scroll down to break barrel section and please read!

Below is the only derogatory information I could find ont the internet about the singe shot hammer shotgun

Quote:

---

As practical for hunting as the single shot and double barrel shotguns are, they fail to measure up in the personal protection arena (with one exception: Any gun beats no gun during a gunfight). Since a good self-loading (or ‘automatic’) shotgun will cost almost double the price of a good pump action shotgun, I would recommend the purchase of a pump action as being the best value for the money.

---

The gun below is the single shot hammer operation shot gun and is sold widely threw out the World. I could not find any info it is a dangerous gun!

Last but not least. One would have to throw double barrel hammer operated shotguns in this mix. I know of a couple hunting buddies that would defend this statment if it was brought up when out hunting.

[96trigger]

Quote:

---

Guns are made for the purpose of killing. The firing mechanism is designed to be operated by the trigger finger, yet many men seem to forget that any other object pressing on the trigger will explode the cartridge. Some of the hammer guns can be discharged by some objects pressing on the hammer, as in cocking, and then releasing the pressure before the gun is fully cocked. As a young man, I was well aware of this danger, having visited one victim of such an accident and having heard of several other cases, all of which had been caused by the accidental discharge of the old hammer shotguns. Since these were shotgun accidents, I assumed that my rifle was immune to such incidents. The hammer could not strike the firing pin unless the trigger was pulled, even if it were released before reaching the full cocked position.

---

web page

Click to go to article

Also found one more pamphlet from the DNR, warning about the use of Hammer Shotguns for beginners. Read the section on first shotguns

DNR pdf on first guns

I'm not a computer geek, but it took me 3.2 seconds to find this article, they are out there. Maybe the new guns are better, but I still don't feel that it is a safe as having the firine mechanism enclosed in the reciever, Just my ops.

[Scott K]

I have a couple different single shot guns, the hammer type I can see being more dangerous because of the hammer on my 2 guns with hammers, may not be all guns with hammers, but the 2 I have the safety on it is the hammer being partail cocked. I have accidentally fired the gun at my foot, missing by less then an inch. On my guns if you want to fire you pull back the hammer, then if you decide not to fire the gun, you need to pull the trigger and easily lower the hammer back down. I only once accidentally fired the gun by doing this, with doing it a thousand times, but was always cautious when doing it because I knew what could happen. I also have bolt action, which I think is much safer. Although its not a shotgun!

[Shack]

96trigger,

I searched, Yahoo, dangerous hunting shotguns, most dangerous shotgun, singe shot shotgun related deaths, best first hunting gun and a couple of other search topics and found nothing. I did not scroll threw the 16,000 hits that came up under topics, but went through a few pages. I was looking for negative info, because my oldest boy will start hunting training next year. Here you found what I was looking for right on MN DNR web site. Thanks! The gun my father bought for me was bought in 1991 brand new. I will revisit the safety features on gun.

What I did read was operator error (cold fingers, having hammer cocked and old gun), but does bring up a notion of awareness that should be in place.

I guess I was lucky! In the two years I first started to hunt I used a single shot. All we did was grouse hunt. My father made me have barrel cracked, until we flushed a bird. Then I would bring barrel back, wait until bird flushes and cock hammer and fire. Always felt safe and respected the gun.

[Down2Earth]

Nice Post trigger. This is exactly what I was thinking in stating the dangers of a shot gun with a hammer. Especially for a first time gun owner. They are great guns just like all guns, but pulling trigger and easing the hammer back can be an accident waiting to happen.

[Sandmannd]

Quote:

---

Sandmannd-

I just won an 870 express at a PF banquet last month. If you are interested I will cut you a deal and save you a few bucks. I don't need another 12 gauge. Just a thought.

ww

---

Walleye Wegs send me an email at [email protected] and let me know what you were thinking.

Thanks to everyone for all the posts. It's great to get this much info. I think I'm going to go with the pump. I have a young daughter and don't know that I will get out all that much anyway. I am thinking of joining a trap league to get some good practice in.

[96trigger]

Shackbash, I have nothing against a hammer on a gun. You are doing a fine job teaching your kids the art of shot placement and aiming by doing that. Some people who don't have good fathers or teachers, might not be as careful around a hammer as you will teach your boys to be. I mean no disrespect to you or what you are teaching your kids. I shot an old bolt action stevens with the clip when I was a kid and would love to teach my son to shoot on it. However, I just refinished it and it is now in my collection, not a shooter anymore. My dad used take the clip from me so essentiall it was just a single shot. I love that gun.

[Shack]

None taken, just good advice?

[CodyDawg]

The exposed hammer is what makes this gun dangerous. I am a Firearm Safety Instructor and during our training, the DNR showed us a graph of accidents by action type. Check with the DNR Education unit in Fort Ripley, maybe they can get it for you. The most dangerous action, by far (it wasnt even close), was the lever....why the lever? Because of the exposed hammer. Since the shotguns we are talking about have the same exposed hammer, it makes them relatively more dangerous than other guns with typical safeties. Little hands, cold hands, inexperience and a little adrenaline can make these type of guns dangerous.

Also, because they are typically shorter and lighter, I suspect that muzzle control is more of an issue with these as well.

In a controlled setting with proper adult supervision, they can be good for kids (although watch the kick, they tend to pack a wallop).

[lookincalifornia]

i was gonna buy an 870 a few years ago. i actually found that the winchester1300 fit me better than the 870. was like night and day when i held them at the store. give a few different makes a chance.

don't forget the mossburg 500.

[fishinalot]

I grew up with a Wingmaster 870 and both my sons did. We now have 7 wingmaster 870's in the house. I would not shoot anything else!

[Weed Shark]

Sandman,

It's great your taking up hunting! I'll be hunting in October with a friend in his forties, who is just starting, too. I admire you both. I don't imagine alot of people start hunting later in their lives. The most rewarding and appreciated meals you'll eat, will be the ones you hunted.

I have three boys, not yet hunting age. I might start them on Remmington 870 Wingmasters. I've had mine 27 years and love it. Whatever gun you choose, practice and get comfortable with it. I don't even think about ejecting shells. When I feel the kick on my shoulder, the shell is comming out.

I started on a single shot with a hammer, and then a side by side double barrel.

I don't like the hammers. Once some Sharptails flushed and I ended up not shooting. It was a cold morning and the cocked hammer slipped away from my light gloves. No harm done, it was pointed well away from my feet, towards the ground. It was still a good scare, for the youngster that I was.

[Sandmannd]

Thanks for the nice words Weed Shark. I'm looking forward to the outings. Thanks to Walleye Wegs I have a new 870 that he didn't need and cut me a deal on. I have a couple of buddies that are going to take me out as time permits. Anyone else out there willing to take out a newbie and show the skills of hunting. I was thinking of hitting a range and shooting clays. Do you all think this is a good idea, is it the best way to get the feel for the gun or is there something else I should do?

[Weed Shark]

It's sometimes nice to buy a box of clay targets, if someone knows a suitable location, and casually practice with a friend or two, throwing targets for each other.

At gun clubs, I like to shoot skeet. It practices a wide variety of angles: straight away, straight over-head, quartering shots with short leads, and crossing shots with long leads.

[Shack]

Ya!

The only chance you have of bagging a grouse is beginers luck, practice or your buddy shots one that has a little of both.