Howdo . when i bought a similar rifle some while ago . the fella i bought it off explained to me that the way to cock it with out hurting yourself . was to place the butt in the thigh . hit the barrel with your right hand to break it , holding the stock with the left . then place BOTH hands on the barrel at the top , one below the other and then bend from the waist using only the stomach muscles which are stronger than the arm muscles . i found using this method that i could shoot the rifle for ages . without getting tired or injured . hope this helps ? . scimitar . ps works sitting as well .