Bear Trap Device

[para]

I brought a HW-97 the other month, whilst zeroing I was pulled up by some one for not maintaining a hold of the under lever as I was loading the pellet. The lever was fully cocked back I have never come across this as a safety issue before ( I must have been on the PCP's too long)
I found it awkward holding the under lever and loading at the same time, I have never seen others follow this idear either.

I should imagine that it is far easier on the breakbarrels than underlevers, which is why the rifle is fitted with the anti bear trap device



.Or as any one been injured and I havent heard?

[nathan99]

Your friend was absolutely correct.

The HWx7 do not have a real anti bear-trap device, just a bit of bent tin that blocks the trigger mechanism when the lever is down. If this is stuck, distorted, missing, hasn't been fitted correctly by a bodger... then it is possible that it may not work.

If the sear engagement on the trigger has also been adjusted to a dangerous level, or some other fault has occured, or worse still you touch the trigger yourself, then the rifle could go off with your thumb in the loading port.

This will remove the first joint of your thumb, guaranteed.

So always hold on to that underlever whilst loading.

Chinese copies of this mechanism have a reputation for this.

Air Arms saw the stupidity of the Weihrauch design and sorted it when they copied it for the TX range. Hence the big spring loaded ratchet that locks into the sliding breech as it is opened. It would take a lot of things to go wrong for that to fail.

Break barrels are a lot safer in that if it all goes wrong you will be smacked on the forehead by the barrel, which will also probably bend upwards and break the stock. But you will still have your thumb.

[Hsing-ee]

Break barrels are a lot safer in that if it all goes wrong you will be smacked on the forehead by the barrel, which will also probably bend upwards and break the stock. But you will still have your thumb.

Don't bank on it being safer. Lots of people have taken out their front teeth this way, which while it's less of a disability than losing fingertips or thumb-joints, doesn't make any of us airgunners prettier. Also, it is 'quite painful'.

Break barrels and underlevers and sidelevers need to be fully restrained while being cocked and loaded.

[chris ballard]

Hello Para matey

I know what you mean, and its areal pain prone.

I use a TX200HC, which has all sorts of safetey devices on it (wont do bugger all unless you cock it properly).

I do hold the lever still. The worst accident I had was bending the barrel on a cheapo by letting it go when I was a sprog...I was lucky.

I know its a nause mate, but its a good habbit to get into if you can (god knows i'm trying )

I reckon they make very efficient finger smashers otherwise

[RobF]

If by HWx7 you mean 77 & 97, then not all have the bear trap. The 77 was long in production before the anti bear trap was introduced. I think it was around 1988, but i cant remember to be sure, so its best to act if there isn't one as was previously mentioned

I dont want to come across as being nit picky, just didnt want someone taking their fingers off

Its still good practice to load with the cocking lever always gripped...good practice just incase you come across something different and the bad habit kicks in.

We used to take them off at people's request because people couldnt decock the rifle...don't know how that's achieved these days.

With break barrels its also quite possible to make a nasty mess of whatever digit was near the barrel when it flipped.

Even if you miss getting injured, it dont do the barrels or levers any good...it was one of the things we always used to check on rifles offered 2nd hand...suprising how many came in a bit off

[Gwylan]

If you're right handed, put the butt into the join between your right leg and hip, (not quite in your groin..! ), cock with your left hand, hold onto the under lever, and load with your right. It sounds complicated, but it isn't really.

Gus

[Pinzgauer]

You guys are short! Cock while holding the grip, trap the grip between your arm and body, use the free hand (previously grip holding hand) to load and close (with the weak hand which HAS NOT LET GO OF THE COCKING LEVER) - voila! Loaded gun and intact thumb.

Of course this works best if you wear your pellets in a pouch dangling from the neck.

[Weevie]

If it was me who told you then of course I was bl00dy right and don't you forget it, you'll do as you're told and be grateful for the privilege

See what I have to deal with when I'm marshalling at Woodlands, guys?

[chris ballard]

If it was me who told you then of course I was bl00dy right and don't you forget it, you'll do as you're told and be grateful for the privilege

See what I have to deal with when I'm marshalling at Woodlands, guys?

LOL....

[The Specialist]

My reply to
"I can't shoot with safety glasses on" or
"It's too awkward to hold the cocking lever when I load" or
"Don't worry it's not loaded"

Is "Fine, go shoot elsewhere."

An act of negligence with a gun happens so fast it is not possible to stop once it is happening, safety must be the first concern.
I'm always amazed when someone with seriously limited knowledge is willing to argue with a RO who is trying to make sure the fool doesn’t get hurt or shoot someone else.

[NiceNeil]

If you're right handed, put the butt into the join between your right leg and hip, (not quite in your groin..! ), cock with your left hand, hold onto the under lever, and load with your right. It sounds complicated, but it isn't really.

Gus

Likewise, I've made this a habit when loading my TX200. It doesn't even seem like a hassle any more and if I use someone else's gun at any time, I'm not so dependent on the safety devices working correctly

[ashbo]

Holding the cocking lever and the barrel when loading is a good idea,saves lost thumbs also your mates nuts if he's standing next to you it's also compulsory at HFT events and is covered in the safety briefing.

[SNAKEBITE]

Sounds like a good habit to me.
Having come from a HW57 I was lulled into a bad habit by not doing it(It has a pop up breech!)
It is something I am going to have to get into if I fire a springer again.

[para]

If it was me who told you then of course I was bl00dy right and don't you forget it, you'll do as you're told and be grateful for the privilege

See what I have to deal with when I'm marshalling at Woodlands, guys?

Dont worry mate it wasnt you, you aint clever enough
only Joking, see you sunday

[Rapidnick]

We used to take them off at people's request because people couldnt decock the rifle...don't know how that's achieved these days.

Surprisingly enough the way it was done by one gunshop owner I knew, was to place the muzzle hard up against a piece of material like rubberised matting and dry fire. Apparently, the pressure against the rubber is enough to slow the piston down at the end of its travel as if a pellet was in the breech.