My use of a hammer double afield has been more with a percussion gun than a breech loader. Carrying a ML'er broken open is simply not an option. I treat a breech loader the same way I do the ML'er, hammers at the safety cock & for a "Sudden" opportunity I simply cock one hammer as I bring up the gun. "If" time & opportunity prevail I then cock the 2nd one. There are situations in which I feel it can be done safely I may precock both hammers. I never walk around in hunting territory with hammers cocked or with a gun broken open, either loaded or unloaded. Many hammer doubles did not have efficient bbl checks & the bbl leverage swinging is a very effecient method of breaking loose the forend lug. I took in an otherwise fairly nice Pieper once on a trade with this condition. I really can't say for positive if it had simply been exposed to too hard opening or if it had been carried this way, either would do the job. I have done a lot of my hunting in hill country & have always felt that in the case of a bad fall a gun is less subject to damage if bolted up solid than swinging open, where a terrific strain could be placed upon the hinge joint etc under certain conditions. Just my thoughts for whatever they are worth. Whatever you do let safety be your first consideration & if you find it too much of a handicap, simply use a hammerless. They have been being built in the US for at least 131 years & a little longer than that in England, I think they're here to stay.
