The double underbolted top lever snap action gun has the following features; The rear of the front bolt below the bolt notch has a decreasing radius so as the gun opens the lever comes back to center. Pressure on this bolt helps to hold the bbls in the open position for loading. As the bbls are closed the bolt is pushed back, moving the top lever to the right, until it comes to the notch, at which point it "Snaps" into the bolting notch. This is the way they were designed more than 100 yrs ago & were not meant for the lever to be held. This system is far & away the most common bolting method on both British & Continental guns. It is virtually unseen on American built guns. The vast majority of American built guns have the hold-over trip for the top lever which does not return to center until the bbls are closed. There is however still no reason for holding the lever. "Don't" "Slam" the gun shut, just close it in a manner to insure the bbls seat firmly against breech & let the bolt/s go home of their on accord. This is the way they were designed to operate.
Miller
