It can be done with an auto safety.
It's been my experience any American made gun with a rib extension;..break open; use any object to push down on the lever release plunger while holding lever over; then let lever come back or you can let it snap back when the plunger is pushed; move safety to fire position; pull triggers with gun open; close gun. Feels like the gun almost has an assisted closer when closing. Lefevers barrels will almost close themselves; so will my 20 ga. Stevens.
If you trip a latched top lever closed with the bbls still open, then try to close and lock the bbls shut, the locking lug(s) are in the way.
I guess you could let the hammers down part way .
Almost the same feel as trying to assemble the gun, putting the bbls onto the frame w/o locking open the top lever.
..unless I'm misunderstanding something here!
Just leave 'em cocked,,it ain't hurting nothing anyway.