Underlever Loading

[RicL]

Kinda want an hw97 or PS but would be worried about sticking my fingers in the chamber to load. Neither have anti-bear traps.

Is this an irrational fear or something to actually worry about?

 

[Buckshutr]

I wouldn't sat "worry" is the word I would use but you do need to be aware of the dangers. Mainly keep your hand on the cocking lever while loading even if it has an anti-bear trap. Nothing mechanical is foolproof.
I wouldn't let the way you load it affect your choice of gun. Even a break barrel can bite you if it was to snap shut.

 

[Raysfan]

Pretty sure my Hw97k has the anti bear trap device. Also, you should always hold the cocking lever as a secondary precaution.
The Hw97k is a great rifle love mine.

 

[beerthief]

I am a lefty and the HW 97 is a wonderful gun , i never feel unsafe with it , like was said b4 just hang on to the underlever when loading . IT becomes very natural in very short time and it seems a very comfortable way to load and support the gun . BUY IT !

 

[Sqwirl57]

Pretty sure my Hw97k has the anti bear trap device. Also, you should always hold the cocking lever as a secondary precaution.
The Hw97k is a great rifle love mine.

This may just be semantics but the 97K has a trigger disconnect, not an anti-bear trap. There is nothing there to catch the piston in the extremely unlikely event that the sear slips. You would probably have to over adjust that front trigger adjustment screw for that to happen though.

Regardless, I always hold the lever too.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

As well stated: one should always hold the cocking lever/barrel while loading. But it has always made me nervous also. I got out of PCP’s because I felt nervous laying my head on the steel/carbon fiber tank with 3000-4000 lbs of pressure in it.

 

[RicL]

So if the sear fails, but I'm holding on to the lever, then I'm good? At that point I would be relying on the cocking shoe?

 

[Sqwirl57]

So if the sear fails, but I'm holding on to the lever, then I'm good? At that point I would be relying on the cocking shoe?

That is correct. If somehow your sear/trigger fails and your cocking linkage fails at the same time, you were meant to lose that finger. Don't question it. That is very unlikely though. These guns are very well made.

I have 5 underlevers and not once has a single one failed on me. If you are really that worried about it (don't be, just hold the lever!) then get a TX200. Between the crossbar safety, a multi stage ratcheting anti-bear trap, AND your hand on the lever, you have a better chance of winning the Power Ball while getting hit by lightning than you do of it slamming shut on your hand.

 

[gbmarcht]

Kinda want an hw97 or PS but would be worried about sticking my fingers in the chamber to load. Neither have anti-bear traps.

Is this an irrational fear or something to actually worry about?

With my TX200, the safety engages as soon as you cock it and I'm nowhere near the trigger when reloading but still hold the cocking lever.