[D.W. Drang]

So I'm flipping through LSW's latest issue of Women's Outlook today when I happen to glance at the EAA ad for the IZH shotguns, and it strikes me that I'd better have an answer when she asks me what's the differance between Real Hammers (IZH43KH) and "Cocking Hammers" (IZH43K)? Since she has stated a desire for a side by side 20 ga. w/hammers and has this illusion that I Know All... (So far Nanaimo Barr hasn't even threatened to narc me out on this...)

[Jim Watson]

The model with real hammers has real hammers. That is, the hammers you see on the sides of the receiver actually strike firing pins.
The model with "cocking hammers" has fake hammers. What you see on the outside of the gun are cocking levers connected to internal boxlock hammers which strike internal firing pins. They are shaped like hammers but don't actually hit exposed firing pins.

[D.W. Drang]

Thanks, Jim
OK, so the next question is, is there an advantage to "cocking hammers" over "real hammers" and/or "hammerless" design?

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

Well, you can see the "cocked 'r not" status of your gun just by looking. Jeff Cooper always liked hammer guns for that.

You can manually de-cock it if you want. Good for long-term loaded storage of the "over the door" variety. NOTE: Dunno if these guns have rebounding firing pins or not. If not, this point is invalid, as hammer-down loaded status is dangerous as a blow to the hammer might fire the gun unintentionally.

Hammers look cool, more old-timey feel, good for CAS.

Easier open or close as you're not using that to cock firing mechanism.

I don't personally like those particular guns, as the hammers look rather "wispy" to me, as they only duplicate the shape from the side. That's a subjective thing though, and I just like the older styling of hammerguns.

Dunno if that list qualifies as "advantages" per se, but that's about the only diferences b/t the IZH's and a regular hammerless design.

[SASS#23149]

I shoot cas but don't have much experience with these guns....but I wonder if the "cocking hammers" model might have a tang or crossbolt safety that the one wiht real hammers doesn't?
Seems like a safety would be easier to install with fake hammers.

D.W.,what clubs do ya shoot at?

[D.W. Drang]

I guess I should have restricted my last Q? to "advantage to "real" vs. "cocking" hammers, I know the advantages of hammers vs. hammerless.

SASS#23149: Well, we don't--yet. Shopping for a club, LSW just got certified as an NRA Pistol instructor, so NOW we can spend money on joining a club--when it was just ME it was too expensive...;)

Don't do CAS yet, either, but everytime LSW looks at all the purty costumes she gets an itch to try it... That's how we got into Back pwder (RevWar & Mountain Man) in the first place!