I'm picturing this speed contest. I'd think a top lever and the underlever or spur of an Ideal are about equally ergonomic as there's a thumb or a digit or two in close proximity in the act of shooting and subsequently. I'd say squeezing the underlever of an Ideal is a bit harder than pushing over the toplever of most barrel-droppers as the spur is doing ALL the unbolting and cocking work in the Ideal and barrel weight and gravity are doing the cocking work in many toplever guns. If you have a good grip, practise a lot, and have plenty of baksheesh for the loader, I can see why this drop-barrel gun should present its chambers for reloading in a conventional attitude and encourage efficient reloading. It would be interesting to see Dustin's approach to a Darne or Charlin as I would think the breechblock and the toggle lever present a different challenge to the loader? What are the "onions" at the intersection of bar and stock head on the Ideal pair?
jack
