I was somewhat mystified when I read this thread earlier today CZ. I couldn't recall having difficulty as you described cocking any gun since I was a young boy. While I was working outside in the yard this afternoon, I noticed a lot of purple grackles flying around, so I decided to grab a few guns and some shells and thin the herd as I checked the guns for cocking effort. I used an H grade Lefever, a G grade Lefever with auto ejectors, and a Ugartechea Falcon, all in 12 gauge, and a 16 gauge L.C. Smith Field grade featherweight. Long story short, the H grade Lefever was easiest to open and cock, followed by the GE grade Lefever, then the Ugartechea, and then the 16 ga. L.C. Smith. But none was remotely difficult, even when I moved my hands closer to the hinge pin and trigger guard to minimize my leverage. This description in the original post of opening and cocking a "Best" gun...
"During the points in the cocking cycle of maximum friction, I could feel parts rubbing each other. Vibration sent back through the cocking mechanism, and felt through the barrels."... is astounding. And hard to believe. Is this perhaps an April Fool's thread? Nothing I shot today even approached so-called "Best Gun" status. I might expect that kind of sensation from a Baikal or a Norinco or an old abused N.R. Davis. Maybe it's not the gun. I really think the problem could be solved by eating a bowl of this every morning:
Scratch that. The Obama Wheaties will only make you run down the steps of Air Force One like a little fairy. If you really want fast results, try to find a vintage 1974 Canadian box with a picture of the Bluenose Palladin King Brown on the front. Some of them even had a Secret Soviet KGB Spy Decoder Ring inside.
I did splash 9 of 10 grackles I shot at. Coulda' been some fine Ortolan there if I was into eating guts.
