Abstract: A compact muzzleloader firearm has a barrel and a ramrod mounted below the barrel. The ramrod extends through a tubular member supporting a slide block connected to a hammer with struts. A spring mounted on the tubular member biases the slide block to move the hammer from a cocked position to a fire position. A manually operated safety structure on side plates adjacent the hammer prevents the hammer from moving to the fire position. The safety structure is also releasable to allow the hammer to move from the cocked position to the fire position.