I think id really prefer the pointy side and the boom side be the same side…

It is. The barrel is quite short.

Pretty sure it isn’t. Apart from not being a very logical placement:

• The hammer points downwards and has to be pulled back to cock it
• The Axe head is shaped in a way as to provide a shoulder stock
• If the end of the barrel was on the upper end instead of the lower end, it would be practically useless