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Old 01-23-2017, 10:52 AM
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Default Benefits of Hammerless?

I have carry revolvers with and without an exposed hammer. I like a hammer for its looks and for fun when shooting at the range. I doubt I would ever use the hammer for single action shooting in a crises.

It occurred to me that I have not personally experienced a case of the hammer getting snagged on clothing, but I always use a pocket holster when carrying in a pocket, and admittedly, I do not practice drawing as much as many folks do.

Just curious, anyone ever actually have the hammer on a carry revolver get snagged on their clothing?

Anyone ever hear of it happening in a fight?
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Old 01-23-2017, 11:43 AM
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It can be a problem. Ol' Murphy and his Laws will have it in for us at the worst possible moment, so I learned to draw from my pocket by first placing my thumb on the hammer spur when getting purchase on the revolver. This makes for a smooth draw out of pocket.

Practice, practice, practice the draw every chance you get (unloaded, of course). Draw and reloading are two of the most important skills that get neglected and are of utmost importance when utilizing a revolver for self defense.

I actually prefer an enclosed hammer (642, 442) for pocket carry for an entirely different reason: pockets are fuzzy, gritty places. An exposed hammer provides an access point for said grit and fuzz to get into the works of the gun and make for a bad day if you don't stay on top of it.

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Old 01-23-2017, 11:52 AM
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Yup, hammer snagged and flipped an exposed hammer snubby onto the floor while doing a practice "panic draw" from my right front pocket.
I figured that if I needed it in a hurry, I'd just grab and yank. Tried it and the unloaded snubby snagged the hammer and clattered to the floor.

With my 442, that's not an issue.


It's started out as my designated carry gun. Then since I practiced with it so much, drawing and both dry and live fire, it's actually become my overall favorite.
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Old 01-23-2017, 01:05 PM
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Yes. And I've seen it during reality-based training drills. Not only that but, I've also seen revolvers unintentionally cocked trying to quickly get them out of the pocket during close-quarter force on force training. The idea that you can simply place your thumb over the hammer on the draw works well in calm, controlled environments, but not so much in a chaotic and dynamic ones.

The adavantages of the enclosed hammer revolver for practical defense go far beyond just a snag free draw. In addition to the points Massad Ayoob makes in the article below, I would add that in a close-quarter struggle or disarm attempt, the centennial models are more efficient since they have no hammer to get obstructed or entangled to block their movement/action.

Hammer Or… “-Less?”Guns Magazine.com | Guns Magazine.com

...
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Old 01-23-2017, 01:12 PM
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Never had it happen in a fight but I have had it happen. Used to carry a mdl 36 when out walking my dog. I would throw it my jacket pocket. When I'd come home and go to take it out it would sometimes get caught on the pocket edge. Happened about 50/50 so I changed to 642

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Old 01-23-2017, 06:47 PM
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I carry OWB every time and never had a problem with my draw using my 19-4 snub. I also carry my 640 OWB. A quality pancake style holster makes a real difference.

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Old 01-23-2017, 08:39 PM
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" A quality pancake style holster makes a real difference."

Who made that holster?
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Old 01-23-2017, 08:54 PM
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Most of my carry Snubs are DAO. With practice I can shoot about as good with or without a hammer.
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Old 01-23-2017, 09:03 PM
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The answer of course is like what I use, M 49 or M 638.
Best of both worlds....
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Old 01-23-2017, 09:14 PM
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Quote:
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I doubt I would ever use the hammer for single action shooting in a crises.
While admittedly rare, single-action marksmanship with a small-frame revolver can come into play:

Gunman In The Courtroom:American Handgunner | American Handgunner

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Early in the standoff, the judge made the conscious decision to cock the hammer of his little Chief Special. This was a man capable of shooting a perfect 300 out of 300 on the LAPD qualification exam, all double action and while overcoming the short sight radius of the snubnose .38. But Peetris recognized a 12-pound double-action trigger press on a 19-ounce revolver could pull the muzzle off-target if he had to fire reactively in an instant.

Even then, shooters were taught not to cock the hammer of a revolver in a gunpoint situation because it increased the risk of an unintentional stress-induced discharge if one was startled. But, as a law school graduate, he also understood the Doctrine of Competing Harms, the principle which holds one is allowed to break the rules or even the law in the rare circumstance where following the law would cause more danger to human life than breaking it.
Mas Ayoob himself advocates for the Centennial model. He says he finds it smoother to draw, and prefers the trigger pull for reasons I'll let him explain:

Massad Ayoob: Hammer or… “-Less?” | The Daily Caller

Me, I think the Bodyguard is just the snazziest little revolver ever. I like the option to cock the hammer for single-action, while retaining the smooth profile. And I've never found the DA pull on any S&W revolver to be so bad I couldn't fire it accurately and quickly with appropriate grips.

And I'll admit there's a little bit of a "jewelry" factor at play. The shrouded-hammer Bodyguard makes a little bit of a statement--"I know CCW enough to appreciate the snag-free design, but I'm also enough of a marksman to appreciate the value of a single-action shot."

On the other hand, a DA-only revolver forces people to practice DA shooting, which I don't think many do. Just the same as I can't remember ever seeing a SA/DA auto shooter decocking his pistol to practice the DA shot--a shot he's going to have to make if he carries his auto!
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Old 01-23-2017, 10:33 PM
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I have a few revolvers and three out of four have hammers. I also have The Bodyguard 638. That's what I carry as a primary to my CCO 1911. The primary function of a snubby is for muggings, interviews and ambushes.

I always advocate that people should read _Shooting To Live_ by Sykes and Fairbairn as well as other point shooting instructionals by people such as Applegate. If you look at the history of training with point shooting which is probably 90% of what any of us would be involved with they didn't shoot really past 12 feet in training. Probably 80 to 90% of the training was done within these close ranges using point shooting ie not even really using the sights but using the gun itself as a reference in your peripheral vision in addition to indexing your body onto the threat. For such work double action is more than adequate.

However being the anal retentive I am I do like single action capability which is why I initially bought the 638. That plus I like to be able to check the hammer and make sure the trigger isn't being pressed as I re-holster.

I use a pocket and an ankle holster and I haven't yet found lint etc to be much of a problem either in terms of buildup or if it is present in terms of function of the gun. I do use some compressed air however to blow out my guns from time to time when I see they're getting linty.

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Old 01-24-2017, 12:16 AM
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[QUOTE=sjs;139430596

Anyone ever hear of it happening in a fight?[/QUOTE]

I read but I wasn't there when the Texas Rangers caught up with J W Harding on the train. Larry
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Old 01-24-2017, 12:18 AM
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Now that I'm old and fat a hammer spur digs into my spare tire when I Mexican carry. Larry
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Old 01-24-2017, 12:43 AM
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I carry a Model 642-2 in my cargo pocket, pants pocket, or in my outer coat pocket when it's cold. Off-duty I've been carrying a Model 12-2 in an OWB thumb break holster (left or right). In soft clothes, I carry a 3 inch Model 13-3 with Bianchi Lightning grips that shroud the hammer in a Don Hume JIT holster to avoid wearing out my clothes from the inside out. (The Model 12-2 rides weakside in a thumb break.)

Roughly 95% of my practice shooting is DA with some precision SA shooting at longer ranges (out to 100 yards).

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Old 01-24-2017, 12:46 AM
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Never been a fan of hammerless Revolvers! I ALWAYS want the OPTION of a SA or DA shot and have trained myself to place my thumb over hammer to avoid any possibility of snagging while drawing Revolver. Works for me......

I have inherit a few guns with bobbed hammers and the first thing I did to them was replace them with traditional standard ones. I have NEVER owned a true hammerless Revolver.

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Old 01-24-2017, 02:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sjs View Post
I have carry revolvers with and without an exposed hammer. I like a hammer for its looks and for fun when shooting at the range. I doubt I would ever use the hammer for single action shooting in a crises.

It occurred to me that I have not personally experienced a case of the hammer getting snagged on clothing, but I always use a pocket holster when carrying in a pocket, and admittedly, I do not practice drawing as much as many folks do.

Just curious, anyone ever actually have the hammer on a carry revolver get snagged on their clothing?

Anyone ever hear of it happening in a fight?
I'd be OK with carrying a DA/SA revolver concealed IWB, but I would never carry one in a pocket if I had a choice. That is just too risky and I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

I carried a CZ-83 semi-auto for a while which has a traditional exposed hammer and it never snagged on me while practicing drawing from IWB, but I've never had to do so in a real fight.

If you think you will never use SA in a fight then you would be doing the gun and yourself a disservice by carrying it. That's fine if a DA/SA gun is all you have, but if you have a DAO option then I would be carrying that instead, while relegating the DA/SA as a home defense gun or as a vehicle gun.

Most experts in the field who carried (or still carry) revolvers recommend going with and training in DAO exclusively for self defense and for the possible legal ramifications that could arise from an unintended hair trigger SA shot.

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Old 01-24-2017, 02:23 PM
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You'll be forced to learn to shoot better with a hammerless. I see guys shooting a J-frame with a hammer sometimes fire a few rounds double action, think to themselves: "Damn, I suck!" and then fire 50 rounds single action to feel better about their ability. That doesn't do you any good at all.....Can't play that game with a hammerless. "But what if I have to take out a sniper from a hundred yards away who is targeting my family?!?!" OK, Walter Mitty...get the laser sight....
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Old 01-24-2017, 06:38 PM
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The problem with many jframes today is that they are airweights and the triggers and be a run in excess of 12 pounds. This mismatch between weight of firearm and weight of trigger pull makes pulling the trigger and keeping the gun on target that much more difficult. It's probably okay for point shooting out to 12 feet but then again why make your life more difficult? Even revolvers were meant to be shot relatively accurately and shootists have been working on actions and lowering trigger weights probably since the beginning of handguns.

I sent my 638 and Chief's Special in to Oglesby and Oglesby gunsmith for lighter springs care of wolf and action job and to disable the lock. I also had the cylinders chamfered and smoothed and they even numbered the cylinders for me for free. They also dehorned the hammer nub and cylinder release etc.

Generally there seem to be two schools of thought on the trigger the lock Etc. One school which I'll call the Ayoob school says that double action is better and the trigger should not have lighter springs even to make the J frame more shootable and accurate for reasons of legal liability number one and reliability of hammer strike on hard primers number 2. The other issue is the lock that the Smith & Wesson and other companies put in during the Clinton administration.

The Ayoob School says don't disable the lock again for reasons of legal liability.

Opposing School says that no one has been prosecuted for making their J frame or gun in general more accurate to shoot and in fact you can argue that a more accurate gun is a safer gun. In terms of the lock while the odds are very very small that a lock would tie up a jframe and render it useless during a life-and-death situation Jframes have locked up from time to time especially if you have one of the airlites shooting something like 357.

I had an action job done and later wolf Springs put in so that my double action is now 9 plus pounds instead of 12 plus pounds and my single action is in the range of 3 pounds instead of 4 + pounds.

I had the work done by a nationally-recognized top gunsmith in the guild and had to sign a waiver before they would disable the lock. If I ever go to court I will have the gunsmith from Oglesby and Oglesby on the stand if necessary. I am also a member of the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network which will provide legal representation immediately if necessary. I have watched the videos they provide for training which can also be submitted in court for proof of competence and mindset.

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Old 01-24-2017, 06:40 PM
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I like my 642 and 442 because there's no hammer to dig in my belly when I carry IWB . . .
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Old 01-24-2017, 06:47 PM
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Never had it happen during an emergency but when I was beginning an old clothes assignment my new boss suggested bobbing the hammer on my Colt Cobra. The range guys took care of it and it worked fine when in my waist band or front pocket. Still have the gun and I'm sure the bobbed hammer devalued the Cobra but I don't care. It will never be sold and lots of memories go with that old gun.
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Old 01-24-2017, 07:07 PM
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I do not own a revolver without a hammer, and never would. Just personal preference. When we carried revolvers I always used Safariland IWB suede holsters. Never had a problem with a hammer snagging up. I used these holsters for every other handgun I own, as well. Until I discovered the Bianchi nylon fanny pack with secret holster. I use it all the time now. My semi-auto hammer never snags getting it out of it either, but I have always been very careful when drawing.
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Old 01-24-2017, 09:03 PM
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" A quality pancake style holster makes a real difference."

Who made that holster?
It is a Galco mdl SM122
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Old 06-03-2017, 10:23 PM
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Quote:
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Just curious, anyone ever actually have the hammer on a carry revolver get snagged on their clothing?

Anyone ever hear of it happening in a fight?
Not in a fight, but in qualification. The hammer on my M60 NY-1 snagged on my shirt with enough force to pull it right out of my hand. I went home and bobbed the hammer that very day. If I CC a wheelgun, it will be bobbed or concealed hammer only.

Concealed hammers were developed for the same reason ramped front sights became the norm...IMHO.
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Old 06-04-2017, 01:17 PM
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. . . . I've also seen revolvers unintentionally cocked trying to quickly get them out of the pocket during close-quarter force on force training. The idea that you can simply place your thumb over the hammer on the draw works well in calm, controlled environments, but not so much in a chaotic and dynamic ones. . . .
Since bobbing the hammer has been mentioned in this thread, who are gunsmiths who "bob" revolver hammers? I have an SP101 3-inch barrel that I believe would become more efficient were hammer bobbed while leaving enough spur (or snag resistant spur-like portion??) to effect a single action mode, using a small amount of trigger pressure to raise bobbed hammer enough for purchase to cock. I remember viewing a photograph of such a hammer and nodding as I thought how useful the bobbed hammer was.

But, of course, I do not have the photograph, nor do I know gunsmiths who do such work on SP101s.
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Old 06-04-2017, 03:58 PM
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I have a Model 60-0 with the traditional hammer, but it was modified by the L.A.P.D. armorer so that it cannot be fired single action. Department Policy.

It will never be bobbed because the retention strap on the Bianchi holster I carry it in was made for a revolver WITH a hammer.
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Old 06-04-2017, 04:00 PM
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I prefer exposed hammers and trained myself to automatically place my thumb on the Hammer Spur when drawing the gun from either my OWB Holster or Pocket Holster. Been doing it this way for almost 40 years and have never had it catch on anything.

While the possibility of a single action shot is small in the heat of close quarter battle, I still like the option of a SA distance shot should the need arise. Just my personal preference.
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Old 06-04-2017, 04:14 PM
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I much prefer the M38 M49 and their progeny to the hammerless revolvers. I find that they are easier to shoot well double action since I 'grip up' on them.

The hammer models (M36, M60) are a problem drawing from a pocket: they will catch and snag.

The idea of covering the hammer with your thumb while drawing slows you down since you have to shift your grip to establish a shooting grip after you get the gun out.
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Old 06-04-2017, 11:26 PM
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Working about six or seven years in the bag I rarely drew my M64 from its belt holster and never fired it. (Only time I ever used it on the job was from a vertical shoulder rig.)

Drew my M36 a bit more as an investigator, but again never fired it. A good quality holster that covers the hammer spur is essential in my opinion. I always prefered a horizontal shoulder rig, but have also worn pancakes on both strong and weak side, either together or with a shoulder rig. I have always used a snap closure. Using proper grip with thumb moving from snap to cover hammer spur as weapon is drawn. Never snagged coming out, never ripped a suit lining.

I always carried my M40 when I was able to on the job. (Since retirement its my constant companion; if it can't come, I don't go.) Sometimes in an ankle, sometimes in a pancake opposite my 36. But what I could do with the 40 I would never do with the 64 or 36. Tuck it into an EMPTY pocket, especially in so-so neighborhoods or in wintertime (instead of leaving buttons unbuttoned). The 40 (or 49, or I guess alu-minummm or scarry-um replicas of the same) can shoot through that pocket holster and/or jacket if need be.

Working undercover, suppression, anti-crime, I always preferred the 40 as my primary. It could be carried in a pocket or a more minimalist IWB rig and present more quickly. Although I spent less than half of my career in these endeavors, I had many, many, many occasions to draw my weapon. It was also these assignments where I would fire a weapon in the line of duty. Zero problems with the covered hammer design. Zero problems with a 12 pound trigger pull.

As to ability to fire accurate shots SA vs DA. A good DAO like the M40 can be easily staged for an accurate shot. Like a true two stage trigger on a rifle. Sight-stage-sight-fire. The longest shot I ever made in a real situation was into about an 8" tall 6" wide oval at about 90', dead on.

Just my $0.02.
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Old 06-04-2017, 11:32 PM
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Working about six or seven years in the bag I rarely drew my M64 from its belt holster and never fired it. (Only time I ever used it on the job was from a vertical shoulder rig.)

Drew my M36 a bit more as an investigator, but again never fired it. A good quality holster that covers the hammer spur is essential in my opinion. I always prefered a horizontal shoulder rig, but have also worn pancakes on both strong and weak side, either together or with a shoulder rig. I have always used a snap closure. Using proper grip with thumb moving from snap to cover hammer spur as weapon is drawn. Never snagged coming out, never ripped a suit lining.

I always carried my M40 when I was able to on the job. (Since retirement its my constant companion; if it can't come, I don't go.) Sometimes in an ankle, sometimes in a pancake opposite my 36. But what I could do with the 40 I would never do with the 64 or 36. Tuck it into an EMPTY pocket, especially in so-so neighborhoods or in wintertime (instead of leaving buttons unbuttoned). The 40 (or 49, or I guess alu-minummm or scarry-um replicas of the same) can shoot through that pocket holster and/or jacket if need be.

Working undercover, suppression, anti-crime, I always preferred the 40 as my primary. It could be carried in a pocket or a more minimalist IWB rig and present more quickly. Although I spent less than half of my career in these endeavors, I had many, many, many occasions to draw my weapon. It was also these assignments where I would fire a weapon in the line of duty. Zero problems with the covered hammer design. Zero problems with a 12 pound trigger pull.

As to ability to fire accurate shots SA vs DA. A good DAO like the M40 can be easily staged for an accurate shot. Like a true two stage trigger on a rifle. Sight-stage-sight-fire. The longest shot I ever made in a real situation was into about an 8" tall 6" wide oval at about 90', dead on.

Just my $0.02.
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Old 06-05-2017, 08:20 AM
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I'm much prefer the option of having a hammer, but have had the hammer on my 637 snag a few times on my pocket while drawing it out of a pocket holster. That's why I installed a bobbed hammer.
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Old 06-05-2017, 09:52 AM
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History recorded that John Wesley Hardin was pistol whipped and arrested by a Texas Ranger after the hammer of his revolver got snagged in his suspenders. He went on to serve prison time before being pardoned and moving to El Paso where John Selman shot him from behind.

I've never had issues with the hammers snagging anything but my belly (gouging actually). I've come to do all my shooting DA only and am just as accurate. I don't miss the SA on a small revolver, so having the option is not relevant.


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Old 06-05-2017, 10:19 AM
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None of my carry guns have exposed hammers, including my five-shot revolvers.

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Old 06-05-2017, 12:11 PM
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When I pocket carry, there is no way I am carrying a revolver with an exposed hammer, as for me, it will always be one of my 642's.
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Old 06-05-2017, 12:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Naphtali View Post
Since bobbing the hammer has been mentioned in this thread, who are gunsmiths who "bob" revolver hammers? I have an SP101 3-inch barrel that I believe would become more efficient were hammer bobbed while leaving enough spur (or snag resistant spur-like portion??) to effect a single action mode, using a small amount of trigger pressure to raise bobbed hammer enough for purchase to cock. I remember viewing a photograph of such a hammer and nodding as I thought how useful the bobbed hammer was.

But, of course, I do not have the photograph, nor do I know gunsmiths who do such work on SP101s.
You could probably call ruger and get one. They make the SP101 in DAO with a bobbed hammer.

To the OP, yes, I've gotten my Colt DS snagged on my shirt a few times practicing drawing from the appendix. I think it has the potential to be an issue in a real situation. I think I've had my Browning HiPower get snagged a time or two also practicing. It's not the ring hammer.

I wouldn't be opposed to having an exposed hammer for a carry revolver, but I would get it bobbed for sure.


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Old 06-05-2017, 12:46 PM
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A good reason for the concealed hammer that I don't believe has been
mentioned: Suppose you are holding the bad guy at gunpoint waiting
for the cavalry to arrive. If you have a hammer you might cock it without
thinking much about it. The SA would have a lighter trigger than the DAO
which you could not cock. In a high stress moment like this you could
accidentally shoot the bad guy.
Not a high possibility? Not much more so than snagging on the draw.
I have had several students relate several examples of holding burglars
at gunpoint. Have never had one report a discharge or other problem
from snagging on the draw.
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Old 06-05-2017, 02:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Naphtali View Post
Since bobbing the hammer has been mentioned in this thread, who are gunsmiths who "bob" revolver hammers? I have an SP101 3-inch barrel that I believe would become more efficient were hammer bobbed while leaving enough spur (or snag resistant spur-like portion??) to effect a single action mode, using a small amount of trigger pressure to raise bobbed hammer enough for purchase to cock. I remember viewing a photograph of such a hammer and nodding as I thought how useful the bobbed hammer was.

But, of course, I do not have the photograph, nor do I know gunsmiths who do such work on SP101s.
. I would call Ruger and send it to them.
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Old 06-05-2017, 03:48 PM
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I have got a hammer spur caught in my shirt a number of times. A 649 or other Bodyguard series revolver gets around this and still lets me make more precise shots on unwanted critters around the farm. If I didn't have that requirement, a 642 would be great. My wife has one and I think it is a very slick little gun. I prefer either of these to any .380 automatic.
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Old 06-05-2017, 04:19 PM
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I wish I could verify what I'm about to write but I seem to recall during the revolver days, NYPD suffered two separate shootings of perps who were under control when the trigger was squeezed on a cocked revolver. In one case, the perp was face down and took a fatal wound to the back of the head. The NYPD went to DA only before ultimately transitioning to semi-autos.

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Old 06-05-2017, 06:55 PM
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The problem with many jframes today is that they are airweights and the triggers and be a run in excess of 12 pounds. This mismatch between weight of firearm and weight of trigger pull makes pulling the trigger and keeping the gun on target that much more difficult. It's probably okay for point shooting out to 12 feet but then again why make your life more difficult? Even revolvers were meant to be shot relatively accurately and shootists have been working on actions and lowering trigger weights probably since the beginning of handguns.

I sent my 638 and Chief's Special in to Oglesby and Oglesby gunsmith for lighter springs care of wolf and action job and to disable the lock. I also had the cylinders chamfered and smoothed and they even numbered the cylinders for me for free. They also dehorned the hammer nub and cylinder release etc.

Generally there seem to be two schools of thought on the trigger the lock Etc. One school which I'll call the Ayoob school says that double action is better and the trigger should not have lighter springs even to make the J frame more shootable and accurate for reasons of legal liability number one and reliability of hammer strike on hard primers number 2. The other issue is the lock that the Smith & Wesson and other companies put in during the Clinton administration.

The Ayoob School says don't disable the lock again for reasons of legal liability.

Opposing School says that no one has been prosecuted for making their J frame or gun in general more accurate to shoot and in fact you can argue that a more accurate gun is a safer gun. In terms of the lock while the odds are very very small that a lock would tie up a jframe and render it useless during a life-and-death situation Jframes have locked up from time to time especially if you have one of the airlites shooting something like 357.

I had an action job done and later wolf Springs put in so that my double action is now 9 plus pounds instead of 12 plus pounds and my single action is in the range of 3 pounds instead of 4 + pounds.

I had the work done by a nationally-recognized top gunsmith in the guild and had to sign a waiver before they would disable the lock. If I ever go to court I will have the gunsmith from Oglesby and Oglesby on the stand if necessary. I am also a member of the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network which will provide legal representation immediately if necessary. I have watched the videos they provide for training which can also be submitted in court for proof of competence and mindset.

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It may not be likely to happen but lightened revolver springs have come up in at least one trial (Luis Alvarez). But that was 35 years ago and I agree it would probably be very difficult for a prosecutor to make an issue of something that helps you shoot more accurately.
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Old 06-05-2017, 09:25 PM
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My old Model 49's the best of both worlds. Shrouded hammer won't snag, but I still have access to it for single action.
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Old 06-05-2017, 09:51 PM
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I see one other big advantage to having at least a little bit of hammer exposed. That is you can ride the hammer with your thumb when you holster the gun. If during the holstering process something contacts the trigger, you will at least have a clue if you use this method. I quit carrying my Glock 27 and Kahr CM9 because of "no hammer". I am sure most feel this thinking is illogical.
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Old 06-05-2017, 11:21 PM
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Quote:
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I see one other big advantage to having at least a little bit of hammer exposed. That is you can ride the hammer with your thumb when you holster the gun. If during the holstering process something contacts the trigger, you will at least have a clue if you use this method. I quit carrying my Glock 27 and Kahr CM9 because of "no hammer". I am sure most feel this thinking is illogical.
I totally get that. But for me the long DA pull makes up for that situation. But yeah, a hammer or bobbed one gives you that extra safety feature when holstering. Can't hurt. Unless it snags when you're drawing.
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Old 06-06-2017, 12:08 AM
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I thought about concealed vs. exposed hammer before I made my purchase for a S&W snubby which I would carry. I decided on the M638...it's the best of both worlds for me.
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Old 06-06-2017, 12:12 AM
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Default I'm not saying that it WOULD hang up......

I'm saying that I don't want it to have a CHANCE IN THE WORLD of hanging up when I really need it, that second, and under extreme duress.
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Old 06-06-2017, 08:55 AM
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Most revolver qualifications are "Double Action" only, so why have a hammer spur ?
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Old 06-06-2017, 09:07 AM
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Most revolver qualifications are "Double Action" only, so why have a hammer spur ?
I can't ever remember firing a revolver single action back in the day when I'd qualify on the job with a model 15, 19 or 36.
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Old 06-06-2017, 09:18 AM
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In a l o n g ago time when qualifications included 50 yard prone shooting, single action mode was allowed.
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Old 06-06-2017, 10:14 AM
forrestinmathews forrestinmathews is offline
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Benefits are...one trigger pull. Most shooters don't understand the concept of maintaining a sight picture during the trigger press and that is why the double action is less favored. A lot of shooters are lazy and want to have a quick trigger pull so that their flash sight picture has a prayer of hitting the target. I use the term steering the sights on target. Shooters understand this easily. It has long range results with various platforms with men and women. I don't even consider the single action unless it's the only way or if it's a big mass cylinder like an X frame.
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Old 06-06-2017, 11:09 AM
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In a l o n g ago time when qualifications included 50 yard prone shooting, single action mode was allowed.
That's the difference, Jimmy. Our quals with revolvers at the NYPD police range at Rodman's Neck in NYC or the various ranges we used in South FL were always limited to 25 yards. (Barrier left, barrier right and kneeling or prone at 25 yds.) This was from the early 80's on.

Glad I never had to try to show my stuff from 50 yards.
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Old 06-06-2017, 01:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Naphtali View Post
Since bobbing the hammer has been mentioned in this thread, who are gunsmiths who "bob" revolver hammers? I have an SP101 3-inch barrel that I believe would become more efficient were hammer bobbed while leaving enough spur (or snag resistant spur-like portion??) to effect a single action mode, using a small amount of trigger pressure to raise bobbed hammer enough for purchase to cock. I remember viewing a photograph of such a hammer and nodding as I thought how useful the bobbed hammer was.

But, of course, I do not have the photograph, nor do I know gunsmiths who do such work on SP101s.
I just don't see the practical benefits of keeping single action nor do I see any tangible advantage of having a spurless hammer over an enclosed one. Keeping single action capability is not simply a matter of "it doesn't hurt to have it just in case", but rather one of trading away several more useful attributes in exchange for one that isn't likely to be of any use or benefit.
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