I see old, used police revolvers, mostly M64, advertised as DAO. Most seem to have the hammer spur filed down. Is that the only reason it is DAO, or is there something internally done to the revolver to do away with the single action mode? If so, other than a new hammer, what is involved into changing them to double/single action?

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Kevin in Oregon

Most are manufactured with out the single action notch on the hammer so that the hammer can not be cocked.

Yep, there is no single action notch on the hammer, so to make a DAO revolver into a traditional DA/SA, you must fit a new hammer.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I think a lot of DAO revolvers only have the hammer bobbed, making them DAO in the sense that it's not easy or practical to use them SA, although still possible.

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protocalldesign.com

I've only heard of a few guns done that way, either by owners or gunsmiths at owners' requests. I think it's far more common to be pure DAO, especially if it comes from the factory like that. I think there'd be too much liability attached for a manufacturer to release a gun with a bobbed hammer that could still be cocked.

Thanks for the above answers. As I see it, most likely if I get a DAO, it would just be a matter of changing the hammer to make it D/S action.

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Kevin in Oregon

You are correct. I'm talking about used guns that the owner has altered. There are a lot of those floating around.

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protocalldesign.com

Just my own opinion of course - but I never cared for double action ONLY Revolvers! I want the "option". I understand practicing and using the double action mode for combat shooting and training BUT that said, for what ever reason should I want a more precise purposeful shot with ultimate accuracy - single action is the ticket as far as I am concerned.

Like I said - I insist on having the option of having both. YMMV and I do get that.

I've got a DAO M 64 and it is the smoothest double action, bone stock revolver I ever shot. I have thought seriously about having a new hammer with the SA notch fitted but it shoots so accurately the way it is I am hesitant to mess with it. BTY,it has taken a lifetime to learn that lesson!

I own this Model 65 with what looks to be a factory bobbed hammer. It has the single action notch and can be put into and fired from single action if you were crazy enough to try it with a loaded gun. I bought it used so I don't know it's history:

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I think if you have a really good DA, you don't need SA. I routinely shoot matches that require accurately placed shots at longer distances, all double action. Most revolver shooters have never experienced a 6 lb. or better DA, so they don't understand what it's like. If all you have is 9 lb. or heavier, you still need SA. A 7 or 8 lb. DA is doable with a lot of practice. Shooting DA is all about trigger control. Most shooting is, to a lesser degree.

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protocalldesign.com

A number of police departments wanted DAO revolvers so that their cops couldn't cock them, due to the much lighter SA trigger pull.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The trick is to squeeze the trigger enough so that you can get your thumb on the hammer, THEN TAKE YOUR FINGER OFF OF THE TRIGGER!!!, then continue to cock the hammer.

As long as the hammer block is still in place and your finger is off of the trigger, even if you lose control of the hammer and it falls forward, it won't fire. I once had a M36 that I bobbed the hammer spur off and then serrated the top of the hammer to get a secure hold if I so desired to cock it SA.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have two DAO revolvers, both had the single action notch removed. I can never be accused of cocking the hammer and then firing the gun accidentally. If it goes bang it is because I wanted it to.

Summer snubby


Winter snubby

Well, I own three guns. All revolvers, no IL's and no hammer spurs. They are all stock and all have double digit trigger pulls. All S&W Centennials.
M43C, M442-1 and M640-1 Pro. They are all range guns and are all CC guns. They cover the range of my needs. It's all very personal and I have made my choices. It's a great Country!

Best,
Rick

This 3” model 36 has two hammers: a pure DAO hammer and a regular sa/da hammer. I ordered it that way.The DAO hammer is in it now.

I have several guns with spurless hammers. All still have the SA notch. If I want to cock them I do just what Muley Gil does. Never fired one I didn't pan to.

Never issued NY-1 as the factory made it. No S/A "notch." Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster