message_board_expert
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Does the safety on semi autos so equipped borrow anything from the hammer block or the transfer bar? Thanks in advance.
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Safety And Hammer Block/Transfer Bar
- Thread starter message_board_expert
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Alpo
Well-known member
Not that I'm aware. Both the hammer block and the transfer bar have a moving piece of metal. When the trigger is pulled, the piece of metal moves. The hammer block moves the piece of metal out of the way allowing the hammer to go all the way forward, and the transfer bar moves the piece of metal into the empty space between the hammer in the firing pin, allowing a connection to be made.
Every safety that I am aware of on an automatic either blocks the trigger from being pulled, or blocks the hammer from falling, or both. There is no moving piece of metal between the hammer and the firing pin.
Every safety that I am aware of on an automatic either blocks the trigger from being pulled, or blocks the hammer from falling, or both. There is no moving piece of metal between the hammer and the firing pin.
Pisgah
Well-known member
Perfect question -- just confusing enough that the person who tries to answer is confused, thus further confusing the asker.
Are you referring to a revolver, or a semi-auto? Different critters, different safety mechanisms. Typically a revolver will have either a transfer bar, or a hammer block; a semiauto will have one part, or a combination of parts, which locks hammer, sear, trigger and/or firing pin, depending on the exact gun.
Are you referring to a revolver, or a semi-auto? Different critters, different safety mechanisms. Typically a revolver will have either a transfer bar, or a hammer block; a semiauto will have one part, or a combination of parts, which locks hammer, sear, trigger and/or firing pin, depending on the exact gun.
The manual safety lever on the S&W third gen and earlier pistols so equipped, do have a hammer blocking component designed into the lever, and perform a series of tasks when engaged or rotated into the "safe" position, including: moving the disconnector downward and the drawbar out of contact with the hammer, rotating the hammer cutaway in the safety body up and the hammer block into position over the firing pin, and, pushing the sear off of the hammer, allowing it to safely de-cock. These mechanical actions are accomplished by cutaways on the manual safety body, and levers in the frame below, as the manual safety lever is rotated downward into the "safe" position.
(How would you like to have been given the responsibility of designing the features and "timing" on this seemingly simple device?)
This de-cocking/manual safety, "hammer-blocking" system is mechanically similar to the slide mounted manual safety lever in the Walther PP, and PPK series pistols.
Manual safety in the "off" or "fire" position (lever up) :
Manual safety in the "on" or "safe" position, lever rotated downward:
(How would you like to have been given the responsibility of designing the features and "timing" on this seemingly simple device?)
This de-cocking/manual safety, "hammer-blocking" system is mechanically similar to the slide mounted manual safety lever in the Walther PP, and PPK series pistols.
Manual safety in the "off" or "fire" position (lever up) :
Manual safety in the "on" or "safe" position, lever rotated downward:
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Armorer951 mentioned the PP series pistols that incorporate a hammer block into the safety/de-cocking lever. The PP dates back to 1929, and the PPK to 1931 so it’s a design that’s been around a long time.
A newer example (about 30 years ago) is the SFS system on the FN SFS Hi Power. It incorporates a hammer block with the safety lever, I addition to decoupling the hammer from the cocked hammer spring and lowering the upper part of the hammer onto the hammer block. It’s a combination of safety and decocking lever, without actually decocking the hammer spring.
There are a LOT of different designs out there and no doubt several more that incorporate some form of hammer block or transfer bar into the safety lever’s operation.
A newer example (about 30 years ago) is the SFS system on the FN SFS Hi Power. It incorporates a hammer block with the safety lever, I addition to decoupling the hammer from the cocked hammer spring and lowering the upper part of the hammer onto the hammer block. It’s a combination of safety and decocking lever, without actually decocking the hammer spring.
There are a LOT of different designs out there and no doubt several more that incorporate some form of hammer block or transfer bar into the safety lever’s operation.
LVSteve
Well-known member
Then there are the safeties on semi-autos that move the firing pin so it cannot be struck by the hammer, but everything else works. The Star 30M is probably the most familiar gun with that feature.
message_board_expert
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I take it from the replies that a mechanical safety is less of a sure thing than the hammer block or transfer bar. My experience is limited,very limited to the Walther decocker and it doesn't get any better than that. Thanks for replying all.
