kbm6893
Member
Is there a simple way to disable a revolver that would still allow it to seem to operate? Like still cock a hammer or pull a trigger? But be easy enough to reverse back to operational?
Temporarily Disabling a Revolver
- Thread starter kbm6893
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I would say no if the question pertains to S&W revolvers. If you had an older one with a hammer mounted firing pin (hammer nose) and you could remove that firing pin (not as easy as turning a screw or similarly) but that would work.
There is no other trick I can think of to do what you are asking.
There is no other trick I can think of to do what you are asking.
Yeah. It's an older one. A Model 36. I figured the firing pin coming out but I gotta think that's not so easy to put back.
I know it's easy to remove it in an AR but could you put the gun back together and it still appear to function? Or remove the striker on an M&P or Glock and do the same?
I work in a law enforcement program in a high school and the local PD has offered to come in and give a demonstration. The administration absolutely want the guns rendered inoperable.
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Removing the firing pin is the only thing you can do to have the gun "functional", meaning the action would feel normal, it would cock and the trigger would work.
Why not just use a pair of handcuffs, lock them in the trigger guard behind the trigger and the gun will not function, then simply remove the handcuffs to make it functional again, simple. You could also use the other end of the handcuff to lock it onto something for additional safety. The thing to remember here is that showing how to manipulate the revolver should include normal safety practices (check for unloaded status, point in a safe direction, etc., which is always a good thing to practice), so using a functional gun should not be an issue.
Removing parts is problematic, you could misplace the parts, and doing such requires disassembly in any event (not simple to put it back into service).
Why not just use a pair of handcuffs, lock them in the trigger guard behind the trigger and the gun will not function, then simply remove the handcuffs to make it functional again, simple. You could also use the other end of the handcuff to lock it onto something for additional safety. The thing to remember here is that showing how to manipulate the revolver should include normal safety practices (check for unloaded status, point in a safe direction, etc., which is always a good thing to practice), so using a functional gun should not be an issue.
Removing parts is problematic, you could misplace the parts, and doing such requires disassembly in any event (not simple to put it back into service).
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Sebring Pop
Member
Fill the cylinder with snap caps.
Just 2 cents
Just 2 cents
bigggbbruce
Member
How about teach them proper gun handling.
Every time the gun is handed to the next student open cylinder and demonstrate it is unloaded first.
All of that would happen. It's a miracle the school is even allowing it and they asked for the weapons to be inoperable. I know I could use a trigger lock or something. I knew removing firing pin is not gonna happen for a revolver. But how about a striker fired weapon or an AR? Something to make it impossible to fire
bigggbbruce
Member
Fill the chambers with wax..
I'm guessing if you just remove the mainspring screw the gun will bind up if you try and pull the trigger. At least that's what happens with the larger frame guns. Letting out a few turns of the mainspring screw might allow it to operate while not giving enough force to set off a primer, but I'm not sure that's going to be disabled enough to satisfy the school admins. Of course that's assuming the 36 doesn't have a coiled mainspring...
Removing the firing pin on a newer revolver is simple assuming you're competent enough to know how to open up the side plate. On older models the firing pin is part of the hammer and you'd either have completely remove the hammer or undo the rivet holding the firing pin in place which isn't going to be simple to reverse.
Some bright colored snap caps might be your best bet. Or maybe just showing a video of how one operates...
Removing the firing pin on a newer revolver is simple assuming you're competent enough to know how to open up the side plate. On older models the firing pin is part of the hammer and you'd either have completely remove the hammer or undo the rivet holding the firing pin in place which isn't going to be simple to reverse.
Some bright colored snap caps might be your best bet. Or maybe just showing a video of how one operates...
On the models with frame mounted firing pins they are relatively simple to remove.
A little bit extreme - but then you could show the staff that it cannot be loaded and fired: put a couple small spots of super glue on each of five snapcaps (I use A-zoom because they're aluminum) and seat them in the chambers. The extractor rod wouldn't be able to extract them, but you could pull the cylinder later and tap (well, or pound) them out with a wooden dowel/etc with hopefully minimum residue left in the chambers. Oh, and take along a sixth snapcap so the school higher-ups could see that it's not an actual live cartridge (not that most of them could discern that anyway).
DWalt
Member
Making up some tight wood plugs (from dowel rods) and driving them into the chambers. Sort of the same idea as using snap caps, but a punch and hammer would be needed to remove them.
Jeppo
Member
Are you saying a striker fired pistol is an option? In that case, just yank the striker. Isn't a semi-auto likely to be more relevant to the audience anyway, given what they see on TV (unless they're old enough to remember Dirty Harry).
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Protocall_Design
Vendor
Model 36 is a J frame. It doesn't have a mainspring screw. You would need to remove the hammer nose (firing pin). They are easy to replace. However, I would be willing to donate a hammer without a firing pin to the cause. Then you could keep the original as is and just trade parts in the gun.
Sebring Pop
Member
I have got to ask, why do you want to temporarily disable a revolver ??
Yes. But could you put the gun back together without the striker in and rack the slide?
I've taken guns down before. Completely disassembled Smith revolvers quite a few times. Kids being kids, they're gonna want to rack the slide and make believe they're Navy SEAL's. I know they want to hold the AR. I know how to remove the firing pin on that but could I put it back together without the firing pin?
So it's impossible to fire while teenagers are able to handle it. The cop who is coming said the gun would be checked and no ammo in the room. The principal said "how do we know they won't have ammo on them since they know they will be able to hold the weapon?". Good point, I guess, in this litigious society.
As I said, it's a miracle the administration is even considering it.
