Guys,

Y'all sure have been awful helpful to a new comer. I really appreciate everyone's warm welcome and knowledge and I'm glad ive found this forum.

I have another question.

The title says it all. Is there any kind of safety mechanism that makes it safe to load all 6 in my 1896 hand ejector , or should I follow cowboy protocol and load 5 with hammer down on a empty?


Thanks,

BPW

You should always load five and keep the hammer down on an empty chamber.

I would say at the range with the barrel pointed down range at all times when it is loaded I would load six. If the 120+ year old revolver is being carried around then yes I would load five with an empty chamber under the hammer in case you drop it.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

If you are setting at a shooting bench, no issue with 6 rounds. If you are considering it as a carry piece, I would look for another gun. The 1896 has a rebounding hammer and a crude hammer safety mechanism, but nothing as effective of that found on M&P and Model 1903 post-1914 revolvers. You cannot push the hammer forward on the 1st Model 32 HE, but I would not trust it if dropped on the hammer.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I agree, use Cowboy protocol if you carry it. The Model 1896 rebounding hammer passive safety is rudimentary at best.

S&W Hand ejector safeties improved greatly before WWII. The later pre war models with either of the two side plate mounted safeties can be considered trustworthy IN A WELL MAINTAINED GUN.

However I would not say the S&W revolver safeties are foolproof until the post war sliding bar hammer block was added in the latter half of the 1940s. And I would not hesitate to carry any of those with a full cylinder.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks for the tips and suggestions guys. I really appreciate it. I live in the appalachian/Smokey mountains and this little 1896 smith will be my squirrel medicine this year.
So to answer your question about if I'll carry it, I will.

Most here would honorably retire an 1896 and find something a little newer to use on squirrel. This is primarily because if you damage or break an important part, it will be nearly impossible to repair or replace it, the result being that you have changed a fairly desirable and somewhat valuable revolver into a wall hanger of minimal value. But it’s your gun to do whatever you want with it.

@Dwalt

I appreciate and respect the advice brother.

its solid advice.

i didnt buy it to gawk at though. i wont be running her through the paces daily or anything but she will get some time on the playing field.