Converting a hammer to DAO....

[RightWinger]

Just curious if anyone could show a picture of exactly what needs to be removed in order to render a revolver DAO. I think I have a pretty good idea from taking the sideplate off and manipulating the trigger but was afraid there is a trick I might not know that could make it easier or quicker.

 

[john traveler]

Sorry, no picture.

Converting from DA/SA to DAO requires removing (grinding) off either the trigger nose SA sear, the hammer SA sear, or both. You can see the SA sear engagement with the hammer cocked. Removing either or both of those surfaces prevents the hammer from staying cocked if SA fire is attempted.

 

[RightWinger]

John, thanks so much for your great insight. It always amazes me that when I post a question you're always very quick to have a good informative answer and never have made me feel stupid for asking things that many might already know. Thanks!

 

[Don K.]

It goes fast too. I took down the hammer only, seemed to be more meat there. I went slowly to see when push off would start etc.. I got to a point that the hammer would hold until iput the side plate on. The bosses in the side plate must have moved the hammer and trigger just far enough away from where they were running (with the side plate off) to allow push off. No big deal of course, I took the ledge completely off, but I thought that was interesting. Side plate off, the hammer held moderate pressure, side plate on it could push off with a slight push.

 

[chief38]

I am just curious as to why one would want to make a revolver Double action only? If you want to shoot it D/A just pull the trigger,......... but you still have the option of single action shooting if you change your mind. Once you grind off the metal, the only way to return the revolver to its normal operation is to start buying new parts.

 

[tomcatt51]

It's usually only done with spurless (bobbed) hammers. You can cock and fire a gun with a bobbed hammer SA. The problem is lowering the hammer once cocked. DA only avoids the potential liability of trying to lower a cocked bobbed hammer and having it unintentionally go bang

 

[chief38]

Presumably, once you cock a hammer on a "target" it was meant to be shot. IF you should have a change of heart and decide not to drop the hammer, you can safely do so. As long as your finger is not holding the trigger as it falls, the firing pin will not protrude through the frame, therefore preventing the round from being fired. The hammer block inside the revolver will automatically block the hammer from striking the primer of the bullet. IF you should ever have to take a finely aimed shot, it is far more likely you will be more accurate with a single action shot than with a double action shot. I am not trying to purposely be argumentative, but the DAO feature never seemed like a good idea to me. Yes I know the NYPD and the LAPD used these on revolvers, but half the gun decisions those departments make are not something that ever made sense to me either.
Just my .02 cents.

Chief38

 

[tomcatt51]

Presumably, once you cock a hammer on a "target" it was meant to be shot. IF you should have a change of heart and decide not to drop the hammer, you can safely do so. As long as your finger is not holding the trigger as it falls, the firing pin will not protrude through the frame, therefore preventing the round from being fired. The hammer block inside the revolver will automatically block the hammer from striking the primer of the bullet. IF you should ever have to take a finely aimed shot, it is far more likely you will be more accurate with a single action shot than with a double action shot. I am not trying to purposely be argumentative, but the DAO feature never seemed like a good idea to me. Yes I know the NYPD and the LAPD used these on revolvers, but half the gun decisions those departments make are not something that ever made sense to me either.
Just my .02 cents.

Chief38

I don't disagree, my bobbed hammer revolvers still have SA sears. PD's used DAO revolvers for the same reason they went to DA semi-autos.

 

[chief38]

I agree.........they do not trust their own officers with guns! While an "ugly gun", the S & W bodyguard serves the purpose, makes a nice smooth pocket carry package, yet allows for S/A shooting also.

 

[pete950]

If you go to you tube and put in midway usa how to bob a hammer Larry Potterfeild will show you how its done


Gunsmith - How to remove the hammer spur on a ...
1 min 30 sec - May 21, 2008
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

 

[9146gt]

I am just curious as to why one would want to make a revolver Double action only? If you want to shoot it D/A just pull the trigger,......... but you still have the option of single action shooting if you change your mind. Once you grind off the metal, the only way to return the revolver to its normal operation is to start buying new parts.

There is a silly rule in NRA
Action Pistol Production division that says trigger pull must be a minimum of 3.5 LBS in any mode...so they take out the single action notch so all trigger weights are done in DAO mode.

Tom