Decocking a double revolver

[7shooter]

When decocking a cocked double action revolver ,if the hammer is released by pressing the trigger while griping the hammer and then the finger is removed from the trigger and the hammer is allowed to drop why does the gun not fire ?

I had read about this and tried it on the range with two S&W revolvers. Is it the hammer block that comes back when the trigger finger leaves the trigger or is there some other mechanism at play ?

 

[murphydog]

Hammer block is the correct answer. Go to the head of the class!

 

[7shooter]

Hammer block is the correct answer. Go to the head of the class!

That was fast. Thanks.

 

[litenlarry]

Yes, the pistol will not fire in the scenerio you presented, it is blocked..
There is a great you tube video out there that explains it in detail..

 

[gwpercle]

Just don't try letting the hammer drop on a Colt single action or " old model " Ruger Blackhawk as there is nothing there to stop it from going boom....but everybody knows that .

 

[7shooter]

Yes, the pistol will not fire in the scenerio you presented, it is blocked..
There is a great you tube video out there that explains it in detail..

Thanks. I watched the Midway video with Larry Potterfield which showed the safety mechanisms on S&W revolvers. Very interesting.

 

[Old cop]

I was taught to put my thumb between the hammer & frame, then pull the trigger slowly while lowering the hammer until it meets the thumb. You then slowly withdraw the thumb and lower the hammer the rest of the way and the gun is safe.

 

[houdini26]

be very carefull when you put your thumb behind the hammer and the frame go slowly.

 

[DCWilson]

Just to overexplain, the hammer block is driven by motion of the trigger assembly. When you pull a trigger in DA mode, the trigger rebound slilde moves to the rear, pulling the hammer block out of the way. If you have a gun cocked in SA mode, when you restrain the hammer manually and release the trigger, the spring in the trigger rebound slide pushes the trigger and slide forward, driving the hammer block back into the safe position. Then when you lower the hammer the hammer body is prevented from moving far enough forward to hit a cartridge with the firing pin.

 

[Alnamvet68]

You cannot beat with a stick the most usefull real world information one can get by reading some of these threads. Just have to give a high five to this forum and its most intelligent members...

 

[boatboy]

You cannot beat with a stick the most usefull real world information one can get by reading some of these threads. Just have to give a high five to this forum and its most intelligent members...

View attachment 101502

I dont think there is any question
Hank

 

[OLDSTER]

decock

That was fast. Thanks.

Yep--hammer block. So if you buy a newer model S&W revolver from someone and it has been given a trigger job, ask the seller if the hammer block has been removed. Just an FYI. And I plead quilty. When I do a trigger job on a Smith, removing the hammer block is part of the process. But I always inform any buyer or customer that has been done, and I'll replace the hammer block if they desire

 

[shawn mccarver]

When decocking a cocked double action revolver ,if the hammer is released by pressing the trigger while griping the hammer and then the finger is removed from the trigger and the hammer is allowed to drop why does the gun not fire ?

I had read about this and tried it on the range with two S&W revolvers. Is it the hammer block that comes back when the trigger finger leaves the trigger or is there some other mechanism at play ?

If you hold the trigger back, the hammer block stays down allowing the hammer to strike the firing pin (this description assumes a frame mounted firing pin like the modern S&Ws) . BANG.

When you release the trigger to allow it to return forward as the hammer is eased down with your thumb, the hammer block moves back up into position and "if the hammer slips" out from under your thumb, the hammer block will prevent the hammer from contacting the firing pin.

If you have a hammer mounted firing pin, the answer is the same as the function of the hammer block is the same. The description in words would be a little different, however.

 

[kwselke]

S&W uses the hammer block. The Rugers and the Colt Trooper Mk III which I own use a transfer bar. The transfer bar is the reverse of the hammer block. When the trigger is fully depressed the bar is fully extended allowing the hammer to transfer energy to the firing pin. If the transfer bar is not extended the hammer falls on the frame without impacting the firing pin.

 

[Comrad]

Can we assume all modern S&W revolvers use a hammer block? I tried searching and find reference to 1905 and 1915 but it's not clear to me. Can we assume all postwar production guns have it?

 

[Retired W4]

I believe the new hammer block came into use in 1944 after the fatal incident on a U.S. naval vessel.