Hammer Design

[Chuck Edwards]

I'm thinking about getting a "birth year" revolver, specifically one produced in 1951. It won't be a safe queen, but one that'll be shot at least occasionally. And since it'll be a DA revolver, it'll be shot DA. What I'd be looking for would be a fixed-sight K or N frame with a 4" barrel in .38 Special.

I'm pretty clueless about pre-model number S&Ws. I've read that earlier S&Ws had hammers that prevented seeing the rear sight unless the hammer was cocked, based on the belief that shooting DA was close-range only and done unsighted. I'd obviously like to avoid those.

I'd appreciate any help pointing me in the right direction to make sure I get a gun with the appropriate hammer.

 

[handejector]

A 1951 hammer in either a K or N frame will not block the sights. They are both short actions with low sours.
Even in the old long actions, the sight blocking you mention did not matter all that much in DA. As you begin to pull the trigger, the hammer rotates out of the line of sight very quickly and you have time to attain a good sight pic.

 

[StrawHat]

The post war 38/44 Heavy Duty would work for you!

Kevin

 

[Hawg Rider]

There were quite a few K-frame and N-frame revolvers available in 1951, but not in .38 Special with 4" barrel and fixed sights. As StrawHat mentioned, a .38/44 Heavy Duty (pre-Model 20, N-frame) would work, but so would a .38 M&P (pre-Model 10) or .38 M&P Airweight (pre-Model 12). As you know, .357 Magnum revolvers will handle .38 Special rounds, too, but I don't know of any fixed sight models in 1951. My 6" nickel .38 M&P is from 1950. There may be more options, so hopefully some knowledgeable Forum members will be along to complete the list. Good hunting!