Hammer or Hammerless

[eb07]

I'd like to see a picture of your holster for appendix carry. I use a Remora and it works for all my guns appendix carry.

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I started a new thread regarding appendix carry and holsters as to not derail this thread due to the fact I have such a large carry rotation:


http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...cealed-carry-rigs-w-photos.html#post137051742

 

[Roan Ranger]

We all know to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to pull it, but I am talking about clothing or anything else for this matter accidentially discharging the gun. My finger is always off the trigger (thanks to my husband's drilling this into me as an ex-LEO), but I still have my thumb on the hammer when holstering/unholstering. For me, there is no such thing as "too safe" around firearms. RR

 

[tac803]

To bob, or not to bob, that is the question... I prefer hammerless or bobbed hammers due to the advantage of being able to draw from a pocket. In general, a bobbed hammer requires you to shoot double action only, and my 65 is set up from the factory with a bobbed hammer / dao. My model 10 has the hammer bobbed, but is not dao and requires a gentle pull of the trigger in order to get the hammer back enough to get a thumb on it to cock it. Needless to say, it would never be cocked in a threat situation. Some people who have trouble shooting double action, such as those who are getting up there in years or with a physical disability may need to cock a hammer in order to shoot. Generally speaking though, cocking a revolver when faced with a threat has some drawbacks. It takes time, it makes it much easier to discharge the gun unintentionally, and it requires lowering the hammer on a loaded cylinder to make the gun safe.. If you are in a stress (fight or flight) situation, the adrenaline dump will have sent your fine motor controls out to lunch for awhile, and trying to drop that hammer without hearing a loud noise can be problematic with some folks.
It comes down to personal preference and safe practice with whatever gun you decide to use.

 

[MaximumLawman]

I prefer less hammer than hammerless...So I go with the Model 49.

 

[GLV]

I just switched my regular

carry from a 396 to a 296, because of my activities over the next few days. My cover garment appears to have a good chance of catching on he adjustable sights on the 396, so why take the chance.

 

[2hawk]

In general for CCW, how is a .38 for field and home. I have had both way back when. My .38 was a S&W and my field gun was .357. but it was in a 6" barrel. It it worth it to carry that much punch in .357 for a CCW.

Jer, I didn't see anyone address this, so I'll put in my .02. For SD, good .38 is probably as effective, and maybe even a better choice than .357. A lot of people say that .357 is a waste in a short barrel, but I don't agree; generally, it is going to be moving faster and carrying more energy than .38 ammo in the same weight. However, I don't know of anyone who can shoot .357 as well as .38 from a J-frame gun. More bang usually means more recoil, and slower follow up. This is doubly true for air-weight guns.

Here's a look at Speer Gold Dot Short Bbl. ammo in .38 and .357:

This is by far the most widely recommended ammo for small frame revolvers. Nothing wrong with many other choices, but you should do some research to determine what would best fit your needs. HTH

 

[hsmith9491]

Fixed sight, hammer less 640, 357 cal. Smith-Wesson

 

[chief38]

I prefer to leave the hammer as is and do like the fast easy single action cocking option should the need ever arise. I have discovered that when I pocket carry I simply place my thumb over the hammer spur and there is never an issue with it snagging. It has become second nature and I never even think about it anymore. While OWB carrying it, it is not an issue at all.

Over the years I have purchased 3 guns with bobbed hammers and have changed them all for traditional hammers. YMMV.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I only have 2 exposed hammer J-frames in my modest collection - a Model 34-1 and a Model 60-7. As you can see from the enclosed photos, I prefer either the concealed hammer Centennials, or the humpbacks (Model 38-0 and Model 638-1). I've substituted a hammer from a Model 38 on my Model 60-7 which is about as close as I want to get to a bobbed hammer.

Best of luck,

Dave