Model 64 DAO

[lefty_jake]

On a K-frame with a good trigger job, I rarely use the single action. To me, a good trigger job is smooth, and not heavy, but not necessarily light. So a gun with a good trigger can still be very reliable, with a solid firing pin strike and a brisk trigger return.

I have a DAO model 64 that meets the above definition of a good trigger, and I don't miss the single action. If I am careful, I can still take a very accurate shot with double action. I also like the look of the factory double action only K-frame hammers.

I would not pay a premium for a DAO gun, but I would certainly be happy to have another one if a nice one came my way.

 

[pharmer]

I'm a fan although I shoot a 2" 10-5 so this 64-4 is still as "new" as possible from the factory. Joe

 

[kthom]

Many long years ago, I decided to only fire my duty revolver double action, including while participating in the quarterly PPC qualifications required. It was permissible to fire 24 rounds from the 50 yard line in single action mode, but I wanted to keep things as simple as possible, so I committed to double action only. I knew enough not to ever point my revolver at someone with the hammer cocked, so I just quit ever cocking it. I also practiced shooting at out to 100 yards and beyond just to see what results I could obtain. After some serious practice, I became as proficient at all distances shooting double action.

With that said, I do not mind a DAO action only at all. I have modified some revolvers by removing the hammer spur without disabling the single action but I quickly wised up and began making this change by obtaining another hammer to modify to DAO and keeping the original in it's factory condition so I could return the piece to factory original. My only purpose today for these guns is personal protection, so the DAO modification, if not already done at the factory, is still in place.

My preference for a J Frame revolver is the dandy Centennial style that is best represented in my mind by my Model 640 magnum frames, not because I generally carry magnum ammo but because I like the slightly longer barrel and resulting different feel in my hand of the weight distribution present. Good +P .38 special is all I need and they shoot very well for me in steel J frames. And I never have to worry about my hammer spur hanging up on something during presentations of the revolver or during carry.

DAO is certainly not for everyone, and I understand why. But for me, it's the way I want my revolvers to be. Yes, I have several that still wear their hammer spurs, but they are not ever my EDC equipment.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I couldn't pass up a Model 64 re-import a few years ago. Very cool gun. Looked like this:

And yes, those are the stocks that it came with.

It happened to have, by far, the very worst trigger I ever handled. After a range session with several guns I brought that puppy out and in short order it wore my hand OUT! No, my trigger finger, actually - total muscle exhaustion it was so, so heavy.

So I put it away. Kind of forgot about it. Then someone started a thread about a custom revolver. I think it was a snubbie K frame but it might have been a J frame; I can't recall offhand. Anyway, I liked the work so I contacted the gunsmith and told him about my Model 64 DAO (oh, I forget to mention that I like to carry snub nosed K frames) and asked him if he could customize it in a number of ways - lo and behold, it has very much become a favorite gun of mine and the DAO aspect is just fine with me.

It has arrived - Smith 64 'Airweight' Custom, Semi-Fitzed Snubby

 

[RMFnLA]

Love the 64 but I like having the SA option.

You can always pick up a new hammer on eBay.

 

[vytoland]

my "trimmed" model 64's..............2, 3 and 4 inch.....

 

[dmthomp32]

I think my ideal 64 is the 3" with the DAO hammer. I've had a 2" and currently have the 4". My 3" model 10 is the perfect length.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[JSticks]

You could take that Brinks factory DAO and make it into a "Combat Revolver". Here's 64-6 that started as a 4" 64.

And was cut down to a 3".

But, in hindsight...its an expensive conversion that you just have to want to do. By the time you get done buying the 64, paying the gunsmith, shipping, purchase a front sight, you could buy a brand new 686 3".