Should I even consider an exposed hammer for pant pocket carry?

[sheriffoconee]

In my pocket I carry my 49 in a Desantis Nemesis. It's a bit heavy, but the Bodyguard design is the best of both worlds.

THIS....quoted for truth...it is hard to beat a 49 in a pocket

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I've used M36 and M60 snubbies in a pocket holster for years. No problem with the hammer.

 

[Grog]

david,there is nothing like the sound of cocking a gun that sends fear and message to a perp,that the next sound they here will be "BANG"..

I'm not interested in sending fear to a criminal, I'd rather use the force that's needed and not give him time to react.

 

[tazcollins]

I switched from a 637 to a 642 for this very reason. I even had the
637's hammer half way bobbed and rounded. You can cover the hammer with your thumb, etc. if possible. Just do this as I did in practice. Go for it very fast just needing to get it out of the pocket. See how many times the hammer snags and make your own decision. But to each his own respectfully. TC

 

[photoman]

Pocket carry is slow enough as it is (unless you have your hand on the gun already) and the last thing I want to have to remember is to put my thumb on the hammer, spoiling my grip on the gun. I put the thumb procedure in the same catagory as having to deal with a manual safety...I don't like that. Pull and shoot. That's what I like.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Here's my answer. It's a Model 38, an Airweight, and I do carry it in a front pocket. I like to have ALL my options available, including single action..

 

[Gmountain]

I have both and have carried both a Chief's Special and a Bodyguard in my front pocket for years. I have practiced with both. There is no question that the Bodyguard is faster out of the pocket and much less likely to snag on something.

 

[geraldo]

model 649 !!

Get a model 649 , best of both worlds and wont rust!

 

[growr]

Have carried a M36 in pocket w/ a pocket holster for a long time....never had a snag problem in 23 years. Do what ever works for YOU.
Randy

 

[chp]

What reason is there to retain the hammer spur on a J Frame?

A J Frame with the hammer spur cut off will have less bulk than any Centennial with its enclosed hump but the Centennial will be a safer bet for firing from inside a pocket if necessary.

I say get rid of the spur. It's something you can easily do yourself without having to wait for or pay a gunsmith.

Dave Sinko

I second Dave's thoughts. I actually prefer a bobbed hammer J to the Centennial models.

I've also fired about 15 rounds through an old jacket pocket with the bobbed hammer J with no hang ups or problems. I hope to never have to shoot that way

Bobbing a hammer is easy - here's my "garage engineered" job.

 

[stoneman]

I 3rds Dave's thoughts. There seems to be a lot less bulk to a bobbed hammer 637 or 360 and they just look right to me. I carry mine more IWB than pocket but it works just fine either way. It is easy to DIY I used a small hack saw to cut the spur off and then a grinder wheel and a file to shape it and then some fine grit sand paper to polish. Be careful with the grinder the metal comes off really fast! Here is a pic. of mine.

 

[ENGINE18]

I usually carry a 638 Bodyguard. I took it to my gunsmith for a bit of trigger work and he cleaned it's internals, no charge.

He said it was payment enough to give me the devil about, "enough pocket lint to plant potatoes" inside the gun!

That said the 638 does give you a single action shot if needed. (hope I don't). A 642 doesn't but they are sweet too!

My 640-1 is probably MY ultimate CC gun, but A 649 in .357 would be a great all around carry piece.

Firearms are like cars, women, and recliners!

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I carry a 1 7/8" M60 or M36, with a hammer in my right front pocket. I use a Bianchi "Pocket Change" holster. Tried others, but have used this one for over five years now. It just works.

I can carry all day and "forget" that I'm pack'n. I've never had to draw in anger, however I've never experienced any problem with the hammer.

The J frame snubbie is what I would recommend to anyone wanting to carry 24/7, carry a firearm that is as "safe as a brick at rest", and wishing maximum concealment and comfort.

 

[growr]

I carry a M36 almost daily in a pocket holster....Haven't had a problem with the hammer snagging on anything in over 22 years. Hope your experience is the same.
Randy

 

[OLDFED]

IMHO.....

...carrying an exposed hammer revolver in a pocket (no holster) is just asking for trouble. Your least concern would be buying lots of new trousers. Your greatest...coming in second in a gunfight.

"Hey Dude...no fair! My gun is stuck in my pocket!"

 

[cp1969]

I haven't tried this but I think by placing your thumb on the hammer when you grab it in your pocket would form a ramp of sorts to keep the hammer from snagging on anything.

I don't carry so I'm just theorizing here.

 

[MaximumLawman]

If you want to carry a pocket gun, buy a pocket gun. Don't buy another gun and try to turn it into a pocket gun. The range instructor I had 25 years ago with probably 30 years on the job at that time recommended two guns to me (before autos were approved). A Smith Bodyguard and a Smith 25-5 with a 4" bbl. I still have them both. Can't carry the 25-5 on duty anymore but I still carry a 649 and sometimes a spare 49 both in the pockets almost every day.

 

[Skeeziks]

The range instructor I had 25 years ago with probably 30 years on the job at that time recommended two guns to me (before autos were approved). A Smith Bodyguard and a Smith 25-5 with a 4" bbl. I still have them both. I still carry a 649 and sometimes a spare 49 both in the pockets almost every day.

That range instructor and I think alot alike.... Those would be the same two guns I would recommend - with the addition of a 696 with its 3" bbl. thrown in to rest between the two.

This way, you have a Sm., Med., and Large.

 

[badam0112]

I started out with a 637 then switched to the 642 specifically to get away from the exposed hammer. I carried both in the Desantis Nemesis.

 

[Skeeziks]

BTW.... I should have added this to my above post:

Bobbing the hammer on a J-frame is the dumbest thing you can do - unless it is the only gun you have for SD and you aren't able to purchase a second weapon.
But if you do have the bucks, get yourself a Centennial for pocket carry. If you ever have to fire your gun from inside a coat pocket or from underneath the bed sheets, the exposed hammer of the Chiefs Special can easily get caught in the fabric.

I favor the bodyguard, myself. I've got the best of both worlds.