Who likes bobbed hammers on carry revolvers?

[ENGINE18]

Aside from my 638 Bodyguard, I have a M64 w/a 2-inch barrel with a bobbed hammer done by a gunsmith in Glendale, Arizona. It still retains the SA notch.

He also installed a lime-green insert in the front sight, blackened the base of the rear fixed sight, chamfored the cylinder charge holes, poliched the trigger, and did an awesome DA action job.

I'm so used to the 638, that I don't carry the 64 that much, but it makes one heck of a nightstand gun with 158grSWCHP+P loads!

 

[dewingrm1]

I really like bobbed hammers. I had my model 60 on the sale forum for a while until I decided to bob the hammer. I really like it now and don't plan on selling it. I attached a picture of my 60 along with my favorite carry holster.

 

[bigswedegml]

What holster is that dewingrm1?

 

[dewingrm1]

What holster is that dewingrm1?

I'm not sure who manufactured the holster. It's not marked. I received it years ago from a NY police officer. It works great for appendix carry.

 

[NE450No2]

I bobed the hammer on a S&W Mod 60, for the wife.

I prefer a Bodyguard... And have used one for over 40 years.

I also fitted a bobed hammer to a Mod 58 I had, when I carried it in an upside down shoulder holster.

 

[Two Guns]

My S&W Model 37 has a factory bobbed hammer and so does my Ruger GP100.

 

[GKC]

I guess I'll be the odd man out here, because I don't care for a bobbed hammer on a revolver with an external hammer. Now, I do have a 642; it has an internal hammer and is DAO, but that is the way it was made and it is just fine for pocket carry.

It's just my opinion and my preference, but a DA/SA revolver with an external hammer just doesn't look right when the hammer has been bobbed.

 

[RedBerens]

I've got two. On a defensive revolver, it's going to be fired double action only, so the SA option is mot really necessary. Plus it is one less thing to snag.

 

[6thtexas]

I like them bobbed. I'm not worried about any resale value as these are staying with me.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I had the hammer on my 65 bobbed when I had a DAO action job done on it. My 64 came with a factory bobbed/DAO hammer. All my self-defense revolvers are DAO. Any future carry revolvers will be either DAO or converted to DAO; if it has a hammer spur it will be bobbed.

The bobbed hammer is good for concealed carry as there's nothing to snag on when carrying or drawing.

 

[stantheman86]

My DAO Ruger GP100, also have a 4" Security Six .38 and a factory bobbed hammer, one day soon I'll install the hammer.

I only carry DAO revolvers, for several reasons. Basically, for safety, since there's no risk of inadvertently cocking it, also, in a self defense situation you'll have no time and no need to cock a hammer. Legality is also a factor.

 

[photoman]

I'm not sure who manufactured the holster. It's not marked. I received it years ago from a NY police officer. It works great for appendix carry.

Reminds me of a Bell Charter Oak made Deep Drop Bandit IWB.

 

[roundgunner]

I did this 686 SSR

And this 60

I will be doing my 3" 629 and my 627 soon.

 

[speedingbullet]

I carry this one daily :

- regards

 

[aryfrosty]

The Alvarez modification

Back a while, (1982-trial in 1984), the case which started many big PDs to bobbing their issue weapon's hammers was known as the Alvarez case. In 1982 Miami PD officers went into a crowded game room to collect a ybm they had warrants on. Officer Luis Alvarez cocked his issue S&W M-10 before approaching the suspect. As he initiated contact the suspect startled the officer or someone else startled the officer with the result being the negligent discharge of Officer Alvarez' issue weapon and the shooting of the suspect.
Responding to what they saw written on the wall the City of Miami PD immediately had all of the issue weapons hammers de-spurred so that the Officers could no longer thumb cock them. Being a person who can also see the writing on the wall, even if it's somebody else's wall, I rethought my revolvers. Guns I don't carry on duty or for CCW I tend to leave the spurs on the hammers. Short barrelled revolvers I carry in a pocket holster I have dehorned. These continue to be known as the "Alvarez Modification" guns.
There's a lot to be said for a nice smooth revolver on double action. NOT light, Smooth.

 

[617X10]

Every time I see this the thought "shade-tree gunsmith" comes into my head. Big guns I'm not going to be carrying will never get the die grinder treatment, and the biggest revolver I'm willing to carry is a J-frame, which comes in a nice DAO package already.

 

[aryfrosty]

Not really...

Every time I see this the thought "shade-tree gunsmith" comes into my head. Big guns I'm not going to be carrying will never get the die grinder treatment, and the biggest revolver I'm willing to carry is a J-frame, which comes in a nice DAO package already.

I first saw Travis Strahan bob the hammer on a custom PPC revolver in the 1970s. Nobody with any intelligence would ever call Travis a "shade tree gunsmith"! I have had them done on several revolvers, usually S&Ws and my PPC revolver has a beautiful bobbed and jeweled hammer. It is a 5 screw S&W and it is a work of functional art.
Some revol vers don't look good with a spurless hammer. I have never seen a Colt with a shroud that I felt looked good, but Smith's often lend themselves to it. My wife's carry gun is a factory spurless Ruger SP-101 3" and the hammer looks great.
To each their own.

 

[photoman]

I've seen some bobbed hammers that looked "shade tree" and then I've owned some factory Smith & Wesson DAO bobbed hammer guns that looked great, not "shade tree" at all.

 

[38-44HD45]

In general, I don't carry revolvers as primaries. However, my ankle and pocket guns are always either Centennial-types or have bobbed hammers. Most, I slick myself; some, I have had done by others.

 

[Carmoney]

Back a while, (1982-trial in 1984), the case which started many big PDs to bobbing their issue weapon's hammers was known as the Alvarez case. In 1982 Miami PD officers went into a crowded game room to collect a ybm they had warrants on. Officer Luis Alvarez cocked his issue S&W M-10 before approaching the suspect. As he initiated contact the suspect startled the officer or someone else startled the officer with the result being the negligent discharge of Officer Alvarez' issue weapon and the shooting of the suspect.
Responding to what they saw written on the wall the City of Miami PD immediately had all of the issue weapons hammers de-spurred so that the Officers could no longer thumb cock them. Being a person who can also see the writing on the wall, even if it's somebody else's wall, I rethought my revolvers. Guns I don't carry on duty or for CCW I tend to leave the spurs on the hammers. Short barrelled revolvers I carry in a pocket holster I have dehorned. These continue to be known as the "Alvarez Modification" guns.
There's a lot to be said for a nice smooth revolver on double action. NOT light, Smooth.

Well, your version of the story neatly matches what Janet Reno's legal team told the jury back in 1982 when she needed a scapegoat to quiet down the rioters. Cocked gun, hair trigger, reckless discharge, blah blah blah blah.

However, during trial it was established that Alvarez deliberately (and righteously!) shot Nevell Johnson when Johnson turned toward him with an RG revolver.

So the reason for the Alvarez modification is twofold--(1) to prevent untrained users from cocking their guns and having unintentional discharges under stress, and (2) to prevent unmeritorious accusations during the legal aftermath.