hammer or hammerless

[speed]

snub nose revolver's,...Do you want a hammer or a hidden hammer.......explain why.

[andreb]

If I have the time I'll go SA, but always practicing double action....

[C.R.Sam]

Don't care. Many more important things to consider on a defensive gun.

Sam

[Herb Leventhal]

My personal carry is a S&W 357 with shrouded hammer. Why? The hammer won't snag on clothing but I can fire at least the first and most important shot in single action mode. For me the lighter trigger pull with cocked hammer may make the difference between hitting the target or not. I want to have the choice!
Herb

[Logistar]

Hammerless (for a concealed weapon).

Won't get caught on clothing if I draw...
Nothing (like fabric) will interfere with the hammer strike.
Also, hammer can't be accidentally pulled back during holstering, etc.

Next to my bed I have a revolver WITH a hammer. (I like having the choice if I am not going to conceal.)

The carry gun (Taurus 650) has a reasonably light trigger pull.
The bedside gun (FIE Titan Tiger) has such a stiff trigger that you really NEED a hammer.

I know that accuracy suffers if you don't cock the hammer first but then if you need to shoot several shots in succession doesn't pulling the hammer back each time result in longer target acquisition times? -FWIW

[Herb Leventhal]

I own and use all three- The Centennial, the Bodyguard, and the regular Model 60 with hammer. Each situation demands a different approach!
Herb

[whiskey]

I want a hammer on mine. I like the looks better and I want the option of SA firing. Snaging on clothes? I know it is a precieved problem but I have never has any trouble with it.

[jungleman]

I just bought a S&W M38 shrouded hammer.
I like the .240 shrouded hammer gives you both options. Would not buy a (hammer)for concealed carry.

[Herb Leventhal]

If I had to choose one of the J frames I would select the 357 shrouded hammer- gives the option of single action fire vs double action
Herb

[Mark IV Series 80]

I use the Bodyguard Airweight, Model 638.

I like the no-snag, shrouded hammer, the ability to fire a single-action shot, and the ability to safely function check the loaded revolver.

[contender4040]

I carry an airweight bodyguard. Snag-free with the capability of a single action shot if needed.

[neal bloom]

I like the hammer, as said before looks better and I like the SA mode on my SP101.

[gumshoe4]

I bought my 649 before S&W started making the Centennials and I had it converted to DAO because I think that that is the proper way to shoot a combat revolver.

If I was going to buy one now, I'd probably opt for the Centennial with the internal hammer.

[Kermit]

Easy - HAMMERLESS :) Then when I had the trigger done, I changed it to DAO w/ a light, crisp & quite short pull. Nothing like a good DA trigger done by someone who knew what he was doing!

[C.R.Sam]

Proper pocket holster should preclude any hammer snagging.

Pocket gun without holster picks up all sorts of unwanted goodies.

Sam

[mikey357]

I prefer the "hammerless" Centennials...442 in my case...I make all my practice DA, IF I NEED it I'll have to fire DA, so why complicate things??? Keep It Simple, Stupid!!!...love that acronym...a principle to live--and SURVIVE--by....mikey357

[JamesA]

Wife carries a s&w hammerless, one of them light weight models, says it's easier to pull out of her purse with all the junk not catching on it..go figure...me its got to have a hammer

[treadhead]

Doesn't really matter to me unless I plan on carrying in a pocket holster - then I'd go hammerless. But I don't like pocket holsters anyway.

[Ala Dan]

is a vintage Smith & Wesson model 60, in .38 Special.
Yes, it's intact; complete with the hammer and original
walnut grip's. Why? Sex appeal; as the hammerless
revolver's look ugly to me.:D :cool:

The Best Of the Season To All,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Tamara]

Got a 296Ti Centennial.

I like the idea of a gun that can be fired from inside my purse's carry compartment if necessary.

Still, in a CCW gun, the ability to shoot single action is a little pointless to me.

I have nice, tuned DA triggers on all my wheelguns. With the exception of the scoped 586, I can't remember the last time I thumbed the hammer back for a shot.

[Captain Bligh]

My alternate carry (from a .45) is a Model 60. I like the availability of a single action option. More than than, since I carry strong side IWB, I con sider the hammer snag issue a non-issue. YMMV

Randy

[BigG]

Although I have had both types, my subjective experience indicates that the DA shooting with a 2" is pretty much equivalent to SA as far as accuracy goes.

I had pared my collection down to Centennial models of various flavors but this Scandium 360 (Chief's Special) happened my way in an offer I could not refuse.

There is another reason I prefer the hammerless, but it is subjective also: When I examine my Centennial against the hammer model snub, the side plate is held on all sides on the hammerless where on the hammer model the sideplate is unsupported at the top side where the hammer comes thru.

So besides the non-snag, cleaner sealed action of the hammerless, I believe it is also a bit stronger with the fully enclosed top side of the frame. YMMV

[Scarborough]

I also like the S.A. option. With my model 49 you get the best of both worlds. My Speed Six is carried strong side on the belt. No snagging problems so far.

[loknload]

I like the Hammer ;) I like the SA option and snagging has never been a problem. I've never carried one in my pocket, a small vest pocket auto goes there :) I like ALL the controls at my fingers. I've never owned a hammerless model :rolleyes:

[Coronach]

For a last-ditch, point defense (:D) backup, I prefer the fully concealed hammer .357 (S&W 640). I'm aware that the likelihood of snags or getting clothing caught between the hammer and frame is probably pretty minimal, but if I'm pulling this gun at all, something has already gone pretty far awry- no use giving Mr. Murphy more things to play with. ;)

Mike

[FanAttic]

Ditto Mike (Coronach):)

[Thor]

Hammerless and in the front pocket. The hammer may very well snag on something in a high stress situation and I see no need at all for a hammer in a belly gun. Besides, all sorts of stuff can get down in there in a pocket gun with a hammer model I think.

[Ben Shepherd]

Carry 357 mag. Ruger doesn't offer concealed hammer.

I don't want a Sissy&Wussy, as I prefer the brute strength and durability of the ruger. I carry and practice with "full house" 357mag loads exclusively, no 38 spec.

I bought a magnum to shoot magnum loads.

my 2 cents.

[Thor]

Oh! You brute you! Personally I think the guys that need to carry all that power are trying to make up for something! :D Those of us "walking bowlegged" are fine with a VERY effective, lightweight .38 with HPs! I'm carrying too much "pickle" weight already in my pocket! :D

[MeekAndMild]

Hammer

[9mmepiphany]

concealed hammer just like my smith 642

1. a well practiced DA trigger pull is just as accurate as SA out to at least 50yds...the only reason i shoot my j-frame beyond that is to win money:D

2. restricts dirt entering the action more than shouded or bobbed hammer

3. allows higher grip on backstrap (also higher) for less muzzel rise and faster follow-up shots

[contender4040]

I love my snub but long distance double action fire for accuracy is questionable. That is why I like the body guard with the snag free profile and the capability of single action fire as needed. I did consider the mdl 642 with its dao and fully protected enclosed design but after reviewing the TX Luby cafe shooting, I wanted something that could give me an advantage for an across the room distance shot should I ever find myself in one of those "it will never happen" situtations.

[Bandit]

hammerless (concealed hammer).. easier on clothing.. especially pockets..

Rick

[don't shoot it's me]

Hammerless....442...no need for a hammer on a belly gun. Love my sissy and wussy...wouldn't trade it for 10 overweight, clanky sounding rugers with enough writing on the frame and barrel to read on a long trip.....;)

[9mmepiphany]

contender4040 - i never looked into the distances involved in the luby's shooting, is the place larger than most eateries

during regular qualifications (i try to shoot it once a year with my BUG) we go out to 25 yards. i usually have better luck with head shots (smaller aiming area) from that distance...not recomemnded for RL with a moving target, but works well in a static situation.

it's all a matter of trigger control and sight alignment...we used to shoot 24rds from our 4" "leg guns" from 50yds during competition...it does take a lot of trigger time to keep them all in the 10-ring :p

[Anthony]

If it's a Smith & Wesson J-frame...hammerless Centennial model.

Colt D-frame, Ruger SP-101, large frame snubby, etc....exposed hammer.

- Anthony

[Cat]

My carry J-frame is a 940, hammerless of course!
I have no need to fire a J-frame in the single-action mode, others apparently do.

[Rail Gun]

On any revolver I prefer a hammer. I wouldn't own one without a hammer. The reason for this is simple. I never carry a gun and it's hard to cock the hammer on a gun with a shrouded hammer...

Take care

[C.R.Sam]

With or without hammer. Proper pocket holster will preclude snags and strange things getting into the gun. Even in a purse, gun should be in either a dedicated compartment or an affixed holster.

Proper holster also insures that gun will be in proper position for draw when needed.

Sam

[db4]

Hammerless for 2 reasons-reliability, nothing to snag or fill up with pocket crud.

And maybe i'm weird, but-especially under pressure- i shoot a revolver better DA than i do SA.

[Herb Leventhal]

db4:
I am interested, have you experienced confrontation with a criminal where you had to draw and shoot? i HAVE NOT THANK G-d but I like a hammer even if it is a shrouded hammer which is more difficult to cock
herb

[Hkmp5sd]

I like the option of having a hammer. In combat, you can shoot DAO if you desire, yet when plinking, you can cock the hammer and see just how accurate your little short barrel is. I carry the S&W 649 because it is mostly hot in Florida and hiding the gun means tucking it under t-shirts or into jeans. Not having the exposed hammer is one less stress to deal with in an emergency.

Besides, how many non-law enforcement folks practice drawing and holstering their weapon as much as they practice shooting? I do practice it, but not as often as I should.

[chaim]

I don't carry, but I plan to as soon as I leave Maryland, so while I have no experience carrying I have practiced holstering and drawing my guns often so I'll be ready.

That said my preference would be both, depending upon the mission.

Generally, I prefer a revovler with a hammer. I think it looks better, it allows single action shooting when you want it (mainly at the range or a home defense situation), in an IWB holster it shouldn't catch on clothing (I've practiced enough, often with my winter coat or suit, to know) and you have more choices in guns.

I don't worry about the single action option for CC purposes. In a defensive shooting situation most people can shoot double action much faster than they can cock the gun and shoot single action. The distances are short enough that the accuracy gain in SA doesn't matter much. Also, with enough DA practice most people can get good enough with DA shooting to rely on it. In a home defense situation, however, I'd want the hammer because there may be enough warning to benefit from it (though I'd prefer my shotgun anyday :D ).

With that said I certainly would prefer a "hammerless" design for a gun that was to be kept in my pocket. That is when snagging can become a problem (often it may not, but in a life or death situation why risk it). With a good holster lint and dirt probably won't get in the gun if it has an exposed hammer, but again, it may not happen often but I wouldn't want to risk it.

I don't like the concealed hammer over the hammerless because it seems, like many compromises, to offer the worst of both worlds. Like a hammer design it is more likely to snag than a hammerless and is more likely than either to have a problem with dirt (again my motto: it may be unlikely, but in a life or death situation unlikely is worse than virtually impossible), unlike the hammered design it is slower and less convenient to use SA so when you can benefit from SA it is harder to use in SA effectively.

My vote is my S&W 65 (.357mag) with 3" barrel (or other K-frame or equivilent Taurus in .357) with exposed hammer AND a Taurus 850 CIA (.38 spl) with the "hammerless" design.

[don't shoot it's me]

Wow.....dead even at 50/50...let's end this thread so no one loses. I'd hate to see the hammer guys upset, or vice versa....