JackBull
Hunter
How useful is a hammer-less revolver for carry (LCR, Centennial)? Has anyone fired from a coat pocket with either? Advantages/disadvantages of each?
Hammer Time or Not?
- Thread starter JackBull
- Start date
I am interested in this as well. I have only had hammer driven revolvers as hammerless has never interested me. But I have become more curious about what their pros are besides the lack of snagging when drawing.
contender
Ruger Guru
The snagless feature is one of the main things that people enjoy on a hammerless revolver,, for ease of carry & potential pulling of the revolver. Firing from inside a pocket,, a hammerless design would be potentially less likely to have any issues as well.
But having a hammer,, allows options as well if a person is placed in a situation where they may want to be prepared to fire, and yet,, not quite ready. A cocked hammer is easily seen, allows the "staging" of the action, and,, if firing it becomes un-necessary,, you can lower the hammer safely.
A hammerless design forces the double action type of firing,, and most revolvers,, the DA trigger pull is a bit harder than pulling the trigger when a revolver is already cocked.
Basically, it comes down to each person's preferences. A pocket gun,, should be in a dedicated holster to prevent dirt & debris from getting into the gun. A holster that can easily cover the hammer spur allows ease of pulling and options.
MY personal preferences is to have the hammer,, but I see why others feel they prefer a hammerless design.
But having a hammer,, allows options as well if a person is placed in a situation where they may want to be prepared to fire, and yet,, not quite ready. A cocked hammer is easily seen, allows the "staging" of the action, and,, if firing it becomes un-necessary,, you can lower the hammer safely.
A hammerless design forces the double action type of firing,, and most revolvers,, the DA trigger pull is a bit harder than pulling the trigger when a revolver is already cocked.
Basically, it comes down to each person's preferences. A pocket gun,, should be in a dedicated holster to prevent dirt & debris from getting into the gun. A holster that can easily cover the hammer spur allows ease of pulling and options.
MY personal preferences is to have the hammer,, but I see why others feel they prefer a hammerless design.
I have both. I have no preference between the two. Usually I carry the hammerless.
With practice you can feel when you are almost at the point of no return, and can let off.
As far as shooting from your coat pocket. I'd be willing to bet that generally only happens in the movies.
With practice you can feel when you are almost at the point of no return, and can let off.
As far as shooting from your coat pocket. I'd be willing to bet that generally only happens in the movies.
I have an LCRx, and the hammer is designed to avoid the likelyhood of snagging on anything, and it works as designed.
It is better to have a hammer and not need it, than to need a hammer (to make an accurate shot in a tight space) and not have it ;)
It is better to have a hammer and not need it, than to need a hammer (to make an accurate shot in a tight space) and not have it ;)
rammerjammer
Blackhawk
James Reeves covered this subject and actually fires an LCR from inside his pocket. Works fine but you might catch fire! Semi autos fail in the pocket.
rammerjammer
Blackhawk
And not trying to be too much of this guy...but they're not hammerless. They're shrouded or concealed hammers.
"Smith & Wesson produced the first widely recognized, successful concealed-hammer revolver, the "Safety Hammerless" (nicknamed the "Lemon Squeezer"), introduced in 1887. These double-action revolvers featured an internal hammer and a grip safety, designed to prevent snagging on clothing when drawn from a pocket.
- Key Details:
- Model: Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless (also known as the "New Departure").
- Years Produced: 1887–1940.
- Features: Internal hammer, grip safety on the backstrap, double-action only.
- Calibers: .32 S&W and .38 S&W.
- Significance: It was designed to address the danger of external hammers catching on clothing during concealed carry, according to Dury's Gun Shop.
You are obviously not trying too hard.
rammerjammer
Blackhawk
Nope, now I just gotta load up some clips for my Glock that can go through metal detectors ;)
I have both lcr’s and lcrx. I don’t particularly care to shoot DA over SA, but my lcr’s were made before the lcrx came out. I like having the both options in the lcrx and the hammer spur hasn’t ever printed or snagged. The good thing is that the DA trigger in the centerfire lcr’s isn’t horrible. The rimfires are very heavy.
Run some drills your self and see. Obviously there is an option for a reason, and the option has been around for a long time. Nobody can answer for you except you and your style of carry.
Running drills with cargo pant pockets, especially the deeper top pockets, I prefer a hammer with no spur. Yes you can use your thumb as a guide as some train but I found no spur better.
Also, if you are involved in a shoot, and are testifying....don't try to explain "staging"...you will get fried by the defense.
I won't expand on the "hammer-less" thing......aside from sheesh.
In a split second SHF self defense scenario, you're NOT going to have time to fool around with cocking a hammer anyway.
So, if you choose to carry a revolver, a hammer shrouded or bobbed hammer gun, with which you have practiced, practiced and practiced some more with in DA mode, is the way to go IMO.
So, if you choose to carry a revolver, a hammer shrouded or bobbed hammer gun, with which you have practiced, practiced and practiced some more with in DA mode, is the way to go IMO.
Not every situation is "SHF". The hammer on the LCRx is not a problem, and SA is better than DA for an accurate shot all day long and twice on Sunday.
Not arguing that point. But, IF I see someone in close proximity trying to draw a weapon on me, I'm drawing mine and firing at them as quickly as is humanly possible PERIOD
After the threat is down and potentially neutralized, then...And ONLY then, will I concern myself with manually cocking any hammer.
Can't cock the hammer that you don't have ;)
David Lee Valdina
Single-Sixer
In some states it is illegal to display a gun. Having a gun that will work from inside a pocket allows the person to be able to quickly defend, without displaying. And even if you never need to do this, it gives peace of mind knowing you can.
ex13F
Single-Sixer
The Missus purse carries a 357 LCR loaded with 38s. The only other "hammerless" we have is a K6s that I carry on occasion. In my chore coat is a SP101 with a hammer. Beside me as I type this is my CMD in 45 acp. My belief is always have a gun. Trouble doesn't make appointments.
19drivermaker46
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2018
- Messages
- 108
I've never shot through one of my jacket/coat pockets but would strongly consider it under certain conditions. It would be if I was wearing somebody else's jacket or coat instead of destroying mine.
For those who own only revolvers with hammers, try a Kimber K6s, S&W lightweight, and Ruger LCR. I have all of them along with hammered revolvers. All very good revolvers.
For those who own only revolvers with hammers, try a Kimber K6s, S&W lightweight, and Ruger LCR. I have all of them along with hammered revolvers. All very good revolvers.
I think the only time I'd attempt to fire through a pocket would be if I were in actual physical contact with an aggressor and unable draw my piece. In such case I'd believe I'd prefer a "hammerless/shrouded" arrangement. JMHO ;)
19drivermaker46
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2018
- Messages
- 108
My imagination might not be developed enough, but if unable to draw the piece from close actual physical contact, hammer or no hammer the revolver of choice has to be pointed in front of you and not across the body sideways to shoot oneself. Pockets aren't roomy enough to allow it. Follow what I'm saying?
Okie Red
Bearcat
I carry lcr in 38 special in a pocket holster in the front pocket of a pair of 501 Levi jeans everyday. I practice regularly. I have no trouble drawing it or firing it. I state that I am a retired narcotics agent and in my 32 years never fires single action in practice or a combat situation. At the distance you will most likely will be confronted is from contact distance to ten yards. At those distances it is point and shoot and it will be quick. That has been my observation. The main thing is practice and be prepared.
Iroc
Bearcat
I just watched this video yesterday and found it interesting on how the double action revolver came about. Others might find it interesting too, see YouTube link attached. I carry a double action hammerless revolver all the time in my front pants or jacket pocket, with or without the DeSantis pocket holster it’s pretty fast and no snagging.
My SP 101 was initially a hammerless model and DAO. After some time I installed a hammer. I found that I can draw from my holster while cocking the hammer and fire in about the same time (splitting seconds) I can draw and DA. I also can point and shoot more accurately that way. These are only my personal observations with my revolver.
Why not have the best of both worlds? Lightweight, shrouded no-snag hammer, yet able to be cocked or “decocked” easily. Yeah, my choice of grips is ugly, but that’s the only way my big mitts are comfortable.
S&W Model 38 Airweight.
With some Uncle Mikes grips.
S&W Model 38 Airweight.
With some Uncle Mikes grips.
The hammer in the LCRx works very much the same. You don't cock it "back" like a conventional revolver, but rather more downward.
The design is exceptional.
I follow exactly. This would only work if one were able to direct the muzzle away from one's anatomy while still in a pocket . . . perhaps not possible at all. Very likely not an option in most cases, but we're talking about an exceptionally unique situation, not an expected everyday reaction.
I'd never be able to do this if I had a small gun in a side pocket of my jeans because there's essentially no room to carry there anyway. I wouldn't carry that way for just that reason. It might be doable with a gun carried in a somewhat roomy side pocket such as on a jacket or the like.
I hope to never have to resort to it in any case.
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