A single action dilemma

[Watertender]

A friend of mine is in his 80's and has a 1958 vintage Ruger Single-Six that is unconverted. He insists on loading all 6 chambers. I keep trying to convince him to only putting 5 in the cylinder by loading 1 chamber, skipping 1 chamber, loading 4 and cocking the hammer fully then lowering it on the empty chamber. Nothing I say can convince him to carry it with 5 rounds... Any ideas how I can convince him to load it safely?

 

[Busterswoodshop]

Being a carpenter , I would say use the hammer method.
The next time he puts it in his holster fully loaded , hit the hammer with a hammer.

If that doesn't work , I would think there are plenty of videos out there that would actually show him.

 

[Watertender]

I have actually thought about hitting the hammer with a soft face mallet to show him the results.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

Couldn't hurt.
Point her down range , and give her a smack.
Beats the heck out of the alternative.

 

[nrobe50]

Don't hit the hammer unless it is all the way down. If it is on half cock (safety notch), you could either break the trigger or the hammer. With the hammer all the way down smack it with a piece of wood. It may surprise you how little force is needed.

 

[Watertender]

I would do it with the hammer fully down. He also has an Old Model Blackhawk convertible that he carries in the same condition. He knows about the conversion kit and wouldn't get them converted.

 

[JAYDAWG]

Man in his 80's.......good luck telling him ANYTHING.
Besides, a gunshot hole in his foot will give him something to tell the boys about at the coffee shop in the mornings.

 

[hittman]

At his age he's earned the right to do it however he wants.
Now, if you think there's a dementia or other issue …… thats a different story.

 

[Watertender]

At his age he's earned the right to do it however he wants.
Now, if you think there's a dementia or other issue …… thats a different story.

He is fully with it mentally.

 

[Threespears]

although You are correct on the loading process.
How long has he owned this revolver?

 

[Bob Wright]

I have actually thought about hitting the hammer with a soft face mallet to show him the results.

Skeeter Skelton used a hickory claw hammer handle fos such demonstrations.

Bob Wright

 

[Watertender]

although You are correct on the loading process.
How long has he owned this revolver?

Since it was new.

 

[nrobe50]

Just because you are old it doesn't make you smart. He can carry his revolver how he wants but I load one skip one and load four more hammer back and down on an empty chamber.

 

[Watertender]

Just because you are old it doesn't make you smart. He can carry his revolver how he wants but I load one skip one and load four more hammer back and down on an empty chamber.

That is what I am trying tell him

 

[gnappi]

I'm not about to advise someone who owned a three screw for 60 odd years how to carry it.

 

[deac45]

I'm not about to advise someone who owned a three screw for 60 odd years how to carry it.

I agree. However...I would ensure I was always to his left assuming he is right handed.

 

[thinckley]

When I hunt, I have a chest holster for my OM SBH or flapped LH holster for the .357. I load 6. That being said, sitting in the safe for emergencies? I load 1, skip 1, load 4. There is way more chance of the hammer getting struck falling out of the safe than in the woods the way I carry. Am I an idiot? Probably. Will I change? Probably not. For @Watertender remember 4 simple words: "I informed you thusly" or if in a hurry "I warned ya".

 

[Joey]

I saw a video on the net, a guy tapping an OM BH with all cylinders loaded with a 2x4. Not slamming it, hitting it lightly. The results were as expected. With all cylinders loaded you can see the firing pin rested against the primer. Some people just need it to happen to convince them. Hope nobody gets hurt, or worse when it does.

 

[Cholo]

I'm not sure, but I'd guess he's not carrying it with the firing pin resting on the primer.

Years ago we had a member who went shooting with his OM 30 Carbine that he kept loaded with six. He came home and bent over in the kitchen. The gun fell out of his holster and shot him below the right hip with the bullet exiting above his left hip. He said the scariest thing was that it missed his wife by about 2".

At the range I always load six.

 

[Joey]

I always load 5 at the range, just to stay with the practice. Would hate to drop it with a range full of folks. Unless he's carrying it on the 1st notch, but if it falls and lands on the hammer, it is likely to break the hammer notch and fire. There are always a lot of "IFS" in everything we do, but we can eliminate a lot of possibilities by following proper procedure.