Hammer or hammerless SP101?

[platypus]

I'm a new member but I've read this forum for quite some time. I have fired a friend's SP101 a bit and a few different S&W J frames I'm leaning towards getting an SP101 for CC. I'm trying to decide between the regular version or the hammerless version. What are the pros and cons of hammerless? As far as I can tell it's just for having less of a snag on your shirt or pants pocket potential. Is there more to this picture than I currently see? I like the SP101 because it seems like it's pretty much a bombproof revolver for carry and shooting full power rounds through such a small revolver compared to the Smith & Wesson J frames. Are there many here that actually carry one for a daily carry or are they too heavy now that there are much lighter versions out there available? I also like the double action pull better on the Ruger than the smith (although the single action break seems notably better on the Smiths)...but I'm thinking in a real self defense situation, that's not the way I'd be shooting it. Also, how many rounds do you guys have through yours? I ask this simply because I want to see if you guys shoot yours very often or are they too small to really be much fun compared to larger revolvers when it comes to putting larger numbers of rounds through them practicing and plinking, etc. Any advise?

 

[loiblb]

I got the regular hammer model. It is no big deal to carry and found the hammer helps me orientate the guns grip a tad.
The DAO is not fun at the range I found out.

 

[wwb]

For practice, I shoot what is basically a .38 Spl +P load in a .357 case. Honest .357 loads get old pretty fast in a small revolver like the SP.

As to the hammer/hammerless question.... if you can shoot acceptably well for self-defense in DA, and personal protection is the only duty the pistol will ever see, the hammerless would be preferred. Otherwise, get the exposed hammer version.

 

[stantheman86]

I would go with the spurless, if this is primarily a CC gun. The odds are tremendously high that a self defense encounter will be close, quick and dirty and you won't be cocking any hammer anyway. I have a DAO GP100 with heavy springs, and I can hit well with it while "point shooting" out to 10 yards or so. Any distance much beyond that, I feel no civilian would have much of a need to shoot in a self defense scenario. I carry spurless DAO Rugers, I have several GP's and a Service Six in this configuration and it gives me a little bit extra security knowing that I won't move in just the wrong way or knock against something and cock the hammer. I had been using a standard S&W Model 60 J-frame for CC, and one time I heard a faint "click" as I was getting out of my car. I got back in my car and checked my gun, and the cylinder was out of lockup, meaning the hammer had been moved back slightly and enough to move the cylinder. This got me thinking, it is possible that I could have cocked the hammer if there had been a little more "traction" on it from my shirt or whatever moved it, and I would have been happily walking around the mall with a cocked revolver and never known. I was using an open-topped "slide" holster though........., if you use a thumb break or other tight fitting holster that keeps the cylinder from moving it's much less of an issue.

I also won't go into the legalities, but I work at my local county courthouse and have talked with Sheriff's Deputies at length about CC and HD, and when I tell them I use wheelguns they tell me to deactivate the SA feature in any revolver I use for CC. They say it would help me out in court if the gun taken into evidence could not be "cocked" and thus the famous "hair trigger" BS would be out of the equation. Just my observation, I'm not a cop or a lawyer but I tend to take advice from LEO's when I can get it, and then sort out what works best for me and what doesn't 8) You want to be seen as a civilian who was scared for your life and had no other choice but to stop the threat.....a prosecutor or civil lawyer will try to paint you as Wyatt Earp with "your thumb cocked .357 out looking for a shootout" :?

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I've always heard the argument for DAO. But if it's actually true... Well I hope no body carries a 1911.

Personally, I like a hammer.

 

[rdf009]

I would go with the spurless, if this is primarily a CC gun. The odds are tremendously high that a self defense encounter will be close, quick and dirty and you won't be cocking any hammer anyway.

The odds are also tremendously high that you will NEVER be involved in a self defense encounter, and therefore will never even shoot this gun if you are using it EXCLUSIVELY as a CC gun.

The thing that makes the SP101 so awesome is that it is a great all-around gun. It's extremely accurate (especially when shooting in single action), and is excellent for shooting and plinking. And, when you're not at the range, it makes a good carry piece.

If you want a gun strictly for CCW, then buy a smaller shrouded hammer revolver such as an LCR or airweight Smith. They're much lighter and easier to conceal. But if you want a fun little multi-purpose shooter that will serve you for a lifetime, then go with the regular-hammer SP101.

I have two SP101s with regular hammers, and have never had any problems with the hammer snagging on my clothes. The spurless hammer limits the gun's capabilities. It's like buying a 2wd pickup truck when you could have a 4x4 for the same price.

 

[s4s4u]

It is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

One advantage for the DAO Sp101 is for pocket carry. Since the 2¼" barreled version is so very close to the LCR in size, pocket carry is an option. With the DAO version, there will not be any worries about lint or the like getting into the action.

 

[ftlupton]

I bobbed the hammer on mine and never shoot single action anyway. After several hundred rounds trigger is smooth as glass and I am completely happy with the DA. If I had to pick between the 2 I would go DA only and learn to shoot it. Single actions are for longer barrel guns at longer ranges, 25yds is max with a short barrel for potting small game etc anyway. I can still hit a 12" x 12" steel at 50yds virtually every time DA.(from a sandbag rest of course).

 

[stantheman86]

Whatever you get, make sure you train with it frequently.

It's all personal preferance. I myself prefer the "clean" look of a spurless Ruger revolver. I enjoy the challenge of shooting them, since there is no SA to fall back on. With the timing of a Ruger, you can "stage" the hammer right at lockup, and then pull through for an SA-like shot anyway.

I have been shooting wheelguns since the early 90's, and had been a "plinker" in my younger years, and got so used to thumbing the hammer back it took a while to learn to shoot in DA. Now I shoot almost exclusively in DA, except for when I'm just purely plinking or doing some benchrest target shooting.

Even a couple years ago, when I got my first DAO revolver, a 4" GP100, I caught myself trying to thumb the hammer back. Now I got pretty good with it, on a good day I shoot as well with it at 25 yards in DA as my other GP's in SA.

Based on your own skill level, that determines the limit of your DA shooting, you can get to the point where you can do some good target work at longer ranges in DA. There's a guy who you can see on YouTube who hits water jugs at 200 yards with a S&W J-frame DAO shooting offhand. Sure, he practices a LOT but it's possible.

Under stress with adrenaline pumping, your vision narrowed to the point where it's hard to even use the sights, messing with hammer spurs should be the last of your concerns. The "heavy" trigger of the SP101 will feel like 3 oz. you'll have so much adrenaline pumping through you. Also, the old myth of drawing your gun and cocking the hammer to "defuse" a situation is asking for trouble.

 

[41manor44]

1st of all welcome to the forum. From your post sounds like your mind is pretty well made up. I have both the 3" with a hammer spur and a 2" DAO. I use both for CC but prefer the 2" because it is more snag free and the longer DAO is sort of a safty feature when a shoot or don't shoot situation happens. I'm more of a big gun fan so don't shoot the SPs as often as some but really don't have a problem because they are small. They carry OK when you have a jacket or long loose fitting shirt but with summer coming on I don't know how I'm going to concel it. It's to heavy to carry in a front pocket (25 ozs plus ammo weight) plus on me it prints. I tried some pocket holsters and it still prints. The main problem I've noticed is the width. I may have to go to another firearm for summer but for winter the SP101 can't be beat. Both triggers on mine are relative smooth in double action.

 

[BenR]

I would go with the spurless, if this is primarily a CC gun. The odds are tremendously high that a self defense encounter will be close, quick and dirty and you won't be cocking any hammer anyway.

I agree. Sight picture is of critical importance; cocking a hammer really isn't. If this will be your carry weapon, you might consider tritium for the front sight. I'm currently looking at a Meprolight (model no. 10992) for my SP101 DAO. I find the DAO version presents an uncluttered sight picture, which is something I value for this application.

 

[flatgate]

One of each here.

flatgate

 

[Axehandle]

Firm believer in DAO revolvers for concealed carry.. Not a shooting method for someone who isn't going to work at it. A shooter skilled in DA shooting can do amazing things. Personally spent a lot of time with PPC and NRA Action revolvers in the 80s. My favorite was shooting weak hand unsupported in the NRA Action Practical Match...

 

[ohdrj1all]

those that like the hammerless DAO have perfectly logical reasons and make complete sense... I have just always preferred the hammer... so to each his own.

 

[rich642z]

I carry my hammered SP191 2.25 inch barrel year round. Also my LC9 with 3 mags and the SP,3 5 shot HKS #36 speed loaders