To Hammer Or Not To Hammer?

[Phriend]

In regards to self-defense, do you think it is best to get a handgun that has a hammer.... or one that does not?

My main concerns involve:

1) Being able to get a shot off quickly
2) Feeling confident that I would never accidently fire my handgun while it's in its holster. (Someone in this forum had mentioned that they once accidently moved the hammer back while having dinner in a restraunt!)

Your thoughts?

[Jim Watson]

My Colt Commander has a hammer. My Kahr E9 does not. My S&W 640 has one but it is out of sight. I am confident that they will all go off when I want them to and not when I don't.

I think you would benefit from a good .22 and a case of ammunition to get acquainted with a handgun in general before trying to go armed. Maybe some professional training, the NRA does not charge a lot.

[JesseL]

IMHO, whether a gun has a hammer or a striker has virtually no relevance to your concerns.

Even a double action pistol with an exposed hammer that gets accidentally cocked won't discharge until the trigger is pulled, and any holster that will allow the trigger to be accidentally pulled is dangerous whether the gun is cocked or not.