[Karate]

I recently have been carrring a SW442 that I bougth at a bargain...but I do not really like it...The reason I really like to have the option to cock the hammer if I want...I just do not care for a DAO pistol...even though I know that most of the time I will be shooting DA...so here's the poll (Ihope this works my first poll)

How many perfer the Hammer and How many like Hammerless(DAO)...and give us some reasons why.

[Wanderer]

I prefer the option of having SA as well so that if I would get a chance to take my time and shoot from behind cover, I could get a cleaner shot off. Also, for aesthetic (sp?) reasons, I prefer DA/SA

[BluesBear]

I have carried S&W Centennials & Bodyguards for about 20 years and I love them both. I owe my life to a 1971 S&W Model 40.

Both Bodyguards & Centennials have their advantages and disadvantages.
Choose whichever one you feel more comfortable with and become intimate with it.

[badgerrr]

Any weapon carried concealed, I'd prefer to be hammerless or have a bobbed hammer. (Cocked&Locked 1911's exempt, of course)

That hammer spur just bloody loves to hang up on clothing. It's unsafe in that it could botch a draw in a life-or-death situation. It's also unsafe as it could cause you to fumble the weapon and get an accidental discharge. I hate those. :fire:

Also, I find the heavier double action pull to be an asset in rapid fire. Helps to pull down the front end of the sixgun in recoil. So the heavy double action pull is not a cause for concern with the bobbed hammered gun.

[Tamara]

My pocket gun is a 442 and my purse gun is a 296, so I guess I'm cool with Centennials. :)

Seriously, I almost always shoot S&W revolvers DA anyway, so it strikes me as no great handicap when handed a DAO one.

[Mike Irwin]

In general of course I like to have a hammer on my gun.

However, I voted for hammerless, as I carry a S&W 042 (precursor to the 442) as my primary CCW piece, and I LOVE IT.

[JoeHatley]

The "hammerless" feature is exactly why I the ue the Centennial for CCW.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/642_2r.jpg

[xjer]

I carry the "hamerless" SP101 in my front pocketof my 501's. I dont think
I could do this as easily with the "hammer" model.

Mike

[tbeb]

I carry a revolver with a hammer spur. I like the single action option to test ammunition for accuracy, and to check if bullet hits where I'm aiming. My used older Charter Arms Undercover .38 cost less then a "hammerless" revolver.

However, if forced to choose the best for pocket carry, then I'd pick the "hammerless".

[TonyB]

Just like being able to go sa if I want.......I guess shrouded hammer would be the rest of both worlds tho...:cool:

[Series 70]

I bought my 442 specifically for pocket carry - usually coat pocket, sometimes pants pocket. Hammerless is the way to go for a carry piece, IMO.

[FPrice]

I learned to shoot with a S&W Model 15 and have retained the desire to have a hammer on my firearms.

Although I did see the nicest S&W M49 last night. Beautiful blue job and a very nice trigger.

[BigG]

It depends. ;) /lawyer mode

For a target pistol - sure, an N-Frame .44 can have a hammer - why not? A pocket gun, on the other hand. What business do you need a hammer on that? Something to give Murphy a chance to do his mischief? No thanks! :uhoh:

[E=MC^2]

I attend defensive carry courses year-round and fire in DA mode.

In competition I fire in DA mode.

If I ever need to use a handgun in a defensive situation it will be in DA mode.

A hammer on my CC weapon would be useless. I carry a Centennial-style S&W(340PD).

I even fire my hammered revolvers in DA when I'm shooting at paper. A gun with a good DA trigger is just as accurate when it's fired in either mode. Once again it all comes down to the shooter.

You fight as you trained.

[berto]

I enjoy the SA option on all my revolvers and wish my DAO Enfield had it.

That aknowledged,all of my practice under 10yrds is DA and it isn't hard to master with practice.:cool:

[Johnny Guest]

I like having the option of making a long range shot with some precision if forced into such a situation.

Because I like pocket carry, with or without a pocket holster, both of my snub .38 revolvers have the hammer spur bobbed off.

Back in the day when I was required to carry a DA revolver on duty, I sat at the feet of Bill Jordan and his ilk, and it took me little time to bob the hammer of my first model 19 S&W (Late 1960s.) I practiced DA fire religiously, and got to be pretty good at point shooting. I still liked having the SA option, though.

That M19 was swapped away long ago :( though, and I haven't really been tempted to dehorn any more service-size revolvers since that time.

Best,
Johnny

[P95Carry]

Hammer, full hammer ..... always.

Far too old to change now. Unlike Badgerrr ... I have not found snagging has even happened. Maybe that's luck.:p

[JCM298]

I've had a Bodyguard since `96/97, a Colt Magnum Carry since `98, and a 340SC since Feb.`03. Prior to that all my snubs had the hammer "bobbed".

The first thing I did to the Colt was have an old Det. Special hammer shroud installed.

I only use the SA when sighting-in a new gun or developing a new load. I haven't used the SA feature in a long time.

It's nice to have the SA/DA modes available but in "real" life, the SA will be used very seldom,

John

[AK103K]

I used to like the single action mode until an old boy at the range talked me int double action only. I'll never go back. Its even more noticeable with heavy recoiling handguns. DAO will shrink your groups and make you a better revolver shooter. By shooting DAO, it forces you to concentrate on that front sight, keep a good sight picture, and not think about the "break". My 4" model 29 44mag groups shrunk quite a bit once I started shooting this way, especially with full loads, as did all my other revolver groups. It also teaches you shoot faster and smoother the more you shoot this way. Give it a good try. Dont use that single action notch for 10 outings to the range and a little dry fire practice in between. I'll bet your filing that hammer spur off all your revolvers too. :)

[cheygriz]

I prefer the hammerless because it forces me to practice double action all of the time.

When I'm out "just shooting for fun" I have a tendency to cock a revolver and fire single action. IMHO, a revolver intended for CCW/duty/self defense, should never be fired single action, so I have ground off the cocking notch on my revolvers suitable for self/home defense.

The amazing thing is, if you load about 2,000 rounds of practice ammo, and fire 250 rounds per day for 8 consecutive days, you'll master the double action stroke so well that you'll shoot DA as well as you once shot SA.

At least it worked that way for me.

[E=MC^2]

I forgot to mention that a DAO can be 'staged', if required, for use on longer, accuracy shots.

I slowly pull the trigger and listen/feel the final click. This is the click made when the cylinder-stop drops into the next cut. Then it's no different than a SA trigger. A hair more and the hammer drops.

A few years ago I would have said I needed a cockable hammer. Now I prefer revolvers without. Too me it's just another moving external part that could cause problems. Of course, if one get's too liberal in this area all he would trust is a knife. One moving part.:)

[Archie]

Shooting a S&W revolver single action is an offense to the Lord and Smith and Wesson.

[HSMITH]

Almost to a man the guys that are serious wheelgun shooters like the DA mode and would not feel bad in the least with a DAO gun. I shoot 500-1 DA to SA shots, I can hit what I want DA, SA only has me re-grip or use two hands and hit it slower and more awkwardly.

Ya'll go back up and read "cheygriz" post again.....

When you learn to shoot a DA revolver you will forget it has a SA capability and will not feel handicapped by it.

[BigG]

Geez - some of these posts sound oddly familiar... :evil:

[Hardtarget]

I only have two revolvers. Both are Colt Diamondbacks...a .22 and a .38. I don't think I've shot anything but DA for three years...and I'm not really sure why I started doing that. I learned to shoot with my Dads S&W .22. Its a K frame target ,( model ?), and does not function DA. He had a smith check it ...said it wasn't supposed to have DA, so thats how I learned...but I've made the switch. My Colts still have their hammers, but its all DAO.
Mark.

[Dave Markowitz]

For CCW I prefer my "hammerless" Smith 640, which actually has a concealed hammer. It gives the gun a much smoother profile.

For other purposes I prefer a conventional hammer.

[Captain Bligh]

I own two revolovers. Both have hammers. I nearly always shoot them DA. The only time I shoot SA is when I'm trying to see if I can shoot the revolvers any better than I seem to DA. I have no rational reason to prefer hammer versions . To me, they just look like a revolver is "supposed" to look.

RJ

[444]

I almost always shoot DA revolvers in the DA mode.
That being said, I want to have SA available if I want to use it. No matter if I never use it, I want it available if I do.
I shoot my revolvers for sport as well as carry them; including my belly guns. I occasionally fire them in the single action mode if available. I really don't want to give that option up. I have a 442 and it is a fine revolver. I like the action on it and if I need more precision, the action allows for repeatable staging. However, not that this has anything to do with the topic at hand but........ my 442 shoots way high and to the left, so it is a safe queen. I not only want DA and SA, but I want POI = to POA.
My old and much used Model 60 gives me both.

[E=MC^2]

my 442 shoots way high and to the left, so it is a safe queen.
Today they have doctors that can cure this.:) It's even a very simple operation.

[71Commander]

For me, the hammer is just something to get in the way. Had the hammer bobbed on this Charter Arms- off dutyhttp://img2.photobucket.com/albums/v11/tucker13/undercover.JPG

[10-Ring]

I shoot revolvers DAO so hammerless is fine.

[sm]

I like the hammer, though I shoot DAO. Of course I prefer the blue and wood too. I'm just that way. I can do hammerless, just aethestics I guess.

[roscoe]

Shrouded hammer- they are ugly, but very functional.