[TarDevil]

While not the modern transfer bar system, it nonetheless is supposed to offer equivalent benefits (just read today that my gun has such a thing).

It is reliable? Safe to carry with six in the cylinders?

[jimbo555]

Yes it is completely safe to carry six.

[TarDevil]

Thanks!

[Old Fuff]

It not only is just as safe, but in some ways is better. In a revolver set up with a transfer bar safety the hammer hits the transfer bar, which in turn hits the firing pin. Revolvers, such as some (but not all) Colt's and post-war Smith & Wesson's block the hammer to prevent an accidental discharge when the hammer is "at rest," but get out of the way when the trigger is fully in the rearward position and the hammer is released. Thus no impact energy is lost when the firing pin hits the primer.

Also transfer bars have been known to break, apparently from the pounding they may get. Hammer blocks are not hit by the hammer. They may fail (very, very infrequently) but usually because of defective material or a manufacturing flaw.

Incidentally, the safety in your Colt is well proven, because it was introduced in 1905-1908.

[TarDevil]

It's the sweetheart of my handguns!

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/TarDevil/Firearms/2012-05-15145500.jpg

[dfariswheel]

The Colt action actually has two separate automatic safety systems.

The first and main system is the hammer rebound system.
When the gun is fired and the trigger is released, the hammer is forced backward (rebounded) away from the cartridge and locked there so it can't move forward again until the trigger is pulled.

The second system is the Colt "Positive" hammer block which is a lever that blocks the hammer from touching a cartridge.
When the trigger is pulled this separate safety moves downward from in front of the hammer and clears the hammer's path to allow it to move forward and strike a cartridge.
When the trigger is released the hammer is rebounded by the rebound system and the positive safety lever moves upward and puts itself in front of the hammer, blocking it's path again.

In order for the gun to fire, BOTH separate safety systems would have to be broken, which due to the design is virtually impossible.