Singleaction hammer versus clothing

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sonora

sonora

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Okay, so I have an unusual question. As of late I have taken a shine to the singleaction revolver. It is carried frequently, sometimes in a holster on a waist belt. When in public my rig is covered by a garment, shirt or jacket. It's heavy, but comfortable. The holster is a Threeperson style, it rides high and has a forward cant. Heres my question. I wear some rather expensive clothing , at times. For those that tote SA, have you ever had problems with the hammer tearing or wearing a hole in your garments? Thank you for any constructive feedback and informative responses. Sonora
 
Plain clothes detectives (myself included) on my department all complained about tearing the lining of sport coats and suit coats. And this was on 1911s carried in condition 1 (cocked n locked) and on the rear sights of S&W revolvers. I've heard of detectives getting canvas or other tough material sewn in as a replacement liner. I never went that far but I did have a taylor stitch up the tear in a couple sport coats.

Not much help but the problem is not unique to the single action revolver. People who carry all kinds of guns have the same problem from time to time.

Dave
 
Dave T said:
Plain clothes detectives (myself included) on my department all complained about tearing the lining of sport coats and suit coats. And this was on 1911s carried in condition 1 (cocked n locked) and on the rear sights of S&W revolvers. I've heard of detectives getting canvas or other tough material sewn in as a replacement liner. I never went that far but I did have a taylor stitch up the tear in a couple sport coats.

Not much help but the problem is not unique to the single action revolver. People who carry all kinds of guns have the same problem from time to time.

Dave
Click to expand...

Thank you, Dave. Some clothing can be expensive.
 
I've had the lining of some sport coats torn up by hammer spurs, rear sights and ambi levers (issued 3rd gen S&W's) over the years. I asked my wife to sew some patches over the damage spots now and again.

Interestingly enough, I was recently looking to replace a hole in my holster collection for a couple of my 4 5/8" Blackhawks. I decided to try this TripleK holster that is designed to provide both strongside/FBI cant and offside crossdraw hi-ride. I checked the model number and found it on-sale for a lower price at Midway (in-stock). The wide hammer thumb snap would seem to mitigate concerns about hammer spur snag. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the traditional leather thong over the hammer, but it's slower (or you risk leaving the gun unsecured, w/o retention, in the holster). I was very pleased with another TripleK revolver I own, so I thought I'd give this a try.

https://www.triplek.com/product/440-lightning-strong-sidecrossdraw-for-revolvers/
 
There might not be a cure for that disease. I suppose you could round off any/some of the really sharp/90 degree angles on the hammer, that may help a bit. or not.
 
Fabric shops for women carry adhesive patches that are stout nylon or some other wear resistant fabric. I have used this on the lining of my vests when I carried a S&W Model 19. So far I've not had a problem with my Rugers. The hammer spur doesn't seem to be in contact with zhe fabric.

The package I have is by Dritz and contained four patches

Bob Wright
 
Those are a couple of nice looking holsters, guys.

While I certainly agree an open top holster is better looking from an aesthetic standpoint, I've had need for the leather thong to keep a short Blackhawk securely nestled in an old holster when things got "busy" or the butt might encounter something that lifted upward a mite (and it was a nicely snug & tight, heavy leather scabbard). As much as I prefer the traditional open top scabbard, I decided to acquiesce to trying the thumb snap retention, rather than the older over-the-top strap that snaps low on the outside of the holster. I'm hoping that like with the DA holsters I've used for work and my own time over the years, the thumb snap will keep my thumb positioned so it still naturally floats above the hammer spur, whether worn strongside or crossdraw.
 
My Thailand tailor would sew an extra “shield” in my jackets to protect them from hammer/sights. I also bought a couple of suits at Nordstrom and they would do that service when they tailored the suit at no additional charge. I was plain clothes for 20+ years.
 
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My comments regarding the lack of retention apply to my holsters used for everyday use. I do not engage in strenuous activities normally other than stepping up into or down out of my Jeep Cherokee. When I do venture into more thrilling adventures I do use a safety strap. I do prefer one long enough that if need be I can tuck it behind my belt. As this one:

100_8382_zpskfujowi0.jpg

Bob Wright
 
Or perhaps when mounted on a horse. The holster I now have has a hammer thong. Bob ,like you I'm not keen on snaps and restraining straps. My hammer thong is not used much. Only when riding a horse or climbing on the Monkey Bars. :)
 
I have the problem with my Glock 26 in its Smart Carry. Its not the hammer (doesnt have one:)), but the edges and corners on the grip that eventually wear a hole in the front of my pants.

The solution was one of those iron-on patches your mom used to put in the knees of your pants as a kids. One-piece, in a single layer, on the inside of my pants where the gun rubs and problem solved.
 
:oops:
AK103K said:
I have the problem with my Glock 26 in its Smart Carry. Its not the hammer (doesnt have one:)), but the edges and corners on the grip that eventually wear a hole in the front of my pants.

The solution was one of those iron-on patches your mom used to put in the knees of your pants as a kids. One-piece, in a single layer, on the inside of my pants where the gun rubs and problem solved.
Click to expand...
That sounds embarrassing. :what:
 
LOL. Actually, its not all that bad, usually a quarter sized hole at the beltline if I dont use the patch.

Then again, just more "distraction" from the gun. :p
 
Yeah, hammer spurs chew on clothes. I carry a DA revolver and had the spur removed for exactly that reason.

The Milt Sparks 200AW mentioned by Rexster was designed by Elmer Keith to solve the same trouble. This one is mine, made for my 5.5" Bisley Flattop in .44 Special.

full.jpg

It completely protects the lining of my coat, and also is the best quality holster I have ever handled. It's nearly enough to make me move somewhere cold enough that I could carry it every day!
 
One company made a hammer spur shield as a patch of leather slotted to ride on the conventional strap.

Bill Jordan used his retaining strap backwards. His normal carry was unsnapped with the strap snapped to an extra button out of the way. He said he would have more time to snap the strap before setting off on a foot chase than he would to unsnap it to draw the gun. I never did get to where I could reliably hit the strap and unsnap it on the up move to the gun butt, so I see what he meant.
 
If you order a replacement hammer, then modify it, you could save the original hammer, either for resale, or if you don't like the replacement
hammer .
 
I ripped the linings out of several designer suits until I bobbed the hammer on my S&W Chief Special.

Of course you can't do that on a single action, but unless you take some kind of preventive action, you will definitely destroy some clothes.
 
sonora said:
Or perhaps when mounted on a horse. The holster I now have has a hammer thong. Bob ,like you I'm not keen on snaps and restraining straps. My hammer thong is not used much. Only when riding a horse or climbing on the Monkey Bars. :)
Click to expand...

CLIMBING ON THE MONKEY BARS????

Are you old enough to carry a gun?

Bob Wright
 
My EDC is a Taurus 85UL. I carry it IWB at about 3 o'clock with a t shirt over it.
My holster covers the hammer but the clip on the holster has worn small holes in every dang shirt I own.
They all look like they were attacked by a gang of hungry moths or something.
Good thing t shirts are cheap.
 
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