Hammer Redesign

Sure

I would think that could be possible. May cost you a few bucks. Let us know if you do and if you are happy with it.

He would need to heat and quench afterwards to re-harden the case layer. And that's if the case layer didn't dissipate during the forging work. If it did then he'd need to re-case harden it.

The other issue is to be sure to check the spur clearance to the rear frame to make sure you don't bend it too far and either hit the frame or pinch the web of your hand or end up with the web laying over the spur after cocking depending on two or one handed shooting.

It's pretty simple to do + if you wrap the hammer head and shank with a wet towel and do the heating quickly you won't effect the temper on the oimportant parts, the spur doesn't need tempering, it won't bend from normal use. BTW, mapp gas won't get hot enough you'll need a mixed gas source for the heat.

sltm1 said:

It's pretty simple to do + if you wrap the hammer head and shank with a wet towel and do the heating quickly you won't effect the temper on the oimportant parts, the spur doesn't need tempering, it won't bend from normal use. BTW, mapp gas won't get hot enough you'll need a mixed gas source for the heat.

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this is good advice

Im thinking of doing it for one of my colts

When I converted my ROA to a bisley grip, Alan Harton made a "bisley" hammer for it.

Would it be possible to buy a Bisley hammer from Ruger (they're not very expensive) cut off the "user interface" and attach it to the existing hammer (modified, of course) with a tight dovetail joint? Maybe a little silver solder. This would be a low-heat / no-heat method.

Yup,
Gary at cartridgeconversions.com did this one for me.



http://www.cartridgeconversion.com/

That's a bit laid over, but it looks nothing like a Bisley hammer.

rodwha said:

Would acetylene get hot it hot enough? Sure does burn holes through copper if you aren't careful!

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Acetylene gas alone, no, with oxy-acetylene yes, but you can also cut it off if not careful.

Here's my ROA "Bisley".

rodwha said:

Is it within the realm of possibility for a smith to heat and bend a case hardened hammer so that the "spur" is lower. Almost like a Bisley hammer. I have short fingers/thumbs and it's hard to reach unless I grip the grip higher up.

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I do the Colt cap and ball hammers by milling the back side so it is closer to an even thickness. If you don't do this before heating to bend then they will not bend where you want them to and they will "bow" out at the thickest point. Then of course I re-checker them. This is what I did for msavit's 1860....

HH

I have one of Clements Bisley hammers and can't say enough good things about it. It's ever so slightly narrower than stock. This lets it clear the frame sides without any drag or drag marks. I used some RSA stainless shims to tighten everything up, hammer and trigger. The action is like a bank vault.

It cocks so much more easily than before, the wider pad and lower spur just make a world of difference in the way it handles. It does have one drawback. If you don't have the Bisley style grip-frame, and I don't. I have a Power Custom Colt SAA. The hammer may come back far enough for the spur to contact the web of your hand at full cock. I've seen "short action" Rugers that resolve this through some internal shenanigans but it made me nervous how the one I saw was done. I solved mine by just using Munden style "gunfighter" grips.

I asked Dave Clement if had any hammers left...nope, was his answer. I didn't ask if he was going to make any more. He currently has the gun to add some sights in hopes of allowing me to see them better.

rodwha, Hoff Hearted is the person you need to contact to get quality work done. He does this stuff for a living and has the tools and years of experience.

Get a tool and die maker to make you one.

Get a Remington. The hammer is both shorter and lower than the Colt. Personally, though, I think the hammer on the Colt gives you better leverage against a heavy hammer spring. The reason I like the Remmies is that although I have large paws, I have short stubby fingers and thumbs.

If its a pietta remington maybee you could buy one of those hammer/spring kits from cabellas and try doing it yourself it hasnt cost you a lot if you mess it up which would be pretty hard.