De-cocking S&W 686p

[Old Fuff]

One last time, and then I'll drop the issue...

THERE IS NOT ANY "SAFETY REST" POSITION IN A SMITH & WESSON DOUBLE-ACTION, HAND EJECTOR REVOLVER!

You may or may not get the trigger wedged against the double-action sear (not to be confused with that part of the trigger that engages the full-cock notch on the hammer), but since the sear can pivot inward into the hammer it does not necessarily provide a certain, unquestionable block to prevent the hammer from falling, and it is not intended to do so. :banghead:

 

[SDShooter]

This is all good info, so please don't anyone be put off. I only used the term "half-cocked" because the position of the hammer when the trigger is partially released is about halfway between fully down and fully cocked. Apparently this position is not intended by S&W to be used, although the manual describes this position and how to recover from it. They say to recock and then decock using the normal procedure. If the thumb is kept in place between the hammer and the frame, as they specify, there shouldn't be a risk of accidental discharge. In any case, it is best to practice until one can decock reliably while avoiding this hammer position.

 

[BCRider]

OK, my apoligies for calling it the "safety rest" position. Especially since I started out calling it the hammer block position and then switched for some reason. In any event I meant them to be one and the same, namely the normal at rest position where the hammer is in the fully lowered position and blocked from moving forward.