Hey revolver guys

[RTFM]

Ok I don't make it over here on this side of the fence very often. But that may change soon.

My wife and I are debating the purchase of a new revolver; she likes the Ruger GP-100 and I the SP-101.
That's a different story / debate.

On to my question.

Lets assume your shooting the revolver and have thumbed the hammer to the rear and were about to fire single action.
You change your mind and decide to return the hammer to the at rest position (for the lack of a better word..)

Is it possible to open the cylinder on either of the above guns wile the hammer is in the rear/cocked position?

Is this a revolver no-no? I do know about slowly lowering the hammer, but murphy is always along for the ride and I was just wondering if it would be advisable to swing the cylinder away from the hammer to negate the chance of a negligent discharge.

What would be the preferable method to return the hammer?

Thanks in advance for what may be a silly question for those in the know.

 

[ChristopherG]

Is it possible to open the cylinder on either of the above guns wile the hammer is in the rear/cocked position?

No.

On modern revolvers, you have a safety device that prevents the gun from firing unless the trigger is fully depressed. So what you do is, block the hammer, or hold it back securely while you release it, then get your finger off the trigger as you lower it. Safe as houses.

Hope you both enjoy your new wheelguns.

 

[carebear]

Not sure on the Ruger, but my Taurus and Smith won't open when cocked, I assum since the mechanics are pretty much identical the same applies..

The cylinder stop (wrong terminology I'm sure) is indexing into the cylinder notch when the hammer is cocked, making it a complete unit.

 

[Dobe]

No

You cannot open the cylinder after the revolver is cocked. I place my non-firing thumb between the hammer and frame. At the same time, I pull the hammer back with my firing hand, then pull and hold the trigger back while lowering the hammer to my non firing thumb.

As I continue to allow the hammer forward by means of my firing thumb, I slide my non-firing thumb away in incriments.

I use this thumb block to prevent the hammer from hitting a primer in the event that the hammer should slip from my firing thumb.

Dobe

I hope this isn't too confusing.

 

[newfalguy101]

someone already mentioned this but I am going to again

most if not ALL modern revoilvers have a hammer block saftey, when de-cocking:

hold the hammer with your thumb and pull the trigger
as soon as you feel the sear trip, RELEASE the trigger and even if you slip the gun wont fire.

 

[Jim March]

The good news is that with modern "firing pin in the frame instead of hammer" guns such as all Rugers and modern S&W/Taurus variants, putting a digit in front of the hammer isn't a painful or dangerous process.

My preference however is to use the shooting hand thumb, rather than off-hand. I then tend to roll the gun skyward while "locking" the thumb as I find the control is greater.

Muzzle direction control really matters here.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Let me be a bit of a heretic here.

Since you have cocked the revolver, it would appear you intended to shoot it. And that implies you are somewhere you can shoot safely.

So, simply keep the revolver pointed in a safe direction, capture the hammer with your thumb and pull it back slightly. Pull the trigger and ease it forward a fraction of an inch, release the trigger and ease it down.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Muzzle direction control really matters here.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Iggy]

Whut Vern sed... Sheesh!!!

 

[Marshall]

Remember the old west movies, where they lower the hammer to decock the gun and put the gun back in the holster, that's what you do. Do it a few times, it will become second nature and as safe as can be. Just follow all safe rules.

 

[DennisE]

Heck it's never an issue if you learn to fire your revolvers DA! Dennis

 

[Marshall]

Yea boy, lets just cut off all hammers on revo's and make em all DAO.