Safe revolver carry?

[HKGuns]

Looking for input on best practice for revolver carry.... Should you always carry a revolver with the hammer over an empty cylinder? Or, does it depend on the revolver? Looking for some sage knowledge on this topic.

I figured this would have been covered previously, but my search turned up squat.

Thanks for your input.

 

[JERRY]

Wheres the tongue in cheek smilie when you need one?

 

[HKGuns]

Huh? Not following you Jerry. It sounds like you think I am not serious, I am a former auto only lifetime shooter who only recently discovered revolvers. It really is a serious question, perhaps stupid, but serious. I can't control my revolver ignorance.

 

[JERRY]

O.k., i will play along....

What exact revolver are you speaking about?

 

[HKGuns]

I currently own only three revolvers. Two model 29's and a model 10. But if there are exceptions I'd like to understand those and the reasoning as well.

 

[bikemutt]

On my deep conceal revolvers that are pocket holstered I tend to leave the next chamber up to bat empty. The first trigger squeeze will be a dud, deliberate or otherwise.

 

[JERRY]

Carry them all fully loaded as in a round in every chamber.

 

[Bubba613]

Carry them all fully loaded as in a round in every chamber.

Uh yeah.
No revolver made in the last 100 years probably will go off unless you pull the trigger. I carry two revolvers, both fully loaded.

 

[HKGuns]

Great. Pretty simple then, but wanted to ask and not assume anything. Thanks for the fast decisive, responses. Sorry if it was a completely ignorant question.

 

[Buford57]

All of the models you mentioned are safe to carry with all chambers loaded.

That empty chamber routine is a holdover from the Colt single action. The only reason for an empty chamber under the hammer is to prevent a blow to the hammer from causing an accidental discharge. Modern double action revolvers such as yours and even modern single actions have internal safety features to prevent this.

If you don't know, you have to ask. No problem with that.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I think rather than explaining the technology I think it would be best if you demonstrated to yourself how a revolver safety works.

UNLOAD THE GUN

Now pull the trigger to the rear releasing the hammer AND HOLD THE TRIGGER

Look between the rear of the cyl between it and the frame. You should be able to see the firing pin where it would have came through the breachface to strike the primer.

Now looking at the firing pin release the trigger slightly.

Note the firing pin disappeared.


Now do the same exercise only this time. Just pull the hammer back 3/4 of the way and let it go without using the trigger. You should never see the firing pin.

Any "modern" DA revolver will have some form of this passive safety. I carry mine fully stoked

 

[tomrkba]

A "hammer block" is a mechanical device that prevents the firing pin from contacting the primer. If your gun has such a device, then you may carry the gun fully loaded. I believe all models of the S&W 29 and S&W 10 have a hammer block. You can call S&W with the serial numbers and ask a technician.

 

[Dlowe167]

I carried a charter arms .44 special bulldog pug for awhile. New ones u dont have to worry about,if finger out of trigger. On snub noses like that. Only problem I could see having in the hammer may catch when pulled out. Id suggest bobbing the hammer. Other than that great idea!

 

[HKGuns]

Thanks even more! I learned something tonight. I did as you suggested RW and you can see the hammer move back as you release the trigger. It is hard to see but you can just barely see the firing pin backing out as well. Thanks a bunch.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Thanks even more! I learned something tonight. I did as you suggested RW and you can see the hammer move back as you release the trigger. It is hard to see but you can just barely see the firing pin backing out as well. Thanks a bunch.

I find that understanding how the safety works goes a long way towards building confidence

 

[lloveless]

If your gun has a hammer, to prevent snagging of the hammer when drawing from concealment merely place your thumb over the hammer while drawing for a snag free draw. No need to cut the hammer off.
ll

 

[Guillermo]

HK

any quality modern revolver (modern defined as post WWII) could have someone use a mallet, pounding on the hammer, and it not go off. The trigger has to be pulled.

That is why when you are uncocking a revolver, as soon as the hammer releases, you let the trigger go forward.

That is why you keep a thumb on the hammer when you are holstering (a shirttail wadded in the trigger can push it back. Holding the hammer prevents that)

Thumb on the hammer when drawing from a pocket stops snagging.

 

[bikemutt]

"Thumb on the hammer when drawing from a pocket stops snagging"
True, when there is an exposed hammer.

 

[X-Rap]

any quality modern revolver (modern defined as post WWII) could have someone use a mallet, pounding on the hammer, and it not go off. The trigger has to be pulled.

Don't count all SA revolvers in that claim.
I don't know about all the "modern" SA revolvers but there are quite a few Rugers and Colts out there that might kill you if dropped right. I'm guessing that many of their clones are the same.

 

[One_Jackal]

I think the Op is referring to older single action revolvers. We have moved forward....

 

[Guillermo]

Don't count all SA revolvers in that claim

X-rap is right
being a double action guy I assumed we were talking double actions.

that and the fact that he said he owned "Two model 29's and a model 10" so I thought he was talking about those.

Single actions are NOT that which I was speaking of.

 

[JERRY]

the OP mentioned two model 29s and model 10. i think he means S&W revolvers...not S/A guns...

 

[David E]

Should you always carry a revolver with the hammer over an empty cylinder?

A cylinder is not a chamber, a chamber is not a cylinder. Using proper terms avoids confusion.

Or, does it depend on the revolver?

Yes, as has been mentioned about old design single action revolvers, but the guns you cited are safe to carry fully loaded if they are in good working condition.

 

[HKGuns]

A cylinder is not a chamber, a chamber is not a cylinder. Using proper terms avoids confusion.

Thanks for your contribution. I think everyone understood the question except you. Don't post if that is the only value you can add.

 

[Guillermo]

Don't post if that is the only value you can add

the guns you cited are safe to carry fully loaded if they are in good working condition.

DavidE understood quite well and answered the question as well as offered more.

And, of course, he is right. (he makes a habit of that)