Single Action Tips, Tricks, and Safety Concerns

[Old Fuff]

There are a relatively small number of single action revolvers out there that have transfer bar or hammer block safeties, but one is unlikely to encounter such. Therefore I make a practice of carrying any SA that isn't a NM Ruger with the hammer down on an empty chamber. This is unquestionably safe, and as I consider these guns should be used in a recreational/outdoorsman context 5 rounds at a time is more then enough.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Two questions:

Since the new model blackhawks have transfer bars, any reason they can't be dry-fired safely?

How do you check timing in a SA revolver?

 

[CraigC]

Since the new model blackhawks have transfer bars, any reason they can't be dry-fired safely?

Nope.

How do you check timing in a SA revolver?

Cock the sixgun slowly so you can look and see what it's doing at each audible "click". On the first click of a traditional half cock single action, most have a safety notch and the trigger will click past it. Then the bolt drops into the frame. Then it's the half cock notch. Then the bolt will snap back up and on a traditional gun, it should rise into the leede before the notch. New Model Rugers pop up between the leedes. Then the bolt should lock into the bolt notch just before the hammer reaches the full cock notch. On a lot of guns, when cocked very slowly, the hammer will cock just before the cylinder does. While this is not proper timing, it's usually not a problem when cocking at regular speed. The main thing is to check that the sixgun won't fire before the cylinder is locked into place.

On most Colt SAA's, USFA's and Italian replicas, the bolt will rise into the leede and will not ring the cylinder as long as you never lower the hammer from the half cock notch. Always draw the hammer all the way back before lowering it.

Many gunsmiths will correct the timing and install a hammer stop to prevent hammer overtravel. The hammer has a lot of leverage against the other parts and surfaces and over-cocking can cause premature wear of those parts and contact surfaces.