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Sometimes the bobbed hammer is actually useless as it is too short to fire single action. I have seen several that are cut too short.
I prefer the shrouded hammer. You can fire it double or single action, and if you want to carry in your pocket, it is fine. I know alot of people will probably say that a shrouded hammer will collect lint and not fire. Not much evidence to support that theory. If you wear it in a holster, the lint is not a problem.
A full hammer is fine, if you are going to side carry.
I'd like t point out that lint certainly can jam a revolver -- I've gotten in trouble here many times for claiming that revolver reliability isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
If you pocket carry, you should definitely clean your revolver frequently and carefully -- and use a holster.
It goes without saying that pocket carry requires you dedicate the pocket to carrying a gun, and have no extraneous junk in that pocket with your gun.
I prefer a bobbed or covered or internal revolver hammer for CCW, even if carried in a belt holster, but especially if carried in a pocket.
The current internal hammer models are of course double action only, but if you really want the option of a cockable external hammer, yet without any chance of snagging on the draw, you might want to look at S&W's Bodyguard models.
I prefer the bodyguard, which is the shrouded hammer. It is not because I am that interested in making a single action shot but because I find the trigger pull to be better than a concealed hammer version. I would recommend either a bodyguard version or a completely concealed hammer. Hammer spurs are nice and nostalgic but not really practical for CCW carry, they tend to snag on everything at the worst times.
I prefer no external hammer for the same reason that I would not want large, sharp edged adjustable sights on a J frame, two inch revolver. That hammer can catch on all types of stuff when you are in a hurry or under stress. Further, it is a little easier to shoot from inside your coat pocket without that hammer hanging up, if you have the internal hammer. Snub, double action, carry revolvers are not really designed for accurate single action fire.
The exposed hammer offers the option of a little extra leverage to index the cylinder WHEN, not IF, the internals gets a bunch of lint around indexing parts. I 'spect not many folks remove the side plates to clean the 'pocket pistol'.
The shrouded hammer offers the best of each, but offers a large opening for more lint to get inside of the lockwork.
Internal hammer lets less stuff get inside.
Nothing is perfect and its all a trade off.
My J Frames are Airweight 638s with the top of the front sight polished kinda 'shiny' and my bride's red fingernail polish on the ramp. I can 'thumb cock' or DAO.
We have a genuine prancing pony shroud for my bride's Cobra, but she preferes it as is w/o the shroud.
Over the year's, I have carried both. All of my Colt's, and most of my S&W's
have hammers; the only exception being my S&W 642. With that said, I find
myself carrying it most of the time when I seek the services of a snubby~!
I have had problems with drawing IWB, pocket or ankle with anything but hammerless. I really cant see a reason to go with an external hammer of any sort for a carry pistol
In the vast majority of SD situations you won't be firing SA anyway...Also better to practice in DA for the reason stated above...Less of a chance to snag.
I've carried either a 49 or 649 everyday since 1975 as my backup, off duty, and undercover gun. In uniform they almost always rode in an ankle rig and were subjected to mud, dust, and snow. I've carried them every place on your body you can imagine and some places you might not imagine. They've gone with me everywhere in every kind of mud, crud, and stuff while doing manhunts in some pretty cruddy conditions wading thru muddy river bottoms, etc. They always work. Those who think lint will get in the lock work have never carried the humpbacks. There's no more room for lint to get in than any other gun. I've treated my 49/649 like I did my primary duty gun. I check them over at the end of the shift and give them a wipe down if needed.
If its for CC I don't need the single action option. I'd rather not risk snags and hang ups with an external hammer or the lint trap of a hammer shroud.
Keeps you out of more lawsuits - forces you to become a better instinctive shooter and does not interfere with slow aimed fire if the action has received the proper ministrations of a competent wheel gun smith.
"Hammers really do snag pretty badly on the draw from pockets or thunderware."
As far as pocket carry, it depends on the holster. The Galco holster is cut low to allow an easier draw. The downside is twofold: more snagging and wear on the trouser pocket. The Mikas neatly covers the gun and fills the pocket more, hence less snagging. But it does take a bit more to draw.
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