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G.C.Montgomery wrote:KD5NRH, TXI’s statement, “There is no need to cock a modern double action revolver,� is correct within the context of this discussion.

The original statement I responded to was "One does NOT lower the hammer on a revolver with a loaded chamber. " Given that situations change unexpectedly, especially with respect to range safety, and no one in their right mind is going to stuff a cocked revolver into a rug and toss it in the trunk to drive to a better location to fire it off, there is sometimes a need to lower the hammer on a loaded chamber. I do it fairly often with single action and double action revolvers used in single action mode for accuracy, for reasons as small as the wind blowing my target off the backer.

Now from the perspective of a defensive shooter, soldier or police officer, taking the time to cock the hammer is time you don’t have.

So is stuffing mags, but how many people admit to carrying an extra box of defensive ammo in the car just in case they have that time? Heck, I doubt I'll ever need the shotgun in the trunk, and doubt even more that I'll have time to get it if I do, but it's still there because I don't want my last words to be "if only I'd had a shotgun in the trunk."

I can shoot DA pretty well, and it accounts for 90% or more of my practice with revolvers, but I can't get the sort of accuracy I can get SA; if I happen to have that extra split-second when pinpoint accuracy could make the difference, I don't want to be the one telling the victim's family, "Sorry, I could've had a decent shot at the shooter, but I don't practice firing my weapon in its most accurate mode." or worse, "I'm really sorry I shot your kid when he was getting away from the psycho, but I thought I could make that shot without hitting him." Unlikely? Sure, but it's pretty darn unlikely that I'll ever be attacked by three guys who square off in perfect IDPA-target form at an exact ten-yard distance from me too, but I practice that scenario, why not every one I can possibly set up on the range with the materials at hand?

The fact that S&W. Colt, Taurus and others still tout the single-action triggers on their modern DA revolvers is irrelevant within the context of TXI’s statement and the discussion of modern revolvers for defensive shooting.

Actually, neither quote appeared to be within the context of defensive shooting; this thread started about an administrative procedure, (decocking the 1911 after loading as prep for carry - I seriously doubt the OP was planning to decock after a reload under fire and wait until he had a shot to cock it) which is also what I would consider lowering the hammer of a drop-safe revolver to be.

Oh, and the Blackhawk revolver is not a modern design.

I'm pretty sure I acknowledged that when I brought it up.

Single-action revolvers like the Blackhawk are primarily marketed to collectors/enthusiasts, grown men who still like to play “Cowboys and Indians,� as well as hunters who believe the single-action frame is inherently stronger than that found in a double-action revolver for use with larger cartridges such as 454Casull.

And in the context of a blanket statement like "One does NOT lower the hammer on a revolver with a loaded chamber," there is nothing to exclude those people who would clearly have a need from time to time. Also, "There is no need to cock a modern double action revolver,� doesn't appear to exclude the folks who hunt or shoot silhouettes with Pythons, 460XVRs and other modern DA revolvers in SA mode. For that matter, the best feature of a DA for hunters, the ability to take a carefully aimed SA shot at a target that is unaware of your presence, and followup if need be with quick DA shots could be useful in a third-party defensive situation as well. (for that matter, I can think of a scenario or two where it might be useful in self defense too, but if we're going there, let's move it to another thread)

rm9792 wrote:How could you possibly pul the trigger while thumbing the hammer? Grip safety.

On my 1954 GM1911, the stock hammer spur will depress the grip safety if the hammer is pulled beyond full-cock.

txinvestigator wrote:There is no need to cock a modern double action revolver.

The Blackhawk is not a double action revolver, nor, aside from the transfer bar modification on the New Model, is it intended to be particularly modern.

Of course, Ruger also includes instructions for cocking and decocking in the Redhawk manual, though at 29 years old, maybe it doesn't qualify as "modern" enough, or maybe Ruger just doesn't know enough about revolvers to see how useless it is. Let's check with another, more appropriate source; the Smith and Wesson Safety and Instruction Manual - Revolvers - Modern Style; pages 22 and 23 are a detailed description of the decocking process for S&W's modern double action revolvers. Hmm...Taurus maybe? Nope, didn't even get to the manual; they brag about the "crisp single action trigger pull" right in the advertising for some of their DA revolvers - that's going to require cocking them. Dan Wesson's large frame revolver manual has the single-action firing and decocking instructions on page 4, Rossi's on page 5, even one of the finest "modern double action revolvers" ever made, the Colt Python, has detailed instructions for single action use and decocking on pages 25-27.

txinvestigator wrote:One does NOT lower the hammer on a revolver with a loaded chamber.

Uh, then how does one render a cocked revolver safe? Neither my M&P nor my Blackhawk will allow anything to be done other than lowering the hammer at that point.

Also, I would refer you to page 16 of the "Instruction manual for Ruger® New Model Blackhawk®, Super Blackhawk®, Hunter & Bisley Single Action Revolvers:"

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. wrote: TO ‘UNCOCK’ (DECOCK) THE REVOLVER
If your revolver is cocked, and you wish to let the hammer down to its forward
position (against the frame), proceed as follows: USE EXTREME CARE WHEN
ATTEMPTING TO DECOCK THE REVOLVER, AS THE THUMB SLIPPING
DURING THIS PROCESS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE IF
THE TRIGGER IS HELD TO THE REAR.
1. Make certain that the revolver is pointing in a safe direction (See Rule 2, Page
39).
2. Make certain both hands are dry and not impeded in any way – gloves,
bandages, cold, etc.
3. Grasp the revolver (if right handed) so that the thumb and forefinger of your
left hand are firmly holding the frame, forward of the trigger guard. Thus,
your left hand is in full control of the revolver (See Figure a, below).
4. Place your right thumb firmly on the hammer spur and, with your thumb
securely in control of the hammer, squeeze the trigger only enough to permit
the hammer to ‘break free’ of the trigger. At that instant, IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE THE TRIGGER and then slowly permit the hammer, STILL SECURE
UNDER YOUR THUMB, to move fully forward to its resting position against
the frame. NOTE: It is imperative that finger pressure be removed from the
trigger just as soon as it is free of the hammer. Then, properly, the trigger and
hammer will move towards their fully forward rest positions together (See
Figure b, below).
Practice this important gun handling skill with an unloaded revolver until you
have developed the proper control and ‘touch’ to decock your revolver safely. The
key to safe decocking is having the weight of the revolver controlled with one
hand, while the thumb and forefinger of the ‘shooting hand’ control the hammer
and trigger.