Hammer or Hammerless?

[OldCannon]

I'm not a wheelgun guy, but for some people, it's a great option (like my 90lb mom, who simply doesn't have the ability to properly operate the slide on a semi).

I came across a nice article reviewing the merits of a hammer or hammerless model on the Shooting Illustrated site, and thought I would share it here:
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/7317 ... ammerless/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[speedsix]

...for many years, I carried Smiths with the hammer bobbed off...M60, M65...that gave me no trouble with the hammer catching on anything yet I could start the hammer back with the trigger...catch it with my thumb and bring it to full cock...had the M60 serrated across the top edge to aid in this...never had a problem cocking or de-cocking, as the trigger was released once the full cock notch was loosened...and the hammer block took over...
...however...I have the best of both worlds now in the 649 Stainless Bodyguard...the shroud covers the hammer yet allows cocking on the rare occasion it's needed...and has a slick DA trigger...I shoot it better than any snub I've owned...it's a lot safer to cock and I wish a K-frame was available with a shroud...or an aftermarket one available...

[Oldgringo]

The S&W 638 with shrouded hammer offers the best of the "hammer ?" worlds, IMO. Czech it out.

[b322da]

...I have the best of both worlds now in the 649 Stainless Bodyguard...the shroud covers the hammer yet allows cocking on the rare occasion it's needed...

My little SW Mod. 38 Airweight, the predecessor of the 649 Bodyguard, avoids the question of "hammer or no hammer" nicely. You could say it comes close to being both. While it is not my preferred full-time carry, the little fellow still often finds itself in my pocket, depending on what I am doing and my attire at the time.

Elmo

[speedsix]

...I'm a sissy, and prefer the all-steel snubs...I can shoot as much as I like(need) and not suffer...I'm glad for someone else buying all the airweights, though, might help me find another 649...I need to make it a pair...and I have this religious thing about not buying revolvers with too many holes, so that keeps me in the used market...

[Salty1]

I sold my S&W model 637 after shooting an LCR, it was the smoothness of the trigger that sold me on the LCR. At first I questioned not having a hammer to cock and be able to shoot in single action mode with the much shorter trigger pull. Once I started thinking about it I figured that the snubbies are more for self protection than a range fun gun and figured out that most likely I would never have the time to cock the hammer if the situation came up. I like the fact that without the hammer it is one less thing that could snag clothing, I added CT grips just for the option of various shooting positions without having to raise the gun to align sights. All in all I think this is personal preference, what I like about the snubbies is that they are easy to carry, tend to be more reliable than the small semi's, have good sights and do not have the snap of some of the small 380's.

[longhorn_92]

U can't touch this.... It's Hammer time!

[A-R]

Another vote for the shrouded hammer in the old style S&W "Bodyguard" series ... Models 49, 649, 38, 438, 638 etc

[WildBill]

It appears that I am in the minority, but I still like hammers.

[74novaman]

depends I guess. I love my hammerless .357 for pocket carry.

That being said, it has one heck of a trigger pull, and for a "90 lbs mother" as you described, I'd definitely want a hammer for a nice, easy trigger pull.

My next wheel gun will probably be either shrouded or exposed hammer though.

[speedsix]

...I think the older ones have lighter springs than the newer, internal hammer models...I've dry-fired a 642 and it seems altogether different...and much stiffer...

[aaangel]

my 110 lbs wife doesn't like the hammerless(DAO) snubbies either. 74novaman is right...the trigger pull was too heavy for her. oh well, I'll just keep it for myself.
But, i have to keep the commander happy.... now she loves her SP101 w/hammer.

[doc540]

both

[WildBill]

both

Doc540 - I already knew your preference. I wouldn't mind having one of those, but I can't bring myself to bob a perfectly good hammer.

[doc540]

both

Doc540 - I already knew your preference.

If anyone wants a top notch job on hammer work, look up "ednred" on the Colt Forum.

And he's a God-fearing Texan, too.