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Obviously there are no hammerless pistols but some have the hammer totally enclosed in the body/frame. I know that these include both semi autos and revolvers. What are your favorites? What would you advise avoiding? AM I EVEN USING THE RIGHT TERM?

I am trying to educate myself on "easy carry", "easy conceal" and "easy access" weapons. So other alternative options is appreciated.

The old term "hammerless" generally referred to a firearm where the hammer was contained within the action, so "non-exposed hammer" would probably have been a more correct term and some were called "shrouded hammer." One of the old "hammerless" revolvers, back in the day, even had a little pin that protruded through the shroud so the gun could be cocked "single action."

Nowadays there are striker fired firearms that have no real hammer, just a striker powered by a strong spring, so they could be considered hammerless, but they are usually referred to as "striker fired."

Tales like those of John Wesley Hardin and Bill Longley snagging the hammers of their guns abound and that could be a concern, but it is one that training and awareness can overcome, so if your concern is about carrying with an exposed hammer, the answer is that it can and has been done, you just have to be careful.

One option that some used to use, and is still done today, is to bob off the hammer spur on a DA revolver to keep it from snagging.

I, personally, carry one or another of several different handguns with at least three different "hammer" arrangements. My 1911s have fully exposed hammers, my XD is striker fired, and my "gun you carry when you can't carry a real gun" is double action only with a hammer that is exposed only when the trigger is being pulled.

ChrisStevens wrote:What are your favorites? What would you advise avoiding?

I'll take the second part of the question. Favorites, s&w 642 for revolver, Glock 19 for semi auto. I would advise avoiding the lightest weight s&w 357's, ouch.

ChrisStevens wrote:have the hammer totally enclosed in the body/frame.

the hammer is shaved, but you can still cock it for SA firing. yes, it is a lightweight .357, and like the previous poster implied, it kicks like a mule, but whatcha gonn wurrah 'bout, kick to your hand, or the kick the "other guy" is feeling?
besides, with a .357 you can still shoot .38s all day long.



This is my Smith, Sigma Series. it's striker fired, and therefore DAO
I hate shooting this thing. I'm not a big fan of striker fired things, but that's just me. a good trigger job on this gun, and maybe a few other tweaks, and I think this thing would be great.
it IS reliable, though, as it has never not fired, so there ya have it.

For pocket carry of anything that has a hammer, I simply shield the hammer with my thumb while drawing, which prevents any snagging.

A totally enclosed hammer can allow firing from inside a coat pocket, etc., where a hammer would get fouled in the fabric.

I almost bought one, but opted for the hammer for single action option (Taurus .357 w/ 2" barrell). I love the gun, and the hammer has never hindered the draw-----just my 2 cents

One question hasn't been asked here, but perhaps it should be answered anyway: No modern revolver will discharge because the hammer is banged on or pulled back and released. They all have disconnectors that require the trigger to be pulled for the firing pin to strike the primer.

- Jim

I purchased a S & W 642 Airlight.. I LOVE IT.. Put it in your front pocket and go. My only problem is that I cannot find a manufacture who makes a Speed Loader for the 642.
It is my ALWAYS GUN ! Put your hands on one and I'll bet you like it.

TIN BENDER wrote:I purchased a S & W 642 Airlight.. I LOVE IT.. Put it in your front pocket and go. My only problem is that I cannot find a manufacture who makes a Speed Loader for the 642.
It is my ALWAYS GUN ! Put your hands on one and I'll bet you like it.

I have one of these for my 642, Midway says they're out of stock at the moment, but they do carry them...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=127569

You can also look for the HKS Model 36 speedloader, they work in the 642 as well, but my preference is the Safariland.

JLaw

Unless I'm mistaken, any 5-shot .38/357 speedloader that will work with one S&W J-frame will work with them all, within the caliber.

Models 36, 37, 60, 640, 642, etc. Any J-frame in .38/357 will share the speedloader, if the grips are relieved properly for it.

If the grips aren't relieved for a speedloader, a speed-strip will work almost as well.