Mike Irwin said:
I saw a guy use that theory once with a Model 10.
Unmitigated failure
It's true that all else equal, a lighter hammer runs faster and delivers a more power upon strike. And since it's power (essentially energy
times velocity) that lights off primers, the result is increased reliability, and the ability to tune the action lighter before reliability does become an issue.
Also while a lighter hammer delivers more power, it does so with less momentum. Ordinarily, that's win/win, since momentum is what jars the muzzle upon hammer strike.
But momentum also is what overcomes internal friction, and therein lies the rub: A low-mass, low-momentum hammer, then, is more susceptible to internal friction, so if the innards aren't straight, true, plumb, centered and smooth, bobbing the hammer could reduce reliability.
Bottom line: If you're going to do a DAO conversion, it's best done in the context of a good and complete action job by a good revolver 'smith.