Hammer or not?

I have a S&W 642 that I bought specifically for concealed carry. It's small enough that I can tuck it into the rear pocket of my jeans. It's about as "no-snag" as you can get.

I also have a S&W 60, and I'd never try to carry it in the rear pocket of my jeans.
 
"...the single action option is handy...like when you have to take $10 off somebody at the range that says a snub nose can't hit anything at 25 yards."

Do 3" groups at 25 yards with a 3" Model 36, shooting DA, win anything?

Jim
 
I carry a Model 36 and I much prefer having a spur hammer - so I guess I'm going against the grain here. I carry OTB and my holster has a thumb release safety strap which is over the hammer - I never have a problem with it snagging anything. When I shoot it at the range, I shoot in both SA and DA. Yes, it's important to learn how to shoot in DA for SD but if I'm going to shoot a revolver in SA, pulling the trigger a little to get a grip on a bobbed hammer just doesn't cut it - but then that's me.

I have run across Model 36s that I probably would have purchased but have walked right by them if they have a bobbed hammer - to me - it makes about as much sense as bobbing a hammer on a Model 10. But again, that's just me.
 
nope, I like having a hammer. I understand the logic of only ever using it in DAO, but I also don't like that logic. sometime I like to actually shoot my guns for fun, not just for training, and lining up a fifty yard shot in dao is pretty tricky.
 
This sounds like an accidental discharge waiting to happen. All someone would have to do is bump into you while you do it.
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For me it's a totally safe way to handle the shot you need to take in SA form. It isn't hard to work the hammer that way. It's all part of learning your platform which you should know inside-out before sticking it in you pants.
 
Is it DAO? Whenever I bob a hammer, I take the single action notch off the hammer too.

If someone just bobbed the hammer, you still have the option to cock it and fire SA.

Firing it is easy. Decocking a J frame without a spur is a delicate process. It involves your thumb, your trigger finger, breaking the sear and getting your finger off the trigger ASAP. J frames don't have much to hold onto.

I can make an argument either for or against DAO. IF you suddenly have to make a 50 yard shot on a mall shooter, the SA would be handy.
 
I bought a Smith 686 in March '13. Some time around July '14, I decided to cock back the hammer - just to see if the single action actually works. Prior to that, its single action never even crossed my mind.

I have no desire to shoot a double-action revolver in single action whatsoever. And although I'm not a 5-shot snubbie guy (I carry my 686), if I were, I would be even less inclined to shoot it single action - if there's such a thing as "less than zero."

If your M36 were mine, I'd leave it as it is.
 
I prefer to have hammers on all my revolvers. I realize the argument for not having one is valid in a self defense, drawing situation, but nevertheless I still like the option of being able to cock the gun. Even my autos have them. I have a Sig p226 and an H & k Usp Compact 45, which both are DA/SA with hammers, although the H & K I guess would be called semi-bobbed. I know there are some very strong preferences with both of these variations, but those are mine. jben
 
Originally posted by MrBorland:

Assuming we're still talking about a J-frame meant for concealed carry, I'm hard-pressed to come up with any such "special occasions". Assuming one is "competent with their equipment", of course.:cool:
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I feel I am fairly competent with my equipment, and that includes an air-weight J-frame with a hammer spur that I carry daily concealed. Over the years I have yet to have the hammer spur impede me in anyway as to carry or drawing. When carrying it in an ankle holster, the spur actually helps to retain it. When practicing SD, I always shoot it DA. For the life of me, I can never figure why folks have this notion that if you have a SA/DA revolver, that you always choose to shoot it SA and never get proficient shooting it DA. But there are many times when having the option of SA appeals to me. I carry the 637 when walking the dog, not only from aggressive 2 legged predators, but for protection against other dogs running loose. In a urban environment against a smaller and quicker moving target, SA on the first shot is a plus. I also have the little revolver on me when hunting with a bow or shotgun. The option of shooting @ a varmint with the .38 is a cheaper option than a arrow/broad-head or a turkey load. Having the option of SA for better accuracy is nice to have. Sorry, but all my present revolvers are DA/SA and when hunting, I generally always use them SA. Those who claim that DA is just as accurate as SA @ distances over 50 yards, have not shot much revolver. Can it be in theory? Sure it can, but in the real world, not so much.

When it comes to what one carries for SD, one needs to choose what they are most comfortable with, have the most confidence in and are the most proficient with. Inferring that someone must be incompetent because they choose a different platform than you has become fairly common on gun forums. Don't make it true.
 
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