Rossi Model 720 .44 sp Safety Question

[Farmalljon]

Hello all. I just aquired a really nice Rossi Model 720 .44 special. I notice that it does not use a transfer bar system to help prevent accidental discharges if the gun is dropped on the hammer. I do notice though, that the tip of the hammer that punches the primer is not able to protrude through the little hole in the frame UNLESS the trigger is held to the rear. So it appears that the hammer could not strike the primer if the gun was dropped on it's hammer, because the trigger would not be held in a rearward position. My question is, do you think this safety measure is AS safe as a transfer bar system? Is this gun safe to carry for personal defense without a transfer bar trigger system??

 

[Webleymkv]

While I'm not familiar enough with Rossi's lockwork to know for sure, I suspect that it probably uses a rebound slide and hammer block system similar to that used by S&W.

In a S&W and similar revolvers, the hammer can only travel far enough forward to detonate a primer when the trigger is fully depressed. When the trigger is released, the movement of the rebound slide cams the hammer backward so that it is out of contact with the firing pin or the firing pin is out of contact with the primer depending on whether the gun has a frame-mounted or hammer-mounted firing pin. As the rebound slide moves, it also cams a sliding hammer block up between the front of the hammer and part of the frame. This block the hammer's forward movement even if the rebound slide fails to do so.

While a bit more complicated and expensive to produce, the rebound slide/hammer block system does allow for a slightly lighter mainspring without sacrificing reliable primer ignition than a transfer-bar does. This is because some of the energy of the falling hammer is dissipated by the transfer bar where as more of it is directed to the primer in the rebound slide/hammer block system. Both types are equally safe to carry with the revolver fully loaded.

If your revolver does use the rebound slide/hammer block system, you should be able to see the top of the hammer block moving downward if you look down into the action as you're cocking the hammer.

 

[pcmentor29]

On the 720 without a "hammer" or thumb-pad I can see the hammer block decending if I pull the trigger slowly and use a flashlight . On this 720, there is no thumb-pad protruding which could be accidently struck, however.