single action revolver half cock carry?

[RHarris]

Perhaps this is a dumb question, but I don't deal a whole lot with single action revolvers. I have searched all over TFL and haven't got a definite answer.

1911's, BHP's and other semi automatics are certainly not meant to be carried in the half cock position. Carrying a lever action rifle half cocked seems to be acceptable with most though. Is the half cock position on a single action revolver only meant as a catch when cocking or intented as a way to keep the hammer off the firing pin? If this it is acceptable to do so, it seems this would solve the "problem" of the older Ruger single actions. My own single action revolvers have always been carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber, however, I find it difficult to be sure the chamber under the hammer of a 22 single six is truly empty. Is there a trick to this?

 

[jjmorgan64]

Probrably not a good idea, I have never heard of this as a safe alternative.

The easiest way to ensure that the hammer is on an empty is simply, Load 1 round, skip 1 chamber, load 4 rounds, pull hammer back, and lower it. It will be on the empty chamber.

 

[foghornl]

In one word:


NO !

JJMorgan has the correct load sequence for and "old style' single action revo. Half-cock was only for the purpose of load/unload; with the "new-style" SA's, opening the load gate is all that is needed

 

[PreserveFreedom]

On your older Ruger "Three Screw" SA Revolvers, you'll notice several clicks when you cock it. The first should be when the hammer is about 1/16" up. I was told that that was originally considered the safe carry position. The idea was to keep the hammer from resting on a firing pin that's resting on a primer. The achilles heel in this method is that (on a long shot) if you drop it, and it lands on the hammer, it could bend that very minute amount and discharge.

 

[Jim Watson]

Not "could" discharge; WOULD discharge. Ruger did not change their single actions to the transfer bar system for the fun of it. They had lost millions in lawsuits and settlements to people who did not follow instructions long established for a design already 75 years old and shot themselves. Hammer down on an empty chamber is the way to go.

I learned the 'load one, skip one, load four, full cock, hammer down gives an automatic hammer down on the empty chamber' drill from Skeeter Skelton's writing years ago. It works fine with a clean gun and factory loads. I have seen too many CAS shooters come up with a bound up cylinder from bulged brass or a high primer. I just poke in five, roll the cylinder to be sure it turns freely, and then look for the rims to align the empty so it will come up under the hammer when I full cock and ease down the hammer.

 

[Radicalcleric]

Half cock on any hammer gun is safety stop for loading or to catch the hammer should it accidentally fall (or is that negligently fall?). Never carry any gun with the hammer on half cock.

 

[RHarris]

In the rifle forum, many people have stated they carry their lever actions in the "half cock" condition. I'm assuming this too is incorrect?

 

[Johnny Guest]

Rifles on half cock - - -

- - -are a somewhat different matter, RHarris. Due to the buttstock sticking out behind the hammer, hammer would not hit the floor or hard ground near so easily as a handgun if dropped. If the rifle hammer DOES hit the deck, chances are greater it will be knocked farther back, rather than forward.

I've previously noted that most handguns with adjustable sights are so balanced that they twist in mid-air and land on the rear sight. Kinda like a cat, dropped from any position will land on it's feet. Well, single actions are similarly balanced, except they tend to land on the hammer spur.

Also, a holstered handgun is susceptible to being banged by a lot of stuff, from a stirrup falling off the saddle to a bottle falling off a bar, to the butt of a slung rifle. Hard on calves and ankles and other parts of the anatomy.

You CAN accidentally whack the hammer of a lever action rifle so as to drive it forward into the firing pin. It's just not as likely as with an SA revolver.

Best,
Johnny Guest

 

[BLiTzNicK]

I have an uncle who carried his single action .357 half cocked. When it fell out of his holster, he took 1 to the arm. You should see him try to hold a Pepsi.