FirstFreedom
Moderator
They seem much less popular nowadays....? Who uses a shrouded hammer revo here? They're really a good idea if you ask me, in a DA defense gun.
Were shrouded hammers just a fad?
- Thread starter FirstFreedom
- Start date
I think most people nowadays just go with a Centennial type revolver. For a purely self defense small revolver it makes sense to me. Simplicity to the most basic degree. Shrouded revolvers gave people a choice and that's not bad. I would rather not worry about crud getting into the action on something caried on my ankle or in my pocket most of the time. As well as being much more snag resistant. With all of the above I still would like a S.S. airweight Bodyguard someday. That's one that has seemed to elude me over the years.
XavierBreath
New member
I still pocket one. I have a couple of others as well. I prefer them to the Centennial because they sit in the pocket a little better. If you believe the DAO argument for defensive shooting, shrouded hammers are not a good idea, and the Centennial is less likely to create complications post shooting.
IMHO, the shrouded hammer is one of the best designs going for a CCW gun. It is snagless, but still allows a SA shot to be taken if needed/possible, which compensates for the short sight radius of the gun. It's the best of both worlds. Now if S&W would just make one in .357mag without a lawyer lock or a frame mounted firing pin...........I think I will need to keep scouring the pawn shops!
Detective_Special
New member
shrouded hammers
These are the best type of defensive revolvers, offering a balance of power with deep concealability, especially practical in the cold winter months where belt carry can hinder a fast draw. These are easily slipped in a coat pocket where they can be ready in a moments notice. During the hot summer months, where less clothing is needed, the airweights with shrouded hammers offer advantages in pocket carry, as well as inside the pant holsters where they practically disappear.
These are the best type of defensive revolvers, offering a balance of power with deep concealability, especially practical in the cold winter months where belt carry can hinder a fast draw. These are easily slipped in a coat pocket where they can be ready in a moments notice. During the hot summer months, where less clothing is needed, the airweights with shrouded hammers offer advantages in pocket carry, as well as inside the pant holsters where they practically disappear.
deputy tom
New member
No passing fad with me.I EDC either a S&W 649 or 642.Back in the old days I carried a Colt Agent/Cobra/Det. SPl. with a shroud.An old friend's Dad STILL carrries shrouded Colt's every day and this guy is filthy rich so his choice isn't swayed by cost.tom.
Still the best overall design for me. Smooth snag free carry in pocket or holster yet SA if /when you want it. Granted a centenial /DAO design is slick for (purely) defence,but I often find myself wanting SA for aimed accuracy that is much harder to accive in a DAO. I preffer a shrouded hammer ( mod 49) first, a bobbed mod 60 second and my 640 in that order.
p.s I used to think they were UGLY!
p.s I used to think they were UGLY!
I have a 649 that I carried for years. I like the concealed hammer, even though it looks like a one hump camel. It is the most accurate snub I've ever owned. I bought a Smith 340SC and it is now my "always" gun because of the weight difference.
I had a spare blue Colt shroud for a Detective Special. I had it buffed so that the aluminum was visable and had it installed on my Colt Magnum Carry. The operation ruined the collector value of the gun but it makes it less likely to hang up when drawing it.
John
I had a spare blue Colt shroud for a Detective Special. I had it buffed so that the aluminum was visable and had it installed on my Colt Magnum Carry. The operation ruined the collector value of the gun but it makes it less likely to hang up when drawing it.
John
I had a 5 shot smith in 44 special just a couple of years ago
I forget the model number, one of the titanium models I disliked the gun so much that I have put the piece of crap out of my mind.
The reasion?
The trigger was so bad, creepy, and felt like it was made out of sand paper.
It had nothing to do with the recoil, wore out a charter arms bulldog and still have another.
Double action only guns do nothing for me
I forget the model number, one of the titanium models I disliked the gun so much that I have put the piece of crap out of my mind.
The reasion?
The trigger was so bad, creepy, and felt like it was made out of sand paper.
It had nothing to do with the recoil, wore out a charter arms bulldog and still have another.
Double action only guns do nothing for me
I have both a Model 38 and a Model 49, but I carry my Model 442. I practice my DA J-frame trigger pulls religiously (minimum of 50 dry-fires/hand each and every night) and feel confident in my DA trigger skillz, which renders the SA abilities of the Bodyguards somewhat superfluous for my purposes. Some folks like the option, though, and Smith keeps the 638 and 649 in the lineup for them. 
Sir William
New member
I have one. I had two. I have liked them ever since Dick Tracy said they were neat. I am hunting for a M38 myself. I found a grip that makes J frames comfortable for me. I will be rounding up a Centennial some day. I simply needed more grip.
Alaskanmonte
New member
I carry a Smith 340PD in .357, it has a shrouded hammer and I really enjoy carrying it. Its light and easy to hide. Its pefect for what it was made for (CC). I know it has a stupid built in gun lock on it, but I've had no problems with it at all. I like my little Smith.
Like to find one.
I'd like to find one, I just haven't found many around here. I can't bring myself to buy a new one, because I have other needs for the $$.
Right now I have a 5-shot Charter Arms Undercover that is a great pocket size/backup gun, but I would prefer a shrouded model to fill that role. I frequently go places where crud and grime in the action could be a problem, so it would be a benefit for me. I also like that some models have a small burr that allows single action fire. This could be benefit in some circumstances.
No, they're not a passing fad at all, just a little more refined
I'd like to find one, I just haven't found many around here. I can't bring myself to buy a new one, because I have other needs for the $$.
Right now I have a 5-shot Charter Arms Undercover that is a great pocket size/backup gun, but I would prefer a shrouded model to fill that role. I frequently go places where crud and grime in the action could be a problem, so it would be a benefit for me. I also like that some models have a small burr that allows single action fire. This could be benefit in some circumstances.
No, they're not a passing fad at all, just a little more refined
Ozzieman,
It's a 296. Like most AirLite Smiths, the trigger is pretty wretched... at least, it is as it comes out of the box. You should try mine; most folks seem to find it adequate.
(Parenthetically: Why do people even expect a good DA wheelgun trigger out of the box? There aren't any that come that way...)
Alaskanmonte,
I had assumed that the thread started was referencing shrouded hammer guns, like the Smith Bodyguards, and not enclosed hammer guns, like your nice Centennial.
It's a 296. Like most AirLite Smiths, the trigger is pretty wretched... at least, it is as it comes out of the box. You should try mine; most folks seem to find it adequate.
(Parenthetically: Why do people even expect a good DA wheelgun trigger out of the box? There aren't any that come that way...)
Alaskanmonte,
I had assumed that the thread started was referencing shrouded hammer guns, like the Smith Bodyguards, and not enclosed hammer guns, like your nice Centennial.
Just a fad.
I bought my first blued M49 in 1975 and carried it everyday as my 2nd/back up/undercover/off duty until 1995. For a short period I had a nickle M38 which I carried instead of the M49 until someone talked me out of it when they waved a lot of green at me. In 1995 I bought a 649 which I've carried everyday since then in place of the 49. I never leave home without them.
Almost 30 yrs of carrying S&W's ugly humpback. It's just a fad to me.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10590
I bought my first blued M49 in 1975 and carried it everyday as my 2nd/back up/undercover/off duty until 1995. For a short period I had a nickle M38 which I carried instead of the M49 until someone talked me out of it when they waved a lot of green at me. In 1995 I bought a 649 which I've carried everyday since then in place of the 49. I never leave home without them.
Almost 30 yrs of carrying S&W's ugly humpback. It's just a fad to me.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10590
I agree with that. I've carried two different guns for CCW over the years. I started with a S&W 640 Centennial in .357 Magnum. Very nice gun. I finally gave in to the siren call of the larger calibers and switched to a S&W M296 in .44 Special. Larger bullet and lighter both. And it is a Centennial as well. Bulkier but that doesn't matter to me since I carry in a Wilderness Safepacker.
I agree that it is "harder to achieve" but a well worn gun can come very close in DA. My 640 especially really didn't give up anything by being DAO. The pull isn't heavy or crunchy or any of those things. A smooth squeeze, slight pause, and a little more pressure and the bullet goes right where you want it. The 296 pull is heavier but it has smoothed out a _lot_ from use. I could shoot better 25 meter groups with the 640 but I prefer the punch of the .44 Corbons in the 296. But I didn't see a civilian CCW gun needing that little bit more practical accuracy. (Replacement wooden grips on the 296 made it an easier gun to shoot as well.)
So obviously I prefer the Centennial design.
Gregg