Empty cylinder

[davemac]

Many years ago ( like 50 ) when I was learning the fundamentals of gun safety I was taught that if you`re going to carry a loaded revolver, you should carry it with the hammer down on an empty cylinder. Is this the way you guys with CCW`s carry `em? I currently carry a semi-auto but am considering going to a small wheelgun in .357.
Explanations would be greatly appreciated.

[BT2Flip]

I believe the reasoning behind that was in case the hammer was "brushed" or "pulled" by accident it would not fire
are they still that "unsafe" ?
the holsters have tie down straps now though to prevent that "(I would think)

[tightgroup]

It depends on the model of gun. Most of your modern guns have some type of hammer/firing pin block system that allows you to carry with a round under the hammer.

Ruger and I believe S&W have this feature.

[uptime]

I believe the safety on most revolvers is simply a hard trigger pull (10#). My S&W relies solely on the stiff trigger and I have no concern carrying the gun fully loaded. In my opinion, it's safer than my Sig 239 with a chambered round. To me, a gun that cannot be fired immediately is more unsafe than one that has to manipulated in some way before it will fire. A bad guy is not going to wait until you get ready to defend yourself!

[wannadiesel]

The only revolvers that need to be carried with the hammer over an empty chamber are old single actions. Modern revolvers have floating firing pins and transfer bar or hammer block safeties built in - the hammer can't move the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear.

[Gunlovingvet]

good info. Thanks.
I miss my revolver. Some day I will swap for another one.

[Equalizer_2]

Originally Posted by wannadiesel

The only revolvers that need to be carried with the hammer over an empty chamber are old single actions. Modern revolvers have floating firing pins and transfer bar or hammer block safeties built in - the hammer can't move the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear.

This is the correct info. Around 1900 I believe it was Harrington & Richardson ran adds about the new hammer blocking safety on their revolvers, it was called "Hammer the Hammer" and showed a drawing of a carpenter's hammer striking the hammer on the new revolver.

S&W, Ruger, Colt, H&R, and most others have long since adopted some form of this safety and double action revolvers have been capable of being carried with full cylinders. Thirty or forty years ago Ruger developed a system to allow carrying full cylinders on their single actions. They even designed it to be retrofitted to their earlier models free or charge.

Autos are another matter. Different brands and models use different safeties and safety systems. Many people mistakenly believe the halfcock notch on a .45 Auto is a safety but it is a safety feature NOT a safety. The Series 80 Colt's have a passive firing pin block that is an actual safety the in effect is similar to the revolver hammer blocking safeties.

If you purchase a small revolver make sure it has a hammer block action. S&W, Ruger, Colt, Taurus, Rossi, and others do have these features. Stick with the more modern designed revolvers or autos and they have plenty of safeties built into them if you will just be responsible.

Some of the striker fired autos can be less safe for those who don't have the experience to use them in my opinionl.

[n2moto]

On modern revolvers fill'er up. There's built in safetys that won't allow a dropped gun to ignite the round under the hammer.

[jughead]

unload weapon. insert pencil with rubber eraser against firing pin. hold hammer. pull trigger to release hammer. release trigger. if hammer falls and pencil does not exit the barrel weapon should be safe with one in the pipe.

[Soggybottomboy]

Funny, I just learned this very issue in a CCW class I was attending yesterday. Equalizer is correct. After about 1920, all revolvers were made with hammer safety blocks. Any relatively modern revolver is completely safe to carry fully loaded. On a side note, did you know that back in the old west days cowboys on the trail used to carry some money in the empty cylinder under the hammer on their revolvers? This was in case they got shot or died on the trail, their buddies didn't have to pay to have them buried.

SBB