imported post
Task Force 16 wrote:
:uhoh:
I didn't mean to infer that the First click position was a sure fire safety, but it does protect against the gun going off incase the hammer were to be bumped. I didn't trust it against a real hard blow, like falling off a dresser or table, when I had a .22 single action. I left a spend cartridge in the cylinder, under the hammer, when I wasn't using it.
And it wasn't exactly half cocked either. When I pulled the hammer back to the first click, it was back maybe 3/16th of an inch. I had to half cock it for loading, to release the wheel.
Let's consider the manufacturer's or designers intent if you will. Has any such ever stated that a half cocked position was a recommended/designed or correct/safe position/procedure? I think without risk of correction that I can say unequivocally, "No!" On the other hand, many do warn against the practice. I quote from the instruction manual for my Beretta Stampede as an example. To wit:
WARNING: The half-cock position of the hammer is NOT a safety. A blow to the hammer may allow the hammer to strike the firing pin and fire the revolver.
Insofar as this practice and utilization of it for 1911 or other SA pistols is concerned much has been said condemning it and even outright forbidding it for members of our armed services and LE groups.
When I was actively instructing as a DCJS senior instructor and range officer, I would immediately have removed from the line and failed an officer whose weapon was observed in that condition. It was considered an "unsafe practice" and constituted negligence. I believe that applies without exception today to all of us.
Recommended/approved hammer position:
Single action revolver (old style) - hammer down on empty cylinder
Single action revolver (w/modern hammer block, transfer bar) - hammer down
SA/DA revolver (modern) - hammer down
SA pistol (modern design as 1911) - hammer cocked and locked, condition 1
Each brand/type of weapon must be individually examined and determination made as to proper hammer carry position.
As to storing a revolver with a fired cartridge under the hammer, I can only caution against that. Becoming used to seeing "brass" in the cylinder would seem to set you up for the day when hot ammo was mistakenly left there. Clear is clear - anything else is not.
Task Force 16 - I feel compelled to close this with the statement that I am sincerely not jumping on your back nor wish to diminish your enthusiasm/participation here. Nothing that I have learned or taught on firearms safety was original thinking on my part. It has all been from the collective experience of others - some of it painfully earned. In other words, it was learned the "hard way."
It is decidedly better that one introduce a less than perfect thought here and have a light shone on the problem, than it is to continue trusting to the "nothing bad has happened yet" or "it works for me" philosophy. Safety should never be compromised. Knowledge should always be shared. The hand of friendship always offered to our brothers.
Yata hey
