do revolver safety bars work?

beantole

Bullzeye posted this about an accidental discharge at a gunshow that killed a 13 year old boy this week.
"It was a .38 revolver, they said, so I can
only assume he was an ignorant * who put all 6 rounds into a revolver with no
safety and left the hammer down on a loaded chamber."
My question is this.......I purchased a Smith & Wesson .38 special 5 shot chief's special snub nose revolver for my wife a few years ago.
It was represented to us that the revolver had a safety bar so that unless there was a FULL sweep or pulling of the trigger the revolver could not discharge. Even if the hammer were messed with.....does anyone know if this "safety bar" actually works as represented?? Thanks.

Bruce

Nighthawk

Yes and it is a very effective safety.It will not all the hammer to strike the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled all the way back.But no safety is ever 100% reliable.


Best!!

Rugster

4GodandCountry

On the colt revolvers and the nef handi rifles the hammer never makes direct contact with the firing pin. The trigger pull forces the transfer bar to raise into position over the firing pin. the hammer then strikes the transfer bar causing the transfer bar to strike the firing pin and causing detonation. I do not know if the s+w's are the same because I have never owned one.

When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....

He Dog

The one on my Ruger works perfectly. I still leave the hammer on an empty cylinder, because that cannot fail ever.

Txs

Get someone to remove the sideplate of a S&W revolver for you and take a look. The hammer block sits right on top of the internals and it's operation will be very apparent. It's a rock solid, simple and time proven design.

The trigger pushes a part, which is one solid chunk of steel, to the rear. The trigger block, which is also one solid piece of metal, is only moved down to clear the hammer if this same part moves to the rear. This part is held forward by about 13-14lbs. of spring pressure and is too light to be jarred to the rear by dropping, no matter what the height. In other words, the trigger MUST move completely to the rear for the hammer to fall and cause the firing pin to contact the primer.

If you beat the hammer with a sledge you might break the hammer spur or the hammer pivot pin, but the hammer mounted firing pin will still be unable to contact the primer.

I've been a S&W armorer for many years and have seen some terribly maintained and abused revolvers. I've also witnessed all manner of malfunctions and failures of revolvers on the range in my days, but I've never even HEARD of a S&W hammer block failing.

Carrying an empty chamber under the hammer of a S&W revolver is not increasing your safety, it's just lowering your ammo capacity. If you're willing to reduce your ammo for safety's sake, it would actually make more sense to leave the first chamber up empty in case the trigger were unintentionally pulled.

rsnyder55

From the article I didn't see the type of revolver listed. Some guns like the junker RGs, the firing pins actually rests on the primer.

Can someone answer me this: If they have armed security, why are vendors allowed to carry loaded weapons during the show if no one else is armed?

Edited by - rsnyder55 on 07/18/2002 00:35:19

Edited by - rsnyder55 on 07/18/2002 00:45:34

S&W Man

You should be well aware of the gun you have. Hammer blocks are very effective, but not all revolvers have them. Most modern revolvers (made since 1940) probably have one. The original S&W hammer block was known to fail if it got very dirty or greasy. In 1944 they redesigned the hammer block and it has not been known to fail since(ain't saying it couldn't, just not known to). In fact the S&W revolver, by design, will jam if the hammer block fails to return to position. BUT that is only on the guns made SINCE 1944.

Am not sure of other manfacturers except for Ruger SAA's. They did not have hammer blocks as late as the 1970's. You were advised to carry them on an empty cylinder or get the factory modification on them. Many other SAA clones did not have hammer blocks.

If you have a revolver with a hammer block, it is a simple stupid saftey. there isn't a way around it if it is working short of excessive direct abuse. Granted someond with a good heavy hammer beating on the gun's hammer might get it to fail, but that is excessive direct abuse. The saftey standards for a hammer block is to drop the gun DIRECTLY on the hammer from six feet and it cannot even mark the primer or it fails the test.

BUT then as I read what little there is in the statement, it seems that some * was messing with something he knew nothing about and was doing things he never should have been. Accident? well maybe, Stupid idiot handling a weapon, very definately.

The second admendment GUARANTEES the other nine and the Constitution!

beantole

Well I appreciate all the posts here answering my question. Thanks to all who responded.
That bar or block is really a good idea. The last thing my wife needs to worry about is the gun accidentally discharging.
Bruce

mballai

Accidental discharge of a wheelgun is pretty remote. Assume ANY gun is loaded. If you need to lower the hammer, always make sure the gun is pointed in a safe direction, even with all the safeties in the world.

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead