Can I file off my hammer?

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I own a Taurus 85 (2inch stainless revolver). I am starting to realize that the hammer is getting caught on clothing/pockets, etc.

Can I take a file and just shave it off? Will it change the weight of the hammer to the point it will not impact the round correctly?

Thank you,
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[SouthpawShootr]

Removing the hammer spur shouldn't affect reliable ignition as long as you're running a factory mainspring. I sure you could do it with a file, but you're talking a (relatively) lot of work in a confined space. Slip and you've screwed the finish on the gun. You'll likely be unhappy with the appearance of the result. You could dremel it off fairly easy, but you have to be careful of heat generated. This is a hardened steel part, it won't cut easy and if you heat it too much while cutting with a power tool, you'll ruin the temper. I'd ask a gunsmith how much to bob the hammer (he'll probably do it cheap).

 

[Wild Bill]

No smith here, so take free advice for what it’s worth. I did the same with a M66 once. Turned out looking like it was done at the custom shop. It’s easy enough …

- remove hammer
- draw out cut line so there’s a bit of material left after and the profile follows the natural curve of the hammer
- use a thin hacksaw to cut the spur off – only slow forward strokes to minimize heat scoring and watch your angle
- use a fine file in the same manner to get close to the curve line you want
- running the file laterally up the profile minimizes rounding – don’t file across
- finish with progressively finer paper
- polish with rouge

Take your time. Watch you don’t round the edge. Speed and power are killers.

Good luck

 

[P95Carry]

Wild Bill has about nailed that - slow - slow - and patient. Rush=possible screw-up! You'll probably sacrifice a hack' blade but - it'll do it - and even better if you use some cutting oil too. Cutting oil also improves the draw-filing at late stage.

 

[Wild Bill]

Good catch - forgot about the copious use of oil. Helps the cut and keeps the heat down. Go slow. Do a bit, walk away, repeat often.

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend of mine cut the hammer spur off a Taurus 85. It reduced hammer mass enough to cause misfires. He had to go to a stronger mainspring. But Taurus now makes spurless hammer guns so maybe they have improved all of them.

 

[ExMachina]

Also, you can cover the areas you don't want to file w/ sturdy tape (I use electrical tape)--the tape can take a light graze w/ a file while protecting the metal. Just remember to replace any damged tape before continuing.

 

[R.H. Lee]

A friend of mine cut the hammer spur off a Taurus 85. It reduced hammer mass enough to cause misfires.

I have an 85 that I've considered dehorning, but was concerned about the loss of hammer mass. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Texian Pistolero]

I've dehorned abour three snubbies, had misfires on one.

I used a common hacksaw.

Why not CALL Taurus and see if they have a replacment factory hammer?

If you do a home jobbie, pleas test fire with your social ammo.

As I recall, Federal has softer primers than CCI, so that is the way to go.



Your basic goal of dehorning a pocket pistol is an excellent idea.

 

[Jim K]

Most hammers used on "hammerless" (concealed hammer) revolvers are heavier somewhere else to make up for the missing weight of the spur. Weight can be added back to a bobbed hammer by careful MIG welding using a good heat sink, but it is a tricky proposition and usually requires some alteration to the frame.

One thing is sure. Any change to the mechanism of any handgun (except a range queen) will require a lot of testing to make sure it is still reliable.

Jim

 

[armedcitizen]

Yeah, I know it's a month late but I'm new and there aren't that many current posts that I have a contribution for.

I took the hammer spur off of my SW 65 with a bench grinder. I've had no firing problems.

 

[4v50 Gary]

What Jim Watson said. It can be cut, but do you know the energy required for reliable ignition with the ammunition you intend to carry? Insufficient mass has caused misfires. If you can weigh a bobbed Taurus hammer and test the strength of the spring, at least you'll have a starting point.