How many have snagged their exposed hammer while Drawing from concealed?

[vicdotcom]

Hey guys,

I know how popular the 642 and other bobbed hammers are for concealed carry because they do not snag.

I like to keep my revolver hammers exposed. But I have honestly never had a snag on the hammer to any clothing during a draw. Even after practicing many different carry positions and clothing, even pocket carry.

So I wanted to see how many people have acutally drawn their revolvers and get had it snag on something.

Vic

 

[Evil One]

I draw with my thumb covering the hammer... no snags, and if the situation warrants it, I am in perfect position for drawing it back for a SA shot.


Jim

 

[earlthegoat2]

I thought I had trained myself to draw from the pocket with my thumb covering the hammer. I practiced it a great deal.

One night at the league pistol shoot I do at my range they decided to have some fun and have you draw your EDC from where you usually carry it and engage multiple targets.

I got snagged up EVERY time I tried to draw.

This does not prove anything but it does make me believe there is a difference between low stress training and even artificial stress created by a league fun shoot. I bobbed my hammer and quite carrying in my pocket if I can help it.

 

[SOCO]

Interesting discussion, as I'm currently considering either bobbing the hammer on my Model 60 or (maybe) trading it in on a hammer-less model.

 

[9mmepiphany]

This does not prove anything but it does make me believe there is a difference between low stress training and even artificial stress created by a league fun shoot.

i would say it does prove something. it proves that when when you practice something until you're comfortable that it works, adding stress changes everything. also that artificial stress is a very valid test of technique

very good and thanks for posting.

i've also tried a lot of different carry modes with first a M36 and then a M60...both snagged enough to make me uncomfortable. i finally converted to a M642 when i found that a DAO J-frame cold be just as accurate as a exposed hammer model.

 

[vicdotcom]

I draw with my thumb covering the hammer

I also, but as earlthegoat2 points out below, there is a difference when something is on the line. I would like to think that I practice enough also, but you never know.

I thought I had trained myself to draw from the pocket with my thumb covering the hammer. I practiced it a great deal.
...
I got snagged up EVERY time I tried to draw.
This does not prove anything but it does make me believe there is a difference between low stress training

I think you are exactly right on this... that is why I was throwing this out there. I am thinking about making a switch to bobbed or a shrouded CCW so I wanted to get some actual numbers on this (even though I know it isn't scientific or anything).

Interesting discussion, as I'm currently considering either bobbing the hammer on my Model 60 or (maybe) trading it in on a hammer-less model.

Yea I hear from policemen, that train doing this, who never had a problem drawing their backups or offduty pieces. But none of them ever had to draw in a high stress situation either.

 

[Erik M]

i carried in a leather shoulder rig with no hammer strap and it never caught on my jacket when drawing.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Like Evil One...I spent a lot of time working with and old SAA Colt and tend to cover the hammer with my thumb. Besides...I carry my revolver at 1:00 appendix.

 

[jfh]

I carried--and again routinely carry--an M&P 340, typically in a front pants pocket or in an inside jacket / vest pocket. After I got a 360, I carried that for six months instead, just to test this issue.

Yes, I developed a habit of my thumb over the hammer--and yes, I could draw reasonably successfully in practice. But, at least a few times, it did snag. 'Error' on my part, yes. But eliminating possible problems brought me back to DAO.

Jim H.

 

[PzGren]

I grabbed my shirt more often than having the hammer just slightly snagging.

But no shirt, no service...or what I really meant, no concealment.

 

[MCgunner]

Learn to put your thumb against the hammer on the draw. No problems. I so like the body guard style guns, shrouded hammer, but I want SA capability in any revolver I own.

IWB or OWB, I don't bother with the thumb against the hammer, just do that on a pocket draw. I carry a medium frame 3" Taurus 66 with hammer spur often OWB.

If I wanna carry a DAO, I have a 9mm Kel Tec P11. So, I've not bothered to add a .38 body guard to my collection. That KT is my preferred summer carry.

 

[X-Rap]

From the pocket I would say hammerless for sure, I have even considered bobbing the hammer or replacing one on a mod 19 or 65 that I would carry on a belt for SD.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

Same as with Evil One, I draw my hammered CCW revolvers with thumb on hammer...that's the way I was trained so to do...forty years ago........

Oh! Crap!! I *AM* an OLD FART!

 

[GRIZ22]

I think you'll find those that use a pocket holster will have a snag at one time or another and those using a OWB not too often.

Your poll needs to be more definitive.

 

[Drail]

I snagged just this morning. I have carried a couple of revolvers for many years with bobbed hammers and just recently put the stock hammer back into one. The first time I drew it it cleared everything fine except the bottom hem of my jacket. I'll either have to change my technique or put the bobbed one back in.

 

[vicdotcom]

Wow guys, interesting results everyone. Keep them coming. Again I know that there is no way to tell if snags/no snags happened in high-stress situations or not, but it is still nice to see a pattern forming.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I draw with my thumb covering the hammer... no snags, and if the situation warrants it, I am in perfect position for drawing it back for a SA shot.

I agree. It has become 2nd nature to cover the hammer with my thumb when drawing. I don't even have to think about it... my thumb just goes there. I guess it is possible that in a stressful situation, it may snag. But, it hasn't been an issue thus far.

 

[Guillermo]

Like Evil One I have "trained myself" to put my thumb over the hammer. That said, I have not ever drawn under stress from the pocket like Earl practived doing. Would I be in the same boat?

As Old Fuff and I have disagreed on the subject of DAO revolvers I found myself rethinking the situation. After all, Old Fuff is rarely wrong.

It is not a big issue for me as I almost always carry on the belt but I thank you for this thread as I am re evaluating my thoughts on this matter.

Keep talking folks!

 

[vicdotcom]

As Old Fuff and I have disagreed on the subject of DAO revolvers I found myself rethinking the situation. After all, Old Fuff is rarely wrong.

Who is Old Fluff and what is his position on DAO? I know the general speaking points but would always like to know more.

 

[Gary A]

Old Fuff (no L) is, let's say, a very knowledgeable source on revolvers, whose knowledge and experience carry considerable weight. Hmm, I'm not sure of his position on DAO. Hope he shows up and weighs in on this.

 

[vicdotcom]

Old Fuff (no L) is, let's say, a very knowledgeable source on revolvers, whose knowledge and experience carry considerable weight. Hmm, I'm not sure of his position on DAO. Hope he shows up and weighs in on this.

OHH DUH!! No wonder nothing came up on a search for that name LOL Thanks!

EDIT: Found Old Fuff posts about it here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=124464&highlight=dao

 

[SwampWolf]

Everytime I withdraw/draw my Colt Cobra from my pocket, the ball of the thumb is perched atop the spur of the hammer. When (if) "showtime" ever visits me, I believe my draw mode habit/training will afford a snagless presentation. Practice makes perfect.

 

[liviussteven]

i don't have that problem... i carry a smith 649

 

[Rexster]

No, but I have had hammers eat my clothing while the gun was riding in the holster, and a wide-spur S&W bit a hole in my palm once upon a time, while the gun was holstered. I now mostly use handguns with spurless or concealed hammers, but from the mid-1980's into the 1990's, my handguns had spurs, and I still often used carry handguns with hammer spurs into the early 2000's.

 

[S&Wfan]

It becomes second nature to a seasoned revolverman. Not a problem. My "always" gun is a S&W Model 37 Airweight . . . the J-frame version with the traditional, exposed hammer.

Plus, I carry concealed . . . which means I'm not going to make a fast draw on someone who already has a gun drawn on me. That will get you killed if you are carrying on a competition belt holster! I've practiced hard with a Pact random-start electronic timer. Even a mediocre shooter can get off 2-3 handgun rounds into you before you can bring the front sight onto the bad guy. Never wise! You'll LOSE!

No, I will pick and choose IF and WHEN to join the fight before drawing my BUG. I'm confident my training and experience will carry the day. Not so if I did something stupid. "A man's gotta know his limitations," and make them work for him.