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Revolver carry safety

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brewer12345

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Is it safe to carry an 1858 with the hammer down over an empty chamber and the rest of the chambers loaded and capped? Can't really see how it wouldn't be, but figured I would ask.
 
I used to carry my Ruger Old Army fully loaded with the hammer down in notch between two nipples. Once while hunting I carried it that way in a side holster. At the end of the day as I took off all my hunting gear I discovered the gun was at full cock. This, of course, greatly disturbed me. Shortly afterwards I made a new holster. It was open top but protected the hammer. I made others for two no-no relvovers. Not works of art but sturdy and serviceable. I'm surprised nothing similar is on the market.
 
All my hand gun holsters have a covering flap or a hammer retaining leather lace. Never had any problems mentioned above. But then I'm not a quick draw guy.
 
i don't think it's safe unless you have something that keeps the hammer from being pulled backwards. i had that happen climbing down out of a deer stand once and now never again.
 
A simple leather loop or a flap holster works also.


445E7886-9567-4BCA-B2DA-3E93FEB7C98E.jpeg
 
Mine has safety notches. But I prefer more space between capped nipples and my hammer.


Then there's the obvious matter that if my hammer is bumped and moved ONLY 1/8", the cylinder will rotate out of safety and onto a PRIMED nipple without my knowledge.
 
I cannot believe I am reading all of this about 21st Century safety concerning mid-19th century revolvers.

Colt put safety pins in between chambers on his revolvers, even though they were fragile and often broke. Manhattan Firearms patented the 12-stop-slot cylinder around 1858 and Colt could not use that configuration. During the ACW Augusta Machine Works and Rigdon & Ansley used the 12-stop-slot cylinders as a better safety measure, but as they were Confederate guns they cared not if they were infringing on Union patents. The Remington NMA and NMN had safety slots in the cylinder.

If you folks don't have the wherewithall to observe basic firearms safety, then maybe petition Pietta and Uberti to install a Ruger type transfer bar trigger as is found on the Super Blackhawk and other revolvers by Ruger.

SMH,

Jim
 
Amen to that.

"A safety is a mechanical device that can fail."

I think I'll pass on the transfer bar though. Hammer down on an empty is good enough for me. At the time these pistols were invented, having 4 extra shots after was completely unheard of. 4 backups with the cock of a Hammer was a hell of a lot better than NONE.
 
I cannot believe I am reading all of this about 21st Century safety concerning mid-19th century revolvers.

Colt put safety pins in between chambers on his revolvers, even though they were fragile and often broke. Manhattan Firearms patented the 12-stop-slot cylinder around 1858 and Colt could not use that configuration. During the ACW Augusta Machine Works and Rigdon & Ansley used the 12-stop-slot cylinders as a better safety measure, but as they were Confederate guns they cared not if they were infringing on Union patents. The Remington NMA and NMN had safety slots in the cylinder.

If you folks don't have the wherewithall to observe basic firearms safety, then maybe petition Pietta and Uberti to install a Ruger type transfer bar trigger as is found on the Super Blackhawk and other revolvers by Ruger.

SMH,

Jim
Load six as designed and intended. Use the notches and pins for safety. Use a hammer thong or a flap holster for security. Never had a problem.
 
I load all 6 rounds, then put the hammer down on a safety pin or notch. If no safety pins or notches are on the gun, then I would only load 5, and put the hammer down on an empty chamber. It is of utmost importance that the hammer be secured from movement, either with a thong or by a flap holster. If the the hammer is pulled back unintentionally, you can get a negligent (not accidental) discharge.

Here are pictures of two holsters I made and incorporated hammer thongs:
100_6960.JPG

100_6612.JPG
 
Is it safe to carry an 1858 with the hammer down over an empty chamber and the rest of the chambers loaded and capped? Can't really see how it wouldn't be, but figured I would ask.

I always carry mine fully-loaded with the hammer down in a notch or pin, depending on whether it is a Colt or Remington type, in a cross draw military type flap holster. Seems safe enough to me.
 
With the 1858, the notch between chambers is a "safety" notch and the hammer can rest there preventing the cylinder from rotating and the hammer striking a cap. However as @hawkeye2 states having the hammer down on an empty chamber is the safest.
Why is the hammer down on an empty chamber any more safe then the hammer on a safety notch ?
 
I'll tell you why, because on my open top,, a rearward move of the hammer by only 1/8th inch allows the cylinder to freely rotate the tiny amount required to put it out of safety and onto a live cap.

I would never carry it on my hip all day that way. Getting in and out of vehicles, kneeling, standing, twisting bumping into things. Nooo thank you. 1/8 inch is too small a distance. Thong or no thong. My femur has a severe lead allergy, and I try to do everything I can to keep roundballs from entering it.

I'll use the safety notches at the range on the loading bench but thats about it.
 
I load all 6 rounds, then put the hammer down on a safety pin or notch. If no safety pins or notches are on the gun, then I would only load 5, and put the hammer down on an empty chamber. It is of utmost importance that the hammer be secured from movement, either with a thong or by a flap holster. If the the hammer is pulled back unintentionally, you can get a negligent (not accidental) discharge.

Here are pictures of two holsters I made and incorporated hammer thongs:
View attachment 60869
View attachment 60870
I'll tell you why, because on my open top,, a rearward move of the hammer by only 1/8th inch allows the cylinder to freely rotate the tiny amount required to put it out of safety and onto a live cap.

I would never carry it on my hip all day that way. Getting in and out of vehicles, kneeling, standing, twisting bumping into things. Nooo thank you. 1/8 inch is too small a distance. Thong or no thong. My femur has a severe lead allergy, and I try to do everything I can to keep roundballs from entering it.

I'll use the safety notches at the range on the loading bench but thats about it.
Very nice holsters looking holsters above . Thanks for the pictures.
 
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