Revolver hammers

Hammers are in integral component of all firearms, but are most pronounced on revolvers. Although you can pull them back manually, this action also creates some legal problems concerning self-defense.



The hammer on a revolver was initially designed to be pulled back first in order to prepare the weapon to discharge. Now, revolvers do not require the hammer be pulled back first for the weapon to discharge. A normal pull of the trigger will automatically pull back the hammer and then release at its apex, causing the firearm to discharge.

Modern revolvers often do not even have their hammers exposed anymore. Instead they are covered in specially designed housing, making it easier to quickly pull a revolver from concealment.

A revolver with an exposed hammer is easy to pull back. Just place your thumb on the top of the hammer and apply pressure down and toward the rear of the revolver. The hammer will lower and you will notice the cylinder will rotate downward if you are looking at the revolver from the left side: counter-clockwise if you are holding the firearm. The trigger will also move from its initial position to the rear of the firearm as well.


IMPORTANT NOTE : DO NOT HAVE YOUR FINGER ON THE TRIGGER IF YOU DECIDE TO PULL THE HAMMER BACK. The trigger will also be in motion, and can be activated much easier than usual!

Once you have pulled the hammer back far enough, it will "click" in place. You can release the pressure on the hammer at this point and relocate your thumb to manage the grip on the revolver. In the photo below, you can see the trigger has moved MUCH further back than it was before. Pressing the trigger is MUCH easier with the hammer pulled back, and only requires the very slightest of pressure to discharge the firearm.



This position is much easier for the beginner to discharge the revolver, as it requires virtually no trigger pressure. Accordingly, since the trigger is in an easier position to discharge, special care and attention MUST be taken when the revolver is in this state. Remember the four rules!

When the hammer has been pulled back, you can also see the pin inside the revolver the hammer will strike as it falls with the press of the trigger. As mentioned before, centerfire ammunition requires a pin to strike the center portion for the cartridge to discharge.



HOWEVER the act of pulling the hammer back will have SEVERE consequences if you do so in the course of self-defense. The main reasons are time and effect. If you have time to pull the hammer back on the revolver, an attorney can argue you were NOT in imminent danger, as mandated by law for a private citizen to discharge a firearm, and were possibly doing so for effect. To threaten. To intimidate.

And it makes sense.

You don't pull out a weapon for self defense if there is ANY other option. If you could have walked away. If you had to take a hit. If talking was still an option. If you had ANY other reasonable option.

You don't pull out a firearm and threaten someone to "back off". You don't pull out a firearm and make demands. You don't pull out a revolver and pull back the hammer as a bargaining tool.

The only time you pull a firearm for self defense is when you have no choice and you have to use the weapon NOW because you know you are going to die if you do not. The only people who should ever realize you carry a firearm for self defense is the individual who was about to take your life a nanosecond before the firearm discharges.

And pulling the hammer back means you had time.

If you live in Texas, your concealed carry instructor will tell you the same thing.

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