Among the wide range of arms that you can carry for self-defense in this increasingly insane world, the hammerless revolver is probably the most practical and efficient.
Why? We will explain it to you, and maybe by the end of this piece you will have the same opinion with us about the power of these outstanding firearms.
The Basics of a Hammerless Revolver
A hammerless revolver is a revolver without an exposed hammer. This is the main feature of the design that definitely alters the performance of the gun and the way the user perceives it. A conventional revolver with an external hammer can be cocked or, if it is a cowboy-era six-shooters (that is single-action revolvers), the hammer MUST be cocked.
In contrast, the hammerless models are usually double-action only (DAO). For example, when you pull the trigger, it not only cocks but also releases the firing mechanism; therefore, the shooter can have a more fluent and easier shooting experience.
Reliability in High-Stress Situations
Reliability is the factor that is the most significant to a situation of self-defense. The one thing that should be the cause of fear for any person, who is in a condition of extreme mortal danger, is the fact that the gun does not work.
Naturally, it follows that hammerless revolvers, which are tough and simple as hell, are the first choice in reliability. An exposed hammer is not there and that means it is not possible that it gets stuck on clothes, belts, or other things while drawing, which in a high-stress environment will be like that and very dangerous for your health. Besides, the way hammerless revolvers are constructed means that less is the chance of mechanical failure because there are fewer things that can go wrong.
During a self-defense incident, minutes can mean a lot. Men and women with almost no shooting skills can use hammerless revolvers. The DAO mechanism provides a consistent trigger pull that is a safety feature because it reduces the likelihood of an accident. If the trigger pull is rough or if your grip is not right, then the semi-autos can get jammed tons of the time. This will practically never happen in a hammeless revolver. Besides, the simple operation—point and shoot—is the main reason why there is no longer a need for those complicated steps that, for example, confuse the users who have never done it before.
Of course, training is crucial for every gun owner, but owing to the fact that the design of hammerless revolvers is very simple, even those with very little experience can become quite proficient users in no time at all. They are easy to use which makes them a perfect choice for self-defense since they allow users to be quick in case of an emergency.
Sometimes people need to carry their guns in such a way, that the whole thing stays hidden. Since revolvers without hammers are generally small and light in weight, they make for the best weapons when it comes to concealed carry. The fact that the rounded corners and lack of protruding parts of the weapon, not just of the hammer-less area but the rounded handle grip (so much smoother than the square of almost all semi-autos) makes it extremely easy to put it into a holster or pocket without making it uncomfortable or needing extra space.
On the other hand, traditional revolvers with their exposed hammers are not only bulkier but also more difficult to hide. Apart from that, the hammer can be dangerous by its nature, as it may have a risk of becoming tangled with clothes or holsters. In contrast, hammerless revolvers are made in such a way that a user can grip the firearm smoothly and can also pull it out just as easily and quickly.
Safety Features
Safety in guns must be treated with utmost importance. In this case, it can be stated that hammerless revolvers have lots of safety features, which give the possibility to handle weapons in a safer way but with the same convenience. Most of these guns operate with internal safety, which only activates when the trigger is pulled.
The same idea works with the design of DAO, as it is also responsible for some safety that is offered. If you want to shoot, you have to pull the trigger with more force and longer, so fewer chances of a mistake occurring. This is most probably true when the self-defense is on the table, and the user is very stressed and under pressure.
Ammunition Versatility
Moreover, the technology of hammerless revolvers allows them to work with the large number of ammunition of various types. Most of the hammerless revolvers are chambered for .38 Special, the revolver caliber that is most often discussed in the context of self-defense effectiveness. This caliber represents a compromise between the control of recoil and the power of the bullet, making it suitable for shooters of various experience levels. Some of the hammerless revolvers even are provided with the .357 Magnum round, so the users can use the the magnum force if they want to as well.
Bottom line, the user changes and redefines his self-defense strategy to better suit his needs if he has a range of ammunition at his disposal. To be more specific, some may decide to go for shooting practice sessions with lighter, low recoil rounds, and then, in their everyday carry, wear a God forbid self-defense scenario more powerful rounds if they are experienced enough.
Conclusion
In the colorful 21st century world of various self-defense gadgets one can easily lose track of the simple but reliable hammerless revolvers. But there is still the most convincing case for those who rely mainly on reliability, comfort, and safety. The design features of hammer revolver make them significantly less likely to jam and thus providing the user the same quick and efficient shooting in panic situations. Given their small size, hammerless revolvers are more comfortable to wear under a garment, which makes them an absolutely reliable EDC solution.
Lowlife characters seem to be everywhere, being a menace to society; hence, the high need for self-defense firearms has never more crucial in history. Revolvers, in particular, are as relevant to the present day as they were during the era of Samuel Colt—“God created man, Colt made them equal” as they say—hence the fact remains that the most effective weapon is still often a revolver, just a modern-day version. A revolver without a hammer is the best version of this most wonderful of weapons, the revolver, and it is as smart a choice today as it was yesterday and will be in the future or even further into the millennia.
Good luck!
