New hammer down rule?

[Desperado]

Just brushing up on the rule book.

Per the 7th Edition Gunslingers Guidelines "Hammer down is defined as either fully down against the frame or on the safety notch, which is the first notch in Colt Clone actions."

So the starting position for Colt or Colt clone guns is now not on the frame? Advantage or not?

[The Irishman]

Desperado,

That is a new statement in the rule book, it doesn't make any sense to me, they better have the gun in that position before the commands start, because if they rock that hammer back after the set command that would be a anticipation violation for moving the hammer once the command is given, it was to my understanding that the start position was the hammer against the frame, now they have created (2) different starting positions for Colt Clones style action. I don't know why they added to the hand judges confusion, I don't know if it is an advantage I shoot a Colt clone but have never started with the hammer on the first click, which on my guns give a gap of around 1/8th inch between the frame and the hammer. I am disappointed in the rule change for (2) reasons, the first would be why after all these years would this be changed, for me it will lead to more confusion on the fire firing line regarding anticipation calls, the 2nd reason, on most of the Colt Clones when you hear that first click, you knew they were pulling back on that hammer prior to the light for an anticipation call as a hand judge.

The Irishman

[last will]

I can honestly say, I don't see an advantage with the hammer being in the notch position. The 1st Notch is an added safety position for these guns.

For those unfamiliar with this position, there is a notch position, half cock and full cock. The notch position is the very first click heard when pulling the hammer back. It takes the firing pin off the round if one was in the chamber and is thus a safety...but it is highly not recommended to be used as such if a round is in the chamber. Most of these do not stay in the 1st notch position if you pull the trigger, thus coming down on a live round. Usually without enough pressure to set the round off but it is an unnecessary risk to take.

I have one Uberti, which only takes an ounce or less of pressure to engage. Thus when I am on the line, many times the position would engage and click would be heard. This would lead to the people thinking I had prematurely cocked the gun. If I remember to do it, I would go the 1st notch before the command were given. On my gun the position is even less than 1/8 of an inch.

Speed and time-wise, I've never really noticed a difference.

Will

[Dangerous Dave]

I beleive the hammer starting on the 1st notch is a advantage!
And according to my notes from the U.S. Marshals meeting
It was voted that the hammer starting point was on the frame.
I do not know why the words:
"or on the safety notch, which is the first notch in Colt Clone actions"
were added to the rule.
THIS ALSO MAKES IT HARDER TO HAND JUDGE.

[last will]

Dave with all due respect, why do you think the hammer being at the 1st notch an advantage? In theory I would think it would be but in experience I have found that it isn't. I could be wrong but I am interested in other opinions. (for what it's worth I don't use that position and would rather they don't exist as they are all but worthless in my book.)

Last Will

[Desperado]

If we handle our guns the way we are supposed to then the hammer is always on an empty chamber or on a fired round so safety is not the reason. So why the change? I agree with The Irishman and Dangerous Dave it just adds confusion for the hand judge.

[TAWODI]

BULLCRAPPPPPPP!

YOUR right on Last Will, there is no advantage. I shoot a real gun colt 2nd and 3rd latest, and first notch or on the frame, I have never improved my time ,by being on the O notch. For those that haver owned a Colt, there are 4 clicks on a Colt (C O L T). ask a Colt owner to show you sometime lol. just funnen!!!!!!! A colt really talks!!!

[Jailer Jay]

I'm a newbie here, so I'm going through a lot of the older posts just learnin' stuff. Anyway, if anybody is still following this post, starting a Colt or Colt clone with the hammer set at the first position (safety) is probably a good thing with regard to safety.

AFAIK there are only two types of actions in SAA's: The Colt clone with the 4 clicks, and the Ruger which uses a transfer bar. By starting your Colt off with the hammer at the first notch it should be safer, but I can see where that would give hand judges a fit, and I seriously doubt it would give the shooter any advantage. Now, should a meteor fall from space and hit the hammer of your Colt, sitting on that first notch should prevent the gun from accidently firing.

[TwoWalks]

I'm a newbie here, so I'm going through a lot of the older posts just learnin' stuff. Anyway, if anybody is still following this post, starting a Colt or Colt clone with the hammer set at the first position (safety) is probably a good thing with regard to safety.

AFAIK there are only two types of actions in SAA's: The Colt clone with the 4 clicks, and the Ruger which uses a transfer bar. By starting your Colt off with the hammer at the first notch it should be safer, but I can see where that would give hand judges a fit, and I seriously doubt it would give the shooter any advantage. Now, should a meteor fall from space and hit the hammer of your Colt, sitting on that first notch should prevent the gun from accidently firing.

On Or off the notch, it should not fire even if hit with a hammer do to the fact that chamber is empty.

[Granny Oakley]

Just brushing up on the rule book.

Per the 7th Edition Gunslingers Guidelines "Hammer down is defined as either fully down against the frame or on the safety notch, which is the first notch in Colt Clone actions."

So the starting position for Colt or Colt clone guns is now not on the frame? Advantage or not?

I tried it with my Colt--I cannot see any advantage at all! Therefore, I'm not going to do it. Does not make sense to me!