I had purchased a Spencer mountain rifle with the hammer nose so battered from dry firing it would not shoot reliably. I bought an S&S replacement hammer so as not to bugger up the original anymore. Yes, the replacement hammer is soft. That is a good thing, as I was able to tweek it to hit the firing pin perfectly. I took it to a local gunsmith and he hardened it for a nominal charge. I aged it to match the gun. It has worked out great. Jw