Carrying Six

[Dave T]

Just to put this back on track, the original question was:

Leaving out the Ruger Vaquero (when uglier guns are built, Ruger will build them) which of the "safety" mechanisms the various makers have come up with for carrying a chambered round under the hammer, is the most dependable, reliable, and trouble free?

There was no implication that it "couldn't get done with 5". I prefer carrying 5 rounds in the small collection of USFA single actions I own.

I was simply curious about the various safety gadgets the Italian makers have come up with and which one in the collective experience of the members here was the most reliable. This was all prompted by reading of the new Uberti system that has caused problems for some.

Dave

[Cholla Hill Tirador]

 The whole "if you can't get it done with _____rounds..." argument is silly. When hunting, it's rare I ever need more than one round to do the job, for that matter it's rare to even have the opportunity for more than one shot when hunting with a revolver. But that doesn't mean I only carry one round.

  CHT

[greyhawk]

The whole "if you can't get it done with _____rounds..." argument is silly. When hunting, it's rare I ever need more than one round to do the job, for that matter it's rare to even have the opportunity for more than one shot when hunting with a revolver. But that doesn't mean I only carry one round.

  CHT

I agree - I dont remember going out in the field with a partly filled magazine very often - always felt like the right thing to do was fill it.

[Advertising]

[Coffinmaker]

Well .... Heck Dave,

You're right.  You started this thread with a fairly simple and straight forward question.  Simple really.  Then, we took off and complicated the heck out of it. 

HARRUMPFF!!

Here it is.  It's been and long and miserable winter.  Most of us are suffering severe CABIN FEVER.  We haven't had much to discuss as the forums have been ...... DEAD ..... Then your Question comes along and those of us with near terminal boredom have something to discuss.  For the most part, our key points and power points are ..... nonsense.  As, CHT is right.  I just to hunt with a Contender.  One shot.  All I ever needed.  Due to a really hilarious accident, I even took down an 8 point bull elk with a Ruger Blakchawk .45 ..... one shot. 

In summation, due to extreme boredom, we have taken your simple question out to two pages and counting.  I mean, actually, I pretty much answered you OP in my First Answer.  Not good enough.  We needed something to do.  SO:   TAG!!!  You're IT!!

[Professor Marvel]

I really like willy's idea of adding another bolt notch to the cylinder!
as long as you have space to put the firing pin between cartridges.
add a hammer thong to the holster and your all set.

It's been and long and miserable winter.  Most of us are suffering severe CABIN FEVER.  

and avalanches.

pf mvl

[Bibbyman]

I still have a nagging problem with loading 6 - even with revolvers with "foolproof" safety systems.  That is,  so many of these revolvers with safety systems have been modified to remove this function.  I was at a gunshow and a table had a pair of Rugers that had been "slicked up" to play CAS.  The transfer bars had been removed.   I asked the table guy about them and he knew nothing.  He was selling them on consignment for a widow.  I pointed out that the transfer bars had been removed.  So? So.  What about the D.S. that buys these and thinks he can safely carry 6?  Now I get the uneasy feeling about the new Uberti retracting firing pin safety.  It can easaly be defeated and it doesn't show. It looks like a 4 click Colt action but now it's definitely not safe and there is no transfer bar missing to give you a clue.

[greyhawk]

I still have a nagging problem with loading 6 - even with revolvers with "foolproof" safety systems.  That is,  so many of these revolvers with safety systems have been modified to remove this function.  I was at a gunshow and a table had a pair of Rugers that had been "slicked up" to play CAS.  The transfer bars had been removed.   I asked the table guy about them and he knew nothing.  He was selling them on consignment for a widow.  I pointed out that the transfer bars had been removed.  So? So.  What about the D.S. that buys these and thinks he can safely carry 6?  Now I get the uneasy feeling about the new Uberti retracting firing pin safety.  It can easaly be defeated and it doesn't show. It looks like a 4 click Colt action but now it's definitely not safe and there is no transfer bar missing to give you a clue.

Took the transfer bar outta my single six 22 in an effort to get a decent trigger pull on it .........shootin at pistol club can only load five - but the dang thing is unwieldy to work with and trigger didnt improve much so its goin back in - would not recommend that course of action on a Ruger (this one is OLD). Might be I sell it ! 

[Coffinmaker]

A CAVIAT (or two):  I don't like Rugers.  I didn't like Rugers when I was still in business.  I digress.  There was a school of thought at one time .... one should do away with the Xfir Bar and add a Half Cock.  This was done to provide a "catch" to prevent the speed burners in CAS from missing full cock and having to go "round the world" to pick up the unfired round.  It worked ....... sorta.

First time I saw one of those guns I like'd to crapped my drawers.  It (the half cock) wasn't a Half Cock Notch, it was a half cock LEDGE just like the full cock ledge.  Were one loading away and spinning the cylinder to check for hight primers (very popular and flashy thing) and touched the trigger the hammer would fall (remember??  No Xfir Bar) and folks really thought that was OK.

I don't actually know how the Ruger mechanics are doing the deed this days (I haven't looked) and I don't much care (Remember??  I don't like Rugers) as I'm not really interested.  No place to put the Caps.

So .... as above, and in partial response to Bibbyman, it is all too true any mechanical "system" devised by any overpaid engineers, can be defeated by determined individuals.  Also, mechanical systems are also prone to failure.  Murphy's Law ..... remember!!!  Any in designed in mechanical safety requires one should use it.  The Mechanically devised safety I like best is either a 10 stop 5 shot R & D type conversion cylinder or a 12 stop Colt pattern cylinder.  Either must be mechanically engaged.  Without design mechanical intervention, hammer down on empty chamber is the biz.

We must however, remain ever vigilant.  It is a known factor, there is absolutely NO mechanical safety system, ever devised my man, that cannot be defeated by a determined IDIOT.  so there.

[Cliff Fendley]

I still have a nagging problem with loading 6 - even with revolvers with "foolproof" safety systems.  That is,  so many of these revolvers with safety systems have been modified to remove this function.  I was at a gunshow and a table had a pair of Rugers that had been "slicked up" to play CAS.  The transfer bars had been removed.   I asked the table guy about them and he knew nothing.  He was selling them on consignment for a widow.  I pointed out that the transfer bars had been removed.  So? So.  What about the D.S. that buys these and thinks he can safely carry 6?  Now I get the uneasy feeling about the new Uberti retracting firing pin safety.  It can easaly be defeated and it doesn't show. It looks like a 4 click Colt action but now it's definitely not safe and there is no transfer bar missing to give you a clue.

I can definitely see this new Uberti system getting someone hurt because the way it's made I can just see it gumming up inside the hammer and not letting the firing pin retract. Generally when others fail the guns just don't fire but this new design is an accident waiting to happen.

[Dave T]

I can definitely see this new Uberti system getting someone hurt because the way it's made I can just see it gumming up inside the hammer and not letting the firing pin retract. Generally when others fail the guns just don't fire but this new design is an accident waiting to happen.

Cliff hit the nail on the flat part. This is why I asked about this in the first place. Uberti's new "safety" doesn't look all that safe to me.

Just sayin',
Dave

[RRio]

A CAVIAT (or two):  I don't like Rugers.  I didn't like Rugers when I was still in business.  I digress.  There was a school of thought at one time .... one should do away with the Xfir Bar and add a Half Cock.  This was done to provide a "catch" to prevent the speed burners in CAS from missing full cock and having to go "round the world" to pick up the unfired round.  It worked ....... sorta.

First time I saw one of those guns I like'd to crapped my drawers.  It (the half cock) wasn't a Half Cock Notch, it was a half cock LEDGE just like the full cock ledge.  Were one loading away and spinning the cylinder to check for hight primers (very popular and flashy thing) and touched the trigger the hammer would fall (remember??  No Xfir Bar) and folks really thought that was OK.

I don't actually know how the Ruger mechanics are doing the deed this days (I haven't looked) and I don't much care (Remember??  I don't like Rugers) as I'm not really interested.  No place to put the Caps.

So .... as above, and in partial response to Bibbyman, it is all too true any mechanical "system" devised by any overpaid engineers, can be defeated by determined individuals.  Also, mechanical systems are also prone to failure.  Murphy's Law ..... remember!!!  Any in designed in mechanical safety requires one should use it.  The Mechanically devised safety I like best is either a 10 stop 5 shot R & D type conversion cylinder or a 12 stop Colt pattern cylinder.  Either must be mechanically engaged.  Without design mechanical intervention, hammer down on empty chamber is the biz.

We must however, remain ever vigilant.  It is a known factor, there is absolutely NO mechanical safety system, ever devised my man, that cannot be defeated by a determined IDIOT.  so there.

BRAVO! 

[Montana Slim]

Someday, just an experiment, take 6 fired (empty) cartridge cases and fit them into your shooter. Carefully lower the hammer (one having a firing pin, just like the old days) and rest the firing pin between two cartridge rims. Works in a pinch for "must load six" situations and for those diminutive "5-shooters" kept in the top drawer. Use primed, but empty cases if you feel need to try some drop testing.

Slim

[Coffinmaker]

   Hi Slim   

How are ya??  Winter has arrived in the Great North East.  It Sux.

Absolutely.  When I was of a mind to carry and play with Suppository Shooters, my common method for carrying "6 up" was to simply lower the hammer with the firing pin between two case rims.  It works a treat.  Correctly timed, the gun will come right into battery when cocked.  I don't consider it a safety hazard.  With the firing pin between rims, you may, if desired, wail on the hammer with a Ball Peen or Drop Test it all you want.  You'll just ruin a perfectly good hammer/firing pin.

[Montana Slim]

Hello CM,
Midwest has chilled a might (too much & too fast). I'm looking forward to an early spring...January 1st works for me