Ruger NM half cock hammer

[gnappi]

I recently acquired a NMBH with a half cock Bisley hammer on it. Other than providing a slightly less noisy transition from half to full cock in the field in prep for a shot, I can't see a reason for installing one. Am I missing some other purpose? 

[bigmuddy]

I have them on several of my NM Rugers.
Some of the benefits:

Cylinder properly indexes at loading gate.

Improved trigger pull/letoff

Bisley hammer fits Blackhawk frame without having to grind off the “hump”.

Solid machined hammer vs. cast.

Operates the same as my OM’s and Colt SAA’s

Many CAS shooters used them. When shooting fast two handed, short stroking the hammer is common. On a NM Ruger, cocking the revolver after the short stroke indexes past a live round. Shooter has to work action back around to get to that skipped round. With the half cock hammer, just thumb it again and fire. Cylinder doesn’t index to next round.

This is all referring to the Power Custom hammer, the only one I’m familiar with.

Dan

[bushog]

Is it a Powers hammer?

[gnappi]

Aug 17, 2023 9:25:35 GMT -5 bushog said:

Is it a Powers hammer?

 I think so it has a different profile than my Ruger Bisley hammers. 

[handloadingnotes]

I put one of the Powers Custom half-cock hammers on a New Model Bisley Blackhawk, because it was more fun to have the older manual of arms.

After I did the conversion just for fun, I discovered that the half-cock has one real world benefit of indexing the chambers better for loading or unloading. I get a click when the chamber is perfectly in line with the ejector rod. I can also "lock in" that perfect alignment by slightly counter-rotating.

In the end a free-spin pawl might be the more utilitarian modern upgrade. It makes it much easier to load a particular shell as the next shot, and there's no frustration of having to go aaaalll the way round again if you missed a chamber. I think it slightly helps inserting the cylinder after cleaning too since there's one less thing pushing on it. But I could see why someone might prefer a half-cock action more.

[gregs]

OP, how is the trigger in that revolver?

If that is a new model Blackhawk with a plow handle, the previous owner may have had bad (Arthritic) thumbs and was easier to cook. The Power Custom Bisley hammer is available for install it a plow handle grip frame without molding the hardened hammer.

I just picked up two stainless 4 5/8" stainless (Bisley and a Plow Handle)Vaqueros in 45 Colt and the triggers are unmolested. I'm in the process of installing Powers trigger kits for the following reasons.

1. I'm on the road for work so have limited space (hotel) to do trigger work.

2. Time, the amount it takes filing, grinding, polishing, assemble, try, disassemble, shim, tweak, reassemble, try ect....

3. As Big Muddy posted.

After tweaking two Rugers to my liking (7.5" NMBH in 45 and a SS Bisley in 22) I have a better product.

Install is simular to a trigger job. Lay the foundation by removing burs and machining marks where parts mate, lightly polish where parts interact with one another, polish hammer hook and sear with a white synthetic stone retaining angles, measure for shims if needed, assemble and done. These kits average 2.0 lbs with a 23lb mainspring and a 30% reduced trigger return spring. No take up, rolling break

I just saved myself 8-16 hours and I have a better result. Power Custom Bisley $160.00. To me that is hitting the easy button.

[gnappi]

Nov 8, 2023 12:55:20 GMT -5 gregs said:

OP, how is the trigger in that revolver?

If that is a new model Blackhawk with a plow handle, the previous owner may have had bad (Arthritic) thumbs and was easier to cook. The Power Custom Bisley hammer is available for install it a plow handle grip frame without molding the hardened hammer.

>>SNIP<<

  The gun was supposedly built by a BIG name builder and the trigger is "almost" frighteningly light with zero to very little perception of creep or over travel. It's a Bisley.