S&W Model 637-2... .38 Spec. +P

Question
Sir,
I am quite familier with guns, haveing grown up in a hunting and shooting family, served in the military in 1970 and 71, been a police officer for a couple of years, a hunter/shooter for over a half century, and a handloader for about 25... But my question concerns "prudent modification" of a handgun... I have carried a hand gun of one type or another for a good many years(with and without a permit), but recently, for my birthday, my son gave me a Smith and Wesson Model 637-2 in .38 Spec.+P, as a gift, and after much practice I have decided to make it my daily carry gun, and have had a pocket holster made for it. ... My question is: This revolver, as you know, has a standard hammer. I would like to have the hammer spur "bobbed", to reduce the chanch of it hanging up as I draw it... But it seems that I read once that this could cause problems with the hammer's balance, and it may not be totally reliable as to fireing... Can I "bob" the hammer, and still depend on it to fire every time I pull the trigger? If not, then do they make a "heavier" spurless hammer that I could replace this one with, and where could I find one? ............. Thank you for your time.
               Mongo

Answer
Dear Sir,

First, let me thank you for your service to our country in the military, and your service to one of our local communities as a police officer.

The 637 Chief's Special is a fine gun for carry, with the exception (in my opinion) of the exposed hammer spur.  As I'm sure you know, Smith addressed this in their model 640, which has a concealed hammer.  If you take apart a 640, you will find that is has a very abreviated hammer.

The mass of the hammer is not really the issue for a sufficent primer strike as much as is the wieght of the spring that drives it.  Even so, guns that are kept clean would work reliably with much less mass in the hammer, and much less spring weight.  These features are over-engineered upon the theory that people will neglect and abuse their guns and still expect them to work (and the assumption is often justified).

Having the hammer bobbed should not in any way negatively effect the ignition system.  Putting in a ridiculously light spring can and will.

Bobbing the hammer is indeed a prudent modification, for it will keep the hammer from snagging on the draw.  If the 'smith who performs this operation for you does it correctly, he will also remove the single-action cocking hook from the hammer, thereby rendering it double action ONLY.

This latter aspect of the modification will have little to no effect on tactical consideration, or on a criminal investigation, should one result from your using the gun in self-defense.  However, from a civil perspective, a revolver that can be cocked is a liablity.

A number of years ago there was a case in which a man shot another in self-defense.  I do not recall now whether the prosecutor did not prosecute (obvious self defense) or whether a grand jury no-billed it.

However, the man was sued by the perp (who lived) in civil court, on the theory that he cocked the gun, thereby establishing a "hair trigger" which he then negligently set off.  The tort resulted in a large settlement for the perp, even though there was no evidence that the man had ever cocked the gun - it was only the attorney's theory.

When a hammer is bobbed correctly, this theory will never hold up in court, since it would be impossible to cock the gun.

I hope this helps.  Thank you again for your contribution to our society.