S&W 642 lady smith revolver

Question
Looking to buy first gun.  Interested in several s&w revolvers including the 642,60/65 and 3913 lady smith pistol.  Please explain the mechanics of the internal hammer on the 642 vs. revolvers w/a hammer etc. Just for the record - I know very little about guns - except for how to use my single shot shot gun.  
Thanks,
Robin

Answer
Robin,

I happen to own the model 640-1, the internal hammer, .357 Magnum version of the guns you were looking at, and love it. The main difference between a revolver with an internal hammer versus one with an exposed hammer is that the internal hammer models are double-action only.

A double action revolver with an exposed hammer can be fired two ways, with the hammer cocked and with it uncocked. With the hammer uncocked, the trigger pull is heavier and stiffer, as the trigger is rotating the cylinder and raising the hammer against the tension of the mainspring. When the hammer is cocked, the cylinder is rotated and locked into position and the hammer is locked rearward, leaving only a small, light trigger pull to fire the gun. Firing the gun with the hammer uncocked is called "double-action mode" since the trigger is both raising and dropping the hammer. Firing with the hammer cocked is shooting in "single-action mode" since the trigger is only dropping the hammer.

With an internal hammer, the user cannot cock it and therefore the "Centennial" line of Smith & Wesson revolvers are double-action-only, meaning every shot is fired double-action. The advantage of the Centennial line is that there is no hammer-spur to snag on clothing and its low-profile sights are also snag-proof. It's easy to carry and conceal and is designed around the idea that in a combat situation the user probably won't have time to cock the hammer anyway.

A neat compromise between the standard model 60 line and the Centennial line is the "Bodyguard" line of S&W revolvers, distinctive due to their "humpback" appearance. With Bodyguard revolvers, the hammer-spur is shrouded on both sides with steel, making the spur snag-resistant while allowing the gun to be fired single-action.

In any event, if you're looking for a concealed carry gun, you're on the right track. Revolvers are more reliable than are autos and tend to be easier to carry. Among the various revolver makers, none in my humble opinion are as good as Smith & Wesson.

Hopefully I've answered your question, if you've any others, please feel free to ask.


Kyle