(if this isn't in the right spot, could a mod kindly move it for me?)

Aside from the "catch" factor--catching it on the holster or clothing--is there any other benefit to an internal hammer versus external on a revolver?

That's about the extent of it. But if you try to fire single action, it's a lot more difficult to pull the hammer back with your thumb. But the only time you would fire single action (with the hammer already pulled back) would be at a target at a long distance (perhaps over 50 yards).

Plus, a shrouded hammer, makes the weapon slightly more difficult to clean.

Shrouded hammer:



Exposed Hammer:



Plus, I think it's difficult to find many shrouded hammers any more in a revolver. And they tend to be slightly more expensive.

In my humble opinion.

Shrouded hammers are mainly for concealed carry revolvers.

You might not see many in the gun shops but they would have no problem ordering one for you.

A S&W shrouded hammer looks to be more expensive then a regular hammer but the Rugers and the Taurus look to be about the same price.

I'd use SA any time I had the time to do so. I think it rare a non-hunting handgun is fired at a target 50 yards away. JMO.

That's the difference between a professionally trained self-defensive shooter and a hunter. JMO

Help me out here. DA your trigger pull is, what, 8 pounds? How can you shoot as accurately DA as SA?

And, while not being a professionally trained shooter such as yourself, I have read the writings of many such instructors who say the vast majority of combat shots are fired at 7 yards or less. I would think that, statistically, only a few percent of the time is a defensive shot ever fired at a target 7x that far away. Where am I lost? Is it that the pros never fire SA unless "sniping" at extreme range for a pistol?

Shooting proficiency in high stress, self-defense situations is gained by consistent training and practice. Having the same trigger pull each and every shot helps maintain consistency. Look at the popularity of Glocks in law enforcement. I think even MSP switched to DA-only Berettas a few years ago.

Maybe that's it -- consistency??? I never shot well DA, but many semiautos are like SA after the first shot.

Single action, if given the time, is generally much more accurate for a shooter. In SA you don't have the 2-stage pull of the DA trigger. But as you said, most combat situations are less than seven yards and probably closer than that (combat training is now conducted at a distance where you actually place your hand on the target).

A defensive shot is almost never going to be done at ranges greater than 25 yards. As SMan said, consistency is the key in getting off a rapid accurate shot. I suggested 50 yards only for target practice and gun familiarization. I never meant that 50 yards would be a defensive shot.

What a debate, but google has spoken: http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=...external+hammer

Internal Hammer wins by a nose.

So sayeth google...

Let it be done... let it be written....

All Hail Google....

Hail Google... Hail Google... Hail Google....

mark my words- Google will rule the world during this century.

Google for Prez.!!!!