Loading confusion

[bigmitty]

Hi,
New to the forum and to single actions.Just bought my first SA(FA 252)after owning many autos and DA revolvers.I had aiways heard after loading on half cock that you bring the hammer to full cock before lowering the hammer,but the FA inst manuel says to lower from half cock.Are both ways correct?
Thanks,
Gary

[MarkH]

Both ways are correct.  If bringing the hammer all the way back and then letting it down, it would be my preference to let it down on an empty chamber.  If you lower the hammer from half cock, be sure to rotate the cylinder to lock after doing so.

[2 dogs]

Some single actions will mark the cylinder unless you bring the hammer all the way back before you let it down. I would follow the FA manual.

[MarkH]

Note that lowering the hammer from half cock is not a good idea with all single actions as it can bind them up.  But it works with the FA.

[Ken ONeill]

Lowering the hammer from half cock was lawyerspeak, when the manual was drafted. Bringing it to full cock and lowering it carefully, thumb securely on the hammer, has the additional benefit of ensuring that the cylinder is properly locked in place.

[bigmitty]

"Lowering the hammer from half cock was lawyerspeak, when the manual was drafted. Bringing it to full cock and lowering it carefully, thumb securely on the hammer, has the additional benefit of ensuring that the cylinder is properly locked in place."


Thanks for the replys,that is what I suspected.
Gary