[Looking for Diogenes]

It has been well known for over 160 years, since Sam Colt invented the revolver, that you always have the hammer over an empty chamber. You load five in a sixshooter.

I've never bought a revolver. Do they include that advice in the manual for the gun?

[Inyo-Mono]

Yes. Every gun manufacturer, Colt, Ruger, etc., includes that advice in the instruction manuals provided with new revolvers. The advice is often printed in large letters right on the box.

[MarkL]

I've never bought a revolver. Do they include that advice in the manual for the gun?

Actually, for SAA style revolvers, yes it is. They are the "original" style, single action revolvers, where the firing pin is attached to the hammer, and it would rest directly on the primer of a cartridge while at rest. A blow to the hammer while it's down could easily set off the round.

That's why modern revolvers use a "transfer bar," which only allows the hammer to contact the firing pin through a transfer bar, which only contacts the firing pin when the trigger is pulled.

That's why modern revolvers don't have this problem.

Mark M