Anyone have single action that can corroborate?
I know at half-cock the cylinder will rotate.
At full cock the mechanism is engaged to pull the trigger releasing the hammer to strike.
To release half-cock back to hammer arrest I think you have to squeeze the trigger a little bit and control a hammers descent on back into its resting position.
Is there a point between half cock and full cock if that if the hammer is let go it will return to the firing pin on assisted?
I’m not sure but I don’t think so, but I could be wrong cuz I’ve never had a single action.
“Is there a point between half cock and full cock if that if the hammer is let go it will return to the firing pin on assisted?”
On 1860s designed single action you bet your backsides there is a point. It is where the term going off half cocked originated. If the hammer is not locked back against one of two sears it will swing back forward under the spring pressure you just tensioned by pulling it back, this also will rotate the cylinder backwards to under the firing pin it is the unwinding of the hammer spring driving this action. Nearly every time the hammer comes home with enough energy to light off the round. You don’t even have to have your finger inside the trigger guard as the trigger is not involved in this form of a accidental discharge.
It depends on which version of a six you have. Some are the C-O-L-T type (4 distinct positions where you can actually hear what’s going on). Others are only 2-position type. But with the ones that have a true firing pin I guess it’s possible for the hammer to drop down and hit a primer with a lighter strike. Would have to look at the particular type of pistol he was using...
I have an 1873 SAA. What he described I think is technically possible, but doesn’t seem likely to me. I think he was most likely squeezing the trigger the whole time.