CZ Shadow ready position in Production.... Hammer is...

Slavex said:
If an RO tries to tell me HOW to lower my hammer after I load my gun I'll ask for the CRO. None of the RO's business how I do it, so long as it doesn't go bang. Now after the stage if he wants to offer suggestions that's fine.
As for how to do it? Like Bob said, thumb between hammer and slide, pull trigger and roll thumb out of the way. SLOWLY. Grabbing or pinching is quite simply stupid.
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I don't think it is stupid,..as I have seen many good shooters use that method to their liking. I thought to myself,..what is he talking about.:confused: Then I went downstairs and decocked my stock2 with out thinking about it,..and realized i had been using my weak hand thumb like you described all along:redface:,..it just seems easier and more controlled.
 
I pinch and lower with weak hand thumb & index finger. Any other method does not feel right to me. This has worked for me several years now without a AD. Mind you, I work with hand tools all day so my grip may be a little stronger than some others. I cringe when I see someone lower the hammer with one hand only. You know, finger on trigger while lowering hammer with thumb only.
 
Sorry Steve I'm not calling you stupid, but that particular method of decocking is seriously dangerous. The thumb roll is about as close to idiot proof you can get. I've DQ'd waaay too many people for AD's doing that method.
 
Well...it never made sense to me. After all with the serrations on the top of the hammer it seems like the way to go.

As a new IPSC guy I just went with what the oldtimers told me :)

John
 
Slavex said:
that particular method of decocking is seriously dangerous. The thumb roll is about as close to idiot proof you can get. I've DQ'd waaay too many people for AD's doing that method.
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I saw a guy loose control of the hammer (Shadow) using the thumb roll. A little sweat or oil on your hands, and it’s easy to slip off right at the end. I’ve been using the pinch method on CZ’s and I prefer it because I get full control all the way down. Regardless of which method you use, paying attention is the key.
 
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Slavex said:
If an RO tries to tell me HOW to lower my hammer after I load my gun I'll ask for the CRO. None of the RO's business how I do it, so long as it doesn't go bang. Now after the stage if he wants to offer suggestions that's fine.
As for how to do it? Like Bob said, thumb between hammer and slide, pull trigger and roll thumb out of the way. SLOWLY. Grabbing or pinching is quite simply stupid.
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I always tell the RO that I am shooting in Production Div. and I will be lowering the hammer before I do it, especially at the start of the match. Even though they should know this about Production Division, the odd one gets that look of horror when I tell them what I am going to do.

I also use the thumb roll method.
 
Slavex said:
Sorry Steve I'm not calling you stupid, but that particular method of decocking is seriously dangerous. The thumb roll is about as close to idiot proof you can get. I've DQ'd waaay too many people for AD's doing that method.
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I know :cool:. I am always open minded to new (to me) methods. Since I am a visual person, you need to show me the thumb roll. If it works for me, then I will be on a roll :D.
 
Any chance someone could video this "Thumb Roll" method.......I have never witnessed it, and if it is indeed a better method, I would like to learn it! I currently do the "Grasp between Thumb and Forefinger mid Knuckle" method, and haven't had any problems!
 
For my kids DA/SA they grab the hammer with thumb and middle finger with the index finger behind the hammer...

Slowly drop the hammer and slide out the finger.
 
The Shadow is particularly well designed for the pinch method thanks to the nicely chamfered hole in the hammer.

I've practiced a lot holding the gun sideways to allow me a strong and straight on grasp of the hammer. Only when it is pulled back away from the sear do I put my finger on the trigger and lower the hammer fully. Using this method I have very good control courtesy of a strong pinch from either side that squishes pleanty of my finger tip padding down firmly into that cross hole.

I like the alchohal swab a few times during the day though. I'm going to borrow that one. Thanks.

I tried a bunch of the other method and at least with the Shadow I just did not find that it provided full control all the way down onto the nose of the firing pin. The Shadow has too much of a recess that the hammer sits down into to allow me to slide my thumb or finger out of the way and avoid at least a bit of a last "click" where the hammer is not in control. Other guns are different and on those I've found that the thumb under the hammer works nicely in those cases.

Anyhow, as much as anything I think it's a matter of what method you get used to using. I've practiced the pull back, finger onto the trigger and lower so often now that it's second nature to me. And maybe that is the key, lots of practice.
 
7.62mm said:
Any chance someone could video this "Thumb Roll" method.......I have never witnessed it, and if it is indeed a better method, I would like to learn it! I currently do the "Grasp between Thumb and Forefinger mid Knuckle" method, and haven't had any problems!
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[YouTube]4uzrvRai-Qs[/YouTube]
 
stormbringer said:
I would say that the thumb method shown second is more apt for provide for a ND.
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I agree....that friggen scares me!:eek:

I have been playing around with my GP6 here for a few minutes trying a couple of different things! The single thumb method gives me the "eeebbbbggggbbbeess''......I feel the hammer could easily slip out from under my thumb!

I work with my hands everyday, and have no problem holding the hammer between my thumb and mid forefinger.......feels way more solid!
 
BCRider said:
The Shadow is particularly well designed for the pinch method thanks to the nicely chamfered hole in the hammer.

I've practiced a lot holding the gun sideways to allow me a strong and straight on grasp of the hammer. Only when it is pulled back away from the sear do I put my finger on the trigger and lower the hammer fully. Using this method I have very good control courtesy of a strong pinch from either side that squishes pleanty of my finger tip padding down firmly into that cross hole.

I like the alchohal swab a few times during the day though. I'm going to borrow that one. Thanks.

I tried a bunch of the other method and at least with the Shadow I just did not find that it provided full control all the way down onto the nose of the firing pin. The Shadow has too much of a recess that the hammer sits down into to allow me to slide my thumb or finger out of the way and avoid at least a bit of a last "click" where the hammer is not in control. Other guns are different and on those I've found that the thumb under the hammer works nicely in those cases.

Anyhow, as much as anything I think it's a matter of what method you get used to using. I've practiced the pull back, finger onto the trigger and lower so often now that it's second nature to me. And maybe that is the key, lots of practice.
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I've drawn a few "gansta" comments as I turn the gun sideways, but for the Shadow, it's the safest method.
 
I was over at my buddy's place today and he has the Shadow with a Comp Hammer and I have to say that his Comp Hammer DOES NOT have the same sharp/bite serration as the factory Shadow hammer that is shown in my video. So, for me, right now I feel the factory Shadow hammer has a really good/sharp bite and the "thumb roll" works very well BUT with the Comp Hammer with less bite the "pinch method" seem to work better especially with more area to grab.

This is my observation from this afternoon.

JMHO
 
The thumb roll method in the video is not what Rob ws talking about. Done properly the thumb is inserted between the hammer and the frame. The hammer is released against the thumb and then the thumb is slowly rotated out of the way as the hammer slowly falls to its rested position. Itis easy to do and close to fool proof.

Take Care

Bob
 
I do the pinch method as described by BCRider. Worked for me every time for years. I tried the thumb roll method a few times this afternoon with no problems. Either method can cause a AD if you are not focused.

Slavex, I can't make it out to S&D but I will be at the Nanaimo qualifiers in July.
 
as Bob states, that video does not show a thumb roll. I've DQ'd numerous people for attempting both the methods in the above video. I have yet to DQ someone for doing it the way Bob and I are talking about. Stick your thumb between the slide and the hammer, pull the trigger and then slowly roll your thumb out from in between the two. I've seen waaaaay too many slip ups with other two methods.
 
Slavex said:
....I've DQ'd numerous people for attempting both the methods in the above video. I have yet to DQ someone for doing it the way Bob and I are talking about. Stick your thumb between the slide and the hammer, pull the trigger and then slowly roll your thumb out from in between the two. I've seen waaaaay too many slip ups with other two methods.
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Um.. you mean you've DQ'ed people that chose to use that method or that chose to use that method and slipped and had an NG? After all, it's the NG that results in the DQ and not the method, be it right or wrong.
 
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