In a message of , Tony Belding (1:273/952.2) writes: 
 EH> Its OK to load and cap all six chambers when target shooting at a range,
 EH> when the revolver will be fired immediately.  In the field never load
 EH> more than FIVE chambers.  Always carry the hammer down on the EMPTY one
 EH> for safety!  The substantial hammer notches between the chambers of the
 EH> Ruger Old Army are much better than the puny "pins" on original Colts,
 EH> but Sturm, Ruger cautions to load 5 only, and I agree with their advice.
 TB>What is the reasoning behind this?  It seems like the hammer notches 
 TB>ought to be effective -- and if they're not, then why are they put on 
 TB>the guns at all?
 In the old days the hammer notches were felt an adequate safety device.
 Modern testing indicates that are not fail safe.  In fact nothing is.
 Even in the old days the practice of loading only five chambers preceded
 adoption of cartridge guns, as ADs were extremely common if the gun was
 dropped or struck after having been jostled around in the holster.    
'73 de KE4SKY, Regards, Ed
 
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