Fanning the Hammer on a single-action revolver

[commando552]

I think you can fan most revolvers with an external hammer, not just SA ones (although it is pointless on DA/SA revolvers I think it is still mechanically possible). You really shouldn't do it though as it is very hard on the gun. Because you are driving the hammer back at much greater speeds than normal cocking it basically increases the forces on all the internal components greatly accelerating wear.

I remembering hearing that cowboy trick shooters use modified strengthened revolvers for fanning. Even with this they still need three revolvers: one to shoot, one as a spare, and the third is being rebuilt at a gunsmiths.