Can the experts here analyze the difference between a conventional
safety pin/button that when pushed, blocks or locks a trigger from
being pulled on a rifle (or any gun in general) versus the transfer
bar safety feature which encourages half cocking the hammer and
supposedly prevents the firing pin from accidentally dropping and
firing the gun? Why would one be considered better than another?

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 12 Oct 2005 07:43 PDT

Take a look at this article on Firearm Function Testing and
comparision of the different types of handgun safetys and let me know
if this sufficiently answers your question:

FIREARMSID.COM
http://www.firearmsid.com/A_FirearmFunction.htm

I do know that a modern transfer bar safety better prevents a gun from
firing when dropped or when the hammer is accidentally struck
externally, whereas a flip safety or thumb safety does not in all
instances. Because of this, hunters or persons in law enforcement, for
example, can more confidently carry a loaded firearm with a ready
round under the hammer (jargon: "in the pipe") with a transfer bar. In
my opinion the transfer bar's interlock mechanism is considerably
safer than its predecessor. Clearly Ruger, Winchester and others share
my view as they have since modifed many of their weapons to have this
safety feature.

Read the article and let me know what you think.

tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Question by jsc-ga on 12 Oct 2005 10:40 PDT

Thanks Tutuzdad. My earlier Google search had led me to that site. The
owner of the site was very helpful. Happyfisherman, your answer was
more helpful. Were either of you able to find useful links that aren't
available from your basic Google search?
 
http://www.firearmsid.com/A_FirearmFunction.htm

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 12 Oct 2005 10:57 PDT

I was not. Hopefully someone will know more.

tutuzdad-ga

Picture a single action revolver, with the hammer forward on a loaded
chamber.  The hammer rests directly on the firing pin, which rests
directly on the primer of the cartridge.  If the hammer were to be
struck, this strike would transfer through the hammer and fire the
gun.  This was the case on the old model Ruger Blackhawks.  The
transfer bar changed all of that, and was incorporated into Ruger's
newer models.  Nowadays on the Blackhawks with the transfer bar, when
the hammer is in the forward position, there is no direct contact with
the cartridge.  Only when the hammer is cocked to the rear position,
the transfer bar raises up and fills the gap between the firing pin
and where the hammer will strike.  As the trigger is pulled, the
hammer will fall, firing the gun.  When the trigger is then released,
the transfer bar will lower itself out of the way.
As far as other types of safeties, some are better than others, but
remember that the trigger/sear engagements of most firearms has very
small surface areas, and on a system that only blocks trigger
movement, this engagement can be compromised.