Sig Sauer P6 9mm hammer
 

I acquired a sig p6 9mm awhile back, and the hammer has a slot in it. I never saw that on any other sigs. does anyone have a idea what that is for/? i have been told several reasons for it, but looking for other opinions on it. thanks

I own a couple of these P-6s, and they are great pistols, especially for the price. They are German Police turn ins, and the hammer was cut in that fashion so that if the pistol was dropped onto the hammer, it would dent and the Police armorer would know it, and further check the lock work for related damage.

Some folks change out the P6 hammer for a Sig 225 hammer, and some folks bob the hammer to alter the profile. I, personally, don't have a problem with the looks.

Padredan,

I, too, have a P6. I love it. It is my "Social Work" pistol residing in my bedstand and the car as appropriate. And, it, too, has the hammer cut. First, it is machined, not hacksawed.

I have been told by several sources that the P6, when issued and carried by the West German police, had a safety-sealed plastic tie that was installed in the slot in the hammer and through the trigger guard behind the trigger. This was a police administration feature to insure by a visual inspection that the gun had not been fired nor the slide racked. I do not know if the safety tie had a pull tab that broke the seal or if the seal could be broken by trigger pull (double action, Sig-Sauer) or slide racking alone. I do not know if the P6 was carried with a round in the chamber. All this was to insure that if the seal was broken the police officer better have a good reason.

Additionally, I have the original issue holster that came with mine. What a circus! In order to draw the pistol two snaps have to be undone and each is swept in a different direction. I guess a West German police draw was a thought-ahead thing.

It seems that all this rig-a-marole was for safety and accountability. Safe to say, my holster stays the the safe and the plastic ties stay on the bread loaf.

However, It is my most dependable pistol; I love it.

Regards,

Gunny John

roger that, i think the small ring hammer is just fine, doesn't snag and works just fine to me to **** for single action, the p6 to me is just right, the single stack makes it a bit thinner and fits my hand well.

I think all of us agree that own one of the sig p6's ,they are great guns with a bit of history. this one was made 01 0f 1981 and shoots as good as any sig i own.

Padre,

Can you speak about the holster with your P6. It beats the heck out of the hard plastic thingy I carry with.

Best Regards,

Gunny John

Padre,

You can markedly improve your P-6's DA and SA trigger pull by replacing the "Police issue" mainspring with a more reasonable poundage. Wolff Springs sells a variety pack of mainsprings for that pistol, and you can tailor to your preference.

The information that I posted concerning the hammer came directly from a Sig Forum member that lives in Germany, and is very familiar with this item. I don't know more than that.

You're right. Thanks for pointing that out. I tried to put a tie on mine in the way that was described to me. It slipped off. I wonder if the "tie" was somehow applied different than than I understood?

One description I have read was that the "seal tie" (for want of a better word) went through the trigger guard behind the trigger, crossed over the top of the slide and thence through the slot in the hammer.

I wonder if any of our older (West) German members might remember any of this?

In any case, My and Dan's P6 is an outstanding defensive tool.


Regards,

Gunny John

PS. Interesting idea about the "drop" test. Yet more to the mystery behind the hammer cut.

I like the explanation posted that allows the hammer to crush without firing a shot if dropped. There are better ways to secure police firearms in a rack or person without machining slots in hammers.

Interesting idea, however, the P6 has a locked firing pin that isn't freed until the trigger is pulled. One can beat on the hammer with a brick 'till the cows come home...so it seems to me that the slotted hammer isn't needed to protect the firing pin.

(Actually, both ideas are kinda sketchy...)

Wonder if I could just ask Sig? :typing:


Added later...I found their USA number. I'll call them tomorrow during business hours.

This just in from Wikipedia...

"German police pistols can be identified by the hammer, which has small "ear" or "hook". According to section 7.7 of the German manual, the cutout is the Deformationssporn, which means “deformation spur”. This was a requirement of the West German Police for all their pistols, regardless of manufacturer, to alert police armorers if the pistol was dropped on its hammer."

I pretty much stand corrected, how 'bout that! Something new every day.

Gunny John :p

it is a bit of a mystery, about the hammer slot. it seems it must serve a purpose or why would it be there at all. As for the hand tooled holster with it, it was actualy for a dps sig 229, owned by a rather flamboyant sherrif, and it was made by inmates , who were earning a whopping .027 per hour, but leather craft beats working on the road crews, we had a bit of a bet and ,well you see i have the holster. Fits the p6 just fine, he said he did not mind he had plenty more and new where to get new ones, I do plan on replacing the springs with the wolf ones, thanks for that tip, allways enjoy learning new things.

I was leaning towards it was an indication of a hammer drop, easy to spot that way. thanks

were alot of these ever imported here, this one was made in 01 81, just curious, it allso is stamped nw on the right side of the slide.

that could be true or as the manuel states to show it was dropped on it's hammer, either way it is interesting.still curious about the stamp nw one the right side of the slide

Padre, the P6 has some pretty strong springs stock. Alot of these trade in P6's were carried more than shot, so probably the springs are still in good shape unless someone before you shot the snot out of it. Most P6's are dated on the slide with the year and month made. I read that in1984or86 can't remember right now but around then I think they widened the feed ramp. How's the after market mags working? Alot of negatives I've read about the Pro-mags and curious to your results. Alot of info on these over on the SIG Forum. Personaly, I like the P6, it's the right size, not to big or small not too heavy and not at all cheap feeling like polymer.

Dave, fully agree with you, this one is stamped made in 01 81 and has very little wear, the promags all work fine, the factory mag tends to not at times .these are good guns and like you said fit your hand well.

That slot is used to open beer bottles with. Very common on German guns.

THAT'S IT!!! Problem solved. :biggulp:

Gunny John

seems we have solved it.