ELi5: In a wild west movie or game, when a gunslinger puts their revolver into their holster it often makes a “click”. (for example in Red Dead Redemption 2). Would this happen in real life, and if so, what is it caused by?

Question

ELi5: In a wild west movie or game, when a gunslinger puts their revolver into their holster it often makes a “click”. (for example in Red Dead Redemption 2). Would this happen in real life, and if so, what is it caused by?

In: 19

Answer 1

Same as many “clicks” when a modern sidearm (especially Glock) is pulled or returned.

There is no safety to disengage on the Glock, nor on a revolver like the quintessential police double action (Smith & Wesson et al). So leveling the pistol would not have that soundboard “click” that so often occurs.

Now a western single action pattern revolver does have a series of clicks as you cock it, passing half-cock, engaging the pawl (that advances the cylinder), disengaging the cylinder stop, and finally settling into full cock. It happens quick and unless you’re moving slow, it blends into one “C-c-click”. Decocking would entail a single click and best be done with more control over the gun than just the thumb, but with a little focus it can be done. Other technical reasons would come into play IRL (like lowering a fixed firing pin into a now-loaded chamber), but for entertainment venues that “click” is mere cinematic.