A preference for brass..........to prevent damage to the socket???

Yes, brass is the softer metal so any deforming will occur in the hammer rather than object being hit.

The hammer doesn't wear as much as you'd think. I've had to cut the mushroom off my hammer about once a year.

Yep, I use brass all the time for my "persuasion" on assembly of my tools.

The only downside is that it marks the black oxide on finished components........so, I must be extra careful...........sometimes I need the plastic mallets.