A bit retainer system includes a bit having a head and a shank, a driver sub disposed around the shank of the bit and adapted to engage a hammer case, a bit retainer including a segmented retainer ring configured with a circumferential groove on an outside diameter of the segmented ring, the bit retainer disposed around the shank of the bit and abutting an upper end of the driver sub. The bit retainer system further includes a secondary retainer disposed around the bit retainer, wherein the secondary retainer includes a plurality of webs disposed at selected locations along the secondary retainer configured to engage the circumferential groove of the segmented retainer ring.