A Single Action Six Gun for a carry gun??

G

g.willikers

New member
From reading some of the threads here, in both the revolver and BP sections, it seems that quite a few carry one of them old fashioned six guns for self defense.
As a fan of the Old West, who didn't own anything but a sixgun until well into adult hood, and got more serious about pistol craft.
I never considered a hogleg as an actual defensive weapon.
Living in a place that only recently adopted concealed carry, they were considered a range and hunting gun, rather than a fighting tool.
So, who here does carry one for defense, why did you choose it over more modern designs?
And how do you go about it?
Do you have special training, specific to the sixgun?
If so, what was it and where did you go to acquire it?
Curious minds want to know.
 
Well, not quite a SSA, but a number of years ago I'd carried a NAA Mini Revolver. Now I know it's not exactly apples to apples, but even with A LOT of practice it still took longer to use than a DA/SA revolver or DA/SA semi.

The other part is that in SD situations, one is not generally going to be able to shoot from a 2 handed grip. Therefore, it would take manipulation of your thumb to get the action going. Once that's done, you'd have to acquire your target and do this again before RE-acquiring your target. Sure, I'm stating the obvious, but when it's broken down like that it makes it more apparent that a SA revolver for carry is not a good option because the overwhelming majority of us can't shoot like Jerry Miculek.

SA revolver for primary SD is a bad choice for most people. However, if that is the only option one has, then it's still better than a sharp stick or a frying pan. Also, it's an individual's choice. Carry or don't carry - still a free country (for now).
 
I knew guy who did- a nickeled 1st gen Colt SAA in .44-40. He even carried original black powder ammo that he had found at gun shows.

He was no poser either- he'd been there.
 
I have been belt carrying Cimarron/Uberti's Colt Lightning replica (38 S&W Special). It is referred to as a 3/4 size SAA style, using Ruger Single Six holster fit. Usually I carry two, one crossdraw.

This size is easy to accommodate in the right holster, but I have never carried my full-sized single actions concealed...too much gun. Those I can open carry as wilderness guns, especially the 4 3/4" NMBH 41 Magnum in a Bianchi Lawman.
 
I carry my Super Blackhawk with a 3.5in barrel every once in a while. I have some nice .44 special HPs for city work and .44 mag for the woods. A pancake holster at 3 o'clock and a loose shirt is fine for me to ccw.
 
Why?

Why carry a single-action as a self defense weapon?

There is really only one good reason.

Because he/she/they want to.

This is America after all,,,
Individual choices are allowed.

I wouldn't do it if I had another option,,,
But hey, most people wouldn't carry my mouse gun either.

Aarond

.
 
I began carrying my Ruger .44 Special Blackhawk (an ex-.357 Magnum Three Screw) about four years ago. For awhile I used this Bob Mernickle holster:



But early this year I switched to this Tom Threeperson design by Graveyard Jack holsters:



Carries just slightly lower, and does not require a straight up lift to clear leather.

Why carry a Single Action? Why not? I can clear leather and get off a shot faster than most folks I know. I've lived most of my life with a Single Action and they are second nature to me. Also the bigger .44 caliber JHP is much more comforting that the little .357 158gr. pills. And the fact that I can't pump off fifteen rounds in a split second doesn't bother me a whit.

As to reloading, I figure I can do that at leisure.

Bob Wright
 
g.willikers said:
Do you have special training, specific to the sixgun?
If so, what was it and where did you go to acquire it?
Click to expand...

Friend of mine went to this single action self defense class at Gunsight several years ago. I don't know if they still have it.

http://www.curtrich.com/0510Gunsite.html

Bob Wright said:
Why carry a Single Action? Why not?
Click to expand...

Same reason most people don't choose a Model T to drive across the US, even though you can buy one that's been restored to better than new condition for less than the cost of most new modern cars.

It's a mechanical device. The technology has advanced.

In a nutshell, according to Jim Wilson (but should be obvious to anyone), a single action enthusiast:

http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/1729/single-action-self-defense/

It just doesn’t hold very many cartridges and it's slow to reload.
Click to expand...

No big deal if you like to carry a single action or drive a Model T across the US.

As aarondhgraham stated;

Because he/she/they want to.

This is America after all,,,
Individual choices are allowed.
Click to expand...
 
Not the best choice. There are far better guns on which to bet your life. Driving a Model T is fine for sport. Self defense isn't sport and I want every advantage.

It's long past 1873. You want to pack an SAA go ahead. I won't.
 
The obvious problems:

Slower rate of fire and glacial-like reload times.

There are enough single action cranks around that can do it with a confidence level that they can only obtain from personal experience and lots of training. Not for a casual handgunner-including me.
 
"Not the best choice" hmmm . . . must be nice to know better than me whats best for me!
Just like our leader knew I should pay over twice for less health ins.
(must be a polititian!!)

I agree with Bob, what you are comfortable with, THAT's what you use. An emergency isn't the time to "remember what to do". Natural instinct wins. Why would you insist someone use something forign to them to defend their life? Makes zero since.
 
Slower rate of fire and glacial-like reload times.
Click to expand...

I can't conceal a speedloader for a DA, only a speedstrip for either action. Once the gun is empty, I wouldn't give much for the difference in reloading times from a speed strip kept in my pocket. The SA loading from the right side is an advantage personally, being right handed.

Now, unloading can be a problem, if ammo is at all "dirty" and fussy to extract.

I don't think we're talking about a critique of carrying revolvers in general.
 
In all reality...inspite of fantasies of multiple assailants....if you cant get it done with 5/6 rounds.....10/12/15/18...more aint gonna help......cuz your spraying and prayin....
 
Number 8 looks great for riding the range in the Olde West. I wonder how long it would take to attract police attention in most towns, let alone cities, even if the carrier had a valid carry permit.

Those of us who are, or are forced to be, a bit more discreet, might opt for something smaller and another carry method.

Jim
 
I do sometimes, I used to a lot. They just look and feel so danged nice it's a shame not to carry them more. I've had some friendly matches with some guys and their high cap guns and am at the conclusion, that only hits count. If you shoot it good, carry it, but do to the single action hammer, it could possibly open you up to charges if you accidently dropped the hammer if you cocked it before you were actually going to shoot. Just thinking.
 
James K said, in part:
Number 8 looks great for riding the range in the Olde West. I wonder how long it would take to attract police attention in most towns, let alone cities, even if the carrier had a valid carry permit.
Click to expand...

First let me say I live in Memphis, Tennessee, a fairly urban city. Nor do I go about without a sport coat, jacket, or vest which hides my rig. At times my holster has shown, I know, but nobody has seen a gun. They have seen a leather case, which could be a cellular telephone or a Ipad or whatever. Could be an empty holster. Until a police officer has seen my gun, he has not seen a gun. And US Supreme Court ruling has ruled the officer cannot arrest on the accusation of a third party.

Now, even if seen, I have a valid Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit, and no law has been broken. I have taken the precaution that nothing is evident in an area in which I am likely to be an intended carjacking victim. I am certainly cautious enough that to be approached by a group of thugs is out of the question, as I am aware of who, and how many, are likely to be around me at any time. If I even think there's a possibility of being outnumbered, I'll simply drive on.

Bob Wright
 
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