Are the "advantages" of DAO revolvers based upon fallacies?

Well, given that the original post seemed to be talking mainly about small, defensive revolvers, in which the liklihood of the gun being thumbcocked during a defensive encounter is virtually nil, I stick with my original posting in this thread.

In a defensive encounter you're likely never to see the sights, nor will you have time for precision shooting.

I'm not talking about target guns, either. I have a Model 24 S&W that is a true target gun, and I frequently shoot it single action.

But, again, given that the context of the original message wasn't about target guns, or even general purpose guns, I'm not factoring those in.
 
'Scuse me. The original poster started off talking about about snub barreled defensive revolvers, not target guns.

Also nobody said they "prefer a long, heavy stroke". How about a well tuned DA pull that allows a shooter to get a good feel for the revolver in his hand? There are many different styles of shooting. I like a smooth DA straight-back trigger pull. It is also more similar to shooting in the real world for most people.
 
I have yet to meet a revolver shooter who thinks a shot at any distance that would reasonably be made using the sights would be easier to execute in DA as opposed to SA if given the choice
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howdy Boats,,nice to meet'cha. ;)

Want me to do it strong hand or weak hand?
(has to be a Smith K or N though..)
 
The Bodyguard is a very useful piece. Precise aimed fire is always a good thing to have available, and yes you can shoot a 2" very accuratly in SA if you bother to learn the weapon. I have an M13 3" that is spurless but cockable and it is wonderful to shoot and exceedingly accurate in SA mode.
There is no advantage to DAO unles you are a city lawyer,but plenty of advantage to shrouded/spurless but cockable.

Juliet Charly and Boats,
You can fire pretty effectively with that "cowboy point shooting" if you practice. I have ruined a couple of old coats in practice and never set one on fire yet.

Sam
 
When I cock the hammer on either of my revolvers (S&W 617 & 686), the trigger moves backwards through about 90% of it's travel. That's what I mean by "long" on double action pulls.

I don't have a scale to measure my own pulls, but in writeups where they are measured, single action pull effort is normally about 40% of double action pull effort (whether the action is tuned or not). That's what I mean by "heavy" on double action pulls.

I don't believe that someone can (if they are really trying on both), execute double action more accurately than single action, let alone the same. I can believe they get closer with lots of double action practice, but not that double action is the same or better. That just doesn't make any sense from the basic physics and geometry of the situation. To use a compact line of reasoning, if long heavy pulls were better, everyone would use them in competition for accuracy (what I was trying to point out about target guns).

I have never shot at anyone - I really really hope that I never will. As far as not using sights, yes, I realize that many people recommend "point shooting"... but most instructors I've read still advocate using the sights, albeit in a fast and coarse manner.

In my opinion, DAO revolvers have the following advantages:
  • Spurless hammer can't snag in pocket or on draped clothing if concealed
  • Long heavy pull can prevent accidents if user doesn't practice proper trigger discipline with gun out
  • Somewhat simpler operation possiblities avoid possible split second delay/confusion
 
This is another issue of 'whats right for me should be right for everyone'. If you don't like DAO revolvers, then just don't buy one.
Personally, I like them. The DAO revolver has a place in my modest selection of revolvers that I rely on for protection. My DAO handguns are three inches or less in barrel length, have bobbed hammers and fixed sights. They serve a specific function. The advantage for me is that they can be pocket carried, are sighted for a specific load, and will be fired rapidly. I do not need to thumb cock and aim, these are point fired.
My hunting revolvers (other than SA 'cowboy' ones) all have adjustable sights, longer barrels, and retain the function of SA as well as DA.
 
This is another issue of 'whats right for me should be right for everyone'.
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I would agree, and in fact I am not trying to knock DAO revolvers, just trying to counter criticism of single action shooting as being useless and anyone who would shoot single action as not knowing what they are doing. Both of those points are just totally unfounded - and correspond to your "I like DAO so anyone else who isn't using it is wrong" case.
 
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