SA self defense article in American Rifleman

[Jim March]

Well that's a percussion SA, it's even more limited than something like my NewVaq357 - which thrives on a diet of the nastiest JHP full-house monsters I can score. Round for round I'll take a high-end 357 with a Gold Dot 125gr projectile over anything this side of the 44Mag and it'll run even as a manstopper with a lot of 41mag rounds.

(Yes, the better 41mag slugs will beat anything in 357, that's a given...but my point is, the very best 357 ammo will run with or even beat a mediocre 41mag projectile.)

 

[Uncle Buck]

Have you guys ever heard the saying "You dance with who you brought"?

If I had a handgun (and ammunition) for every type of situation I MIGHT find myself in, I would have to carry about a dozen different guns.

If all you have is a single action pistol, then that is who you'll have to dance with in a fight. You can wish you had the Super duper, backside whooper, with deadly heat seeking bad guy ammo, but you don't, so get to work with what you have.

Like any handgun, it is only as effective as the user. And if the user has not practiced, it is not going to be as effective as if he/she had practiced.

(I know there has been some good fun poking at Jim, because of his single action monster, but I would rather have Jim with me in a fight than some of the others who only shoot once in awhile. I have a feeling Jim knows his weapon and how to use it.)

Personally, I do not think I would choose a SA revolver for my first line of defense. But if it was the only thing I had available, I am pretty sure I could hold my own.

BG: This is a hold-up. Give me all your valuables!

ME: Wait a minute Mr. Bad guy, I need to change pistols. All I have with me is a single action, and if I have to reload, you'll have a slight bit of an advantage of me.

 

[Jim March]

(I know there has been some good fun poking at Jim, because of his single action monster, but I would rather have Jim with me in a fight than some of the others who only shoot once in awhile. I have a feeling Jim knows his weapon and how to use it.)

Well if nothing else, at 6'4" and almost 300lbs I'm useful as cover.

 

[Sarge]

If all you have is a single action pistol, then that is who you'll have to dance with in a fight...

Like any handgun, it is only as effective as the user. And if the user has not practiced, it is not going to be as effective as if he/she had practiced.

Amen Uncle Buck. Any of us can be overwhelmed before we know there's a problem. Familiarity with the items at your disposal will go a long way toward the ability to come from behind and at least get your licks in, if not win.