Single-action revolver for defence?

Zorro,
That sounds fast to me. How accurate are you at that rate? For example would they all hit a pie plate at 10 yds? or maybe a wash-tub?

Aren't those little-bitty North American Arms .22's all single action?
Seems like every now and then someone on here talks about carrying one of those. Anyone carry or actually had to use one?
 
:D A "REAL" Single Action Revolver goes: Click, click, clack, click.

Anyway, my first centerfire revolver was an Iver Johnson Cattlemman .45 Colt. Since then I've had other clones, OM and NM Ruger SA's, and various other handguns.

I have not one bit of a qualm about using my OM Blackhawk .45 as a house, or an outdoors defense gun. It is usually the one I cary outdoors anyway.

The one and only time a SA revolver came into play as a defense gun was some years ago in Phoenix. My cousin and I were driving back to my house from a day of shooting. It was dark and after a bit we realized we were being followed. I made several announced and unannounced directional changes to make sure. Once I was positive I told my cousin to reach into the back seat and pick up my 7.5" Blackhawk. It was loaded in the holster. I told him to leave it in the holster but to move slowly to allow whoever was following us to get a good look. He did as I said, and just as lifted the Ruger into sight the car behind us made a sudden turn and disapeared.
What would have happened had that Ruger not been there I don't know. But I am positive it saved us from a violent confrontation with unknow adversaries.
 
SA revolver should be OK, but be prepared for the "and you cocked the gun in a dangerous fashion" type of question from the plaintiff's attorney.
 
"and you cocked the gun in a dangerous fashion"
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Seems to me that it wouldn't be any worse than somebody carrying a 1911 hammer-down-chamber-loaded. I know that there are people that do that, so the SA revolver shouldn't be any big deal. Besides, finger off of trigger until "go" time.

(Actually, I am the type that figures once the firearm is presented from holster the "go" decision has been made. All options have been exhausted.)
 
Single-actions are slow to load, but remember that a guy with one single-action revolver might have another one along too. The second one is for a "Dodge City Reload."
 
scotjute
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Not really, you get in the habit of cupping both hands together AND automatically conking the hammer with your left thumb and never shifting your grip with the right hand, and never losing your sight picture.

Kind of like automatically working a pump shotgun without thinking about it.

Shooting running rabbits helps develop the skill.
 
I have the Vaquero .357 stashed in the "back room" of my home. I figure that those 6 158Gr Gold Dots should help me get to the heavier artillery if i need it.
 
....in lieu of a semi-auto or DA revolver? No Way.

As jack already mentioned (during times of stress or adrenaline pump) too slow to reload, slow rate of fire, likely to pull the trigger while the hammer is down, and with "authentic cowboy models" six shooters are only safe as five shooters..

But if thats all you got...why not. Heck, if all I had was a muzzle loader I'd use that too.I'm sure there are people who shoot SA revolvers regularly who'd disagree but I simply don't train with them to feel that confident.

*Did we mention it really takes time to unload and re-load those things? I can imagine tears coming out of my eyes as bullets whiz by me as I eject empties one by one by one...: :(

...oh %#$! I just skipped one because my hands are shaking so bad.:eek:
 
In most cases a single action is fine. I'd say against 1 or 2 BG's and you are in great shape with a single action.

If you are up against multiple opponents and need a reload, then you might be in trouble. It takes some time to reload a single action revolver. Then again, if there are that many opponents (lots of bullets coming at you) then you might be in trouble with ANY gun you are carrying! ;)
 
Ian11: part of the reloading solution is to start with a .45LC Ruger New Model of some sort, Blackhawk or Vaquero.

Get a Brownell's cylinder hone kit for use in an electric drill. Fine-polish the cylinder bores so they're like mirrors. Stainless models will take a finer polish.

Step two, get a Power Custom freewheel pawl, $35. Allows the cylinder to spin BOTH ways with the hammer down, gate open.

Step three, use nickel-plated brass, and ammo with pressures around 18,000 - 20,000psi or so. The Winchester Silvertip with a 230grain JHP doing 950fps is an excellent choice, there are several others. 357Maggies will stick no matter what you do, it's all about pressure levels. .44Spl might work too.

On reload, assuming you keep the gun clean, open the gate and point the barrel skywards and all the empties will just drop free as you spin the cylinder. To reload, point it down and use a plastic tube that you just pulled the cork cap off of to drop the rounds in as you spin the cylinder.

OK, it's not quite as fast as a DA speedloader but it's not that shabby either :).
 
Well... yeah.

Most times I'm in the woods I'm packing a Ruger Vaquero 44 Magnum. Every non-gun person is staggered by the size and look of this pistol (7.5 inch glossy stainless). I can't imagine attempting to CCW this hogleg, but I'd say it wouldn't be out of line on the nightstand, or in your sleeping bag.

Oh and I load it with Winchester 240 gr soft points when I take it hunting, or 240 gr lead flatnose by Ultramax for plinking. Either one is a serious load.

Seriously, a 4 inch Ruger tricked out for Cowboy games (free spin pawl, lightened hammer for fanning, skinny grips etc might make sense for some folks.
 
I don't, then again I live in MD so I don't carry anything. When I move to a CCW state I could see carrying a SA revolver for some purposes.

With practice it isn't really slower than a DA revolver or auto. It can be more accurate if you're in a slightly longer range situation. It is often bigger, and everyone has seen these on TV and in movies, so the intimidation factor may be stronger (hopefully that will be enough in any encounter when you have to draw a gun). Also, an important, but often overlooked, aspect of carrying a gun is the confidence boost that the owner gains knowing that he/she can handle almost any situation should something happen- assuming you know you are good with the gun, a SA revolver feels like a "real" gun.

Also, as some have touched on, one should carry what they are familiar with. A Cowboy Action shooter, especially an experienced one, will be very good with this kind of gun. He/she may be better off using a SA revolver than any other kind of gun in a situation gone bad (with a more traditional backup should the 5 or 6 rounds in the SA gun, depending upon if it is a Ruger or more accurate clone, not be enough).

I could see myself carrying it when in situations where the likelihood of an incident was low for the style factor (especially if somewhere that open carry was allowed) and the feel.

Of course for someone who doesn't own any other guns that may be their only option, and with practice they shouldn't have a problem.
 
I dunno.....

I bet Jesse James or Wyatt Earp could beat the "Boyz" in da hood.

...or Bob Munden.....he'd nail them before they could raise their Tupperware. :) ....or he'd hit all the Aspirins they were tossing up in the air. :D


It's all about what you practice with, and what comes so natural to you, it is second nature.
 
I got the same gun as popbang.
A ruger sheriff model birdshead in 45 colt.
If 6 45 colt doesn't work, I got 6 more .44 from a bisley-vaquero, and 10 +20 from a sig, and 8+ 24 from a h&k .45.
But the gun under my pillow is the .45 colt.
It would be too easy for me to pull the trigger of the DA's in my sleep.
I can see it now-still sleeping- phone rings- put gun to head, "answer" the gun "Hello?", pull trigger. BOOM.
SA gun under pillow.
Another under bed.
Combat weapons in drawer next to bed.
Fresh mags next to them.
Shotguns, rifles, and cell phone in the next room.
If I did keep a SA/DA under my pillow, I would have to keep the chamber empty.
 
I carried a three screw Ruger .357 for years as a concealed handgun. I never felt undergunned. Now days, I prefer a .45 Colt with SilverTips, and despite the glocks, h&k's and what have you out there, I still feel comfortable with a Ruger SA.
 
i got a SS ruger bisley vaquero with the 4 5/8" barrell,and a dennis yoder sportsman lefty to carry it around. after years of collecting various firearms,i settled on 3 handguns(and one rifle):SA revolver(above), DA revolver(ruger SR 454),and a SA auto(para-ordnance p-10). after getting use to SA handling,i don't feel at all hesitant.of my guns,it's a good compromise in handling,packability,and reliability.
i'm fully aware of SA revolver limitations.if you like it,practice with it,and feel comfortable with your targeting,hell,why not?
- or should i try to talk you into a wilson race gun with illuminated sights,and belled magazine port? you gotta wear the gargoyles too though...
:cool:
 
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