Single action revolvers good as defense weapons?
- Thread starter Jkwas
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juliet charley
New member
About all you give up in SA is a quick reload. In any situation, you can handle with six, they're as good as anything else.
If you accept that having a gun is 99% of carry, a single action certainly suffices.
On top of that, I think a cowboy gun can have lend the sinister quality of a man who has led a rough existance, and doesn't take crap.
Finally, a SA revolver carried with the traditional empty chamber or equipped with a hammer block (Ruger and others) is just about the most inert thing you can put in you pocket or holster.
Certainly, it is not ideal to have to cock it. But the large hammer can make that second nature in no time. Make sure you can do it single handed.
The worst feature is reloading. Carrying reloads for a SA would be a bit silly.
On top of that, I think a cowboy gun can have lend the sinister quality of a man who has led a rough existance, and doesn't take crap.
Finally, a SA revolver carried with the traditional empty chamber or equipped with a hammer block (Ruger and others) is just about the most inert thing you can put in you pocket or holster.
Certainly, it is not ideal to have to cock it. But the large hammer can make that second nature in no time. Make sure you can do it single handed.
The worst feature is reloading. Carrying reloads for a SA would be a bit silly.
So with practice
You can shoot the thing pretty fast. Can you fan it like in the movies? or is that all hollywood stuff.
I kind of like the Ruger Blackhawk .357 with the adjustable sight. Does anyone have any experience with this model, and what about Barrel length, Is longer better, or is a 4.5" enough?
You can shoot the thing pretty fast. Can you fan it like in the movies? or is that all hollywood stuff.
I kind of like the Ruger Blackhawk .357 with the adjustable sight. Does anyone have any experience with this model, and what about Barrel length, Is longer better, or is a 4.5" enough?
CarbineCaleb
New member
I can definitely see the aesthetic appeal of a "cowboy" style revolver like the Ruger Vaquero - that thing has charm. 
Single Action
Fanning - No. Damages the gun, although I've heard there are some expert pistolsmiths who can set them up to minimize the damage for an expert shooter.
Quiick accurate shooting yes, with lots of practice. they will wirk fine for engagements with a couple of adversaries, if you are a believer in hitting what you shoot at, and not big on "Cover Fire".
Fanning - No. Damages the gun, although I've heard there are some expert pistolsmiths who can set them up to minimize the damage for an expert shooter.
Quiick accurate shooting yes, with lots of practice. they will wirk fine for engagements with a couple of adversaries, if you are a believer in hitting what you shoot at, and not big on "Cover Fire".
stephen426
New member
Why are you guys complaining about carrying reloads for single action revolvers??? Don't you guys watch westerns? I'm goona order me one of those belts where I can shove all those bullets in there! No body will wanna mess with me then!
cortez kid
New member
Once you become accustomed to handling a single action, it's real easy to aim and cock one handed. Kind of cool too. The other day I tried a little speed shooting with my SBH. I even impressed myself. Thumb-cocking becomes second nature and fast.
kid
kid
dakotashooter2
New member
Depends on how proficient you are with it. I am much more accurate with my single action especially as ranges increase and would be comfortable using it for self defense withthe exception it is a bit big for carrry. I like to believe that accurate fire will generally rule over unaimed high capacity fire most of the time.
Yep.
For open type carry and the back country, a full sized big bore single action wil stomp the competition. For CC, might be an issue unless your built like an ox(me!).
On another note, it would be pretty intimidating to have someone draw, cock, and aim an SA your way, for sure..
I'm thinking of buying a Blackhawk.. Already got a Super..
CarbineCaleb
New member
Does a S/A have any practical benefits over a D/A?
Only disadvantage I find is reloading. I can pop off all 6 with light .44 loads just as fast as I can from a Smith M15(which I own). Just takes practice.
As far as multi-shot guns, the SA revolver is probably the most reliable.. least parts of all.
Reloading is the only thing that kills it.
barrel length question
Fixed sight Colts and their Italian clones as well as Ruger Vaqueros generally (with the exception of limited models, Sherrifs etc) come only in the traditional "old west/Colt" 4-3/4, 5-1/2 and 7-1/2 inch lengths. Adjustible sighted Blackhawks add a nice in between 6.5" which is particularly good for hot .357, .45 Colt and .44 Mag loads--the added length good for reduction of muzzle flip, fps and accuracy, while adding weight (unwanted if hauling it around). I find the 5.5" (Vaquero or Colt clones) to be the best of all worlds if carrying the weapon around a bit--in terms of balance (weight and aesthetics---but that's just me). A little extra length for sight picture, accuracy (a bit more fps) and reduced muzzle flip vs the 4-3/4" and handier than the 6.5 or 7.5". The latter two are more ideal for "serious" hunting however-though the 5.5 again is an "ok" compromise for such duty.
The most popular SAA (Colt format) guns are 4-3/4 esp among the cowboy shooting crowd and this is truly a nice, handy size; but if using it for more utilitarian duty, i.e, as a shooter, I'd prefer to load .357 guns with .38 Specials most of the time, .45s with ACPs (for those with dual cylinder option) or lesser .45 loads, and .44 Mags with .44 Specials in this shorter length. If you like adjustable sights and the prospects of occasional hunting, and value these attributes over "handiness," look for a .357 or .44 Mag Blackhawk in 6.5" as a great all-round SA. 7.5" only if mostly for "serious" hunting duty 90% of the time. If you like the fixed sights and charm of the "Colt SAA look," look for a nice 5.5" Vaquero (new or old model) .357 or .45 Colt or (old model) .44 Mag, and on the latter practice mostly with .44 Specials.
Fixed sight Colts and their Italian clones as well as Ruger Vaqueros generally (with the exception of limited models, Sherrifs etc) come only in the traditional "old west/Colt" 4-3/4, 5-1/2 and 7-1/2 inch lengths. Adjustible sighted Blackhawks add a nice in between 6.5" which is particularly good for hot .357, .45 Colt and .44 Mag loads--the added length good for reduction of muzzle flip, fps and accuracy, while adding weight (unwanted if hauling it around). I find the 5.5" (Vaquero or Colt clones) to be the best of all worlds if carrying the weapon around a bit--in terms of balance (weight and aesthetics---but that's just me). A little extra length for sight picture, accuracy (a bit more fps) and reduced muzzle flip vs the 4-3/4" and handier than the 6.5 or 7.5". The latter two are more ideal for "serious" hunting however-though the 5.5 again is an "ok" compromise for such duty.
The most popular SAA (Colt format) guns are 4-3/4 esp among the cowboy shooting crowd and this is truly a nice, handy size; but if using it for more utilitarian duty, i.e, as a shooter, I'd prefer to load .357 guns with .38 Specials most of the time, .45s with ACPs (for those with dual cylinder option) or lesser .45 loads, and .44 Mags with .44 Specials in this shorter length. If you like adjustable sights and the prospects of occasional hunting, and value these attributes over "handiness," look for a .357 or .44 Mag Blackhawk in 6.5" as a great all-round SA. 7.5" only if mostly for "serious" hunting duty 90% of the time. If you like the fixed sights and charm of the "Colt SAA look," look for a nice 5.5" Vaquero (new or old model) .357 or .45 Colt or (old model) .44 Mag, and on the latter practice mostly with .44 Specials.
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Reloading speed with a SA revolver is more of a practice and operator dexterity issue than a given that it can't be done. I would compare a decent SA shooters reload speed to the speed of an average DA revolver user reloading with loose rounds. Not real fast, but far preferable to giving up because you didnt bring any extra rounds, (IE, giving up in advance if the first six don't do it) Reloading from a cartridge belt is fairly quick, pulling two rounds at a time from the belt.
Good point Tamara.
Something to consider in the equasion, if someone shoots a particular gun better, then technical issues are less important. Case in point, I shoot an SA revolver better than I do an auto, so reload speed is more of an issue with the auto, since I tend to miss more with the auto when rushed. Personally, unless faced with a screaming horde of invading Canadians, I prefer a revolver, even an SA to any auto I've owned or shot so far.
Good point Tamara.
Something to consider in the equasion, if someone shoots a particular gun better, then technical issues are less important. Case in point, I shoot an SA revolver better than I do an auto, so reload speed is more of an issue with the auto, since I tend to miss more with the auto when rushed. Personally, unless faced with a screaming horde of invading Canadians, I prefer a revolver, even an SA to any auto I've owned or shot so far.