Single action revolvers good as defense weapons?

Great input. I've already got an auto and a d/a revolver, so I thought a nice s/a revolver might be a nice next step on the journey of handgun skill. I think I would use it mostly for range duty, so fast reloading wouldn't be that much of an issue. Are they any more difficult to maintain than a regular revolver, or just different?
 
Would I want to square off against a practiced Cowboy Action shooter armed with his pet smokewagon? Oh, hell no.
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There would be no danger in going up against an old one... ;) I used to SA the first round, and fan the other five. Didn't hurt my old Ruger!!! Anything you can do with an SA, you can do with a DA, Plus!!!

An SA is no head-to-head match for my SW625jm with a bunch of back up moon clips. After the first hundred moon clips in .45 calibre, my pockets get a little heavy. :eek: But I do find myself lusting after another SA .45... :)
 
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Get one because it's fun and looks cool,but you would be better served by a double action or a semiauto.It would be like rideing a horse to work .
 
Rule # 1 have a gun
other than slow reloading it's fine.
if i had to limit my self with a SA I will get me one from the spaghetti westerns that you load once on sunday and shoot all week :D
 
Are there better choices for a self-defence gun? Oh, hell yes.

Would I want to square off against a practiced Cowboy Action shooter armed with his pet smokewagon? Oh, hell no.
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+1
 
Hi Jon, 40+ years ago I used to do some comp. fast draw. I had to give it up because I was raising a young family, and just didn't have the time. I kept it for quite a few years, and wish I still had it. But sh*t happens over the years, and circumstances change... :rolleyes:

So maybe I'll get a Black Hawk like yours!!! Thinking about it!!! ;)
 
Bullrock, the Ruger Super Blackhawk's in .45 Colt are slick shooters, nice and easy to handle to. I prefer .44 mag though :cool:
 
Everybody keeps talking about reloading WHY isn't six more than enough :D Would I use one for self defense probably not, if it was my only gun hell yes. I own 3 Blackhawks and love to shoot them.And find them just as accurate as any other gun I have.And if I can find the Blackhawk I'm looking for will have 4 :p
 
Russ,

Seeing that you own 3 of them, Are they all different barrel lengths? What's your favorite? Are they all the same caliber? What finish are they? How easy are they to sight? Do you have a 357/9mm model, and if so, how does it shoot in 9mm? I would really like as much input as I can get. Thanks!
 
I have been shooting SA revolvers off and on for almost 30 years,mostly Rugers, some Colt copies. I carry a Vaquero, 4 5/8" barrel in an ISP holster. It's a convertable, .45 ACP/ .45Long Colt. I usually carry 230grain JHP .45ACP in it, sometimes CCI Blazer 200gr JHP in Long Colt. I practice with the same ammo I carry.

I practice more with this revolver than I do with my DA .357's because I enjoy shooting it more. I carry it often and I do carry 12 extra rounds in a small ziplock bag in a pocket, even though I'd have to be in a war to be forced to re load this gun under fire.

Speaking of war, I knew a guy who carried a SA revolver through a tour in Vietnam as an unauthorized "personal weapon." I don't think he ever used it, but it was always there and I know from personal experience that it survived the trip in good working condition.

I like SA's because they are as close to 100% reliable as it's possible for a machine to get, and Rugers even more so.

Deliberate, aimed, accurate, powerful fire is the key, IMHO. A SA revolver will do this quite well with practice on your part.They are also great fun.

Mark
 
Of the three I own two are .357 one blued and one SS the other is the .45/.45colt conversion.Got to love all three but the .45 is very accurate,the .357 both have the 4 5/8 and the .45 is 5 I think.Sighting I think is easier on the Ruger sight is just a little bigger.Have a friend that has the .357/9MM and he doesn't like to shoot the 9MM not sure why.The only thing with Rugers they need a little trigger work.Putting in new springs will do wonders for the trigger and hammer.If don't want to go that route do the poor mans trigger job. Remove the grips and pop off one side of the trigger spring and it will work.
 
Russ

Everybody keeps talking about reloading WHY isn't six more than enough
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It is enough...I just discovered moon clips when I bought my 625, and they make life allot easier, and more enjoyable at the range. I set 24 up on the table, and enjoy shooting instead of reloading... :)

I was joking about the moon clips in my pockets. That many would be a pretty good anchor, and require a damn strong belt to hold my pants up... :D
 
The 9mm is slightly undersized for the 357/38 Ruger barrels, so it's generally not quite as accurate. Probably why he doesn't like it.
 
I was reading an old article awhile back about Thell Reed, I think. The author, which I can't remember, detailed some reloading techniques that when used actually elevated the Colt-style SAA to a point where it didn't appear to be a disadvantage to an auto loader at all. I wish I could remember where I put it.

Thell Reed mastered what he carried and didn't switch around trying the newest wonder pistol. He could fire six, reload, and fire six more accurately out of one SAA in under 10 seconds.
 
I've known a few who carry their single-action sixguns not only for the woods, but as their CCW's as well. These people practice with their SA's a lot, too.

Tricks to quicker SA reloading....

1. Polish your chambers to let the empties fall out more easily (sometimes w/o using the ejector rod.

2. Carry your ammo in some type of carrier. Bianchi Speed Strips are good for .38/.357 ammo, but I like SKS stripper clips better. If you have a .45ACP sixgun, old 1911 mags work well, too.

3. Practice, practice, PRACTICE....

Good luck & good shooting... :D
 
With a single-action, you have to do what I believe is called "kentucky" reload. I.e. when the last shot is used up, grab another fully loaded pistol (carry two). The load time for a single-action is too long to be useful in an extended shooting IMO. Just carry two.

I'd feel well armed with a couple single-actions, although I'd consider a double-action to be slightly better for defense.
 
I'd feel well armed with a couple single-actions, although I'd consider a double-action to be slightly better for defense.
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+1 on that - I suspect a speedloader is an easier way to carry the next 6 bullets than a revolver. :cool:

Personally, while I am definitely interested in single-action revolvers for their looks and historical interest, I wouldn't choose one as a self-defense piece. You can't play cowboy with a double-action revolver, but you can play Sam Spade, or Elliot Ness ;) ...and get something a little more user-friendly and efficient at the same time.
 
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