single or double action

This is a pet peeve of mine. I always shoot my DA revolvers in DA and never in SA anymore.

Handling the heavy trigger properly teaches better trigger control. IMO, SA should only be used for range/plinking/target...etc. If one can handle a DA revolver's trigger well, then one can master virtually all handguns regardless of trigger. Think about all those out there who complain about the heavy trigger on a S&W Sigma or Kel Tec P11... How about those who can't hit the side of a barn with their first shot from DA/SA semi-auto pistol because the 1st shot is DA?! Finally, like some have mentioned - SA in an adrenalin charged situation is a good recipe for a ND or worst.
 
This is a pet peeve of mine. I always shoot my DA revolvers in DA and never in SA anymore.

Handling the heavy trigger properly teaches better trigger control. IMO, SA should only be used for range/plinking/target...etc. If one can handle a DA revolver's trigger well, then one can master virtually all handguns regardless of trigger. Think about all those out there who complain about the heavy trigger on a S&W Sigma or Kel Tec P11... How about those who can't hit the side of a barn with their first shot from DA/SA semi-auto pistol because the 1st shot is DA?! Finally, like some have mentioned - SA in an adrenalin charged situation is a good recipe for a ND or worst.
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+1 to that. The first gun I started shooting a lot was a DAO snub. Once I got good at that, everything else is cake.
 
"But, the sad fact is that most of the single-actions shooters are not skilled at shooting single actions either."
?
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If you do not understand what I was refering to, you may want to attend a "Cowboy Action" shooting event. Then you will understand.
 
SA only. I've owned da/sa revolvers and have one now but I never shoot da. Never have, never will. I grew up with single actions, got my first one when I was 10. I only get a da if it's a really superb deal/free. I only shoot sa semiautomatics.
 
Until I was forced to qualify double action, the range officer caught me shooting single action and DQed me, I never shot double action.

Now I find that I shot my revolvers DA all the time. This fact may be due to the outstanding dbl action of my DW 357 mag and my 1958 S&W Target Model in 45ACP.

My accuracy in Dbl Action is almost as good as with my trusty 1911
 
Give me a single action every time, even for defense. I still have every duty weapon I ever carried - from my SA Colt 5 1/2 in .357 to a Beretta 96 and quite a few in between. Used to have a running battle with the firearms officer about carrying the SA. He never could grasp how I could always get the first shot off with my SA faster than anyone else could with their DA revolvers or Semi-Autos. Fact is: I can cock my SA while bringing it up to firing level - and that can't safely be done with any DA revolver or Semi-auto I've ever used.

Ok, so there's the problem with the time it takes to reload SA Colts, but I always figured that's what backup guns are good for...
 
There are two basic schools of thought concerning DA revolvers. The first one, and the one that was the most prevalent for most of the last century (and was the general consensus when the DA revolver was introduced) was that for aimed fire, you cocked the gun, and the DA function was for short range emergency use.

The other school of thought, and the one which seems most popular today is that DA revolvers (used for self defense) should be fired DA, and that one should take the time to develope the skill needed to be accurate.

A shooter skilled enough can shoot a good DA revolver (and nobody can shoot a bad one well) nearly as accurately as one can shoot the gun SA. Certainly accurately enough for any serious social purpose.

However, not everyone delevopes enough skill with a set amount of practice. Some take to it naturally, others need a lot more time to reach the same level.

personally, I could never hit a bull in the butt firing DA, until I was about 30 yrs old. Then it just seemed like one day, I couldn't hardly miss shooting DA. But then, it never was anything I practiced much. I'm sure your results will be different from mine.

I always shoot full size revolvers SA 99% of the time. Snub guns I do just the opposite, because I figure if I need to use that bellygun, its going to be point blank, and fast. Again, thats just me....
 
Single action is a good way to learn basic handgun control.Double action will round your skills & make you more confindent in a offensive or defensive situation. Its always good to pratice both ways. Safety first,have fun!!!
 
I've had both for many years.

I am an advocate for both. Having said that, just want to throw out an opinion:

"Some" subscribe to the idea that SA revolvers are not that good in the home defense role, I disagree.

There is no limit to how good one can get shooting either DA or SA.

For many years, I used a Blackhawk as my primary Home Defense gun and wouldn't hesitate to use it again for that purpose.
 
If you can shoot a snubnose in DA accurately, you can probably shoot anything else even better. I practice self defense type shooting in DA and plink with SA.
 
dahermit said:
In a concealed carry/self-defense application, single-action manipulation of a double-action makes little/no sense.
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I can think of a few where a precision shot might be required....

If a gun has SA and DA capability, then mastering that gun will require you to master ALL aspects of that gun. Just mastering DA on a DA/SA revolver is just like only learning the forward gears on a car.....
 
dahermit said:
Then by all means share them with us so that we may consider the logic of such.
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Someone firing at you from a distance.....someone firing at you from behind cover & you can't escape....someone hiding behind a loved one and threatening them harm....

No SD situation is ever an ideal situation....you should be ready for less-than ideal situations....
 
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