The Body Bagger
New member
shoot one if you get the chance, but before that go to a store and handle one....you will understand. If you don't, then you're cold hearted empty soul...just kidding 
What is the allure of SA revolvers?
- Thread starter Ninjato
- Start date
ducktapehero
New member
OK!!!!! I have been pondering all your replies all day. I was holding all my revolvers today dry firing and visualizing how a SA would fit in my hand. Then like a bolt of lighting, it hit me 
Sir Williams comment on ergonomics was the key to this. A long time ago, there was a show on TV, prime time fiction about some timecop who went back to the past to chase criminals that avoisded the law by going back thru time. Anyways the story took this cop back to the old west where he met this sharpshooting sheriff that taught him how to shoot and said "It's like pointing your finger" when explaining how to quick draw. You don't think about pointing at something....you just look and bring your hand up and your eye will meet up with the finger right at what you are pointing at.
So I went back and held my revolver and sure enough, the modern day revolvers force you to cock your wrist downward due to the higher grip profile for DA. A person doesn't point in this manner. So in essence the eye hand coordination is much more tuned to each other and it is more of a natural movement. Structurally also, the bone alignment and support is better when the wrist can be held straight.
This leaves a couple more questions. Do you shoot your SA revolver one handed or two handed like how we shoot modern DA revolvers? Do you practice draw and shoot (quickdraw) more than controlled aimed shooting?
Sir Williams comment on ergonomics was the key to this. A long time ago, there was a show on TV, prime time fiction about some timecop who went back to the past to chase criminals that avoisded the law by going back thru time. Anyways the story took this cop back to the old west where he met this sharpshooting sheriff that taught him how to shoot and said "It's like pointing your finger" when explaining how to quick draw. You don't think about pointing at something....you just look and bring your hand up and your eye will meet up with the finger right at what you are pointing at.
So I went back and held my revolver and sure enough, the modern day revolvers force you to cock your wrist downward due to the higher grip profile for DA. A person doesn't point in this manner. So in essence the eye hand coordination is much more tuned to each other and it is more of a natural movement. Structurally also, the bone alignment and support is better when the wrist can be held straight.
This leaves a couple more questions. Do you shoot your SA revolver one handed or two handed like how we shoot modern DA revolvers? Do you practice draw and shoot (quickdraw) more than controlled aimed shooting?
*Quickdraw ala the old "wild west" is a lot of fun. It's also pretty hard on a S/A. It's not as hard on it as "fanning" is, but thumbing back the hammer fast when you "slap leather" does put undue strain on things. Sooner rather than later, you'll need to replace something bent or broken.
I still do it from time to time but I use an old "shot to the point of inoperibility 1851 Navy" for it.
*For safety's sake use wax bullets, not live ammuntion for quick draw.
I still do it from time to time but I use an old "shot to the point of inoperibility 1851 Navy" for it.
*For safety's sake use wax bullets, not live ammuntion for quick draw.
pro: mechanically simple, stout/rugged construction, points easy, excellent trigger.
con: heavier than plastic, limited shot capacity, slow to reload.
life is full of compromises. i favor 9mm glocks for carry, but got a springfield milspec 1911 (45acp) and ruger bisley vaquero (357mag) to become familiar with their particular strengths.
con: heavier than plastic, limited shot capacity, slow to reload.
life is full of compromises. i favor 9mm glocks for carry, but got a springfield milspec 1911 (45acp) and ruger bisley vaquero (357mag) to become familiar with their particular strengths.
I am not too concerned w/ any negatives. I already have thought about all of them.
My interest is a genuine interest after getting involved w/ shooting DA revolvers.
I don't feel that I am compromising anything but rather adding to my knowledge and fun factor.
Limited shot capacity is relative....whether it is 15 rounds or 6 rounds, your LIMIT is up. Many of us shoot for the sport and not only for self defense reasons.
I refuse and will never buy a GLOCK. I am biased that way and I really have no interest in a gun I feel is not safe and butt ugly. Give me a metal gun anyday.
As far as trying to determine how these single action grips will fit into your hand, here's a very good article on just that subject over at Gunblast.com:
Ruger single action grip frames
Ruger single action grip frames
XavierBreath
New member
Me, I never really got into the cowboy gun thing. Then, one day I noticed these two guns among the blackpowder pistols, marked at $125 and $135 apiece. I asked about the price to make sure, and the owner's son rudely told me he knew what he was doing pricing pistols. I was kind of ticked, so I bought them. I figured I would sell them and make a profit. I took them home, figured I HAD to shoot them first, after all, no money lost, right? I shot them. I was hooked.
These guns are historical, even if only reproduction. Making them more modern, with swing out cylinders would diminish this. Consider it the same as training with antiquated martial arts weapons. These guns are excellent target guns. They are accurate. They are beautiful, and a hoot to shoot to boot. That is enough for me. I liked them so much I bought this one.
And I learned again,,,, as I had before,,,,,don't knock it until you've tried it.
These guns are historical, even if only reproduction. Making them more modern, with swing out cylinders would diminish this. Consider it the same as training with antiquated martial arts weapons. These guns are excellent target guns. They are accurate. They are beautiful, and a hoot to shoot to boot. That is enough for me. I liked them so much I bought this one.
And I learned again,,,, as I had before,,,,,don't knock it until you've tried it.
God I love pictures, and thank you for those XavierBreath! Not only do you have some fine Birds, but I love that 4-3/4" Colt. I've got a 5.5" Uberti Cattleman in color case-hardened that I've slicked up and is a real beauty. I love it so much I've been heavily drooling over the same thing in 4-3/4" - I swear the balance is perfect.
Okay, more pics, 'cause pics are good! Here's another shot of that Uberti 1858 New Army cap 'n ball .44 cal revolver, all 8 inches:
This is a friend shooting the 1858 - it is definitely a smoke pole, and fun as a hoot as long as ya don't burn down the field...
And here's what one of those .44 cal balls looks like after digging it out of that hill and washing it off:
Okay, I'll go sit in the corner now...
Okay, more pics, 'cause pics are good! Here's another shot of that Uberti 1858 New Army cap 'n ball .44 cal revolver, all 8 inches:
This is a friend shooting the 1858 - it is definitely a smoke pole, and fun as a hoot as long as ya don't burn down the field...
And here's what one of those .44 cal balls looks like after digging it out of that hill and washing it off:
Okay, I'll go sit in the corner now...
Ahhh, single actions.
The grace, the elegance. . .the BIG HOLE in the end! (Why shoot a single action if it's not a big bore?)
I too have noticed I tend to shoot my DA revolvers single action. Seems that no matter how smooth the action is, the DA pull throws off the aim when firing fast. However, it does seem to me that "snicking" the hammer back on a true SA is faster (shape of the hammer) and cocking while recovering from recoil is easier (with the plow-handle grips) than it is with a DA revolver.
Yes, I shoot one-handed, with both DA and SA handguns (both revolvers and autoloaders).
While Colt-style loading gate systems can be slow to reload in a "tactical" sense, the break-top revolvers do not suffer this problem.
If one is skilled with a SA revolver, there is no reason it cannot be successfully employed in both self-defense and recreational roles.
The grace, the elegance. . .the BIG HOLE in the end! (Why shoot a single action if it's not a big bore?)
I too have noticed I tend to shoot my DA revolvers single action. Seems that no matter how smooth the action is, the DA pull throws off the aim when firing fast. However, it does seem to me that "snicking" the hammer back on a true SA is faster (shape of the hammer) and cocking while recovering from recoil is easier (with the plow-handle grips) than it is with a DA revolver.
Yes, I shoot one-handed, with both DA and SA handguns (both revolvers and autoloaders).
While Colt-style loading gate systems can be slow to reload in a "tactical" sense, the break-top revolvers do not suffer this problem.
If one is skilled with a SA revolver, there is no reason it cannot be successfully employed in both self-defense and recreational roles.
Lee Jurras could, at his peak, put 6 shots from a 44 mag, on a playing card, at 100 yards.
Anyone want to bet his shot placement could ruin your day, with a 44 mag, at closer range?
IIRC, his favorite gun right now is a 475 Linebaugh. I really don't want him shooting at me, with that, or the 44, at inside 300 yards.
s
Anyone want to bet his shot placement could ruin your day, with a 44 mag, at closer range?
IIRC, his favorite gun right now is a 475 Linebaugh. I really don't want him shooting at me, with that, or the 44, at inside 300 yards.
s
Single Action
There's just something about a single action. I remember reading about a young guy named Thell Reed who cut his teeth on a single-action and was shooting 500 rounds a day on his fathers ranch. Sounds like right next door to heaven to me.
Single action just "fits". I didn't have the funds to buy one of the old 3-screw Rugers but did get a New Model 357 Blackhawk. It shot really good, but I liked the feel of my cousins Old Model better. I'm pretty sure I'll get one of the New Model Vaquero's but haven't decided on caliber yet.
I have to admit though that I never got into the hi-cap magazine thing either. For me the grips always feel blocky and uncomfortable so I stick with what I like. My son-in-law likes his preban Glock and 15 round magazines. It works for him.
I just bought a Makarov and will probably enjoy shooting it when I get some grips which aren't quite so square. New models are fine if they fit you, but for most of us "if you can't get it done in six. you probably couldn't get it done in fifteen".
There's just something about a single action. I remember reading about a young guy named Thell Reed who cut his teeth on a single-action and was shooting 500 rounds a day on his fathers ranch. Sounds like right next door to heaven to me.
Single action just "fits". I didn't have the funds to buy one of the old 3-screw Rugers but did get a New Model 357 Blackhawk. It shot really good, but I liked the feel of my cousins Old Model better. I'm pretty sure I'll get one of the New Model Vaquero's but haven't decided on caliber yet.
I have to admit though that I never got into the hi-cap magazine thing either. For me the grips always feel blocky and uncomfortable so I stick with what I like. My son-in-law likes his preban Glock and 15 round magazines. It works for him.
I just bought a Makarov and will probably enjoy shooting it when I get some grips which aren't quite so square. New models are fine if they fit you, but for most of us "if you can't get it done in six. you probably couldn't get it done in fifteen".
Once you learn how to shoot a hog leg everything else is easy. I have had over 100 guns in my life time. My Ruger Blackhawk in 45 colt is still one of my favorite guns. I hand load for the 45 colt. With 2400 behind a 300gr bullet going at about 1000fps it hits with a thump! I like it much better than the factory 44 mag round. A 44 mag is hard on the eardrums. I use my guns for hunting and don't have time to put on some ear muffs to make a shot