For many years while off duty I carried a Single Action Colt and felt well armed. I see changes now and more coming. I'm more concerned about the probability of encountering multiple attackers than I used to be. I thought long and hard about being able to protect myself and others. While I will still carry my SAA on special occasions, more often I'll carry my 5904. I'm also more comfortable with the defensive ammo available now than the stuff we had in the late '70s.
Last edited by shotgun693; 10-11-2015 at 11:26 PM.
Not old enough to see the changes. As far as I know this is normal. Even in the 80s it was common. I wouldn't carry something as heavy and slow as a SAA today
I see changes now and more coming. I'm more concerned about the probability of encountering multiple attackers than I used to be. I thought long and hard about being able to protect myself and others.
I see this "multiple attacker" concern more & more lately. There are numerous real life videos on You Tube, and in every one, when the shooting starts, the attackers turn tail and run. Is this a hard and fast rule? Of course not, but I've never seen one instance of the bad guys continuing to press the attack in the face of lethal force. Protecting others? Not unless they're family. It's not incumbent on me to be Defender of the Realm.
I shot Cowboy Action for 18 years, full power not the mouse farts. I'm not uncomfortable with a SA.
My Son served with the Air Force in Afghanistan, he likes his M9. I wanted a gun that uses the same ammo his does. Two birds, one stone.
For many years while off duty I carried a Single Action Colt and felt well armed.
You were well armed, and in my opinion, you would still be well armed with a big bore single action.
Regarding defensive ammo in the seventies, remember, we had Super Vel in every big bore caliber. You could even get Jurras bullets to cook up your own loads.
Don't sell your old single action short. It can turn out to be better for things other than just special occasions.
I'm no expert and hopefully will never have to deal with one assailant let alone several. I do carry a reload as well as a second but that's me. Mr. Murphy seems to reside in my life and he is truly a pain in the rump. I just like to be extra careful is all.
Many are carrying a little NAA single action mini revolver in .22lr or .22 magnum. I sometimes carry the NAA Black Widow which is a bit larger, but that's as small as I'm willing to go.
I don't see SA as much of an issue. Cocking the hammer becomes second nature.
Last edited by Lobster Picnic; 10-13-2015 at 02:59 PM.
While I carry a semi in "the burgh"..... generally a 3913/14 sometimes a hi-cap 6906....... when I'm at the cabin I generally carry a .357 revolver as I'm more concerned with 4 legged varmints than 2.........
Depending on your circumstances a SAA in competent hand can be GTG... in .44 or 45 Long Colt......
LOL.... just remembered an old TV show with a Deputy Sheriff IIRC...... from out west sent to NYC who carried a SAA.........and wore a cowboy hat.
There is no reason not to use your SAA for self-defense.
...until you need to reload.
I recall a case of a guy who tried to use a Remington 1875 replica in a self-defense situation. The trigger mechanism failed, requiring him to "fan" it sans trigger.
I shot cowboy action for years, too - and very often opined that an SAA or replica thereof in the hands of an experienced cowboy action shooter is very effective. Most cowboy action shooters can shoot their SAA type guns very accurately and very fast. Not necessarily world class fast but fast enough.
Yes, they are slow to reload. But unless you're REALLY fast with a speedloader, and maybe you're Jerry Miculek, all revolvers are relatively slow to reload.
But that leads to the next issue for most concealed handgun carriers - whether you're carrying a new M&P, an older 1st/2nd/3rd Gen, a Colt M1911, an M9 Beretta, how many of you carry a spare magazine?
Sometimes, when I carry a 9mm pistol, I have a wheelgun BUG as a reload because I do NOT carry spare magazines. Absent the BUG, I have my 21 rounds and I'm done - more often than not. Not always, but typically. More to the point, I am usually armed with a 5 shot J-frame. I might have spare ammunition with me but it's not in a speedloader. I suppose that would make sense. BUT.....and here's the big but....
I simply do not worry about being mobbed. Maybe that's typical in Chicago but I don't go to Chicago. If it's typical where I live I sure have not heard about it. My one gun is usually what I rely on. If I turn out to be wrong, well, so be it.
I always carry a spare mag. However, I don't carry it for more rounds. I carry it in case of a malfunction. Having the extra rounds is not bad, but being able to fix a malfunction is priceless.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmort666
...until you need to reload.
Yes, reloading is an issue. Certainly slower than a magazine fed gun. That doesn't mean it's useless for self-defense.
Most people will never have any reason to use a gun for self-defense.
Of those that do, in the vast majority of situations that are resolved with a gun, no shots are fired.
Of those altercations where shots are fired, they are usually over in two shots or less.
So what? We're not preparing for what hasn't happened. We're preparing for what might happen. A well maintained single action in .357Mag or .45Colt is arguably the most reliable and accurate handgun on the planet. This gives you 6 powerful opportunities to persuade the bad guy(s) to take their business elsewhere.
Don't get me wrong, I'm picking a 1911 every time. That doesn't mean a single action isn't useful for self-defense.
I recall a case of a guy who tried to use a Remington 1875 replica in a self-defense situation. The trigger mechanism failed, requiring him to "fan" it sans trigger.
How often are reloads factoring into civilian encounters? Not that I'd recommend a SAA but I feel pretty good with a 642 or M19 with no reload.
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