A CASE FOR SINGLE ACTION SHOOTING

[jtcarm]

To me, the beauty of a DA revolver is versatility.

They’re viable for SD, hunting, or target shooting.

My obsession is with the all-round gun, or “field gun” as I like to call them. They’re portable and capable of handling game/vermin up to deer or hogs in my neck of the woods, as well as bipeds. Concealable under a jacket for a visit to town, but not really for EDC. Maybe even shoot an IDPA match if I’m so inclined.

But mostly killing rocks, stumps and prickly pear.

A 4” DA revolver checks all the boxes.

My EDC guns are dehorned, but my field guns still wear spurs and are sighted in SA. The latter are capable of fast DA work if needed.

I keep the missions separate because I demand precision from a field revolver. Unless you don’t practice or drill much, SD and competition revolvers take a beating. They get cycled fast & often, which is hard on the cylinder stop and notches. Speed reloads, especially with plunger-type SLs puts a strain on the yoke and crane, and the cylinders get closed hard, fast, and often.

 

[41 mag Dave]

The effectiveness of DA can be seen in the result that thousands of PPC and NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup) competitors have had. I personally have found that when shooting semi-auto or revolver SA, I (and others) will have a tendency to loosen the grip and "stab" at the trigger. This can also be seen when trying to stage a DA revolver or shooting an old Colt that stacks. I believe that this is due to the fact that you are using the fingers to do different things at the same time. This is similar to the dexterity that is seen in a piano player.

I have found that it is much easier to shoot DA. All the fingers are exerting pressure and the grip is maintained during the string of fire. Further, DA revolver shooting helps increase accuracy when shooting SA autos and revolvers. Dry fire with a DA semi will help, shooting you need to de-cock between shots to get the effect. Long DA pulls reinforce maintaining grip and sight alignment while exercising sight alignment. It will take work and time to develop good DA skill. Most shooters do not want to take the time or put in the effort.

Look at the history of the French anti-terrorist police the GIGN. The history of that unit using DA revolvers and full bore 357 mag 158gr ammo is legendary and well documented.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

I shoot DA 99.99% of the time.
If dinner or cash is at stake I go SA

 

[jjfitch]

DA for me!

What hasn't been mentioned is the ability to steer the front sight in DA shooting. As the trigger is pressed the front sight picture is refined prior to the end to score the X!

This is the epitome of trigger discipline! Master this in revolver shooting and I guarantee your SA or DA will improve your score whether handgun or long gun.

It's hard to argue against DA snap shooting, "flash sight picture" shooting in self-defense!

Once the DA revolver is mastered, mastering the DA/SA semi-auto is "priceless"!

 

[rockquarry]

What hasn't been mentioned is the ability to steer the front sight in DA shooting. As the trigger is pressed the front sight picture is refined prior to the final to score the X!

Please explain.

 

[jjfitch]

The case for SA shhting

From the OP! "I submit that all single/double action revolvers should be shot single action unless you need to get off a fast round for defense at a close distance. If you are pointing your revolver at a threat to get him to stand down, then of course it should not be cocked.

If you are using your sights, I assume that the threat is no longer at a close distance and now you should be using the single action mode for accuracy."

Steering the front sight during the press is the opposite of the surprise break. I want to control exactly when the shot breaks.

Of course, the SA shooter can do the same thing but for me I prefer DA for all my revolver shooting.

(I failed to mention that I've shot a few hundred thousand rounds in pistol/revolver games including PPC and Action games!)

 

[mlazarus]

It's discussions like this that make this forum great.

I prefer to shoot revolvers double action. Yes, it takes more effort to learn to shoot them accurately and more grip strength to manipulate the trigger. However, I'll make that trade for the security of a longer trigger pull. While I have many revolvers, I only carry one on a regular basis. The Kimber K6S and it is D/A only.

In the below video, I tied overall for most accurate (this includes semi auto and revolvers) out of about 75 or 80 shooters. For sure, Single Action is easier to get accurate with, quickly. And several of the longer shots I did stage the D/A pull.

I'm in the "D/A for fighting with revolvers" camp.

Kimber K6S in IDPA - YouTube

 

[Capt29]

In 1965 I became a Police Officer in Chicago. Our weapons training was as noted previously, "Camp Perry" style. SA, one handed, bullseye targets. This was the training for at least the next 10 years. Gradually DA use was introduced along with usage of both hands, and more modern techniques gradually became the norm. In about 1978-1980 DAO revolvers were required, but with a hammer spur for secure holster retention. Choices were S&W and Ruger, some new recruits were allowed to use "old" Colts that were either in the family or otherwise acquired, but DAO shooting was required with them also. The Colts were considered "authorized alternate" weapons. The DAO S&W and Ruger DAOs were "regulation". Interestingly, the regulation weapons were required to be chambered in .357, but only the .38 Special 158GR +p SWC HP was allowed to be used. When semi-autos began to appear as "alternate duty weapons" in the late 80s early 90s, there was a General order issued that no firearm used by CPD was to be cocked by hand under any circumstances. By the time I retired after 30 years semi-autos were making serious inroads as regulation weapons in 9mm and .45 ACP. All of the newly permitted or specified semi autos started out as SA/DA then went to DAO by the time I retired in 1995. Today the 9mm DAO or striker fired weapon is standard as regulation.
In 1968 semi autos were permitted as "optional" as long as a .38 special revolver was also carried, this was pretty much a Detective or other plain clothes situation as packing a full size revolver and a full size semi auto was pretty much a PITA for uniformed personnel, although some did it. he rules initially specified that the semi auto had to be carried chamber empty, hammer down-even on the then new S&W 39/59 series. Needless to say that rule was observed more in the breach than observance.
I usually carried a BHP cocked and locked with a S&W 940(when they became available) and hoped that in a really tight administrative crunch I could get my .38 on scene ASAP. Being a Detective that was fairly easy and I used the 9mm combo for a very long time. I also carried a Colt Commander(in .45 ACP of course) when the situation might call for it (stake outs).
My wife came on the job during the mandatory .357 using .38 DAO period, and kept to that throughout her career, and could consistently out shoot most guys using semi autos (having nimble little fingers to manipulate speed loaders helped a lot). Later I got her to to use moon clips for both her M65 and M36 after I had her guns modified.
I do not remember a single ND using a DAO revolver, but I remember several using SA/DA revolvers, and a lot when Glocks first came into use.
I never had a problem with the BHP, cocking or uncocking, and when moving around where a gun grab was more likely than at other times(in a crowd), I would drop the BHP hammer to half cock and then reapply the safety. If one does not know how to get the weapon into firing condition from that configuration-and train on how to do it-a BG might as well have grabbed a club.
I still like the BHP and the 940 and carry one of them when it is appropriate for an old guy to be carrying-most of the time if in Chicago these days. Fortunately I do not live in the city any more, or even very close to it.
I kind of split up the SA/DA concept, the BHP was only SA and the 940 (and my M60) were DAO. Excellent shooting can be done either way, and for the same reason, constant training and practice.

 

[Countrycuz]

I've followed this thread but haven't commented since I have no LE experience. I respect those who do and thank them for their service.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I was a LEO for the better part of 44 years. As a 21 year old rookie starting in 1969 I knew very little about handguns. I was lucky to have an older Chief who required monthly qualifications. He would supply a box of 50 .38 special reloads but if you shot any other caliber you had to buy your own ammo. We started our qualification by shooting five rounds SA from the 50 yard line. We would then move down to the 25 yard line and shoot five rounds strong hand and five rounds weak SA hand from a barricade. Then five rounds DA, reload and shoot five more rounds DA in 10 seconds from 25 yards. The rest of the shooting was load, holster, draw, DA only, and reload, all timed. If you were not very good or you just like to shoot he would give you more ammo and you could go through another series. Myself and many other officers would do this. You weren't allowed to drive a cruiser until you qualified. Gun cleaning facilities were available at the range and you were required to clean your weapon before you left the range. The range officer was there making sure you cleaned and reloaded before you left. A few officers showing up a month later with an empty revolver was the reason for this. We got new carry ammo every six months. We had a lot of good revolver shooters back then. I still practice similar to this at least once a month, usually more, on my own range. If I'm shooting something at a distance it's usually SA. If it's close enough I'm pretty sure of a hit it's DA. I still shoot my semis but don't usually carry them unless I'm on the road or going somewhere I feel I might need more ammo. Even then, I have a .38 or better revolver on my person. Bottom line, do it the way you feel most comfortable.

 

[GyMac]

I shoot all my revolvers DA because I enjoy it and it’s a challenge. How other people use their guns is ok with me. I think it was Ed McGivern who said that S&W wouldn’t have put such great DA triggers on their revolvers if they didn’t want you to use them.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Single action slows you down and gives you more time to think (a good thing when there are people around and lives are at stake) that additional fraction of a second aiming and thinking may save more lives than yours. All of life is also situational, more than one target shooting at you, single action may not be optimum. Always nice to have an option. Most of the time we are just going through rounds tearing holes in paper for the fun of it - that is good practice too.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Please explain.

Either he means the trigger pull is long enough to “steer” the ball back into the bucket and reacquire a clear front sight Or aim slightly high and let the press pull the front sight down.
My guess is the former

 

[StrawHat]

…What hasn't been mentioned is the ability to steer the front sight in DA shooting. As the trigger is pressed the front sight picture is refined prior to the end to score the X!

This is the epitome of trigger discipline! Master this in revolver shooting and I guarantee your SA or DA will improve your score whether handgun or long gun…

…Please explain…

…Either he means the trigger pull is long enough to “steer” the ball back into the bucket and reacquire a clear front sight Or aim slightly high and let the press pull the front sight down.
My guess is the former…

I am not jjfitch. I am fairly proficient with a double action revolver.

This is how I interpret his statement. First, with double action, you learn how to squeeze the trigger and NOT disturb the sight picture.

And, if for some reason the sight picture does change, you can stop the squeeze, readjust, and take up the squeeze again.

And yes, some can adjust the sight picture while squeezing the trigger. It depends on how well you know that revolver. I want to know precisely when the hammer will fall. Prior to that, I have a chance to correct the shot. Once the hammer drops, I am stuck with that shot.

It did not take me long to learn that a “surprise break” was not conducive to accuracy.

Kevin

 

[obt357]

To me, the beauty of a DA revolver is versatility.

They’re viable for SD, hunting, or target shooting.

My obsession is with the all-round gun, or “field gun” as I like to call them. They’re portable and capable of handling game/vermin up to deer or hogs in my neck of the woods, as well as bipeds. Concealable under a jacket for a visit to town, but not really for EDC. Maybe even shoot an IDPA match if I’m so inclined.

But mostly killing rocks, stumps and prickly pear.

A 4” DA revolver checks all the boxes.

My EDC guns are dehorned, but my field guns still wear spurs and are sighted in SA. The latter are capable of fast DA work if needed.

I keep the missions separate because I demand precision from a field revolver. Unless you don’t practice or drill much, SD and competition revolvers take a beating. They get cycled fast & often, which is hard on the cylinder stop and notches. Speed reloads, especially with plunger-type SLs puts a strain on the yoke and crane, and the cylinders get closed hard, fast, and often.

I agree with everything you said jtcarm, except for the Rocks part. When I was in my mid-twenties (about 1975, or thereabouts), I went out in the desert with some friends to go target shooting for targets of opportunity, and spotted this nice, mid-sized bolder. Well, I found a discarded soda can and went up and placed it on that nice, mid-sized bolder and went back to about 15 yards to test my accuracy. At the shot, I yelled Loud and Clear. That 41 Mag, 210 grain Jacketed Soft Point, that I was shooting at the soda can with, must have really ticked off that rock that was holding it for me, cause he threw it right back at ME, hitting me right in the high thigh, next to the family jewels . Well, since I was out in the desert, miles from any roads or houses, and my leg was killing me something fierce, I dropped my drawers right there and then, where I found a really red and angry welt, about the size of a quarter (hey, soft points really do expand), but no blood. I have never shot at a rock again, no matter how small it was, or no matter what it was doing at the time. Those rocks don't have any sense of humor at all, ya know.