DA/SA Question

I don't care for any DAO gun, revolver included. I like having single-action capabilities. I like choices. In a self-defense situation I might "cheat" under the right circumstances.
 
I got news for ya'll, if you ever have the need to pull a gun in a legal self defense situation, you had damn well be planning on firing it and very quickly.
 
I got news for ya'll, if you ever have the need to pull a gun in a legal self defense situation, you had damn well be planning on firing it and very quickly.

I don't touch my gun unless I intend to shoot. No warning shots, no warnings period, threaten my family, and that is it. If I can walk away, and my family is not involved that is the choice I prefer. I shoot a SA revolver the same as I did hunting, draw, cock, and shoot. Shooting at a rabbit you only get one shot no matter how many rounds you have. Shooting self defense is not much different, that first shot better count.
 
In self defense situations revolvers are meant to be shot double action only. This of course excludes SA revolvers. This isn't something new. Been that way for generations.

In self defense situations revolvers are meant to be shot any way possible. This of course includes single SA revolvers. This isn't something new. Been that way for generations.
 
Some folks here seem to have lost the original question posed by the OP. For those who claim it doesn't matter, I suggest reading State vs Luis Alverez (or the other way around, can't recall).

Speed reading version: Miami Police Officer Alverez intentionally shot a felon who was reaching for his illegal firearm. The prosecution/persecution version (after Miami burned) was that the service pistol was cocked and the resultant discharge was negligent. Alverez was acquitted. (Can't recall if Miami burned again.) Shortly thereafter, Miami turned all their revolvers into DAO. While we don't know what the Prosecutors would have done if that was done prior to the incident, it would have removed a hook for the prosecution to establish their theory of the event. Also, recall that civil cases only need preponderance of the evidence/number of kleenex prompted by the heart rending story, not beyond a reasonable doubt.
 
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Single action for when you want to hit a rattlesnake in the head. Double action when confronted by a human rattlesnake.
 
Some folks here seem to have lost the original question posed by the OP. For those who claim it doesn't matter, I suggest reading State vs Luis Alverez (or the other way around, can't recall).

Speed reading version: Miami Police Officer Alverez intentionally shot a felon who was reaching for his illegal firearm. The prosecution/persecution version (after Miami burned) was that the service pistol was cocked and the resultant discharge was negligent. Alverez was acquitted. (Can't recall if Miami burned again.) Shortly thereafter, Miami turned all their revolvers into DAO. While we don't know what the Prosecutors would have done if that was done prior to the incident, it would have removed a hook for the prosecution to establish their theory of the event. Also, recall that civil cases only need preponderance of the evidence/number of kleenex prompted by the heart rending story, not beyond a reasonable doubt.
Actually there's more to the Alverez case than him being charged because his pistol was cocked. A lot more.
The prosecution contended that Johnson was turning around to face Alverez when Alverez shot him and that Johnson did not present a threat when he was shot. Alverez contends that Johnson was reaching for a gun when Alverez shot him.
Puts a different spin on what you quoted doesn't it. I know there are some 'defensive tactics experts' who like to use Alverez in their teachings. They use just the part that fits what they want to teach but they don't actually use the entire case. They spin it to fit what they want it to say instead of teaching what Alverez was actually about.
 
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I am the O.P. This has been an interesting thread. I appreciate everyone's responses.

What prompted this thread was my wife and I were shooting her Model 67. I used to shoot NRA Bulls Eye competition. If I shot her gun the "Bulls Eye" way, it was easy to make good hits at 50 yards. At closer ranges it was really easy to make hits either S.A. or D.A. I realize that the "Bulls Eye" way is not practical shooting and I will never have to fire at 50 yards but one wonders how much "progress" we have actually made.
 
A lot of overthinking's going on here. I believe the real concern on any pistol that is carried for personal defense is modifying the trigger to make it lighter. THAT, is the real liability issue in self defense shootings, not whether the pistol has a exposed hammer or not, or if its DA/SA. As long as the trigger is within factory specs, it shouldn't be a issue.

I'll reference the sticky that's posted here on this forum. Facts About "Light Trigger Pull Liability"
 
You are either justified to use deadly force, or you are not. It really is pretty simple.
 
My revolvers can be fired SA or DA. That is why I have them. Why would a gun maker make a SA/DA if you are not supposed to be able to fire it SA?
I also have a Browning HiPower that I get along with just fine.
 
Actually there's more to the Alverez case than him being charged because his pistol was cocked. A lot more.
The prosecution contended that Johnson was turning around to face Alverez when Alverez shot him and that Johnson did not present a threat when he was shot. Alverez contends that Johnson was reaching for a gun when Alverez shot him.
Puts a different spin on what you quoted doesn't it. I know there are some 'defensive tactics experts' who like to use Alverez in their teachings. They use just the part that fits what they want to teach but they don't actually use the entire case. They spin it to fit what they want it to say instead of teaching what Alverez was actually about.

Sad how times have not changed....no more in fear of getting a gig.
 
ispcapt-forgot the part about turning, in fact, I'd have to go find my notes. I do recall that there was miscommunication/misinterpretation during walk through because of crime scene processing as to how the suspect responded. Thus the turning, raised hands.

Alverez did fire intentionally because of the suspects furtive movement consistent with drawing the firearm he'd admitted to carrying.

That said, Miami did go DAO almost immediately afterward. My recollection was that an AD was also part of the prosecutions theory: Alverez intentionally shot a non threat or, alternatively, cocked his service revolver and negligently shot the suspect. I didn't include all the details because the notes aren't real handy and that part wasn't immediately germane to what we were discussing. That type of situation is ripe for such chicanery by a prosecutor/tort attorney with an axe to grind. It was never my intention to mislead or make the story fit the situation.
 
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The prosecution introduced the theory it was an accidental discharge. Who knows why. Doesn't make any sense. But then not all prosecutors are top drawer material. The prosecution contended it was an accidental shooting. Alverez said "nope, it was not an accident. I intended to shoot him and here's why." Being SA or DA didn't and wouldn't have made a difference.
 
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UNLESS YOU PLANNED ON USING IT AS A CLUB...

How about a single action revolver? Did you cock that to intimidate or because the situation existed where you reasonably believed that your next action would be to shoot?

Is there another way of firing a S/A revolver WITHOUT cocking it? If there was no threat, it should have stayed in the holster. However in 2018 Matt Dillon has been retired for some time. ;)
 
I have no use, personally, for the single action option in a self-defense handgun.

I'm elderly, with slower reflexes than I used to have. My hands are messed up with rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. In a defense situation I wouldn't be confident I wouldn't fumble cocking the hammer and lose time and waste a round. If, heaven forbid, I have to use my gun to defend my ancient bacon, it's almost inevitably going be up close and very, very quick. An aimed shot at more than ten yards is extremely unlikely, and I'll risk the chance.

I've carried DAO revolvers for twenty years. They are just the tools in which I have confidence.
 
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