DA vs. SA Poll. Which is more accurate for you?

[Wildpony]

Which do you shoot more accurately or consistently with your S&W, DA or SA.

When I went to the silhouette range yesterday I noticed I got more hits at longer range when I staged the trigger using Double Action. Anybody know why?

 

[Wildpony]

Which do you shoot more accurately or consistently with your S&W, DA or SA.

When I went to the silhouette range yesterday I noticed I got more hits at longer range when I staged the trigger using Double Action. Anybody know why?

 

[Bob Wright]

At what range are you talking about?

Beyond 100 yarda, its single action all the way.

And all of my Ruger Blackhawks/Super Blackhawks are fired single action.

Bob Wright

 

[Wildpony]

I was shooting at Boars at 100 and Turkeys at 150. I got more hits on the boars at 100 when using DA and could only hit the turkeys at 150 when I shot DA.

My thought is that since I am staging the DA (1) I am gripping the revolver more firmly as I draw the trigger back, (2) my finger placement is more consistent on the trigger since I have large hands that feel a little cramped on the trigger in SA (3) and it is harder for me to anticipate ignition since I am slowly squeezing and drawing back until.........suprise. Could be wrong though.

 

[Raider]

I shoot double action accurately out to about 15 yards. Beyond that single action does the job.

 

[gerhard1]

DA is more accurate for me, as I tend to flinch less.

 

[OKFC05]

Anybody know why?

Most likely you are holding the gun somewhat loosely in single action and unconciously sqeezing your whole hand when you pull the trigger. In other words, poor technique.

In double action, you probably already have your hand tightened and are moving the gun less.

Common problem for people to move something other than their trigger finger.

 

[buckeyeshooter]

Single action is always much more accurate for me. I rarely shoot double action at all.

 

[josephthreedogs]

I shoot DA only, most of my guns have the SA locked out.

 

[Wayne M]

Sight in and hunting, SA. Everything else DA.

 

[stevieboy]

I shoot DA 99% of the time, at all distances. I am far more accurate shooting DA than SA. I simply prefer the long pull of a DA trigger and I tend to stage my shots. Even when I shoot rapid fire I mentally search for that "click" that signifies lockup the instant before the hammer falls.

What is interesting to me is that I can fire a revolver in DA far more accurately than I can shoot any semi. I'm at my worst with single action semis. Double-singles are no better for me. My shooting improves with striker fired guns like the Smith M & P. But, my shooting abilities -- modest as they may be -- show to their best with a DA revolver.

 

[RightWinger]

I might shoot single action better but I don't think I have done it enough to come up with a fair comparison. I mainly shoot DA, because I figure DA is what I would be shooting if it was to save my life....

 

[hd1.]

When hunting, I prefer single action wherever possible. For defensive (up close, of course), double action.

 

[devildog66]

At the ranges that I shoot (under 50) I find DA to be a better choice for me. I control the trigger press more affirmatively and squeeze through more evenly.

 

[marvin knox]

I think we are mixing terms a little (or maybe it's just me).

Isn't staging the trigger during the regular pull (i.e. no cocked hammer)the same really as shooting single action.

For self defense purposes, that is a bad habit to get into IMO.

Actually cocking the hammer is a bad thing in my opinion in almost every true "self defense" scenario. Generally, single action in a time of great stress is not a good idea IMO.

With hunting or dual purpose guns I suppose a hammer has a place. But on a dedicated self defense carry gun it is nothing but trouble IMO.

In the extremely rare scenario where a well placed shot from hiding would be nice to dispatch a shooter who had not pinpointed you as a target - one could always stage or index the trigger. Occasionally doing that with your carry gun when at the shooting range may be OK if it isn't more than, say, 5% max.

 

[stevieboy]

No, I don't think that staging the trigger is the same as shooting SA. For me, staging is part of a rhythm, not a point at which I stop my pull and then shoot "single action." The DA trigger pull, ideally, is a continuous process. But, staging IS a reference point, the instant where I know that I must have my sights dead on the target in order guarantee maximum success. To me, staging is kind of like the rhythm used by good basketball freeshooters, an element of the action but not a point at which one stops and collects one's thoughts.

 

[Sierra Hotel]

When reading McGibern's "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting" you will see that He staged his DA shots. The more proficient you become, the shorter the pause when staging. The pull is actuated as the gun recoils, with the final pressure applied as the sights settle on your target. There is less tendency to jerk the trigger. Weakening the pull is bad (changing rebound springs) and is a big caution by McGivern and Miculek (Jerry).

 

[MKT]

If/when I shoot SA I will almost certainly jerk the trigger. Everything I do I shoot DA, competition or quals (back when we carried revolvers) has always been DA only for me.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

For years I have had a on and off again problem with flinching. I think I do better DA because my evil id cannot anticipate exactly when the gun will go boom and cannot flinch in time to affect the shot. Just a theory mind you! Funny thing is that I shoot a SA revolver well, I think that is so because a heavy load in a SA dosent hurt compared to the DA revovers. I have short little fingers and cannot center a N frame properly with the resultant first knuckle rap!