Difference between DA and DAO

[Pete99004]

Just another dumb question from me...can someone explain the difference between DA and DAO?

 

[Pete99004]

Just another dumb question from me...can someone explain the difference between DA and DAO?

 

[RufusG]

DA aka DA/SA or TDA (Traditional) means first trigger pull is double action, after gun cycles and cocks gun, subsequent trigger pulls are SA until gun is decocked.

DAO (DAOnly) means all trigger pulls are DA.

 

[Pete99004]

Thank you for the information. I have been reading old threads while looking for information on different models and keep seeing the DA reference and thinking they mean DAO. Only here lately that I got to thinking that they are not the same. Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by Pete99004:
Just another dumb question from me...can someone explain the difference between DA and DAO?

DA refers to double action. The trigger pull raises the hammer to full cock and firest the piece all in one motion.

If a pistol is DAO (double action only), it simply means that it operates DA for every shot, rather than the hammer remaining at full cock after the first shot.

 

[pittpa]

Will (some, all,or none) DAO pistols strike a round a second time if it fails to fire? Shop owners I have spoke to have given me various answers to this, although the first question is usually, "why would you want to?" I was looking at a 4043 or 4046 yesterday at the gun show, described as DAO. The shop owner indicated if a round did not fire, the firing pin would not strike again until the slide was cycled. While looking at a Taurus PT145, I was told the pin would strike as long as you kept pulling the trigger. Is this does vary, is it something manufacturer-specific or gun-specific? Note, it was priced at $355 with one mag, but I did not buy it since I was unsure of what to expect from the trigger, and also uncertain as to whether I wanted to deal with a magazine safety.

 

[KurtC]

DAO was a simple term when it only applied to revolvers. It simply meant that you could not cock the hammer and fire it single action, as there was no cocking notch on the hammer.

If you apply it to autos, it includes both hammer and striker fired actions. The only standard rule is that the hammer or striker is not completely cocked, ready to fire.

Many DAO autos have a hammer or striker that is partially cocked, to make the trigger pull shorter. These include Glocks, Kahrs, Beretta C models and most metal framed Smiths. Some are not cocked at all, much like a revolver. These include Beretta D series pistols. Others have two different DA pulls, like the Sig DAK series. Still others have a cocked sear, without a cocked hammer. These include Para LDA series.

Having a 2nd strike is a tactical non-issue, since most tactical "clicks" are caused by an unseated or missing magazine. This requires a tap-rack-scan-bang response, just to be sure.

However, when plinking on the range using inexpensive or questionable ammunition, a 2nd strike is a safe and convenient way to fire the cartidge. If you have a DAO that needs to be partially cocked, you simply have to retract the slide a 1/2 inch or so to reset it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by pittpa:
Will (some, all,or none) DAO pistols strike a round a second time if it fails to fire? Shop owners I have spoke to have given me various answers to this, although the first question is usually, "why would you want to?" I was looking at a 4043 or 4046 yesterday at the gun show, described as DAO. The shop owner indicated if a round did not fire, the firing pin would not strike again until the slide was cycled. While looking at a Taurus PT145, I was told the pin would strike as long as you kept pulling the trigger. Is this does vary, is it something manufacturer-specific or gun-specific? Note, it was priced at $355 with one mag, but I did not buy it since I was unsure of what to expect from the trigger, and also uncertain as to whether I wanted to deal with a magazine safety.

Some will, some will not. Personally, I believe that issue is much overblown. The Glock will not, nor will the S&W DAO pistols, as both come to rest in a partially cocked position as opposed to at full rest.

Many erroneously compare to a revolver, but remember, if it happens in a revolver and you pull the trigger again, you are not hitting the defective primer again, the cylinder rotates and you get a fresh primer.

Different people prefer different things, but I am not bothered at all by the absence of a second strike capability.