Do Any of You Actually Carry a Single Action for Self Defense

[seldon14]

NAA mag pug on occasion, FEG hipower clone sometimes, ruger Blackhawk, but never as my only/primary.

Don't carry reloads for single action revolvers, doesn't seem worth it, and as stated if I'm carrying one, I'm also carrying something else.

 

[Muley Gil]

After I retired from LE and moved away from the area where I was a po-leese, I carried a Ruger New Model Blackhawk chambered in .45 ACP. I did that for about a year.

I went overseas and worked there for 5 years. When I came back, I worked armed security for 7+ years. During my security time, I carried a Colt Agent .38 special.

I'm 65 now and light weight counts for a lot these days. I may dig out my Old Model .357 Blackhawk converted to .44 Special and carry it some.

 

[ACP230]

At a class I took years ago there were two "old guys" with Ruger SA revolvers.
One gun was a .45 Colt and the other a .357. Those old guys (who were several years older than me at the time) could really shoot. The .45 Colt was louder and made bigger holes in the paper targets.

Before that class, and after it, I sometimes carried a Blackhawk in
.357 Magnum. Haven't done it in a while. Mostly carry a Smith M38
these days.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

the only single action revolver I ever carried for self defense was a NAA mini .22mag. I ended up with something else when I came to the conclusion that I could fire one handed a complete magazine with my LWS32 a whole lot faster than I could one handed manipulate the NAA mini (though the NAA mini was a finely made gun).

 

[Sixgun100]

I'd have no problem carrying this loaded with seven Speer 100 grain GDHP.

Ruger Single Seven

 

[seldon14]

I'd have no problem carrying this loaded with seven Speer 100 grain GDHP.

Ruger Single Seven

How do you like that birdshead single seven? Does it feel any smaller in hand than a birdshead 45acp Blackhawk.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

When I go to the farm I usually carry the following, Colt Single Action Army 45 Colt 4 3/4 barrel, Colt SAA 45 Colt with the 7 1/2 barrel, or my Freedom Arms 454 with the 4 3/4 barrel. Holsters, El Paso Saddlery 1880 Ranger for the 7 1/2, DM Bullard for the 4 3/4, and a Freedom Arms produced holster for the FA. Also have 1895 Harden for the 4 3/4, however it is not very comfortable.
The farm really is not a farm, my father just called it that, and I have continued to do so. It is 160 acres of wilderness part thick woods and part open plains type in Woodward County OK. No outbuilding , however, it does have a small pound and two water tanks supplied by a solar well. Deer, turkey, quail, and other small game animals are found there.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Not counting the many years that I carried a Beretta 950BS in one pocket or another I am very much against carrying single action guns for self defense. In the 21st century you want point and shoot, not click, point, and shoot. Very much my personal opinion.

If you train and practice and train and practice to high proficiency with a 1911 or a Browning HP, etc., well, fine, but they are not for everyone and folks new to the self defense game should simply never do it. YMMV

However, THAT said, when I was routinely shooting cowboy action matches I would not have hesitated to carry one of my .45 Colt Vaqueros if the mood struck me. But, then again, that brings us back to train and practice. High proficiency is the requirement.

 

[badge 851]

I carry a Ruger® New Model Blackhawk® 4⅝" 41 Remington® Magnum loaded with 265gr WFNGC whenever I am outdoors and about. Have another DAO revolver on my person at the same time.

 

[Sixgun100]

How do you like that birdshead single seven? Does it feel any smaller in hand than a birdshead 45acp Blackhawk.

I love it! I now have the Blued 4 5/8" version too. Can't really say if it feels smaller, as I don't own the larger Birdshead Ruger. I believe the grips are the same size, but the Single Seven is based on the smaller Single Six, so I imagine it would feel smaller.

 

[shell627]

I have been known to carry a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 colt in East Tn and N Carolina mts.I have even carried birdshead Ruger in 3 1/2 in 45acp around town or walking in local parks.But usually here in area I work a Glock of some sort or BHP or maybe my Colt defender depending on mood and weather.

 

[otis24]

As far as single action revolvers, depends on environment. I have carried a SA revolver for self-defense in woods/hiking situation. As far as EDC travelling or in "civilization", no. I have carried a BHP and would again. Given the choice though it would be a BHP with SFS (Shoot Fast Safe) system.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Yes I did and still do pretty often , 1955 Ruger Flattop .

 

[tops]

I have practiced right much with a SA revolver and I think that many of the people that think they are useless would change their mind if they would practice a little with one. For me the biggest downside is reloading and for personal self defense I doubt if that is a legitimate concern. Larry

 

[Protected One]

We've had a number of threads concerning the viability of single actions for self defense and I don't really want to get into all that again. What I would like to know, though, is whether any of you actually carry a single action on a regular basis? If you do, how do you carry it and what do you do about carrying a reload?

I carry a browning high power from time to time, in a "summer special" (IWB)
No spare mag.

 

[otis24]

I have practiced right much with a SA revolver and I think that many of the people that think they are useless would change their mind if they would practice a little with one. For me the biggest downside is reloading and for personal self defense I doubt if that is a legitimate concern. Larry

Reloading isn't a concern.... until it is a concern. Better to have a gun and not need it than to need it and not have it. Better to have more ammo and not need it than to need it and not have it. This has become my mantra and has caused me to switch to a 9mm semi-auto for self-defense. Along with a spare mag or two.

 

[JayFramer]

I recently bought a Ruger Blackhawk convertible .45 Flat Top:

After practicing reloads and shooting it, I'll have to say, while it's not ideal nowadays, I would NOT feel unarmed with it. I might well carry it in the countryside for multi-role defensive applications. It'll be paired with a BUG though. A New York Reload would not be a bad idea with these type guns.

 

[keith44spl]

. It'll be paired with a BUG though. A New York Reload would not be a bad idea with these type guns.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That is right, right thar !!!

There is no shame in carrying two........

.

 

[Bro. Dave]

It is sometimes difficult to realize when one has arrived at the condition of being "old," but if I have on long pants, I have either a 1911 or a BHP on my person. While owning, shooting, and enjoying polymer framed pistols, the muscle memory and level of familiarity of single action semi-autos gives confidence to me.

If single action revolvers are the item in question, I would not carry one for self defense if an alternative was available.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I carry a NAA 22 LR loaded with snake shot while metal detecting in the mountains around here. Sure is a comfort to have along.