Double Action Only pistols vs. TDA

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I've always had traditional double action pistols (or DA/SA - where the first trigger pull can cock the hammer and fire the weapon, and all subsequent shots can then be fired single action) and I like those a lot. Plus I've had a few revolvers that are Double Action only.

I've never had a pistol that was Double Action only, but now I have a chance to get a new compact 3rd generation S&W pistol that is DAO. My primary and favorite Smith is a 5906 and I've been looking for a 3913/4013 but have stumbled across some good deals on compact DAO models.

Do many of you shoot both types interchangeably? and if you really like the TDA's like the 5906 do you get used to the DAO models like the 6946 or 3953 and comfortably go back and forth?

 

[Gunhacker]

I have both and to me there isn't that much of a difference between the two the way I use them.

I carry with a round chambered, hammer down with the safety/decocker disengaged. Firing the 1st shot is done DA, so a spurred hammer is not so much a need for me.

 

[snw19_357]

Being so used to the short SA reset on a S&W TDA pistol, it did take me some getting used to the longer reset of their DAOs.

I like the shorter DA pull of a DAO but still prefer the follow up SA pull of a TDA.

 

[RufusG]

I have both and to me there isn't that much of a difference between the two

I actually think I find more of a issue transitioning between 2nd and 3rd gen TDAs than between 3rd gen TDAs and DAOs, but that could just be me.

 

[deanodog]

DAOs are fine if they have a very nice smooth trigger. I have both and if I only could have one it would probably be the TDA.

 

[Big Mike]

I have had both, but I prefer my DAO's. Now that's all I own. I didn't notice a difference switching between the two, but I didn't keep my 6906 very long to really notice. In fact, once I got my first DAO, 6946, I stopped shooting the 6906 and sold it.

 

[tekarra]

I had a S&W 4586 and sold it because it did not have repeat strike capability. If the 3953 had repeat strike capability, I would look fo rone.

 

[davek610]

I'm a DAO guy too, I can't get used to the DA/SA transition. I started shooting handguns with revolvers so DAO is just natural for me.

 

[KurtC]

I switched to DAO when in became available 20 years ago. First just Smiths, then Berettas as well. Now, TDA seems silly to me. Every pull of the trigger should be the same.

 

[davek610]

I switched to DAO when in became available 20 years ago. First just Smiths, then Berettas as well. Now, TDA seems silly to me. Every pull of the trigger should be the same.

Have you tried a Beretta PX4 with the Type "C" trigger? Smoothest DAO out of the box I've ever had.

 

[Matt C.]

3953

I think you will be very comfortable with the 3953.
Smooth consistent trigger.
No safety or decocker to deal with.

 

[vista461]

I handled a single stack 4053 today at Cabelas, I was surprised at how short and light the trigger pull felt compared to what I thought it was going to be like. There may be a compact DAO in my future

 

[S&W247]

I've tried them all and owned several, and while I do like the idea of a DA pull on the first shot, I don't like it on subsequent shots. Having seen the difference in accuracy between the first shot and the follow up shots with TDA guns in IDPA/IPSC games when you're a little rushed and stressed, I'd prefer to give myself every advantage when my life depended on it and have SA shots for the remainder of the magazine. The S&W DAO's do feel good when you're dry firing them and shooting them slow at the range, but to me you're just giving up accuracy unnecessarily when it comes time for rapid shots under stress. If you really like the slick sided slides and bobbed hammer of the DAO, take a look at the frame decocker versions which have those features but maintained the TDA fire control. However, I think the only compact model like that is the 6926. I own one of those and really like it. The only DAO I've kept is the 1086. I like it but really only keep it because of its caliber. Transitioning to it from my other TDA's is difficult and being in a habit of utilizing the short reset of the SA trigger mode, I just can't remember to make my finger release the trigger far enough. My $0.02.

 

[sniper47]

I think I have owned and shot around three or four Smith DAO. I sold every one. I do have a DAO Beretta 96D that has one of the smoothest trigger pulls I have ever felt. I still have that one. I prefer the traditional DA/SA S&W autoloaders. I carry a SW99-40
and I am very comfortable with that trigger system, as I am with all of my other Smiths. I leave the DAO to my revolvers. JMHO.

 

[ab4ka]

I've just gotten used to the TDA guns. If I had a DAO I'm sure I could get used to it.