Double Action with .357 Magnum

[Chrisj357]

So, I recently tried out a new indoor range near where I live. I really enjoyed it. I rented a rifle range so I could sight in my Marlin but then set a target at 15 yards to practice defensive fire with the 686.

I fired a cylinder of my carry loads just to use up the rounds that had been carried for a long time. Then a full box of 50 FMJ ammo 357. All shots were double action and I tried to realistically simulate how much time would be spent aiming in a real situation.

My target didn’t look as pretty as it usually would with single action shooting and careful aiming but after a couple cylinders I was confident I wasn’t pulling rounds too badly and most shots would have stopped a bad guy.

I didn’t even think about recoil and time between shots was faster than I think would be needed. So Im certain full magnum loads fired double action will be like butter with the added adrenaline of a real situation.

I encourage all my friends that carry to shoot this way some of the time even though it feels like wasting ammunition.

 

[StrawHat]

I have not shot single action for probably 5 decades. No need to, I carry a double action revolver for a reason.

Kevin

 

[Protocall_Design]

Same here.

 

[Nightowl]

Single action only gets used shooting long range with a rest! Inside 25 yards is double action.

 

[BE Mike]

Good for you for training with your handgun!

 

[BAM-BAM]

We qualified DA only out to 15 yards... single action was allowed at 25.

My Carry Model 3" 65 has a bobbed hammer!

Today I carry a DA/SA auto; either a 3rd Gen Smith or a Beretta 92.

DA is not that hard to learn and control!

 

[TAROMAN]

Agree 100%.
DA is how DA revolvers are best employed.
My favorite revolver is a DAO NY-1 model 64.
Also shoot a 986 in steel challenge.

 

[magnum0710]

Agreed! I I rarely ever shoot single action, just here and there at longer ranges. 90% of my revolver shooting is double action.

 

[old bear]

Most of my range time is D/A only. Not a lot of fun with a J frame, but I still force myself to do it...

 

[old tanker]

When I carry a .357 revolver concealed, it is most often this one. Very little confusion about how to shoot it.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have not shot single action for probably 5 decades. No need to, I carry a double action revolver for a reason.

Kevin

I agree, why have to learn two different shooting methods. Do it one way its the KISS principal at work.

Back in the 1970s when I was doing a lot of PPS shooting I was one of the few that fired DA at the 50 yard line.

 

[SWFan27]

So, I recently tried out a new indoor range near where I live. I really enjoyed it. I rented a rifle range so I could sight in my Marlin but then set a target at 15 yards to practice defensive fire with the 686.

I fired a cylinder of my carry loads just to use up the rounds that had been carried for a long time. Then a full box of 50 FMJ ammo 357. All shots were double action and I tried to realistically simulate how much time would be spent aiming in a real situation.

My target didn’t look as pretty as it usually would with single action shooting and careful aiming but after a couple cylinders I was confident I wasn’t pulling rounds too badly and most shots would have stopped a bad guy.

I didn’t even think about recoil and time between shots was faster than I think would be needed. So Im certain full magnum loads fired double action will be like butter with the added adrenaline of a real situation.

I encourage all my friends that carry to shoot this way some of the time even though it feels like wasting ammunition.

I did over a hundred rounds of 357 Magnum double action on Sunday. I was getting at least some bullseyes from 15 yards. The guy with a range finder said it was 16 yards. I put Hogue Monogrips on my 686+ and 66 and wanted to see the recoil difference from the stock ones. And they did make a big difference.

The Model 617 that I bought last summer has been teaching me how to shoot double action. It is basically a 686 shrunk down to a K Frame and chambered in 22LR. It is one of the best purchases I have ever made. Plus, I get so much more affordable trigger time now. I rarely shoot single action anymore.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I didn’t even think about recoil and time between shots was faster than I think would be needed. So Im certain full magnum loads fired double action will be like butter with the added adrenaline of a real situation.

Spot on.

People think they never a trigger job. They don't and they are making the revolver less than 100% reliable.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

We qualified DA only out to 15 yards... single action was allowed at 25.

In the 1970s - 1980s; One of the local Police Academies did that.

We get a lateral transfer officer. His first Range Day with us we shot one stage at 20 yards six rounds reload and six rounds. So 12 rounds in 30 seconds. Well he was so conditioned to shoot DA at 15 and SA at 25. So when the Target showed at 20 yards he had already started to cock SA and he got flustered. He held six rounds and did not qualified.

 

[Sevens]

I also shoot all my DA revolvers in DA mode except for the X-frame 460XVR.

If there are so many others doing the same way, why does everyone fawn so hard over “Three-T’s” ? That wide cheese grater trigger is exactly the opposite of what I want for volume double action shooting. And the massive spur on the hammer is helping absolutely nothing.

Sometimes I wonder if “Three-T’s!” is just something that collectors love to say and type on the forum. Give me the smooth combat trigger and very regular hammer all day long.

 

[MSD2343]

Spot on.

People think they never a trigger job. They don't and they are making the revolver less than 100% reliable.

All of my DA revolvers have had their triggers worked on in the very best way. One DA round at a time, thousands upon thousands of times.

 

[StrawHat]

Spot on.

People think they never a trigger job. They don't and they are making the revolver less than 100% reliable.

Hey Sarge,

Help me out here, my screen seems to have lost a few (or more) words. What the heck are you trying to say?

Kevin

 

[murphydog]

I suspect he meant to type "need" instead of "never".

 

[stansdds]

When I carry a 357 Magnum, it's my Model 640-1, which is a hammerless J-frame, so not even the option of single action shooting. I also practice this double action only shooting at 25 yards. I figure if I can keep all shots on a 9 inch diameter paper plate at 25 yards, I can handling anything at 5 yards.

 

[Beju]

I also shoot all my DA revolvers in DA mode except for the X-frame 460XVR.

If there are so many others doing the same way, why does everyone fawn so hard over “Three-T’s” ? That wide cheese grater trigger is exactly the opposite of what I want for volume double action shooting. And the massive spur on the hammer is helping absolutely nothing.

Sometimes I wonder if “Three-T’s!” is just something that collectors love to say and type on the forum. Give me the smooth combat trigger and very regular hammer all day long.

After shooting a couple hundred rounds through my serrated trigger 625-8 in rapid double action fashion during drills, my trigger finger was wanting the smooth trigger of my 686-6.