Single Action Revolver-CCW

[Andy Taylor]

Was in a conversation the other day about the viability of carrying a single action revolver as a CCW weapon. Does anyone use a single action for this purpose? I know there are quite a few who use them for woods carry, but that is not what we were discussing. If you do, would you share some of your reasons for choosing such, and if not, but have given it consideration, what made you decide not to?
Colt and clones or Ruger designs all are welcome.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Hi, LD, unrelated kind of but I remember the coolest cop/security guard ever back in the early 70's. At Winterland concert arena in S.F. This guy was in a security outfit but wore shades at night and a double Sam Browne black rig and carried a 4" Highway Patrolman on his right, and a 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk on his left hip. I never heard of a modern two gun LEO ever before. He had a heavy black mustache and didn't at all look as stupid as it sounds now.He swaggered up and down the street in front of the place keeping all us longhaired punks in line. Litterally.

 

[Jellybean]

It's a long story but I almost took a Uberti Schofield to qualify with, but didn't. To answer your question, I'd say it's not a good idea. I can shoot and reload a Schofield faster than most cops I knew could their autos, but the proplem is you have no idea what, or who, you might encounter in a gunfight.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Hey, it worked for Gen. Patton!
(But he did carry a S&W .357 Registered Magnum for backup.

)

 

[morsecode]

"would you share some of your reasons for choosing such..."

No lock, no safety, ample supply of 45 colt ammo.

 

[feralmerril]

I never carried one for defendse, but if I do it would be this dual clyinder one in 45 acp or 45 colt, or my old colt with the short ejector and barrel.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I'm sure it could be done, and I'm sure some people do it.

I find the problem to be a safety issue.

Double action revolvers are readily available and are as "safe as a brick at rest" until you pull the trigger.

The very act of having to cock the single action creates a real problem in a self defense situation. It is just not safe.

Now, on the other hand, having a single action pistol when you need it sure as heck beats not having a gun!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I carry a NAA 22lr mini revolver a lot. It's single action

 

[DeathGrip]

After dark the heavy stuff in my own property lines,Day time I have to be more more CCw.

 

[Erich]

I've carried my Cimarron short barrel .45 ACP - with a 1911 mag to reload from.

Stripper clips work well, too. I'm a lefty, and these left-handed guns work well for me.

 

[Photog]

Sheriff Sam McLoud did when when he went to work in NY!

 

[tops]

Cocking a single action is easier than jacking the slide on a auto. Nothing is as unsafe as an auto with the barrel loaded and the safety on. Most safeties keep the trigger from being pulled and the firing pin can fall whenever it wants too. A belt hook doesn't work good on a SA but leave the loading gate open and the pistol won't fall down your pants. Five shots from a .44 mag will do more than 15 from a kiddie 9m. FLAME AWAY!!

Larry

 

[morsecode]

I'm with you, Larry!

Erich...That is a very sweet birdshead. I looked for those checked panels when I had my Thunderer but they were not to be found.

 

[Erich]

Thank you, sir!

I lucked into this gun, used with both cylinders and a sweet action-tune, for $350 last year. Wow, have I had a lot of fun with it!

BTW, I understand that Persinger of El Paso did the checkering on all of these. You might contact him to see about getting yours done.

 

[therevjay]

I never have. But I don't know why it shouldn't work. It worked for Dr. Holliday.

 

[Jellybean]

While I appreciate a good single action revolver just as much as the next guy, I still think carrying one for CCW isn't the best idea. At least not in the real world.

I just dug back to the handgun safe and thought I'd take a picture. It's been buried for a long time.

 

[scout]

Depending on the individual's circumstances, of course, I think a single action revolver would be only marginally less effective for most of the risks most of us face, especially with proper training and practice.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Erich, very cool .45

 

[OKFC05]

It's a training issue.

I refuse to start a beginner out on one, but if someone who alreaady knows how wants to use one for CCW qualification shooting, that's cool with me. Go ahead, you tell Bob Munden he can't use his single action..........

 

[Andy Griffith]

The only issue that I see from a safety standpoint is that anything with an authentic Colt-style action would have to be carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber, whereas a Ruger or anything with a transfer bar could be carried with all six chambers loaded.

I have heard of people carrying Colts with all six rounds loaded, but with the firing pin resting between two rims of cartridges. Of course, the cylinder stop would be resting on the bare cylinder and would scratch it up and I still don't think it would be safe.