Single Action Revolver-CCW

[Andy Taylor]

Someone asked the reason behind this whole thing. it is not "what's left at the pawn shop." I have plenty of DA revolvers and semi-auto pistols. In fact I do not curently own a SA, although I have in the past owned three Rugers, a Uberti and a Colt.
It started with a gunshop conversation on the single action for modern CCW. I have a deceased friend (not gun related, cancer got him) who used to carry a .357 Blackhawk when he made bank deposits for his bookstore. One time he brandished it when a knife wielding robber tried to take the deposit. The robber dropped the knife and ran away. Nice knife, my friend's daughter still has it.
As far as the "any caliber SA vs .22 anything" question, the point was to see how dedicated those that say the SA is not a viable option are to that idea.
I had not considered the mini revolvers when I first asked the question. While they are a SA revolver, they are so much smaller than anything else I can think of that it is really not a fair comparison. I can see that if the choice is a gun that small, or no gun, there are no DA revolvers or semi-autos in an equivelent size. At least none that I am aware of.
I think this has been an interesting thread.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I know that many SASS types are very proficient with single action revolvers and feel very comfortable carrying them due to their familiarity with them from shooting them so much. I have read on other forums that some do carry them regularly for CCW. Many utilize them for home defense as well. Mernickle and others make some very nice high ride holsters for this purpose so someone must be doing it.

I personally would not carry one for many of the above stated reasons. There are too many other weapons that would be more suited for CCW.

T

 

[Racegunner]

I'd never CCW a SA, but photos of Erich's revolver keep showing up tempting me like a "tempting tempstress"... (look away).
Damn, that's a sweet gun.

 

[Jeb Stonewall]

Single action for CCW?
Sure it is a great gun for that
-----(IF)-----
You can be sure that you are in a standing postion faceing your target with your shooting hand free.
There is nothing covering your gun such as a coat or shirt tail.
(John Harding one of the deadliest men in the old west was arrested by being busted over the head while trying to pull his pistol from a sitting postion and having it's hammer caught in his suspenders!)
You don't have to fire more than one shot!
And you don't have to reload.

I know alot of people say they take their time and make every shot count!
All that tells me is that they have never been in any shooting situation!
While they are bringing their gun up and trying to line the sights up on target, some gang banger is spraying the area with a semi auto and one of his unaimed shots might just connect with you!(check out police shootings-shots fired and hits made)


Since you can't be sure of these things (unless you walk around like a gunfighter at high noon everywhere you go!)a single action isn't the best choice for CCW.
Can you imagine sitting in your car when a car pulls up behind you and the driver jumps out with a shotgun heading for your door?(Grab your SA pull hammer back and turn and fire over your shoulder ? 1 to 5 rounds??)
Or you get out of your car in parking lot when the person you walk past attacks you!
It may be one guy (more than likely bigger than you, because perps don't usualy attack victims bigger then they are,)or more than one attacking you.
How are you going to pull and cock a SA while in the middle of a fight?
The best gun for self defence or CCW is a double action revolver or double action auto.
No hammers to cock or safety levers to flip off when you may be rolling around on the ground with an attacker.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I wouldn't suggest it for concealed carry, but one could do far worse than this one - a .45 Colt/.45 ACP 4 1/2" Old Model Ruger Blackhawk. Similar guns got the job done in the 19th Century, and the type could do OK today. BTW, the trick of loading .45 ACP from a 1911 magazine is a cool one, and new to me. Learn something new every day!

 

[feralmerril]

I am not saying a single action is best. Nor can I speak from experience as I never have been in a "gunfight". But I maintain, dont sell a single action short. At this time in my life I no longer can prove what I am saying either, but 45 to 50 years ago I was able to throw beer bottles or whatever in the air, draw and shoot and hit them with almost boreing regularity with a single action. Dont sell a single action short, or a guy who practices with one! And that also is true even for a old cap & ball! You can have the most modern high tech up to date equipment in the world, but if you arent up to speed a old man practiced with a single action can and will kill you!

 

[Andy Taylor]

Merrel's post made me think of a peice on guns and gangs that I saw about 15 to 20 years ago on either 60 minutes or 20/20.
they were interviewing a teenage gangbanger in Chicago (you know where there are no guns

) Anyway the reporter asks the kid "Do you have a gun?"
Kid says: "Yes."
Reporter "What kind of gun?"
Kid "A Four-Five"
R: "Is that a good gun?"
K: "No, I want a Tec-9."
R: "Can I see your gun?"
Kid then removes a Ruger Blackhawk from under his baggy sweatshirt.
I for one would take that Blackhawk over a Tec-9 anyday.
Unfortunately the Ruger was most likely stolen, and the kid's face was not shown.