Single-Action REVOLVER Defense?
- Thread starter JayFramer
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Unless you're into Live Action Role Playing with a gun I can't think of a single reason to carry such an inefficient weapon for self defense.
Thank God I've never had to shoot anyone but I have had to draw a gun in self defense. In the middle of the situation I had more than enough things to keep track of without adding manipulating a SA revolver to the mix. AND had it come to that I wouldn't have wanted to bet my life on remembering to cock the weapon between shots while taking fire.
Self defense is about protecting my life. I don't ever want to be in that situation again but if I am I want the odds to be as heavily in my favor as they can be and that's not a single action revolver
Thank God I've never had to shoot anyone but I have had to draw a gun in self defense. In the middle of the situation I had more than enough things to keep track of without adding manipulating a SA revolver to the mix. AND had it come to that I wouldn't have wanted to bet my life on remembering to cock the weapon between shots while taking fire.
Self defense is about protecting my life. I don't ever want to be in that situation again but if I am I want the odds to be as heavily in my favor as they can be and that's not a single action revolver
Rastoff
US Veteran
Absolutely no reason not to carry a single action. It will take practice. You'll need to practice controlled pairs with a timer and how to do tactical reloads. But it can be done.
I've done some comparison with my Ruger GP100 and Ruger Blackhawk, both in .357Mag. I'm about a half a second faster with the GP100 if I have both hands available. I don't consider that a significant disadvantage.
The Blackhawk is big though. I would prefer to carry this one:
If you're in a situation where the very quiet noise of cocking a revolver will get you discovered, it's probably a better idea to remain concealed and not do anything.
I've done some comparison with my Ruger GP100 and Ruger Blackhawk, both in .357Mag. I'm about a half a second faster with the GP100 if I have both hands available. I don't consider that a significant disadvantage.
The Blackhawk is big though. I would prefer to carry this one:
Probably going to make a lot more noise when the trigger is pressed.
If you're in a situation where the very quiet noise of cocking a revolver will get you discovered, it's probably a better idea to remain concealed and not do anything. Who is the maker of that holster and ammo carrier?On rare occasions, I will carry this rig. Don't feel unarmed. Not my first choice, but I do like it!
Ruger Vaquero Montado
If you can use both hands and fan it.... you can get six out rather quickly.
If your fly rod has a salmon hooked up.... one handed has limits.
Circa 1980: The Top Cop in Walla Walla said .... when I asked him who stands guard while we fish..... " boy, don't you carry a gun?"
"It's just a Blackhawk 45 Colt" .... I replied.
"That'll work", he said.
If your fly rod has a salmon hooked up.... one handed has limits.
Circa 1980: The Top Cop in Walla Walla said .... when I asked him who stands guard while we fish..... " boy, don't you carry a gun?"
"It's just a Blackhawk 45 Colt" .... I replied.
"That'll work", he said.
Attachments
This one stays loaded as a house gun.
Would not be my first choice but would
do if needed.
Would not be my first choice but would
do if needed.
Well, many others have weighed in on this, a few inappropriately. I'll add my few observations, and count on others to tell me where I am wrong, or worse.
The most proper basis for the decision is the personal ability of the person making the decision. For myself, it is a no-brainer. I am not particularly facile with a SA revolver, although two-handed, it may not make a lot of difference (until I fire that sixth shot, or first click). I am much more accustomed to S&W DA revolvers, and even Colt DA revolvers are better for me than any SA revolver (I own only one, a Ruger 4.625" NMSBH). However, even in this new century, there are folks who play with these old SA revolvers all the time, and there are many who are faster on them on their first, second and several subsequent shots than I am with any DA revolver. Those people, for sure, should make their own decisions without any ignorant input from me. I will say that those old hawglegs can sometimes take a while to reload. Good argument for a backup. Most guns are a good argument for a backup.
Many, many years ago, my father, not a gun person, asked me whether the TV character McCloud, was realistic in carrying a .45 Colt SA revolver while temporarily assigned to a department (NYPD) which normally carried Model 10 DA revolvers. Of course, I explained that there were pros and cons, but that many gun-oriented people would endorse McCloud's choice.
I don't think that things have changed much.
The most proper basis for the decision is the personal ability of the person making the decision. For myself, it is a no-brainer. I am not particularly facile with a SA revolver, although two-handed, it may not make a lot of difference (until I fire that sixth shot, or first click). I am much more accustomed to S&W DA revolvers, and even Colt DA revolvers are better for me than any SA revolver (I own only one, a Ruger 4.625" NMSBH). However, even in this new century, there are folks who play with these old SA revolvers all the time, and there are many who are faster on them on their first, second and several subsequent shots than I am with any DA revolver. Those people, for sure, should make their own decisions without any ignorant input from me. I will say that those old hawglegs can sometimes take a while to reload. Good argument for a backup. Most guns are a good argument for a backup.
Many, many years ago, my father, not a gun person, asked me whether the TV character McCloud, was realistic in carrying a .45 Colt SA revolver while temporarily assigned to a department (NYPD) which normally carried Model 10 DA revolvers. Of course, I explained that there were pros and cons, but that many gun-oriented people would endorse McCloud's choice.
I don't think that things have changed much.
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If it can be operated quickly and reliably with one hand under pressure in a chaotic environment, then I guess it would probably be fine if that's all you had, but otherwise it's a no-go. Even so, with so many better choices available it doesn't make much sense to hinder oneself with such an inefficient and outdated weapon.
The bad guys of yesteryear had single actions also - not so much now... iF you are going to carry for protection, be smart about it.
I have no issues carrying my .41mag Blackhawk when appropriate (hiking-hunting etc.)
It may not be the best choice for defense from two legged predators but is hard to beat for larger threats.
It's accurate, reliable and powerful....I don't feel inadequately armed if it's the only gun on me.
It may not be the best choice for defense from two legged predators but is hard to beat for larger threats.
It's accurate, reliable and powerful....I don't feel inadequately armed if it's the only gun on me.
Mernickle made both the holster and ammo carrier.Absolutely no reason not to carry a single action. It will take practice. You'll need to practice controlled pairs with a timer and how to do tactical reloads. But it can be done.
I've done some comparison with my Ruger GP100 and Ruger Blackhawk, both in .357Mag. I'm about a half a second faster with the GP100 if I have both hands available. I don't consider that a significant disadvantage.
The Blackhawk is big though. I would prefer to carry this one:
Probably going to make a lot more noise when the trigger is pressed.
Who is the maker of that holster and ammo carrier?
Nope. Never even consider it, and I don't commute in a Model T. Both would get the job done (maybe) but have been long made obsolete by improved technology.
Jerry seems to do just fine with a single action—coach gun and lever action too, no extra charge.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uW1s3XbXL4[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uW1s3XbXL4[/ame]
Different context than what is being discussed here.
Echo40
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I've said it before and I'll continue to say it as long as the subject is raised...
Gunfight Rule #1: Have a gun.
Note that no particular firearm, cartridge, action type, nor any other details are included alongside this rule.
Folks often use threads such as these to front their masculinity/expertise in order to feed their ego, so unfortunately they will always devolve into a petty argument at some point, regardless of what you're using for self-defense, how modern it is, or how many authorities are currently using it.
Personally, I don't see why a Colt Single Action Army or any derivatives thereof couldn't be used for Home Defense. It doesn't take that long to work the hammer, especially if you train to do so, and there are many folks out there in the Cowboy Action Shooting community who stand as testament to this.
The lesser ammo capacity isn't that much of a big deal either, considering that the SAA and its derivatives are most commonly chambered in powerful cartridges such as .357 Magnum, .44 Special, and .45 Long Colt. There are also heavy duty variations of the SAA such as the Ruger Blackhawk, Magnum Research BFR, and Freedom Arms which come chambered in even more powerful cartridges such as .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, and even .45-70! So what they may lack in capacity, they make up for in terms of raw power.
Folks can (and most assuredly will) conjure up a variety of different scenarios in which a Single Action Army Revolver is insufficient or even a liability, such as the ever popular Urban Legend among the firearms community that your average Surburbian Household is liable to be invaded by a 6 man cell armed with Assault Rifles who isn't the least bit dissuaded by armed resistance, including one or more of their commrades getting shot, but I would challenge them to actually provide evidence of such cases occurring with your average working class man who is neither wealthy nor involved in any form of criminal activity.
Besides, let's face it, six against one is terrible odds no matter how you look at it, so even if such an occurrence was probable, then you're probably dead meat anyway, regardless of what you use for Home Defense, so it's a hopeless scenario to prepare for to begin with.
Bottom line, if you are an ordinary citizen with average income, living in an average home, and aren't involved with the criminal element in any capacity, then the highest risk of Home Invasion you are likely to face is by one desperate crack-head who selected your home at random looking for a quick score of anything he could possibly pawn for his next fix.
I know that many folks seem to be under the impression that your average crack-head is a fearless killer with superhuman strength and endurance who eats a bowl of 9mm Luger for Breakfast without any milk rather than a twitchy, emaciated, malnourished addict who is most-likely suffering from extremely painful withdrawal symptoms, but either way, he's not likely going to respond well to being shot (especially not six times) with a Revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, .44 Special, or .45 Long Colt, let alone one of the more powerful variants chambered in .44 Magnum or higher.
Otherwise, if you're of above average income, living in a fancy house, or are involved with the criminal element in any capacity, then you can most likely afford something with higher capacity, not to mention an alarm system, surveillance equipment, or perhaps even moving into a gated community with guards.
Gunfight Rule #1: Have a gun.
Note that no particular firearm, cartridge, action type, nor any other details are included alongside this rule.
Folks often use threads such as these to front their masculinity/expertise in order to feed their ego, so unfortunately they will always devolve into a petty argument at some point, regardless of what you're using for self-defense, how modern it is, or how many authorities are currently using it.
Personally, I don't see why a Colt Single Action Army or any derivatives thereof couldn't be used for Home Defense. It doesn't take that long to work the hammer, especially if you train to do so, and there are many folks out there in the Cowboy Action Shooting community who stand as testament to this.
The lesser ammo capacity isn't that much of a big deal either, considering that the SAA and its derivatives are most commonly chambered in powerful cartridges such as .357 Magnum, .44 Special, and .45 Long Colt. There are also heavy duty variations of the SAA such as the Ruger Blackhawk, Magnum Research BFR, and Freedom Arms which come chambered in even more powerful cartridges such as .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, and even .45-70! So what they may lack in capacity, they make up for in terms of raw power.
Folks can (and most assuredly will) conjure up a variety of different scenarios in which a Single Action Army Revolver is insufficient or even a liability, such as the ever popular Urban Legend among the firearms community that your average Surburbian Household is liable to be invaded by a 6 man cell armed with Assault Rifles who isn't the least bit dissuaded by armed resistance, including one or more of their commrades getting shot, but I would challenge them to actually provide evidence of such cases occurring with your average working class man who is neither wealthy nor involved in any form of criminal activity.
Besides, let's face it, six against one is terrible odds no matter how you look at it, so even if such an occurrence was probable, then you're probably dead meat anyway, regardless of what you use for Home Defense, so it's a hopeless scenario to prepare for to begin with.
Bottom line, if you are an ordinary citizen with average income, living in an average home, and aren't involved with the criminal element in any capacity, then the highest risk of Home Invasion you are likely to face is by one desperate crack-head who selected your home at random looking for a quick score of anything he could possibly pawn for his next fix.
I know that many folks seem to be under the impression that your average crack-head is a fearless killer with superhuman strength and endurance who eats a bowl of 9mm Luger for Breakfast without any milk rather than a twitchy, emaciated, malnourished addict who is most-likely suffering from extremely painful withdrawal symptoms, but either way, he's not likely going to respond well to being shot (especially not six times) with a Revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, .44 Special, or .45 Long Colt, let alone one of the more powerful variants chambered in .44 Magnum or higher.
Otherwise, if you're of above average income, living in a fancy house, or are involved with the criminal element in any capacity, then you can most likely afford something with higher capacity, not to mention an alarm system, surveillance equipment, or perhaps even moving into a gated community with guards.
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^^^ My chances of being attacked are near zero, but I carry a gun to defend myself anyway. On the rare chance that it should happen, I want the best tools available, plenty of ammo, and to be able to reload quickly.
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Echo40
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Good for you, that's a wise decision.
However, Home Defense and Carry aren't exactly the same. Inside your home, you typically hold the advantage, risk in generally lower, and preparation for Home Defense has much more room for customization than Daily Carry.
Besides, many folks on firearms forums seem to misunderstand this, (especially those who post threads on a regular basis to show off their latest firearms purchase) but firearms can be prohibitively expensive to those who are living on a budget or simply lack the overall means to seek out and purchase an optimal self-defense platform, not to mention train with it in order to become proficient with it.
So presuming that the TC already owns a SAA, lacks the means to replace it, and has already familiarized himself with the operational procedure of said SAA, then it is his optimal choice by default.
Pisgah
Member
Really? So who's right, you or those folks who think that, say, the shucking sound of a pump shotgun being chamber-loaded is a big plus?
Way overthinking, unless you are lying in wait to shoot somebody on the sly...
Since its 2019, not 1880, no, I don't.
keith44spl
Member
What with having started out 50 years ago with a Colt SAA in 45 Long Colt...
I'm purty confident in their usage.
I've also carried these for years......never felt under gunned.
Ruger 44 Magnum
Colt SAA 44 Special
.
I'm purty confident in their usage.
I've also carried these for years......never felt under gunned.
Ruger 44 Magnum
Colt SAA 44 Special
.
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