Single Action Revolvers for Defense?

[model17]

Food for thought: In some liberal states, cocking the hammer may be construed as premeditated, even in a SD situation.

 

[Bakebfr480]

I carry a 4 5/8 barreled SBH 44 mag. quite a bit. I don't feel under gunned!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Not my first choice..........

Not my second choice...............


does rank above ; knife,baseball bat, rock or sharp stick..... to name a few!!!




Heck with the number of folks here who don't carry a reload for their auto or DA revolver........... 6 rounds of .45 colt,.44 special or .44 or .357 magnum seems GTG

 

[k22fan]

[...] The one aspect that is not in question is reloading. Any revolver with a swing out cylinder is faster [than a single action] to reload. [...]

Let's bring that into question. 19 Century automatic ejecting single action top break revolvers are faster to reload than S&W hand ejectors. Yes, speed loaders were made for them. However, I doubt their early speed loaders could keep up with full moon clips.

 

[Rastoff]

...I doubt their early speed loaders could keep up with full moon clips.

You'll get no argument from me. I didn't differentiate between moon clips and speed loaders. However, moon clips are faster. I've seen a revolver shooter, starting from the holster, actually get two shots on target and reload faster than a guy with an auto loader. The auto loader guy was no slouch either. It was really fun to watch.

 

[Mule Packer]

Years ago when I was "playing cowboy," the 24,000-acre ranch where we worked was situated in rough, remote, mountainous, heavily timbered country. It was also heavily populated with black bear and mountain lions that had absolutely no reservations about taking down a young calf. Our foreman wanted us all carrying sidearms and he preferred that we carry single-actions. Why? His reasoning was that if a single-action got a little dirty, it would still function. I wasn't going to argue. He was the boss.

Years later, when I was leading a pack string into designated wilderness areas, I always packed a single-action Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .45 Colt, loaded with some heavy duty rounds...usually 240-grain semi-jacketed hollow cavities traveling around 950 fps. Carried that for over 20 years. Why? Probably for the same reason. I guess old habits die hard.

When I shot SASS for several years, I learned to fire a single-action revolver pretty darned quickly, using my offhand thumb to do the cocking.

Sure, we'll always have the argument that semi-autos will fire faster. Our SASS group went up against the local police department in a shooting match...the cowboys using single-actions and the cops using semi-autos. Believe it or not, the cowboys won, not only in speed, but in accuracy...not just once, but several times.

Do I personally carry a single-action for self defense? No, but when "push comes to shove," if somebody feels comfortable using a single-action for self-defense, or if that's the only handgun they have available to them, they certainly could do worse.

Just my view from the saddle.

 

[Watchdog]

...when I was leading a pack string into designated wilderness areas, I always packed a single-action Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .45 Colt, loaded with some heavy duty rounds...usually 240-grain semi-jacketed hollow cavities traveling around 950 fps.

That's an excellent round in .45 Colt, very accurate out of the right gun...and the Old Model Ruger Blackhawk is the right gun. I have two boxes of it in the cabinet right now.

 

[Donn]

If an SA is what you've got, train with it, get proficient. Beats a pocket full of stones.

 

[Ross3914]

About the only time it would make sense to me is if you are shooting a bunch of cowboy action stuff. Then the training factor may make it a more viable choice.

I can't really see any advantage otherwise.

 

[vonn]

I use a single action super Blackhawk in 44 mag with 240 grain thumpers walking up pigs and have managed on more than one occasion to bring down three with three or four shots being taken. Pigs are at least as fast as most bad guys. The AR guys don't do any better,so I feel pretty safe with my single actions. Not easy to conceal carry though!

 

[loc n load]

I shot a Ruger SBH 44 mag for 20 years in metallic sil., shooting to two hundred yards. I have hunted with that SA and a 45LC since the 80's, an accounted for quite a few deer with them. Professionally I carried DA revolvers for 15 years and auto loaders for 20.
A SA would not be my first choice as a defensive handgun. But I have been afield with one many times and if push came to shove I would not feel handicapped with any of my SA's or the loads I carry in them.

 

[rwsmith]

I canshoot...

I can shoot my revolvers in either mode. If someone is creeping toward me and I'm hoping that they would go away, I'd cock my gun to stand ready. Most SD situations aren't in slow mo and a hammer is something to manipulate in addition.

Now a semi, I'd like to have an SA gun.

 

[adwjc]

S Mulepacker said

"Sure, we'll always have the argument that semi-autos will fire faster. Our SASS group went up against the local police department in a shooting match...the cowboys using single-actions and the cops using semi-autos. Believe it or not, the cowboys won, not only in speed, but in accuracy...not just once, but several times. "

Reminds me of a time I attended a combat shotgun day attached to a week of Firearm Instructor School, the two guys I came with and myself were there with our department issued Stevens 311s, the tacticool guys, came with a variety of semi autos & pumps, same outcome, plus we showed them what "volley fire" meant.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Hey, it worked OK for Shane...

 

[WR Moore]

Food for thought: In some liberal states, cocking the hammer may be construed as premeditated, even in a SD situation.

I just noticed the "liberal state" qualification. However, JDs with prejudices/missions aren't limited to those locations. Cocking a single action is similar to racking a round with any long gun kept in cruiser ready (chamber empty, hammer down). Put in that perspective, you may be in a better legal position. Note the "may". In the deep south, I expect it would be regarded as "commencin' t' prepare t' git ready t' go".

"Provocation" is another matter, but the same similarity (may) work there too. I'll let the real JDs here weigh in on this stuff

Practice is the key to use of a SA (or any handgun) for serious use.

 

[keith44spl]

I carry single actions purty often in the wilds.......I don't feel defenseless.

Ruger 44 Mag.

Colt 2nd gen 44 Special

.

 

[peterGun]

In my rural bucolic life I believe a Blackhawk .45 convertible and LCP would cover the bases.

So if forced to liquidate my handguns those would be the two I kept.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fredj338]

I used to shoot a lot of CAS, got pretty good, high up in the ranks back when. I would never choose a SA revo, but if I had one on I could use it effectively. Where it sucks is reloads & multiple targets. You just are not going to be as fast to the first aimed shot nor follow ups & if there is a reload, well you are likely done.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I kind've want a cap-and-ball, actually. A couple dudes brought theirs to a little funtimes shoot once, and the sound of that black powder going off was incredible. Not to mention the huge clouds of smoke.

The Bass 44 spoke and sent lead and smoke, and 17 inches of flame according to Marty Robbins in the song Mr. Shorty. If you were close enough you could also set the bad guy on fire.

 

[Whitwabit]

I will sometimes carry this New Vaquero .45 Colt with smooth elkhorn grips. Why not? I really can't think of a realistic situation that couldn't be handled with 6 rounds of .45 Colt.

You would be severely out gunned in my neck of the woods .. when shootings happen where 8 to 23 rounds are shot !! when you might be going against 2 to 5 perps ..

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Why has nobody mentioned the excellent SA mini revolvers from NAA? I have carried a Black Widow for 8 or 9 years. It's small, extremely safe, and at 7 yards I shoot it as well as my J-frame.

 

[Rastoff]

Because the triggers are **** and they're so small they're almost impossible to manipulate. Do they even fire a .22LR cartridge?

I guess if you're not going to carry a real gun, these are OK, but I would never recommend one.

 

[ACP230]

This thread makes me want to strap on my Ruger Blackhawk .357 and go fishing. Unfortunately I irritated my back a couple weeks back and am
just getting over the problem. So, no fishing for a while.

I once used the Blackhawk as a house gun. I had just two handguns then and .38 or .357 ammo was easier to come by than .45 rounds.
Now use a snubnose .38 S&W most of the time.

I would not be too concerned if I had to go back to using the Blackhawk
as a house gun again. Or if I ended up carrying it for defense, either.
The short .41 Mag Blackhawk might be a better choice, eh?

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...if you can conduct business without a reload...you'll be alright...

...one well placed round should do it with the ones I have...

...I just unstrapped one of mine...took a Super Blackhawk on the morning dog walk after our Black Bear sighting the other night...

 

[sigp220.45]

You would be severely out gunned in my neck of the woods .. when shootings happen where 8 to 23 rounds are shot !! when you might be going against 2 to 5 perps ..

Really? I grew up in your neck of the woods (Decatur). Must have changed.

In my experience, 2 to 5 "perps" turn into 0 pretty quick once the shooting starts.

 

[American1776]

Of course, any gun is better than no gun. But, 5 shots without any possibility of reloading has its limitations, given the other options now available to us.

Back when the SAA ruled the day, *everyone was limited to the single-action revolver* So everyone was on an equal ground.

Today, if/when we have to go up against a deadly threat, the odds are that the threat will not also have just a single action revolver. They will have a Glock 17 type gun or a long gun like an AK or an AR.

Given the threat profile that we will most likely face, *I don't want to handicap myself right off the bat with only 5 slow shots with no reload*.

There are plenty of documented cases of both LEO's and armed civilians who needed more than six rounds during a gun fight. I've posted many links in the past about these cases...they exist.

In today's world, I like a 1911 with a reload. The 1911 is quick in the hand, plenty powerful, and *very fast reloaded*. The double stack gun just doesn't conceal or carry like a slim 1911.

8+1 with a fast reload is just fine for me. 5 rounds with no possibility of a reload...I don't like playing those odds.

 

[Naphtali]

My reply may be valid for me only. Nevertheless, . . . periodically my MCTD causes rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in my hands and arms. While I may not be able to use any of my DA/SA revolvers during one of these episodes, to date I have had zero difficulty using one of my Freedom Arms Model 97s. Thumb cocking from a two-handed Weaver-type shooting position is no problem. Having my grip break down after every shot is not nearly the handicap with single actions as it is with trigger cocking. And revolver riding up to break the shooting grip has the benefit reducing apparent recoil.

If I could construct a grip that wouldn't break down, I would strongly consider my 4.25-inch Model 97 - or having Freedom Arms convert one of mine to their tiny 3.5-inchers with round butt to be EDC. I could create significant cash from disposing of my "smaller" revolvers. Such a 45 Colt revolver that can safely use ammunition that would be absurdly powerful for self-defense from two-leggeds some how appeals to my inner Walter Mitty.

Hope something in this mishmash is helpful.

 

[Rastoff]

You would be severely out gunned in my neck of the woods .. when shootings happen where 8 to 23 rounds are shot !! when you might be going against 2 to 5 perps ..

I wouldn't live in your neck of the woods.

But it's a valid point to think about. 2 assailants present an issue and 5 is a serious problem. Still, that problem exists regardless of the gun you have. Do you really think you'll be able to reload with that many assailants? No, it's better to head for cover as soon as possible.

 

[Mister X]

I sure would like some links to these numerous civilian defense encounters where 5 rounds would have been insufficient. My Google-Fu must be really weak since I've never been able to find more than a handful. All my research on the subject yields evidence that says you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning or winning the Powerball than 5 rounds being inadequate.

 

[Rastoff]

I'm also interested in the ones that have needed a reload. I really want to hear about the ones that needed multiple reloads.