Single Action Revolvers for Self Defense?

[BAM-BAM]

Sure you can......but

Well in the end, it didn't out too well for that guy on "Justified" LOL

Use to carry a single action ruger when woods bumming in Pa.. Then one day while taking a break to reload..... I asked myself; why am I carrying this when I have a 4" Model 66 and a bunch of speed-loaders?

Erich's post above sums up my feelings on single action ...... not my first choice...... but would love to have one of those short barreled Ruger's in .357...... for the coooool factor.

 

[stantheman86]

The story of the guy stopping the robbery was with a Taurus Gaucho (ugh) and the trigger of the Taurus broke off as he tried to fire the 3rd shot. I don't know the full story, I think he still killed or at least stopped the robber(s). I have to get ready for work but I'll read it when I come back.

I believe Skeeter Skelton switched to a pair of 4" Ruger Speed Six .357's later in his career, may be some logic to that.......

Single Actions are just COOL, who, from age 30 to 80 didn't grow up watching westerns and all those kinds of movies. Those movies are the reason we have so many modern SA revolvers, Ruger started making the Blackhawk in the early 50's because Colts were very expensive, and I think the (at the time) shoddy Italian repros were just coming out. People wanted SA revolvers to actually shoot, and Ruger filled the niche.

I agree with what was said above, when everyone was armed equally, a SA revolver and a lever gun were totally adequate. It's all relative, the Henry lever gun was like having an M16 back in 1864. Average working people, i.e. not lawmen or gunfighters used cap and ball revolvers until the 1900's because they didn't feel like paying for a cartridge gun, but even then in a real gunfight after you've fired your 6 your not going to be reloading that SA, whether cap and ball or cartridge with any kind of speed.

Not all of my guns have to be ready for the war wagon or Zombie Apocolypse, SA revolvers are a ton of fun from .22's to big .45's, I even love my cap and ballers, it's a way to step back in time and do it the old way,but I wouldn't choose any of them for defense.

 

[gen3guy]

I want to thank everyone for responding. I knew I'd get some interesting opinions. Since starting the thread it has occurred to me that a very famous person had the solution to this conundrum. General George Patton carried a Colt SAA on one hip and a 3 1/2 " Registered Magnum on the other. I believe he also carried a Colt 1903 in a shoulder holster under his jacket.

 

[Faulkner]

When I first started as a deputy sheriff about 20 years ago our department would let us carry any quality firearm that was approved by the chief deputy (who was our firearms instructor at the time). Boy, you should have seen some of the stuff the guys would drag in. The chief deputy would would generally reject all SAA's and 1911's and when the deputies would whine and moan he'd always tell them, "nostalgia will get you killed."

Now, I would like to mention that we had one baliff who had been a patrol deputy for 37 years and was working to get his 40 and retire. He'd always carried a SAA in 44.40 and was allowed to continue to do so. I shared the range with him a time or two before he retired and he could absolutely hold his own in speed and accuracy. I never got to know him well before he retired but I heard stories from his days on the job in the '50's & '60's and this deputy was down right salty.

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

Do they work---hell yes. I shoot SASS, and let me tell ya, the power of a 45 lc 250 grain bullet hitting a steel target, is exciting. Simple trick is to hold the trigger, and just work the hammer. The revolver will cycle as fast as you can drop the hammer. Oh, did I mention the sound and pure show of power.

I have seen old SASS shooters shame modern semi autos.

Thank you,
Henry

 

[GrayGhost99]

Would I feel safe and confident in the firearm, yes.
I know it would go bang very time.
Would I want to face cross examination in a would where people are apprehensive about carrying a exposed hammer j frame for fear of cocking it before using it and being crucified for it.
Imagine having to use it and being known in the papers as the Cowboy vigilante.
Why did you think your in the old west would be the question from the prosecutor

 

[John R]

I'm not sure if this topic has ever come up on this forum. It probably has on some of the Ruger and Colt forums. I'd like to hear what people think about this. I the world of high capacity, reliable, and accurate auto pistols and the finest DA revolvers ever made, does anybody out there carry a SA revolver? I do on occasion, depending on the circumstances. The disadvantages are obvious but I also believe they can be formidable weapons in the hands of those who take the time to practice with them. Don't get me wrong. My Smith & Wesson DA revolvers are among my most cherished possessions. However, I shoot my SA revolvers more because they're reliable, safe, rugged, and FUN! Therefore I tend to want to carry them also.

Go ahead. Let me have it!

Not my first choice, but any gun regardless of caliber is way better than no gun at all.

 

[gen3guy]

Would I want to face cross examination in a world where people are apprehensive about carrying a exposed hammer j frame for fear of cocking it before using it and being crucified for it?
Imagine having to use it and being known in the papers as the Cowboy vigilante.
"Why, did you think you're in the old west?" would be the question from the prosecutor.

A very unlikely scenario here in Arizona.

 

[Sixgun100]

I have not as of yet, but I will under certain circumstances (such as in the woods) carry this recently acquired Ruger .357 Magnum.

Ruger Vaquero Montado

 

[BAM-BAM]

Would I want to face cross examination in a world where people are apprehensive about carrying a exposed hammer j frame ...........

Imagine having to use it and being known in the papers as the Cowboy vigilante.
"Why did you think you're in the old west?" would be the question from the prosecutor

And my answer:

Sir, if I was looking for trouble I wouldn't be carrying a gun designed by Colt the 1840s, and used by Custer at the Little Big Horn!.....I'd want something closer to what the bailiff there is wearing.....cus he's here to deal with "trouble"......(pointing to Bailiff's hi-cap Glock or Sig) and I have one at home just like it!

{And if I was in Arizona I might add}

Sir I think if you consult a map...... you'll see this is the "old West" ...well at least that's what I was told last time I visited Tombstone ! (judges and juries like a joke at the expense of the Prosecutor)

 

[Old cop]

I owned a Ruger Vaquero in .357 that was beautiful and fun, but the grip never felt right. Shooting full house magnums made the gun twist in my hand and follow up shots were difficult. It had faux ivory on it and changing them was out of the question.

 

[k22fan]

Here's a few random comments from a member who doesn't know squat about the topic.

In his early writings Jeff Cooper wrote that following the advise of well know gun scribes he took a Colt SAA to the Pacific Theater. The first time he fired it he reloaded under fire from his Japanese opponents. He could not discard it and replace it with an issue 1911 fast enough.

General Patton famously carried the Colt SAA that he killed Mexican solders with early in his career. Like all other generals he was so well guarded that his only use for a pistol was as a symbol. For that purpose no other pistol would have served as well as the one he had with him when he "saw the elephant." I suspect he liked rubbing that into the faces of the other high ranking officers. Incidentally, the only thing he shot during WWII was a mule that was obstructing the road.

Very unfortunately I traded my first Ruger Old Army cap and ball revolver to a retired friend for a .22-250. He kept a brace of them loaded while he traveled the middle deserts of the country prospecting for gold. He chose them because he thought it was very unlikely that a rural deputy would pester an old geezer over muzzle loaders. That's the best reason I've heard for carrying a single action for self defense.

Now if I was writing a novel about a game warden rescuing a gorgeous gal from Big Foot I'd arm him with a Super Black Hawk. The myth deserves at least a .44 magnum.

 

[CowboyKen]

I wonder how many of those neat little North American .22LR`s are hiding in peoples pockets?

I have a 22 mini-mag in my left front pocket right now. At the range, this afternoon, I put five in the red zone at seven feet, point shooting. It has its purpose and I carry it frequently in addition to whatever else I am carrying.

I have also carried one of my colt SAA clones from time to time. I have several of those that I would feel comfortable carrying. I also have a couple of real Colts but I won't carry them (too difficult to replace).

All of that said, most of the time I carry an XD9sc (with or without the NAA).

Ken

 

[rwsmith]

SLOW?????

Are SA good guns? Yea! But I wouldn't use one for self defense if I had a choice. Hard(er) to conceal, slow to fire, slow to reload, slow to get on target.

"Fanning" the gun will empty it out quick. Now whether you hit anything or not is another question.

PS: Many years ago I met an old guy at the range, I can't remember exactly (30+years) what his background was but he was something like former captain of some armed forces shooting team. He had a SS .357 Blackhawk. He showed us how tight his gun was and said it was the best he ever had. After showing us some pretty impressive shooting, he took the gun and :

PA PA PA PA PA PAOOOOOOW! He let off a string of shots one handed almost like one continous roar. I was extremely impressed. Who needs a machine pistol?

I found this:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgav7mNzIYo[/ame]

 

[okiegtrider]

This thread is a fun read. Some great posts in this one. Like a lot of others here, I have a SA Ruger. It's a fun gun, but I'm not nearly confident enough with it to bet my life or that of loved ones on my using it in armed conflict. The SA wouldn't be my first pick for a self defense gun, but cant knock it much either.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Yeah I do occsionally ( non-catalogued Vaquero Sheriff's , 3.5in bbl , std Blckhawk grip , large frame .45LC. El Paso #77 and a Ross Crossdraw.)

SA's can have and Advantage not yet mentioned. Natural pointing , nd resultant ability in making good, quick first shot hits. As much as I like my DA revolvers , a Blackhawk or SAA clone will give better unsighted hits for me than any DA or bottomfeeder. ( Not that I recomend unsighted , but redundency is good , and also indicates ability to present at eye level basically aligned.

And historically , all those SAA's did not magically disapear from service the day that practical DA revolvers were introduced. They remained in service in goodly numbers up until WWII era , particularily in Texas , but also generally in the West and southern Appilacians.

Consider how many users to this day carry a .38 snub and no spare ammo. A SA will provide equal round count , better accuraccy, and more power.


*Disclaimer- I routinely carry two handguns. When one of them is SA rev , the other will be a DA revolver or bottomfeeder. *

 

[jack the toad]

Since starting the thread it has occurred to me that a very famous person had the solution to this conundrum. General George Patton carried a Colt SAA on one hip and a 3 1/2 " Registered Magnum on the other. I believe he also carried a Colt 1903 in a shoulder holster under his jacket.

IMO, Gen. Patton being himself could do that. Whether for show, nostalgia or whatever the reason but the troops in the trenches were prolly using the 1911 and for a reason. It's a superior design for combat, self defense, etc. If Patton thought the SAA was the better, why didn't he carry 2 Colts instead of 1? I imagine it might have been his flamboyant flair, ivory grips and all. I think Patton was like that.
Just my opinion.

 

[keith44spl]

I carry a short New Vaquero sometimes (haven't lately, now that I think about it ), and don't feel like it's a problem. Speed of shooting doesn't bother me, but it loads a mite slow . . .

Wells, I too like the single actions, and have never felt out gunned.
With that being said, I not ashamed to carry a pair of em neither.


.

 

[Doug.38PR]

I'm not sure if this topic has ever come up on this forum. It probably has on some of the Ruger and Colt forums. I'd like to hear what people think about this. I the world of high capacity, reliable, and accurate auto pistols and the finest DA revolvers ever made, does anybody out there carry a SA revolver? I do on occasion, depending on the circumstances. The disadvantages are obvious but I also believe they can be formidable weapons in the hands of those who take the time to practice with them. Don't get me wrong. My Smith & Wesson DA revolvers are among my most cherished possessions. However, I shoot my SA revolvers more because they're reliable, safe, rugged, and FUN! Therefore I tend to want to carry them also.

Go ahead. Let me have it!

I occasionally carry my Ruger new vaquero .45 colt mostly in the woods but sometimes concealed. There is definitely something to be said for the simplicity and the hard hitting .45 or .44 caliber bullet. The most obvious drawback is not the use of single action but rather the time it takes to unload and load the gun. In your case, especially with a good speed loader, this is a nonissue since you carry a s@w double action

 

[Freeway]

I carry a short New Vaquero sometimes (haven't lately, now that I think about it ), and don't feel like it's a problem. Speed of shooting doesn't bother me, but it loads a mite slow . . .

Looking at the business end of that would be very intimidating!