Single or Double action?

[scattershot]

i voted single action, because the trigger only performs one function. On a M10 revolver, for example, the trigger performs two actions. Releasing the cocked hammer, or in a DA stroke, cocking the hammer and then releasing it.

 

[RichardDBeck]

I think they claim DA because of the hump on the sear... I ground mine off so does that make it SA?

I ground mine off as well. I would say it was always SA. I'm thinking that if you measure from the pivot point to the tip of the hump vs that same distance without hump the results are negligible.

I think the point was added to define a specific amount of surface area contact and not to further retract the striker during the trigger pull. I could be wrong about the intent...

Either way it requires a nice polish job anyways.

I think 99.98% pre-cocked vs 100% pre-cocked is not enough to claim DA.

 

[Don 73]

I see some votes for double action which I don't understand why.

The trigger ONLY lowers the sear in order to release the striker. The trigger does not reset (cock) the striker. Why would S&W even use the term double action for any m&p?

I can guess this one, the term "single action" can have a very negative affect on some people, who might think that single action and 'hair trigger' mean the same thing. The uninformed (including some police chiefs), think that single action and unsafe are terms that go together'

"double action" on the other hand is synonymous with a long, hard trigger pull, which some might take to mean that it is safer, less likely to go off by "accident."

 

[Rastoff]

Nicely said Don. Yes, I believe it's either legal or marketing reasoning for saying that they are Double Action only.

Of course, I find errors on websites all the time. It's entirely possible that whoever made the site was ignorant of what it means.

 

[Rgoodwin]

Much like the Senator who thinks magazines are only used one time and has a say so in new gun legislation!

 

[shawn mccarver]

I say M&P is DAO because ATF says so.

That said, it is more like a SA because pulling the trigger releases the cocked firing pin without pulling it further back before release as with the Glock. I believe the S&W is closer to the Springfield XD in that regard.

 

[Stratajema]

The biggest lie told by S&W is that their M&P pistols are double-action. They base this on the striker moving a micro inch backward during the trigger pull. Meanwhile, Springfield Armory pistols that use the same approach are labeled single-action.

Compare that to a true double-action striker-fired pistol, the Glock or Walther PPS that have a half-cocked striker prior to trigger pull.

 

[RichardDBeck]

Do glocks also use a striker block similiar to the m&p?

yes they do

 

[Der Biermeister]

I'm so confused ........

 

[Bkreutz]

I don't see the confusion. Take a double action auto and pull the trigger on a dead round, it doesn't go bang, if you pull the trigger again, it will hit the primer again and it may go bang (or not). Do the same thing with a M&P, what happens when you pull the trigger the second time..... nothing, you might as well wave your finger in the air. I see the reason for the long trigger travel in a M&P environment but to me the definition of a double action firearm is "self cocking" which means a full recock from being fired (or attempted firing). To me a microscopic rearward movement of the internals doesn't come close to what I would call a cocking action. I like my M&P a lot but wish it was a DA so that in the rare occasion that I get a failure to fire I could hit the primer again before racking it out on the ground.

 

[George9]

I agree,
Sorry for the comparison but take a Ruger LC9 that is called D/A only gun.. But you don't have a second strike on a dead round without racking the slide some.. It's half cocked in it ready position pull the trigger and that's it you can't just re pull the trigger it takes a little racking of the slid to reset it back to half cocked then it D/A.. I believe the M&P is a S/A gun too..George

 

[Penmon]

As I see it SA or DA in a Semi Auto only applies to the first shot, the rest of the rounds are fired semi automatically from a cocked hammer or striker. So it's the the actions that the shooter need to preform in order to fire the gun when racked that will determine SA vs DA. In other words do they need to cock the hammer after the gun is racked.

Colt 1911 rack slide, lower hammer,or put on safe. To fire cock hammer or release safety and fire. Most all consider this a SA gun but if one leaves the hammer back is it then DA?

CZ75, Rack slide, either lower hammer or lock hammer in place, in either position a pull of the trigger will fire gun when safety is disengaged. Most all consider this a DA gun.

MP or Glock, Rack slide, pull trigger gun will fire. As with the CZ 75 no other action is require after racking the slide to fire gun from a carry position safely.

If we are talking revolvers the answer is very straight forward, after loading gun do you have to pull hammer back in order to fire? If so SA if not DA.

 

[feelinlucky]

I don't understand the confusion either. Aside from variations such as DA/SA;

If the hammer (or striker) is at rest (or partially at rest, a-la Glock) following the action of the slide, and the action of the trigger fully cocks the hammer (or striker) and then releases it, the gun is a double action. The trigger cocks and releases the hammer or striker, two actions, hence "double action."

If the hammer (or striker) is fully cocked by the action of the slide, and the trigger/sear releases it, the gun is a single action. The trigger only releases the already cocked hammer or striker, one action, hence "single action."

The M&P, (or at least the Shield) is SA.

 

[George9]

Yes that's how I see it too! George

 

[Tom K]

I consider the Glock 1-1/2 action.

 

[George9]

Tom I see what you mean.. Ya a true D/A gun IMO as long as you keep squeezing the trigger the hammer moves back and the is released to strike the primer even if it's the same primer.. Having to pull back the slide any amount to set a hammer or a striker even on a Glock or Rugger LC9 "wife has one" for me also makes it a 1 1/2 action gun.. George

 

[Rastoff]

I still think the type of action only applies to the trigger. If it does one thing, it's a single action. If it does two, it's a double action.

 

[rebel0994]

Striker fired dao pistols work with a partially cocked striker, and the trigger fully cocks and then releases the striker(ie Glock). I voted double action because I didn't understand the exact inner workings of the M&P, now if I had it to do again, after reading this thread I would vote single action.

 

[RLF1949]

Question for Tinn-Can about sear modification.

Very interesting--how does this feel now? Is it smoother, easier to control? Do you think it could be too easy, I mean, dangerous to carry?

 

[DocSunShine]

Striker fired! To put striker fired weapons into DA or SA categories is very antiquated, they belong in neither.