Single vs. double action

[Mastiff37]

Not sure if this is the right area to post this, but I was curious to get peoples' philosophy on single vs. double with S&W revolvers. I've primarily used my guns for range/backwoods plinking, and almost always go single action. I find it hard to be accurate in double action. I always figured I'd only really go double action if I was in some sort of close quarters type defense situation.

On the other hand, I know some people are quite adept at shooting in double action. I always slow way down my trigger pull to keep it under control, so for me it seems like I can go nearly as fast in single action if I'm concerned at all about accuracy.

Suppose you wanted to get six shots into an 8" target at 30 feet as fast as possible. Do you go double action, or single?

 

[cmort666]

Suppose you wanted to get six shots into an 8" target at 30 feet as fast as possible. Do you go double action, or single?

1. I'm having trouble envisioning a LIKELY self-defense scenario where I'd be engaging at thirty feet. Generally, holdup men don't yell at you from across the parking lot to let you know you're being robbed. In most other likely scenario's I'd have access to SEVERAL rifles, some of them with 6-24 power scopes.
2. There are tricks to enhancing ones accuracy with a double action revolver. One that I've had great success with is squeezing the trigger until my finger contacts the frame or grip, then stopping to allow the sights to settle. I then finish with a reasonable approximation of a single action shot.
3. I recommend that you get yourself a copy of Ed McGivern's "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting" and practice some of the techniques therein, starting with dry firing. The "John Carter of Mars" style of prose is tough for some people to get through, but it's well worth the effort.

 

[mtgianni]

30 feet is across the living room for me or if someone broke into the windows. I would have no problem shooting DA as that is what I have practiced. I use a rapid trigger take up then slow as the trigger reaches it's break point. I want to be surprised when the trigger breaks while always being in control of the gun.

 

[SMSgt]

I can envision a lot of SD scenarios at 30' or more. I practice both DA & SA.

 

[cmort666]

30 feet is across the living room for me or if someone broke into the windows.

There isn't thirty feet line of sight anywhere in my whole home.

I can envision a thirty foot shot somewhere else, but I can envision a lot of things that aren't LIKELY.

Could I do it?

Sure. I've shot revolvers out to two hundred yards.

Would I try to do it double action?

Not given a choice.

 

[Mastiff37]

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that 30 feet was a common SD distance, just trying to get a sense of the conditions under which people use DA vs. SA. A man sized target at 30 feet leaves plenty of room for slop, but not the small target. I'd choose SA under the conditions I suggested.

 

[GyMac]

Years ago, I shot SA all the time too, thinking DA was "just for emergencies." I guess it was easier to hit something SA, and that was my focus. But I was shooting for fun, and DA is fun, too. For me, more fun. Now I only shoot DA, just because. For me, DA revolvers are for DA shooting.

 

[snubbyfan]

Seeing as how my primary self defense gun is a 442 I practice primarily in double action. I'll set a pizza box out at about 30' and practice point shooting for center of mass, or pizza box.
Even with other revolvers, I'll shoot primarily double action.
If double action's good enough for Jerry Miculek, it's good enough for me.
World Record 12 Shots In Under 3 Seconds - YouTube

 

[chief38]

I practice both SA & DA shooting. With a stiff +P defense load and under a tremendous amount of stress I very well might shoot SA if at 30+ feet. Anything under 15 feet would definitely be a DA shot, but depending on the circumstances and how much cover the perp was behind, and how large a target I had to shoot at would determine how I would take the shots. Two good hits beat 5 solid misses!

 

[JPriest]

I practice almost entirely in double action. I think if you can master the double action trigger it will help with shooting just about anything. That said, I do occasionally shoot single action and find my accuracy with SA is pretty awesome. It has also gotten better as my DA has improved.

 

[shouldazagged]

I can no longer walk the woods as I used to; but if I could, I figure any shooting I'd do with my 10-5 would be single action unless I were fending off some critter attacking me. For SD I play the odds, and assume that any situation requiring me to draw my EDC would likely be up close and sudden like the great majority of SD shootings (according to FBI figures). For that I don't want the option of SA, partly because as I've aged my hand sensitivity has declined markedly and I'd fear an unintended discharge. For that reason and others I carry a DAO revolver. I want it to require a definite decision to fire.

 

[loc n load]

Double action vs single action

I carried a Smith revolver as duty weapon for 15 yrs and instructed LEO's in revolvers for 22 years.....we taught DA exclusively...we shot from 3 to 45 yds..some agencies even modified their revolvers to DA only....I also competed for years in PPC and IPSC.....I have seen many accomplished revolver shooters who could shoot very impressive groups at 50 yds with a 38 spl revolver shooting 38 wadcutter's double action....almost all of my carry revolvers have been "despurred"....as I would never thumb cock a revolver in a defensive shooting situation.....simply am not hardwired to do that.....spent years training, and have thousands and thousands of double action trigger pull repetitions built into me...I will fight the way I trained...I trained thousands of "boots" to shoot double action K frame magnums, and recertified several hundred annually at my duty station....learning to shoot double action simply requires some basic skill development and then practice, practice, practice.
Skilled double action shooter can deliver amazing accuracy, engaging multiple targets in scant seconds, just watch some of the modern competitors like Jerry Miculek when he shoots his 625.

 

[Goldstar225]

I've shot double action almost exclusively for the past 35 years. Probably shoot single action less than one percent of my rounds. This is at ranges from 3 yards out to "you've got to be kidding" range. I am not a great shot but I'm confident out to 50 yards in DA mode. As in any other skill, practice, dry fire and a smooth, polished action will help you learn to develop good DA trigger control.

 

[Clovishound]

You must use what works for you. For me, that means I carry a striker fired weapon. I own, and very much enjoy shooting a 10-5. I do not carry it for self defense.

Yes, I can shoot reasonably accurately in DA mode. However, I really dislike shooting DA. I have carried an SA/DA revolver in the past, because it was the weapon I was required to carry.

Now that I can make my own choice in a carry weapon, I chose what I want, and what works best for me. For some, that means an SA/DA weapon, for others a DAO, and for yet others striker fired. Only you can determine what works best for you. Pay attention to what your situation dictates, and be prepared to practice sufficiently to be proficient, and confident with your weapon.

 

[Arik]

What would striker fired be considered?

I practice mainly DA since thats how I carry but none of my semi autos are true DA. Either stricker or DAO. Revolvers are different of course

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[SMSgt]

Is 30 feet the new 21 feet?

 

[Lobster Picnic]

My DA shooting has improved a lot with weekly practice. The best DA groups now look like my SA groups from 6 months ago. Now I practice almost exclusively DA.

 

[Mastiff37]

Sounds like a lot of guys shoot DA all the time "on principle" or because they are in a self defense frame of mind. As a purely practical matter though, everyone surely has a range (combined with target size) where they would be better off to thumb the hammer and make the shot SA.

After watching some Jerry Miculek videos I'm definitely inspired to make my DA better. So far most of what I've seen has him blazing away at a human sized steel at maybe 10 feet. But I did see one video with him hitting small-ish steel much further (without hardly slowing down). Really amazing.

 

[GyMac]

As a purely practical matter though, everyone surely has a range (combined with target size) where they would be better off to thumb the hammer and make the shot SA.

I thought so too, until I was shooting a bowling pin match at 50 Yards (!) with a Model 25. The first time through I shot SA and missed several pins. The second time I thought, what the heck, and shot DA. Hit them all. For me, there's something about keeping the sights in alignment as I make that long pull that helps me hit better. And the practice helps when I shoot other guns, too.

 

[wildenout]

I always default to double action, that way you have a choice for either. Really can't go wrong! And with a lot of practice (live fire and snap caps) you an really perfect any action.