Traditional DA/SA semi-automatic ?

[IndianaDave]

I've been a revolver guy for some time but recently realized how cool the semi-autos are and that I needed to get a few. How does the traditional DA/SA work ? Do you chamber a round, de-cock it and then the first round will be DA and then the rest SA ? Thank you and please excuse my ignorance.

 

[JayFramer]

I've been a revolver guy for some time but recently realized how cool the semi-autos are and that I needed to get a few. How does the traditional DA/SA work ? Do you chamber a round, de-cock it and then the first round will be DA and then the rest SA ? Thank you and please excuse my ignorance.

Yes. That is how it works. The idea is the first DA shot is like a revolver. It’s long and heavy, hard to accidentally pull unless you really mean it. But once you’ve fired your first shot it switches to single action which allows for a lighter, crisper trigger pull. This can be beneficial to the majority of users to increase shot placement and hit percentages.

The whole concept is to be as safe to carry as a traditional double action service revolver, yet with a lighter “traditional” single action semi automatic pull after the first round, all without the need for a manual safety, that might be forgotten about at the worst moment.

There is a need for training with this system though. The gun must be decocked before reholstering to make safe, and is often done after a shot string or engagement with the gun still deployed. There is also the need to practice the transition from the first double action pull to single action.

I, for one, really like DA/SA guns and since you’re a revolver shooter by trade, they make a great choice. The DA trigger should feel very familiar to you. S&W made a great many excellent DA/SA guns and they can till be found on the used market. Beretta, SIG Sauer, Walther, CZ, and many others utilize this system.

Hope this helps!

-Jay

 

[N4KVE]

Or, you can cock the hammer for the first round, & all rounds will be single action. GARY

 

[IndianaDave]

Thanks ! That really does appeal to a revolver guy.

 

[Imissedagain]

When I teach the M59, Bobcat or PPKs I have them load just one for the first few shots.
Then just two and remind them to hang on.
Most often they get a double and after that they're fine.

Best to use your thumb to lower the hammer with the decocker.

My kids are in town and they want the stainless S&Walther PPKs to take back to the Rockies.

A DA/SA with a safety/decocker is my go to carry with children around.
No Glock foot or worse if the gun drops and they grab it.
It's never happened but nice to have what you need for all occasions.

 

[RufusG]

Thanks ! That really does appeal to a revolver guy.

You might want to try one of the original DAO (double action only) third gen Smiths. No decocker or safety, and a revolver-like trigger pull on every shot.

 

[ContinentalOp]

DA/SA guns do require a bit of training and practice, but I tend to think that some people exaggerate it.

I like DA/SA guns. I have a Beretta 92FS for a home defense gun and my EDC is a Beretta PX4 Compact. Both have been converted to decock-only.

At first you may need to spend some time working on the DA-to-SA transition, but it's not difficult as long as you pay attention to what you're doing in the beginning. I have a little drill where I'll fire a few rounds DA-only, followed by a few rounds SA-only, then a few DA-SA pairs at the start of my range session. And I'll spend the rest of my range session always starting with DA, incorporating some DA-SA pairs (or longer strings). I find that helps me stay consistent. I also make it a point to decock whenever I bring the gun down from firing, even if I'm just doing dry fire practice. I also decock before holstering, and then keep my thumb on the hammer when holstering. Do these things every time you handle the gun, and you'll decrease the likelihood of not doing them under stress.

I would also suggest looking up Ernest Langdon's videos on YouTube. He's probably one of the best DA/SA instructors around. He has some very good tutorials. One of the problems with DA/SA guns is finding instructors who are well-versed in running them.

 

[MJK-MOD-547]

I've been a revolver guy for some time but recently realized how cool the semi-autos are and that I needed to get a few. How does the traditional DA/SA work ? Do you chamber a round, de-cock it and then the first round will be DA and then the rest SA ? Thank you and please excuse my ignorance.

If you want to get a semi but feel you'll miss your revolver then check this one out.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFUFl3Y-0U8[/ame]

 

[BLUEDOT37]

How does the traditional DA/SA work ? Do you chamber a round, de-cock it...

One TDA feature I like is when you need to load/unload the chamber, with the decocker down, you can safely load/unload the chamber with virtual assurity that the pistol will not accidentally discharge.

.

 

[Fishinfool]

Note that not all DA / SA pistols have a decocker feature, forcing you to manually lower the hammer on a loaded gun. Something to consider if you are somewhere where doing so may not be safe.

Larry

 

[KSDeputy]

When we changed from revolvers to model 645, we had a class and training on how to operate the new pistol. Many of my fellow deputies were holstering with the safety on. I did not, and never have. It is as safe as a revolver with the safety off. I carry all of my generation 3 pistols with the safety off. I only use the lever for decocking.

 

[ContinentalOp]

When we changed from revolvers to model 645, we had a class and training on how to operate the new pistol. Many of my fellow deputies were holstering with the safety on. I did not, and never have. It is as safe as a revolver with the safety off. I carry all of my generation 3 pistols with the safety off. I only use the lever for decocking.

I think it's still a good habit with safety/decocker guns to swipe the safety off when drawing or after slide manipulations during reloads and/or malfunction clearing drills, even if you keep the safety off. When my 92FS still had a safety/decocker, I would, once in a while, re-engage the safety lever when manipulating the slide. While it never happened to me, I have heard of some people who's safeties re-engaged while holstered.

I don't know how likely this is with the S&W DA/SA guns, though. My only experience with them was using a 5906 briefly during a training course before switching to my 92FS. From what I recall with the 5906, and other S&W DA/SA guns I've handled, the slide-mounted safety was not as easy to manipulate as the Beretta's.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Most of my autos are 3rd Gen Smiths single stack 3913/14s, high cape 5906, 915s and compact double stack 6906/04s.
If you can find one S&W Performance Center autos from the 1990s are some of the best auto ever built.

I'm also very fond of the Beretta 92s.. lots of options on the same basic design...M-9 (full size).......... but I prefer the Compacts, Centurions, Elite IIs and single stack 92 Compacts Type-Ms. Beretta now offers a kit for about $55 that you can convert the safety/decocker to decocker only.... which is my preference on a carry gun.




Just an FYI

CZ also makes great DA/SA autos I have 2 a 9mm and .22 ..... but be aware there are different versions that look very similar.

One has a decocker 75BD..... the other a 1911 style safety that requires manual lowering of the hammer to get a DA first shot 75B.

There are also SAO versions of the 75.

Good luck

 

[SWCZSIG-Vinny]

As BAM-BAM has mentioned, CZ offers many fine metal-framed hammer-fired DA/SA's with frame mounted decockers that can be easily decocked with thumb press without breaking your grip; and re-holstered with your thumb riding the hammer to be extra-extra safe.
I have a Full size 75-SP-01 Tactical, Compact 75-P-01, and Sub-compact 2075 RAMI BD. I also have the very compact Single-Stack S&W 3913NL and pocket-size sub-compact S&W CS9s. A DA/SA for every occasion!

 

[IndianaDave]

Thank you all for your input. This is going to be fun.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I've been a revolver guy....

I was a revolver gal until I took private instruction that simulated a charging attacker, where rapid follow-up shots were required. My arthritic fingers often led to a short stroke trigger.

I tried to remedy that with a SA 1911 style carry, but when the safety was disengaged in the holster, I got a striker fired Shield. My feeling is the striker triggers are too light for carry without a safety, but my arthritis slowed the disengagement.

Finally tried a DA/SA CZ PCR, and it perfectly addressed all my issues. There is no safety to struggle with or accidentally engage or disengage, the first pull is just as heavy, long and safe as my revolver, but the reset is so short that my arthritis stiffness is not stopping the trigger's reset.

I retook the "attack" portion of my instruction with the PCR and shocked myself with how much better I performed. For me, the platform is like Goldilocks finding the one that is "just right". EDCing it for four years and a few thousand flawless rounds through it, and I can't imagine a better action choice for me.

 

[stansdds]

For years... decades I have been a DAO guy, either revolver or pistol. I'm getting older and I am now thinking about easier trigger pulls. I'm thinking about SA, safe action, or going back to one of my TDA pistols. The big thing about TDA is learning to deal with the long, heavy DA first shot, then the much lighter, extremely shorter SA follow up shots. The concept of throwing away the first shot is not a good idea.

 

[ContinentalOp]

For years... decades I have been a DAO guy, either revolver or pistol. I'm getting older and I am now thinking about easier trigger pulls. I'm thinking about SA, safe action, or going back to one of my TDA pistols. The big thing about TDA is learning to deal with the long, heavy DA first shot, then the much lighter, extremely shorter SA follow up shots. The concept of throwing away the first shot is not a good idea.

Refer to my earlier post in this thread (#7). It requires some practice, but I think it's easier than some claim. The thing to keep in mind, in addition to what I suggested in the post, is that the basic process is still the same: Pull trigger, bang, release trigger, repeat as necessary. Being a DAO guy, the first DA shot shouldn't be an issue for you. If you can, visit and rental range that has a DA/SA gun and give it a try.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Finally tried a DA/SA CZ PCR, and it perfectly addressed all my issues. There is no safety to struggle with or accidentally engage or disengage, the first pull is just as heavy, long and safe as my revolver, but the reset is so short that my arthritis stiffness is not stopping the trigger's reset.

I retook the "attack" portion of my instruction with the PCR and shocked myself with how much better I performed. For me, the platform is like Goldilocks finding the one that is "just right". EDCing it for four years and a few thousand flawless rounds through it, and I can't imagine a better action choice for me.

This reminded me of another potential benefit of shooting DA/SA: Gloves.

I'm pointing out the obvious that wearing gloves can diminish one's sense of touch. A heavier, longer DA first trigger pull can mitigate the risk of an unintentionally discharge when wearing gloves better than a shorter, lighter pull. Also, the reduced sense of touch can make it difficult to feel when the trigger resets. By having a shorter, lighter trigger pull on follow-up shots, the possibility of short-stroking the trigger while wearing gloves can be minimized.

I should add that I haven't tested this theory out yet, but I plan on bringing my gloves to my next range visit, hopefully next week, and I'll see how it goes.

 

[bigwheelzip]

The concept of throwing away the first shot is not a good idea.

I've read this repeatedly, and need to say this is by no means a universal truth. I'm probably below average on this forum for firearms experience, having only started this hobby six years ago, but from day-one with my DA/SA PCR, the first DA shot for me is the most accurate, often a bullseye at 7 yards. And point-shooting 5-shot rapid fire strings are all on an 8-inch target at that distance.

Perhaps other platforms have issues as you describe, but I've never had it with mine. Maybe the excellent ergonomics for my hand make it function so well for me?