Funny thing happened at the range.

Status
Not open for further replies.

NMGonzo

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2009
Messages
2,691
Location
Albuquerque & Santa Fe
Yesterday I went to the range with my GP100 in 4 inch, among other handguns.

After a 100 rounds or so (and some dry fires thrown in for good measure" of practicing 'flash sighting" I found myself shooting single action too.

For some reason, I started pulling the hammer back in single action and I'll be damned I was just as slow (or fast) than shooting double action.

I don't practice single action dry firing at home, yet I so happen to caught myself doing it.

What you revolver sages have to say?
 
Many years ago I shot revolvers single action, and then I had to carry one every day as a federal LEO. After going through a significant amount of revolver training, I always fire double action, and I always eject cartridges the way I was taught. It's a habit that ensures I won't think about it if I ever HAVE to do it.

My only variation is with a 1953 S&W Combat Masterpiece that eats only wadcutters nowadays. That one is fired single action.
 
I usually shoot a new revolver SA to check the sights etc, but other than that I practice only DA. Unless I move out to 25 yards or beyond. Which I occasionally do just as if I can hit anything @ 25+ with a handgun. Anyway, my theory is that under stress in a gun fight I don't want to have to remember to cock the gun. I just point and click as it were. But, of course to each his own. If you can shoot well enough to defend yourself doing that and remember to do it when the chips are down good for you.
 
In years past, whenever I had a DA revolver, I always shot it SA.

Now that I have a 642 (hidden hammer), I am getting extremely proficient at shooting DA, in fact so much so, that I can now "feel" the different stages of cylinder rotation, lock and hammer ready to drop. I can distinctly feel the three stages, and can stop at will, on any one of those three.

So, now I am good for DA as well as SA.:cool:

Oh, if you are going to dry-fire to get used to staging, I would definately recommend some kind of QUALITY Snap Caps. I personally prefer Tipton and I beleive I got them at MidwayUSA.
 
Last edited:
Those who can shoot as accurately DA as SA, and I suppose there are some, are surely touched by the hand of God. When I carried a 6" Colt Trooper MKIII in LE, I rarely fired SA even in practice. The goal was as fast as accuracy would allow. When I wanted to connect the dots after I retired it for a semi auto, it was almost always SA.
 
my serious work with a revolver is hunting, I shoot that single action, and I find that DA shooting is not a discipline that I want to put the time into building the skills.
 
I was very surprised when I was trained to fire double-action. At first I didn't think it would be nearly as accurate, but I was mistaken. The first thing they taught us was to rotate your hand on the grip a tiny bit more, to get a little more of your finger through the trigger. You don't pull double-action with the tip of your finger. We were drawing from holsters, as well. My primary duty weapon was a S&W Model 66 with a 2.5" barrel and my second weapon was a Model 60 with a 2". The final stage of quals was at 25 yards and center-mass shot placement was the norm. The training was at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in GA, and it opened my eyes about double action shooting.

Bummer though... not long after that, my agency did away with the revolver requirement and issued SIG 226s. :)
 
I found myself shooting single action too.

For some reason, I started pulling the hammer back in single action and I'll be damned I was just as slow (or fast) than shooting double action.
I remember an episode of the Cowboys television show, which covers Cowboy Action Shooting and is shown Wednesday nights on the Outdoor Channel.

They demonstrated some guys that could shoot 5 shots with a Colt SAA faster than they could shoot a S&W DA revolver and faster than 5 shots from a 1911. IIRC, there was something about lock times and how a Colt SAA was inherently faster in the hands of someone who can really run the gun.

And some of those CAS guys shoot a lot of rounds every year!
 
Well I've got an older Charter Arms Police Bulldog .38spl and I just feel more comfortable single action. I havent played with it enough to really be fully comfortable with DA.
 
posted by RainDodger
I was very surprised when I was trained to fire double-action. At first I didn't think it would be nearly as accurate, but I was mistaken. The first thing they taught us was to rotate your hand on the grip a tiny bit more, to get a little more of your finger through the trigger. You don't pull double-action with the tip of your finger. We were drawing from holsters, as well. My primary duty weapon was a S&W Model 66 with a 2.5" barrel and my second weapon was a Model 60 with a 2". The final stage of quals was at 25 yards and center-mass shot placement was the norm. The training was at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in GA, and it opened my eyes about double action shooting.
we now train to have the trigger contact the middle of the pad of your first joint, the trigger doesn't roll under the finger during the press.

for the OP, if you're shoot as fast, and as accurately, in SA as your are in DA...your DA trigger stroke is too slow

posted by nitetrane98
Those who can shoot as accurately DA as SA, and I suppose there are some, are surely touched by the hand of God.
posted by buck460XVR
Same here, but I've found practicing DA makes my SA shooting more accurate.

practicing the DA trigger stroke really does improve your SA, i've seen several student shoot better groups...usually out to 50 yards...with a DA trigger stroke (we all used to do it in PPC) because it avoids the tendency to jerk the trigger
 
I shoot my revolvers mainly DA, and the results are very close to what I am able to acheive SA.

So I very rarely shoot SA, except maybe a cylinder to see what the revolver is mechanically capable of...but the results are always the same.

I can shoot the same DA as I can SA.
 
If anyone can shoot double-taps via SA, my hat is off to you. I've still got plenty to learn, but consider double-tap proficiency to be a basic handgun skill for self-defense.
 
Hello friends and neighbors // You can get proficent, with the right size revolver for your hands, at earring back the hammer utilizing the firearms own recoil.

I find myself doing this when shooting .38s out of my 6" S&W Model 586 .357 but it is too risky for real life, IMHO practicing DA is best for SD/HD. I should include the fact that my trigger has been worked so the DA is smooth and the SA is a breeze. Some DA are rough.

Plus one to ejecting your brass in a range bag or on the ground instead of in your hand. Using your reloading/defensive hand to catch empties is a bad habit to develop.
 
posted by btg3
If anyone can shoot double-taps via SA, my hat is off to you. I've still got plenty to learn, but consider double-tap proficiency to be a basic handgun skill for self-defense.

are you using the term "double-taps" in it's original form of triggering two shots using one sight picture...on the premise that you can get both shots on target before the recoil lifts the muzzle off target?

or the currently taught "controlled pairs"...which is two rapid shots with two separate sight pictures...i know there are other names for it also
 
I shoot mostly SA. The hammer is cocked, without me thinking about it, as I'm bringing the gun to the target. Been doing it since the late 1950's.
I don't like DA but can't shoot repeat shots as fast SA as DA, so I practice DA enough to be decent at it if I want to sacrifice accuracy for speed.
 
are you using the term "double-taps" in it's original form of triggering two shots using one sight picture...on the premise that you can get both shots on target before the recoil lifts the muzzle off target?

or the currently taught "controlled pairs"...which is two rapid shots with two separate sight pictures...i know there are other names for it also

ain't goin' thar... have a nice day
 
Some single-action revolver shooters can shoot faster than most of us can with "new-fangled" semiautos, so I am not surprised by this. :) However, I would not recommend precocking the hammer - whether for intimidation effect, as often seen in movies, or anticipating a "critical shot" - for self defense. It is too easy under stress for your finger to find its way to the trigger, which now only needs 2-4 lbs. of pressure to press. You might shoot when you should not have.
 
Not to stray off topic, I hope, but Roger wrote, "and I always eject cartridges the way I was taught".

May I have a explanation, please?

Thank you,

gd
 
Train how you will be shooting because inevitably you will shoot the way you trained

After I set up a scoped 629 .44 mag. for hunting I practiced a lot of single action shooting for accuracy. I got excellent results. While out hunting one day we stopped to scout an area we hadn't been to before that looked promising. Long story short, I had a buck walk out on the trail in front of me 90 degree broadside shot. As I drew the pistol, I automatically cocked the hammer as I had practiced at the range. I then realised I had never fired the gun with gloves on and I couldn't tell how much pressure I had on the trigger. I thought the gun was on target when it fired but the buck was still standing, and now looking at me. I hurried to fire a second shot and cocked the hammer AGAIN without thinking. I didn't get the second shot off because the buck darted into heavy cover.

I now practice my shooting mostly double action with a few single action occasionally. Before hunting season I fire it only double action with gloves on. You will revert to your training instinctively. Train how you will be shooting because inevitably you will shoot the way you trained.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top