Double action vs. Single action

[superpunchy]

Please list the advantages and disadvantages when comparing a single action revolver to a double action revolver.

(Yes, I'm a revolver newbie, can you tell?)

Thank you

 

[tipoc]

"advantages and disadvantages" for what purpose? What are you thinking of doing with the gun? What do you want the gun to do?

tipoc

 

[MDG1976]

the "disadvantage" of a single action revolver is that you must manually cock the hammer before firing.

 

[Gary A]

I think the "disadvantage" of the SA over the DA is in reloading time. For one practiced in SA shooting, manually cocking the hammer is not a serious impediment. Disadvantage aside, I like SA revolvers better than DA revolvers, though all revolvers are good, in general.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Single action revolvers, with their solid frames and loading gates are slow to reload.

Single action revolvers are slower to shoot -- while a well-trained man can shoot a single action rapidly, another man with the same amount of training can shoot a double action faster.

Single action revolvers may be stronger. The Ruger Blackhawk, for example, is stronger than a comparable Smith and Wesson, and less liable to go out of time.

 

[Old Fuff]

Tipoc was correct in saying that to offer good advise we need to know what the intended purpose wil be. Both kinds of revolvers offer advantages and disadvantages. Which is better depends on how, and for what purpose they will be used.

 

[Hawk]

All modern double action revolvers are safe to carry fully loaded. Some single action revolvers aren't and some are.

If toting a full complement of rounds is a priority, the single action will require a modicum more pre-purchase research.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

A double action revolver can also be fired single action, while a single action can not be fired double action. Although I may be mistaken, I believe double action revolvers have better single-action triggers than a single action revolver.

 

[JJE]

The main practical disadvantage of single-actions is that they take longer to operate because they must be manually cocked and spent cases must be ejected one-at-a-time. Therefore, they are not suitable for timed shooting competition and they aren't the best choice for self-defense. Even though they are slow to operate, you can hunt, plink and get quality marksmanship practice from a single-action.

Do single-actions have any practical advantages over a double-action? I can't think of any (and I own and shoot single-actions quite a bit), except that you can get a high quality single-action for less $$$ than a comparable double-action, even though the difference isn't much when you consider how much ammo costs. You could argue that a single-action is stronger and less likely to develop problems than a double-action, but double-action breakdowns are uncommon enough that this isn't a real practical advantage to me.

If self-defense is on your list, get a double-action and fixed sights are OK. If you want to hunt, get either SA or DA as long as it has adjustable sights and a reasonably long barrel (hunting regs may specify 6" minimum) - the ability to mount a scope might be important. If you just want to plink, get whichever looks best. If you want to work on your marksmanship, get either one, as long as it has target sights (a DA is easier to shoot well if it has a good trigger, but learning to shoot a SA well will make your DA shooting even better).

 

[Carl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8mYOansxVo

Good video. His others are just as good and informative.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

learning to shoot a SA well will make your DA shooting even better).

Why?

 

[woad_yurt]

I shoot handguns primarily as practice for a possible self-defense situation. Thus, I shoot double action.

A single action requires an additional action (cocking the hammer) to fire. One must then master that additional movement by practice.

Single actions are good for hunting or some competitions but for any SD purpose, they're a step behind. That's why police forces issued double action revolvers until semi-autos took over.

 

[JJE]

...learning to shoot a SA well will make your DA shooting even better).

Why?

Marksmanship involves aligning the sights, putting the aligned sights on the desired point-of-impact, and pulling the trigger. Single-actions have a longer "lock time" than double-actions, meaning that it takes longer for the hammer to strike the firing pin after the hammer is released. The longer delay means that you have to maintain sight alignment/sight picture for a split second longer with a single-action. The difference is slight, but it is big enough that most people can tell the difference if they shoot a SA and DA gun back-to-back and pay attention.

 

[TheVirginian]

I like SA guns. I always shoot SA, even my SA/DA guns. It doesn't matter if it's a revolver or an auto. I can't imagine any situation where it would be an impediment to cock the hammer. That is done on the way to aim. On the other hand, I can more readily hit my aim from the SA trigger set than from the DA pull.
-Bill

 

[Jim Watson]

Yup.
The SAA Flattop and Bisley Colts dropped out of sight pretty fast after the Officer's Model Target and Shooting Master came on the scene. The DA revolver's lighter hammer and shorter throw make for less disturbance to breaking the shot. The DA's grip and hammer shape make cocking for onehanded shooting easier too.

One SA fan on another board cited the tremendous accuracy of the Freedom Arms SA revolvers. They are good, no doubt about it, but then three times the price of a production Smith or Ruger ought to buy you something.

Me?
I don't hunt, one main application for single actions, but I have to have them for CAS. That is the only place they get much use; my serious defense and competition revolvers are double action.

 

[High Desert Hunter]

I can shoot circle around my DA revolvers with my SA revolvers, I have a 5 1/2" Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in 45 Colt that will shoot 6 shots into one ragged hole at 25 yards, and have rung the steel target at 245 yards at my local range with 3 out of 5 shots. I will not argue that for SD or CCW a DA or semi-auto is a much better choice for most people, my sixshooter has averted an ugly situation twice for me, no shots fired, but gun was pulled and cocked. This question really begs for an answer to the "what is the application".

 

[PT1911]

I would say... learning to shoot with a double action trigger will help your shooting in general... the long, heavier pull will require you to really focus on your technique... shooting just single action will destroy your ability to shoot anything with a longer trigger pull....you will flinch every time in anticipation of the eventual hammer (striker) drop. rethink the previous post of

"learning to shoot a SA well will make your DA shooting even better). "