Ever carried a Single Action revolver?

[Rexster]

To answer the OP's title's question, yes, I have carried a single action revolver. To answer the second question, from the narrative, no, I have not used a single action revolver as an EDC. It is not that I feel an SA sixgun is inadequate; I wear a badge for a PD that expects me to be armed with authorized weapons, on or off the clock, and to use only those authorized weapons to defend myself or others. I am, quite simply, not allowed to qual with a single action revolver.

If we fast-forward to my retirement days, well then, I just might regularly tote an SA sixgun. (I am nearing three decades of street patrol; retirement may not be too far in the future.) Superb pointability and balance, a FAST first shot, and gentler recoil dynamics, are big reasons to favor the SA sixgun.

Slower reload times do not bother me. I regularly carry 2+ handguns these days, anyway. I think a plastic Glock G26 might make a really nice "tactical reload" for the man whose "primary" is an SAA.

 

[Gary A]

I think a plastic Glock G26 might make a really nice "tactical reload" for the man whose "primary" is an SAA.

I like the way you think! A Glock being used to back up an SAA! Sheer poetry.

 

[HDCamel]

Rexster, if you're a cop you shouldn't talk about retirement not being too far off.
Haven't you seen the movies?

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

With regards to authorized weapons, we had an administrator back in the mid 70's who owned a Ruger New Model Blackhawk .45. It was his contention that since the gun could safely be loaded with all six, there was nothing wrong with that TYPE of single action for off duty qualification. We could not argue with the logic. A good man, with a good gun, can do good things, (regardless of action type).

 

[Rexster]

Rexster, if you're a cop you shouldn't talk about retirement not being too far off.
Haven't you seen the movies?

Yep, I know....

I think the key to defeating that one is to avoid setting an actual retirement date... One day, on a whim, just arbirtarily walk into HR and quit.

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

I am a retired LEO, now a minister, and have a Glock 22 and a Keltec PF-9 for CCW. But I also have a lot of shooting and handling time with SA's and lever actions because I am a Wild west reenactor for a group and the former Safety Officer. While we do use blanks for the shows, I do shoot with live ammo often and carry one of my SA .45's daily on the farm whether on tractor or horseback.

I recently ordered a Merkel holster for my New Vaquero .45. I can carry 6 instead of 5 in the Ruger safely. I will probably use it for yhe farm, and then if I need to run to town for something and come back, I can just throw a shirt or jacket over it without changing out guns.

For extended town trips though, I'll still use one of my auto's according to how I'm dressed. But I've also carried a Uberti Sheriff;s model birdshead in my back pocket so many times the blueing is wearing off.

There's pros and cons to both, but any one is better than nothing when that "hinky" feeling say's something ain't right.

 

[Jaymo]

^^ What he said.^^

 

[CraigC]

The Mernickle PS-6 is a very good concealment holster for a single action.

 

[shafter]

I've carried them in the woods all the time and the only reason I don't CC one is because of the size and bulk. In my opinion any situation where a snubnose is suitable is probably ok for a single action. I can thumb the hammer quite quickly with one or both hands as I've got an enormous amount of practice. The reload is what gets ya but then again I've been reading the Armed Citizen for years now and I don't recall reading about anyone having to reload. I guess you just have to go with what you feel comfortable with. There are certainly enough options out there.

 

[sash]

I carry one most days. It's what I am comfortable with and shoot the most.

 

[jeepnik]

Hmm, a few comments about the speed of reloading got me to thinking. Back in the black powder days folks sometimes carried spare loaded cylinders. It was quicker to change cylinders than reload the one in the handgun. So, just for the heck of it, I removed and replaced the cylinder in my Blackhawk as rapidly as I could.

Surprisingly fast. No, not as fast as a speedloader or moon clips or magazines, but faster than reloading a five shot revolver with speed strips. So, if I had Ruger fit a couple of new cylinders to my frame... I wonder what it would cost?

 

[CraigC]

I've been around the block with single actions a time or and two with practice, reloading is faster than swapping cylinders. I would hate to know I had to do either under the pressure of a gunfight but I'd rather reload than do a cylinder swap. Think about it, you can practice reloading every time you shoot a cylinderful. Getting good at swapping cylinders takes dedicated practice and that takes away from shooting.

 

[jeepnik]

I've been around the block with single actions a time or and two with practice, reloading is faster than swapping cylinders. I would hate to know I had to do either under the pressure of a gunfight but I'd rather reload than do a cylinder swap. Think about it, you can practice reloading every time you shoot a cylinderful. Getting good at swapping cylinders takes dedicated practice and that takes away from shooting.

I'm sure increasing the speed of swapping cylinders would take practice. It takes practice to get good at anything. But, it's something you can practice whenever spare time is available. Besides, it poses a challange and I'm always looking for something new to get better at. If I were solely interested in speedy reloading, I'd stick with autos.

I do have a convertable Single Six, and I've been playing with it since my earlier post. I just don't see how one can eject spent cartridges and reload the cylinders faster than I can swap the cylinders, and yes, I know the trick of using speed strips to hold the reloads. Now, I'm sure that there is a possiblity one might "spill" cartridges from the cylinder while doing this, but again, it's something to work/play with.

 

[Rexster]

I've been around the block with single actions a time or and two with practice, reloading is faster than swapping cylinders. I would hate to know I had to do either under the pressure of a gunfight but I'd rather reload than do a cylinder swap. Think about it, you can practice reloading every time you shoot a cylinderful. Getting good at swapping cylinders takes dedicated practice and that takes away from shooting.

I have to agree with CraigC here.

Two of the good things about reloading SA sixguns are the very positive extraction of individual cases, and ability to stop at any time during the reload, after the first round, and continue the fight. Swapping cylinders is a very exacting task that takes the weapon out of the fight for the duration. Due diligence is required to avoid spilling the loaded rounds from the cylinder during the reload. That could be a daunting task if having to move, or if in an awkward position, during the festivities. Moreover,
spare cylinders are quite bulky; might as well have a second weapon, IMHO.

 

[HDCamel]

Hmm, a few comments about the speed of reloading got me to thinking. Back in the black powder days folks sometimes carried spare loaded cylinders. It was quicker to change cylinders than reload the one in the handgun. So, just for the heck of it, I removed and replaced the cylinder in my Blackhawk as rapidly as I could.

Surprisingly fast. No, not as fast as a speedloader or moon clips or magazines, but faster than reloading a five shot revolver with speed strips. So, if I had Ruger fit a couple of new cylinders to my frame... I wonder what it would cost?

For the record.
I can consistently reload an SAA in 12 seconds or less. 9.8 is my personal best.
Dropping a bullet or two isn't as big of a deal as dropping a whole cylinder.

Also, I'm sure at least a few guys did it, but it wasn't common in the old days. An SAA was a whole month's pay (if you had a good job) and each replacement cylinder would probably be a week's pay. Just like today, people have more important things to spend their hard-earned money on than an unnecessary means of reloading a gun that you weren't likely to get into a gunfight with anyway.

 

[jeepnik]

I think one thing I wrote needs claification. whenI wrote "black powder days", I should really have written "cap and ball". A spare loaded C&B cylinder could (depending on the handgun) be considerably faster to switch out than reloading one in place.

Still, I'm going to work with the Single Six just to see how fast I can get it done. If it looks like something that's can be done, I figure I'll order a couple of extra cylinders for the Blackhawk.

 

[Rexster]

I think one thing I wrote needs claification. whenI wrote "black powder days", I should really have written "cap and ball". A spare loaded C&B cylinder could (depending on the handgun) be considerably faster to switch out than reloading one in place.

Still, I'm going to work with the Single Six just to see how fast I can get it done. If it looks like something that's can be done, I figure I'll order a couple of extra cylinders for the Blackhawk.

I am reasonably certain Ruger will require you send your BH to them for fitting of the cylinders. It is not so easy to coax parts out of Ruger! Moreover, cylinders really are likely to require gunsmith attention for fitting, if you can find them from any source.

 

[jeepnik]

I am reasonably certain Ruger will require you send your BH to them for fitting of the cylinders. It is not so easy to coax parts out of Ruger! Moreover, cylinders really are likely to require gunsmith attention for fitting, if you can find them from any source.

Yep, cost is $50 for the fitting plus the cost of the cylinder. Hey, this is a fun "project" so a couple three hundred dollas ain't all that much. Besides, anything that keeps me entertained and out of my wife's hair maker her happy.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Carried my Ruger Vaq Birdshead last night.

To grocery store and running various other errands, all under a simple untucked tee shirt.

carrying in a D.M. Bullard Bodyguard, which rides just behind the hip with aggressive forward cant and nice and high.

A bit heavier than my old Glock 26, but with my Beltman belt, nice and sturdy.

6 rounds of 45 ACP feels good on the hip (and amazingly, gets scoffed at by some who pocket carry a 380 auto that has the same capacity...)

 

[bikerdoc]

6 rounds of 45 ACP feels good on the hip (and amazingly, gets scoffed at by some who pocket carry a 380 auto that has the same capacity...)

Aways amazes me when other people expess opinions like that.

 

[CraigC]

IMHO, a short barreled .45ACP single action makes for a fine packin' pistol!

 

[The Man With No Name]

In my job I carry a Glock 17 with two spare mags and law enforcement only 9mm Winchester Ranger 127 grain +P+ ammunition. I find it pretty laughable that the reason we went with the 9mm instead of the .40 cal Glocks is that their was a concern about people having problems qualifying with the larger more powerful caliber and then we use an extremely hot +P+ duty load that it makes it less controllable than a .40 cal with standard pressure loads. Keep in mind I love Glocks and when I was allowed to carry my own gun I carried a Glock 23 in .40 cal. That said I'm not a big believer in the stopping power of either against humans. They are tools to defend me wherever I am and if necessary allow me to fight back to my car and get a shotgun or rifle.

Off duty I have always carried my same duty weapon. It seems recently though the amount of death threats I've received and the amount of criminals I've had to charge and run into off duty has increased at a rate I'm not comfortable with. If they are violent with me when I'm in full uniform on duty then why should I think they would hesitate to attempt to harm me when I'm off duty? I've really had to rethink my off duty gear as a result. I have grown up around firearms and love them as the mechanical and artistic tools they are. I don't hunt and I quit shooting competitions years ago. For me they are tools to punch holes in paper and defend me if the worse occurs. Just yesterday I picked up something I've been missing for a long time, a single action revolver. I bought a Uberti Cattleman in .45 Colt with a 4.75" barrel. Just now I ordered a Sourdough Pancake and a 5 round cartridge slide. I am not a large framed person but have alway found it was pretty easy to conceal a larger handgun with the proper holster and clothing selections. I honestly feel better protected with the Uberti and 10 rounds of .45 Colt on my person than a Glock and 49 rounds (each 17 round mag downloaded by 1 +1 in the chamber) of 9mm +P+. Either the Uberti is a better overall gun than I was lead to believe or I got lucky and found a very good ammo/Gun combination to start with but yesterday I was able to consistently shoot under 1" groupings at 15 yards with some inexpensive Fiocchi 250 grain LRNFP ammo. The gun is more controllable than my Glock and certainly more accurate. I have never had a problem thumb cocking a revolver and although I don't find any round to be a magic one shot man stopper I'd always prefer and more accurate gun.

 

[bikerdoc]

Welcome No Name,

Good first post.

 

[1911Tuner]

"Look son, being a good shot, being quick with a pistol, that don't do no harm, but it don't mean much next to being cool-headed. A man who will keep his head and not get rattled under fire...like as not, he'll kill ya."

--Little Bill Dagget--

 

[Old Fuff]

Before trusting your neck to an out-of-the-box Uberti there are some things you should know. They are an excellent buy for the money, but they are made to sell at an attractive price point, so something has to give, and does.

There is a little cam on the lower/right side of the hammer which works the cylinder bolt (the part that locks the cylinder in line with the bore). In the Colt this cam is a separate part, and as hard as a banker's heart. In the Uberti and other Italian clones the cam is part of the investment cast hammer, and neither is particularly hard. Since the tail end of the bolt is hard it doesn't take the cam long to wear, after which the lockwork goes out of time.

In older production the hands (the part that revolves the cylinder) are like the original Colt, with a spring made from thin flat-spring stock. They are fragile and tend to break. Newer Uberti revolvers have a plunger and coil spring. Make sure to find out which you have.

The cylinder bolt and trigger are tensioned by a flat spring, and the side that puts upward pressure on the bolt tends to break off over time, and the cylinder bolt also has a reputation for having the tail break off. Either failure will leave you with a locked cylinder that won't move.

All this sounds very dire, but obviously everything doesn't happen at once. My point is that the original Colt design (which Uberti faithfully copied) did not have a reputation for ruggedness, and the Uberti doesn't either. It is more then acceptable for the various non-weapon purposes it is usually used for, but I would find one questionable for serious defensive use, especially for one in law enforcement that must face additional risks.

One of the larger customer bases that buy and use Uberti revolvers are competitors in the cowboy action shooting games, and most of them don't baby their guns which see frequent and hard use. Gunsmiths that serve them have learned of various ways to improve the reliability of these guns. I suggest that you get some second opinions by going to this link:

www.sassnet.com