Single Action Revolver Handling

[BobWright]

a single action revolver is for leisure activities like target shooting.

.

Your opinion, of course, to which you are indeed entitled, but mine also protects my hide.

Bob Wright

 

[CraigC]

I'm going to agree with Bob on this one. Clint Smith made this point years ago, that "finger off the trigger" does not mean finger out of the triggerguard. This non-negotiable safety-Nazi practice of "finger off the trigger" has mutated into never putting your finger into the triggerguard. Further, if you are drawing your sidearm to engage a threat, the decision has already been made to fire the weapon. As soon as the sixgun clears leather, the hammer should start coming back and the finger goes into the triggerguard. the finger does not go onto the trigger until the gun comes up and you are ready to fire. The decision can be made NOT to fire at any time.

Draw
Aim
Cock
Engage trigger

Wrong.

 

[WrongHanded]

I gotta say, when it comes is SA revolvers, it's the hammer that I treat as the "not until you're ready to fire" part of the equation. By the time that's coming back, my finger is already in the trigger guard, because I know I'm about to shoot.

 

[ThomasT]

I'd like to go slow here, as I THINK I understand what you're saying. If so, my first response might be "are single actions the only handguns you ever have, and ever will fire?"

The OP only owns a Ruger Wrangler. No other hand guns. So as long as he is safe with that gun he should be OK. But drawing a gun with your finger resting on the trigger is a bad habit to get into.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Your opinion, of course, to which you are indeed entitled, but mine also protects my hide.

Bob Wright

Bob, you have my utmost respect, but I humbly submit that in 2021 you are one of the only people I've communicated with who uses one for hide preservation.

I think that in more than one (positive) way, you are the exception.

ETA: I also carry one for business applications on occasion, but those activities are not the norm either

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I'm going to agree with Bob on this one. Clint Smith made this point years ago, that "finger off the trigger" does not mean finger out of the triggerguard. This non-negotiable safety-Nazi practice of "finger off the trigger" has mutated into never putting your finger into the triggerguard. Further, if you are drawing your sidearm to engage a threat, the decision has already been made to fire the weapon. As soon as the sixgun clears leather, the hammer should start coming back and the finger goes into the triggerguard. the finger does not go onto the trigger until the gun comes up and you are ready to fire. The decision can be made NOT to fire at any time.



Wrong.

Okay so I went back and looked some footage of me shooting a SAA at at couple of action pistol matches.

I guess I'm with you and @BobWright . My trigger finger appears to be inside the guard while cocking the hammer.

IDK what that adds to the discussion but there it is...

 

[bdickens]

Just what is your adversary doing as you bring the gun to "eye level?" More than likely pumping 9mm pills through you from his wonder nine.

Bob Wright

It has been proven time and time again that any infinitesimal time lost in bringing the pistol up to eye level is more than offset by the gain in accuracy.

 

[The Glockodile]

Through the same token - should all Cowboy / Exhibition / Trick Shooting Activities be banned as they violate safety standards?

No more fancy revolver twirling demonstrations?

 

[crstrode]

Also have large hands, long fingers.
For approximately 150 years, I believe the suggested way to carry a single action revolver (SAR) has been/is hammer down on an empty chamber. Load one, skip one, load remaining, place hammer down on empty chamber. Currently do so with all types/makes of SAR, so no amount of trigger pull or unplanned hammer action will discharge the firearm.
So, I too "draw" or "carry unholstered" SAR with finger in trigger guard. Only cock the hammer when I intend to shoot, which for some SAR - is the only way the sights can be fully visualized.
Know my finger in guard may not be optimal......

That's what Alec said.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Out in the fields and swamps, if I'm carrying a single-action it's probably a Ruger Blackhawk and I'm carrying it by the frame, fingers curled around the trigger guard and top-strap, no fingers in the trigger area. Carrying with my fingers in the guard is uncomfortable and unsafe - IMO - if I trip instead of just dropping the gun, I will probably have a broken finger. I'm not a small or light person and would really prefer to clean a gun than go nose-first into the muck. No need to carry all ready for the OK Coral either. I can rotate the gun in my hand to put the hammer under the web of my thumb and slip my finger on the front of the guard for leverage. It takes practice but I've been doing that for forty or so years without a problem so, it just comes as second nature. As for holstered carry, I have one and use it to get from the dirt road to the hunt. When I draw - if I have to do it quickly - it is just like drawing a double-action or semi-auto. The pig hasn't won yet and I haven't shot anything I wasn't aiming at yet, so I figure I'm doing okay with that method. Either one can still happen, of course. But that's me and like I always say, "Don't do what I do because it might not work for you."

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

It has been proven time and time again that any infinitesimal time lost in bringing the pistol up to eye level is more than offset by the gain in accuracy.

Around here the hogs and deer aren't allowed to shoot back.

Rabid animals don't follow any rules except their own but I'm pretty sure they're all lousy shots.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

The OP only owns a Ruger Wrangler. No other hand guns. So as long as he is safe with that gun he should be OK. But drawing a gun with your finger resting on the trigger is a bad habit to get into.

Well, obviously not. Some rules just don't apply to some people under some conditions. Not all safety precautions are necessary. Right?
So how many people routinely carry a round under the hammer of an 1873 knock off? Why not? They're made to 21st century standards using modern metallurgy so, it's perfectly safe, right?

 

[Seedy Character]

I'm going to agree with Bob on this one. Clint Smith made this point years ago, that "finger off the trigger" does not mean finger out of the triggerguard. This non-negotiable safety-Nazi practice of "finger off the trigger" has mutated into never putting your finger into the triggerguard. Further, if you are drawing your sidearm to engage a threat, the decision has already been made to fire the weapon. As soon as the sixgun clears leather, the hammer should start coming back and the finger goes into the triggerguard. the finger does not go onto the trigger until the gun comes up and you are ready to fire. The decision can be made NOT to fire at any time.



Wrong.

Use what works for you.

Never a ND and hit my target.
I will stay with safety.

 

[BobWright]

...................................

i was once witness to the negligent outdoors discharge of a ruger bearcat 22lr single action revolver. bringing the bearcat into quick action while walking. bearcat comes out of strongside holster. hammer cocked, finger moves inside trigger guard, muzzle rising to acquire target, left foot scuffs slight rise in ground, handgun discharges into dirt just 3” in front of right foot. rudely sobering wakeup call................................................................

Good point there, one should not go into action with any firearm without first having the feet firmly planted. If a person is walking, STOP! Then go into shooting mode. Rifle, shotgun, or handgun.

Bob Wright

 

[Pudge]

The four rules are universal.

Due to an injury, the trigger finger on my weak hand does not articulate as originally designed, and cannot be placed inside the guard on the trigger normally. If I am to shoot weak-handed, my trigger finger is in the guard and on the trigger when holding the firearm. Are you saying weak hand practice is off-limits for me?

 

[CraigC]

Use what works for you.

Never a ND and hit my target.
I will stay with safety.

You're giving away precious fractions of a second and there's nothing unsafe about what I suggested. Brian Pearce even wrote an article about it.

As you draw the sixgun from its holster, your thumb should already be on the hammer. As it clears leather, it is considerd to be pointed downrange, the hammer should start coming back. Finger should be inside the triggerguard. By the time the gun is leveled at the threat, your finger should be on the trigger so that when the sights come up, you're ready to fire. If you've waited until after you've acquired the target to cock the hammer and put your finger on the trigger, you've probably doubled your time to draw and fire the first shot.

These are the sorts of details that we should be talking about when this subject comes up. Rather than arguing with the naysayers who tell us not to do it in the first place.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

You're giving away precious fractions of a second and there's nothing unsafe about what I suggested. Brian Pearce even wrote an article about it.

As you draw the sixgun from its holster, your thumb should already be on the hammer. As it clears leather, it is considerd to be pointed downrange, the hammer should start coming back. Finger should be inside the triggerguard. By the time the gun is leveled at the threat, your finger should be on the trigger so that when the sights come up, you're ready to fire. If you've waited until after you've acquired the target to cock the hammer and put your finger on the trigger, you've probably doubled your time to draw and fire the first shot.

These are the sorts of details that we should be talking about when this subject comes up. Rather than arguing with the naysayers who tell us not to do it in the first place.

This is actually what I do, I think.
Draw, thumb on hammer, finger in trigger guard.

Rotate, begin to cock hammer bout 1/4 to 1/2 target acquisition.

Hammer cocked and finger on trigger, ready to fire on target acquisition.

 

[treedoc1]

I gotta say, when it comes is SA revolvers, it's the hammer that I treat as the "not until you're ready to fire" part of the equation. By the time that's coming back, my finger is already in the trigger guard, because I know I'm about to shoot.

Exactly...You all do know that nothing goes bang in a single action until the hammer drops. Many of us in Cowboy action shooting have the trigger depressed first and "slip hammer " the shooting sequence.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

LOL!! Okay so from now on the common SAR wisdom of this site is: carry hammer down with your finger on the trigger with six loaded in a modern SAR. Can we throw in texting while driving, especially if you’re going really fast? Is eating razor blades and juggling rattlesnakes still a bad idea?

 

[NeroM]

A single action revolver is for leisure activities like target shooting.
........bad habits.
/QUOTE]

Perhaps for your world?
Many use their SAR for hunting, woods safety, homestead protection, plus perhaps an occasional inanimate target.
Locally, we have a feral dog issue. Sunny this afternoon, temp mid 40s, very pleasant watching the world go by at intersection of hay lot and corn field. Could hear a ruckus in the woods behind me, some seconds later a nice doe gallops out of woods, across hay lot - 10 seconds behind are a dog duo. FA83 finger on trigger spoke to the matter, hopefully the doe will meet a nice buck in the next few weeks.
Sorry if my bad habits trouble some.

 

[WrongHanded]

I guess draw+fire dry fire practice with a modern SA revolver just isn't that common. But as someone who carries one as a woods gun semi regularly, it seems kinda important to me.

If it's just a range toy, be extra safe if you want to. If you intend to rely on it for self defense, it would be prudent to practice for speed.

 

[treedoc1]

LOL!! Okay so from now on the common SAR wisdom of this site is: carry hammer down with your finger on the trigger with six loaded in a modern SAR. Can we throw in texting while driving, especially if you’re going really fast? Is eating razor blades and juggling rattlesnakes still a bad idea?

Hammer down on an empty chamber...Doesn't matter modern, replica, original. Safe is safe.

 

[BobWright]

It has been proven time and time again that any infinitesimal time lost in bringing the pistol up to eye level is more than offset by the gain in accuracy.

I'd like to see documentation on that, especially when your adversary is three, maybe four, feet in front on you.

Bob Wright

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Exactly...You all do know that nothing goes bang in a single action until the hammer drops. Many of us in Cowboy action shooting have the trigger depressed first and "slip hammer " the shooting sequence.

Then why does it matter how many rounds are in the cylinder? New model Rugers have safety hammers, transfer bars, all imported reproduction 1873’s pass drop tests, why stick with outdated dogma about only carrying five? Nothing goes bang until the hammer drops. Fingers on triggers and thumbs on hammers before the draw. Why not? That old rule doesn’t apply to New Models.

 

[bc38]

I'm going to agree with Bob on this one. Clint Smith made this point years ago, that "finger off the trigger" does not mean finger out of the triggerguard. This non-negotiable safety-Nazi practice of "finger off the trigger" has mutated into never putting your finger into the triggerguard. Further, if you are drawing your sidearm to engage a threat, the decision has already been made to fire the weapon. As soon as the sixgun clears leather, the hammer should start coming back and the finger goes into the triggerguard. the finger does not go onto the trigger until the gun comes up and you are ready to fire. The decision can be made NOT to fire at any time.



Wrong.

got to go with CraigC, I have been shooting SA this way for better than 40 years and have yet to find myself with my finger in the trigger guard of my SA/DA revolvers, or any of the bottom feeders.