David E
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2008
- Messages
- 7,459
In another thread, the merits of carrying a single action revolver for CCW defense was discussed.
Dismissing the reload as a concern, one big concern I had was how fast one could shoot a single action ONE HANDED accurately as opposed to firing a DA revolver one handed.
I was told by a poster, who doesn't own or use a shot timer, that the difference isn't as "big as you might think." Based on my experience, I knew the difference was probably bigger than HE thinks, but I needed to put it to the test and find out what those numbers were.
Distance was 5 yds, target was a paper plate. Start position was gun at low ready, thumb on an uncocked hammer.
The average with the .357 Ruger Anniversary single action for 5 shots on target was 3.91 with a best run of 3.75.
Average split time (time between shots) was .75, with a best average of .71
Using the same loads in a 4" Model 66 averaged 2.36 for 5 shots on target with a best run of 2.09
Average splits were .37 with a best average of .30
The SA was about 40% slower than the DA
Going to the .44, the best SA average was 3.92, with a best run of 3.74
Splits averaged .74 with a best average of .73 (twice)
Using the DA, it was 2.58 with a best run of 2.36
Splits averaged .42 with a best average of .37
Curiously, the SA was only about 35% slower than the DA. The .357 was still faster overall than the .44, but the harder kicking loads seemed to affect the .44 DA gun more than the .357 did.
As you can see, changing calibers added about 2/10ths of a second to each gun. That seems to show pretty good consistency with both action types and both calibers.
Now, I know folks will say "well, that's just YOU, _I_can go faster with a Single Action!"
Can you? How does it compare to your DA shooting? Get a timer and go see. I did.
Dismissing the reload as a concern, one big concern I had was how fast one could shoot a single action ONE HANDED accurately as opposed to firing a DA revolver one handed.
I was told by a poster, who doesn't own or use a shot timer, that the difference isn't as "big as you might think." Based on my experience, I knew the difference was probably bigger than HE thinks, but I needed to put it to the test and find out what those numbers were.
Distance was 5 yds, target was a paper plate. Start position was gun at low ready, thumb on an uncocked hammer.
The average with the .357 Ruger Anniversary single action for 5 shots on target was 3.91 with a best run of 3.75.
Average split time (time between shots) was .75, with a best average of .71
Using the same loads in a 4" Model 66 averaged 2.36 for 5 shots on target with a best run of 2.09
Average splits were .37 with a best average of .30
The SA was about 40% slower than the DA
Going to the .44, the best SA average was 3.92, with a best run of 3.74
Splits averaged .74 with a best average of .73 (twice)
Using the DA, it was 2.58 with a best run of 2.36
Splits averaged .42 with a best average of .37
Curiously, the SA was only about 35% slower than the DA. The .357 was still faster overall than the .44, but the harder kicking loads seemed to affect the .44 DA gun more than the .357 did.
As you can see, changing calibers added about 2/10ths of a second to each gun. That seems to show pretty good consistency with both action types and both calibers.
Now, I know folks will say "well, that's just YOU, _I_can go faster with a Single Action!"
Can you? How does it compare to your DA shooting? Get a timer and go see. I did.