Thoughts on Single-Action Revolvers...

[JohnKSa]

Lately my thoughts and wandering eyes have alighted more often than before on SA revolvers...

What's interesting about this is that I have never given SA revolvers a second thought for years. And yet, now I find myself eyeing them.

I asked myself why.

After thinking a bit, the answer came to me.

I've just about completed my arsenal. My safe contains one or two of just about every gun/type of gun I've every seriously wanted. When I see a gun or read a review of the latest from the gun industry, I think: "I have something that will do that better/almost as good/ just as well, and what's more I like what I have better."

So, why am I looking at SA revolvers? Because I have all the functionality that I want/need and have started looking at toys...

Now, I'm not trying to say that SA revolvers are useless, far from it. I'm just saying that for the most part that a DA revolver will do what they do and then some...

Once, DA revolvers were considered fragile--now they chamber anything that an SA revolver can. Once DA revolvers were considered to be less accurate---I just read a review of a DA revolver that shoots 1 MOA groups at 100 yards. You can scope a DA revolver easily, they hold as many rounds (or more) as an SA, you can still shoot them SA if you want, and they're much easier to reload.

SA revolvers may have a slight advantage in terms of weight, size and cost, but nothing to parade up and down the streets.

Anyway, all that to say that I figured out why I've been looking at SA revolvers lately.

 

[Wedge]

Single actions have an aesthetic quality about them that no other handgun style can even come close too.

 

[t driver]

It's interesting you should post this.

I too have recently been bitten by this bug. I just bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter Bisley. I believe, as you, That I have fulfulled most of my basic fierarm "needs" and am now looking for more fun.

My dad always wanted a Super Single Six. Last Christmas I bought one for him. After taking him to the range with me this summer and seeing how much enjoyment he got out of it, I started really looking at SA revolvers. I love the look of beefy SBH and the Hunter version was particularly appealing to me. It is fun to shoot too.

I'm sure it won't be my last SA revolver.

 

[355sigfan]

There is nothing wrong with owing toys. I consider my Colt Cowboy a toy. Its fun to shoot and reminds me of the past. Are there far better guns today for serious uses yes. But its ok to own guns simply for fun.
Pat

 

[citizen]

I, too, have become infected; and have my heart set on a pair. Maybe USFA. Caliber choice is tough, though.....

 

[swifter]

To me, SAs have a graceful shape compared to the more clunky contours of a DA. Its reflected in the way they feel in my hand: SAs just seem to FIT better. I really like my N-frames, but the SAs really grab me. Too many oaters as a kid, maybe...

Tom

 

[J Miller]

What a bunch of "johnny come latelys". I've been a fanatic of SA revolvers for 30 years come next August.

They can and have done anything I want done. And will continue to do so.

 

[jar]

I have long said I would rather face a herd of gangbangers with their hicaps and homeboy shooting style than one old geezer who knew how to shoot a SA.

 

[HogRider]

Single actions have an aesthetic quality about them that no other handgun style can even come close too.

Nothing to add to this one!

 

[Baron Holbach4]

Single-action revolvers are the pefect gun for left-handers.

 

[cz75bdneos22]

me too!!! i got biten...by the cowboy bug.
so, for my christmas gift to meself...a Ruger.45LC SS 5.5 with the ivory grips..
i had been wanting one for so long, i just had to stop marinating it..
as the store only had rosewood grips in stock, it will be at least two weeks before i see the boss!!
thank you, Santa!!!

 

[retiredsgt]

SA's

SAA's or their clones are really something. The first handgun I bought, back in 196--------- , Well, why give away my age here? There ia a certain appeal about SA's. Up till this year, I didn't think too highly of Ruger handguns. I owned a Blackhawk in .357 that wouldn't put two rounds closer than 3" at 25 yds. Promptly sold it. Well this year I became enamoured of the Ruger Vaq's. Got one in .45 Colt, the Birdshead grip with the 3 3/4" barrel. What a shooter. It is also my somewtimes CCWS.
Just something about them SA's.

 

[Tom C.]

I am one of the more recent converts to SA revolvers. I have been shooting 1911's and N-frame Smiths for about 30 yrs., but got my first NMBH about 5 yrs ago. I got it to get into CASS shooting. After 4 yrs of that, I shoot the NMBH better than the 1911. Shooting about 15,000 rds per year tends to burn in the mussle memory. I now have a total of 10 NMBHs in .45 Colt and .357 for my wife and myself.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'll be picking up my Single Six 4" before Christmas. Sometime next year, I may follow it up with another Ruger purchase -- a Bisley Vaquero stainless with simulated ivory grips....

 

[Wil Terry]

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF SIXGUNS AVAILABLE:

SINGLE ACTIONS
And those that wish they were Single Actions....

 

[JohnK]

I just read a review of a DA revolver that shoots 1 MOA groups at 100 yards.

Which gun and where was the review? That's pretty fantastic accuracy for any revolver, I don't remember if I've even heard of a Freedom Arms that would do 1 MOA.

 

[JohnKSa]

Which gun and where was the review?

S&W chambered in 17HMR. Can't remember which magazine had the review...

 

[JohnK]

Thanks John, 1 MOA from a rimfire handgun even. Almost enough to make one a beliver in "inherently accurate" cartrdiges. I think I have a mag around here that reviewed that combo recently, I'll go dig through the piles of magazines.

 

[Jim March]

The Freedom Arms 97 frame in 22LR and 22Mag (convertible) has been clocked doing honest MOA in both calibers in one gun...which is frankly incredible. See also gunblast.com in the archives. That same frame in 357 does almost as well and some specimens have clocked MOA.

Considering that this is a handy, packable size in calibers that are honestly more useful than the 17 makes this quite an accomplishment.

For those on a less lofty budget, use of "the checkout" to screen out any lemons and then mild mods (spring kit, Belt Mountain base pin) will turn up a very good shooting Ruger New Model action on the cheap.

 

[JohnK]

I found the Sept 2003 Shooting Times that reviewd the Ruger Single Six in 17 HMR. In that article they said that the 17 HMR would do 1 MOA in a rifle (in their tests) but the Ruger only did about 7 MOA - 1.72" @ 25 yards.

I think that's the article I was thinking of, not a S&W review.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Single action revolvers can be mighty pretty, but I've never been able to hang onto them as well as double action models.

 

[JohnKSa]

Jim March,

1 MOA from a revolver is impressive. 1 MOA from a rimfire DA revolver at 100 yards is in another class entirely, and I'd venture to guess that the testing with the Freedom Arms 22LR/22Mag was NOT done at 100 yards.

I've not seen many 22Mag rifles that shoot well at 100 yards, for some reason. They do very well at 50 yards, but something happens to them by the time they get to 100 that spoils the groups...

The 17HMR may not be as "useful" as some other calibers, but then I've never used any of my rimfire guns for anything useful anyway... In fact, I've done precious little that's "useful" with any of my guns.

Also, comparing a handmade custom pistol to an off-the-shelf model isn't quite kosher.

I'm interested to know if you agree--particularly with my assessment of/experience with 22mag accuracy.

Good shooting,

JohnKSa

(Darn, this post sounds a lot more argumentative than I meant it to. Don't know how to fix it and still say what I wanted.)

 

[maytom]

I guess I'm biased over the Single actions, love them!! For hunters and most sportsman (not match target shooters) they shoot their revolvers in the single action mode. I don't know of too many guys who own .44 mags or bigger and shoot them double action. And as far as strength goes, Ruger single actions are the guns of choice that most of the custom guns are based on because of that fact. The pic below is the top model for customizing.

 

[maytom]

Here's a article on that Freedom arms model 97 .22 revolver.

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_97-22.htm

 

[Jim March]

JohnKSa: check that article out. That rimfire revolver is indeed doing 1MOA at a full 100 yards.