Double action shooting method

[JFB]

I just acquired my first double action...an Alaskan in 44Mag.

It dawned on me after shooting the first cylinder, "why am I thumbing the hammer?" If I wanted a "target trigger" I should be using My BlackHawk.

Now, this poises a small problem I need to get over. when I picked up the Alaskan and though it was a perfect fit to my hand, I had thumbed the hammer. To get enough finger for double action, I need to roll my wrist foward a little. I kind of blame my dealer in that he didn't catch my mistake as I checked it out.

So how many shoot purely double action? Do you inform others that you see thumbing the hammer?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

With smaller calibers I usually split my trigger time about 50/50 between single and double-action. With the 44 mag I find I use single-action more but I do like to squeeze-off several rounds in a row double-action and I also like to stage the double-action by stopping the pull just before the trigger breaks.

 

[Snake45]

I'm somewhat like Jimbo on this one. I mainly shoot my .22 DA revolvers in DA mode now, as hitting with them in SA mode is almost "too easy." On the rare occasions when I shoot my .38/.357 "combat" revolvers, I might shoot a few SA to confirm the sight settings, and then mainly shoot them in DA, because that's how they're intended to be used.

OTOH, I don't think I've ever fired my Smith 29 .44 Mag DA, and doubt I ever will. Anything I shoot with that will be shot very carefully and that means SA.

 

[Bob Wright]

Anything I shoot with that will be shot very carefully and that means SA.

Snake, forgive me if this offends you, but that statement sure brought a smile to my face! I know full well what you mean, but it sure conjures up some strange images in my warped sense of humour.

Bob Wright

 

[john123456]

i do a lil of both but double action kinda falls apart for me much past 35 yards. my groups at 50 single action would be less than half and i may even pull one off the paper double action. i mostly practice double action for my carry guns a s&w 625 mountain gun and a 60 pro although i do carry my vaquero sheriff 45colt also sometimes.

 

[Major T]

Why should a dealer take the chance of offending a customer with unsolicited "coaching"? Most gun buyers are a bit macho. A few don't know squat, admit it, and ask for advice. Were I selling a handgun, I would think a person seeking a Ruger Alaskan would know if his hand/fingers were appropriate for that large machine.

I do know what you are up against. I can not use the Jordan style grip panels with the filler behind the grip frame. Jack

 

[k22fan]

[...] when I picked up the Alaskan and though it was a perfect fit to my hand, I had thumbed the hammer. To get enough finger for double action, I need to roll my wrist foward a little. I kind of blame my dealer in that he didn't catch my mistake as I checked it out.[...]

The sales person would not have been doing their job if they'd introduced anything into the conversation that tended to discourage you from buying the gun you came to buy, so long as it was in inventory.

Despite the lack of unbiased coaching you still made the best choice for your hand. The best feature of SRHs is that while wearing the original GP 100/SRH grip they have the shortest trigger reach of all the big bore DAs. Additionally, I find the early SRH grip the most comfortable of all DA grips for hard kickers. Chuck the Hogues.

 

[JFB]

I have known my dealer since elementry school, so he is also close friend. I do recall as we were both checking this gun out he did his dry firing double action. I really don't have any negative feelings, just added the remark since the concept of why a double action versus a single only was new to me. For more years than I can remember, he will still hand me a Berretta 92 for me to try just in case the grips feels better to me one day.

Another thing with using a double action that was THE reason I noticed my grip need to rotate foward slightly was that the process of drawing, my finger wanted to go to the trigger before I was "on target". Keeping my finger index along the frame is a natural for acquire my other pistols.

All in all, these things just give me more reason to practice with my new Alaskan.

k22fan,
I was thinking about GP100 insert type grips or possible Hogue wood grips, for the looks. Any experance comparing the trigger reach with the wood Hogues on a RedHawk?

 

[WESHOOT2]

A few points:


-One may shoot a DA SA, but one cannot shoot a SA DA

-Virtually all my revolver shooting is done at USPSA matches, so DA work is demanded; chronographing is done SA, as are the occasional past-35 yd needs

-Practice what you'll do (or want to do :mrgreen: ) in real life

-First it must go bang; service your DA (and its springs) to ensure bang.

 

[RoninPA]

I shot a lot of PPC and at the short distances, short times (7 yds, 12 shots, 20 seconds) you had to shoot DA. Practice was always DA and it just got to the point that even at the long ranges (50 yds) I was more comfortable shooting DA.

Shooting bowling pin matches is the same way, you have to go for speed so you're pulling the trigger, keeping the sights aligned as you transition from one pin to the next and the hammer should fall just as you are coming on to the next target.

 

[k22fan]

I have known my dealer since elementry school, so he is also close friend. [...]

Another thing with using a double action that was THE reason I noticed my grip need to rotate foward slightly was that the process of drawing, my finger wanted to go to the trigger before I was "on target". Keeping my finger index along the frame is a natural for acquire my other pistols. [...]

k22fan,
I was thinking about GP100 insert type grips or possible Hogue wood grips, for the looks. Any experance comparing the trigger reach with the wood Hogues on a RedHawk?

One of the range members I've shot with since the 70s is a car salesman. When he sold me a car I trusted him to be more ethical and honest than a stranger, but I expected him to sell me. That's a salesman's job. Why would it be any different with guns? Incidentally, the car lasted a long time, but not as long as your SRH should last.

While it's best to acquire your firing grip before you lift the weight of your pistol, don't loose the habit of keeping your finger out of the trigger guard during the draw just because you're starting to practice DA

I don't own a rubber SRH Hogue Monogrip to compare side by side with my wood one. They look to be the same shape in pictures and have the same trigger reach as near as I can recall from handling one in a LGS. The trigger reach on either could be reduced with sand paper wrapped around a short piece of thick dowel. Wood would only need a little furniture wax to look good after ward. I'm going to sand mine when I get around to it. As far as I know rubbers would be ugly ever after.

 

[Rclark]

Have always shot Single Action. Even my .44Spec Bulldog that I have today is shot Single Action. Don't own any other DA revolvers.

 

[bada61265]

had several da revolvers over the years and probubly shot about 50% sa. i dont think its either right or wrong to shoot one in sa mode. DA revolvers usually have a faster lock time in sa than do SAA style guns like ruger blackhawks or colt or there various clones. often they have better triggers in da guns in sa mode than the SA only guns. for cc or home defense id practice shooting it the way the gun comes to your hand from the holster or nightstand. and for a DA gun that means practice in DA. a criminal wont be impressed with one handed SA slowfire 50 ft merit badges .

 

[SL1]

I generally shoot DA off-hand unless I am testing ammo for accuracy. Then I use a rest and shoot SA. With practice, my off-hand shots are about as accurate either DA or SA, even at 50 yards.

SL1

 

[David Bradshaw]

It is my understanding that the SRH Alaskan is the conceptual product of William Ruger, Jr. A pistol specific to wilderness defense, with double action the prime reflexive mode. Thus, the DA and short barrel. Select the best grip for point shooting and recoil control and dry fire both SA and DA. Follow with live fire. Let result on target be the arbiter of technique. Note that practice develops understanding & flexibility, which, over time, becomes technique.

Doctrine is not a substitute for practice & understanding.

One cannot fight the grip of a big bore revolver and shoot it well. Since the double action offers two modes of fire, might as well learn and practice both.
David Bradshaw

 

[JFB]

Thanks for the replies and the explainations. As for pratice, I have DA dry fired the Alaskan this week more than I have all others in my life. Hopeing to fire a few more rounds this weekend to ensure the grip/trigger finger position I am developing works. the grip with a support hand feels real good, just not sure about the single hand wrist alignment.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Get the web of your hand up as high on the backstrap as possible.

 

[AGE Ranger]

For me at the range roughly 75/25 DA/SA. I carry a DA revolver once in a while. I practice the same way as I do with my semi-autos. The first shot will be DA.

If I ever get time to hunt it's strictly SA. Also use SA for new recipe reloads, practice for hunting, etc.

 

[Laserbait]

I do DA on all my DA revolvers. If I need to make a precision shot, I'll stage the trigger. I have tried shooting SA, but only when on a rest.

 

[DennisE]

Most of my shooting is at 15 yards. With DA revolvers I simply pull the trigger. It's fast and accurate if your revolver has a decent DA trigger. If I want to shoot SA I use one of my Ruger SA revolvers. Dennis