How to shoot double action revolvers?

[Kevin]

How, well actually what is the best way to fire a revolver double action?

Should you slowly squeeze the trigger to that point where it sort of pauses just before releasing the hammer/firing pin?

Or is it better to squeeze the trigger in a continuous motion bypassing that sweet spot where the hammer sort of hangs for a millisecond.

I’ve tried both ways, I can’t seem to really tell the difference. However, I generally don’t shoot double action. I just want to practice the best way possible, ya know?

 

[Snake45]

Slowly squeezing the trigger kind of misses the whole point of DA shooting. If you have the time to do that, you have time to cock the thing and take a precise SA shot. ;)

 

[Yaworski]

I used to shoot pins with a DA revolver and I'd just pull straight through. With the right set of springs and practice, it is a smooth and easy process.

 

[beentheredone]

I've had several people tell me that "the right way" is the slow-pull-pause-break-shot method. And several of them have switched to the smooth-pull-straight-through method after I taught it to them...

 

[RoninPA]

If you are shooting competition (like PPC) you best not be pulling slow and steady to the let off point, you'll not score very well (first stage is 12 shots in 20 seconds and that time includes a reload). Straight through pull, keeping the sights aligned and you shouldn't be anticipating the hammer drop. I shot PPC for several years (before the USAF sent me to Egypt for a year) and still to this day I RARELY use the SA function of a DA revolver. The straight through pull just seems natural to me now.

 

[GunnyGene]

Slowly squeezing the trigger kind of misses the whole point of DA shooting. If you have the time to do that, you have time to cock the thing and take a precise SA shot. ;)

Most firearm evolution has occurred due to a desire to increase rate of fire and capacity. As true now as it was 300 years ago. :)

 

[dannyd]

Ruger GP100 don't have the best trigger, but what I have found is pull straight through like mostly everyone else said and practice especially dry firing.

I had to change hands late in life (going from left hand to right hand at 63) also being a bullseye shooter using most single action for 50 years.

The Red Dot also helps Tremendously :) great invention

But with two years of practice I have over come the D/A rather well.

Yesterday 100 rounds 15 yards

First of the month 100 rounds 25 yards

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I do both. I practice straight through with my index finger pretty far onto the trigger of self defense. I also do the delay pull for accuracy especially with the 44mag caliber. The Redhawk is a little too heavy for straight pull, at least that is the way I see it.

 

[Dave P.]

I'm a either or... anything on the clock or even a mental clock is just a smooth pull. If I was shooing for really tight groups I'll "stage"
the trigger then fire. Of course as already pointed out, just cock the thing and fire it single action if that's the goal.

 

[gunman42782]

Rugers seem to me a whole lot easier to stage the trigger. With Smiths I usually just pull the trigger all the way through.

 

[eveled]

I only cock them if I’m trying to sight them in or check accuracy.

Sometimes I stage the triggers if its for accuracy and not timed.

Mostly it’s a steady pull combat style.

 

[Dan in MI]

Practice a little dry fire and learn where your finger pulls through without upsetting the sight picture. Then work on muscle memory to get your hand in that spot. It may take a grip change.

 

[kmoore]

It's all DA for me. But you need to start slow and learn to shoot. As you get better you will speed up. As far as which method to use, start slow no matter which. Next depends on the gun, your muscle strength and how the revolver fits your hand. I have had the opportunity to fire so damn many different revolvers. But it kind of comes down to, the shorter trigger pull length, the easier to stage the trigger (Term used for the pause you brought up) vs longer pull length. Myself due to my hands and finger size. The S&W J frame with round butt or the Ruger LCR are easy to stage the trigger. A fast straight through pull works great on any DA revolver with practice. A fast pull through and a jerk are not much difference in feel but have a big difference in how well you shoot. Some instructors call it a controlled jerk. I don't, it's a really high-speed controlled pull.

 

[Big Mak]

The only time I'd use DA is if a bear or silver back is charging me. ;)

 

[Kevin]

Awesome, thanks for all the feedback. And yes, Snake is correct about the time involved.

It's all DA for me. But you need to start slow and learn to shoot. As you get better you will speed up. As far as which method to use, start slow no matter which.

My daughter's violin teacher always tells her: "practice slow to play fast."

And yes, this is all great information. Thanks again.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Jerry Miculek goes straight D/A. He don’t do too badly at it. I endeavor to follow the best. That’s the goal. When semi’s were DA/Single Action lots of schools taught throw the first shot. I was taught when the gun leaves the holster and your off hand goes where it’s supposed to go, begin squeezing the trigger so when the sites come up to where you are shooting, the trigger should break. Amazing how accurate that is.

 

[WV460hunter]

All the way through

 

[steveodtw]

Grant Cunningham has a great book "The Gun digest Book of the Revolver." Has a whole chapter on trigger control. I have it on my Kindle.

 

[contender]

Well Kevin, as you can see, the "straight pull through" is what most prefer & it is the better of the two methods you asked about.
That said, even Jerry Miculek has said that sometimes, depending upon the range & target type, "staging" a trigger is also good. Generally speaking, it's when the distance is long, and more precision is desired. It's also a little harder to teach. And some guns "stage" easier than others.
I'm in the camp of "pull straight through as smoothly as possible. As the saying goes; "Smooth is fast & fast is smooth."
However,, a horrible trigger is not going to help either type of shooting. A good quality gun, with a smooth action is paramount to make it easier to do.

 

[Chief 101]

He shows how to shoot a revolver towards the end of the video...

 

[Kevin]

All the information here is so much worth it. I was at the range yesterday and the weather was just perfectly amazing. 65 and sunny, no humidity and a very slight breeze. Couldn’t ask for a better day.

Anyway I was thinking about this as I had finally gotten a chance to shoot my new little Smith and Wesson .38. It's got an enclosed hammer.

I didn’t have any factory ammo, but my reloads with 38 wadcutters were surprisingly pleasant to shoot. The gun has a smooth trigger and the grips make recoil comfortable.

Im going to go buy some factory ammo and shoot the gun again to compare.

However,, a horrible trigger is not going to help either type of shooting. A good quality gun, with a smooth action is paramount to make it easier to do.

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve always felt that quality triggers are the most important part of a gun. When I shoot I try my hardest to shoot slow and purposefully think about the trigger as I’m shooting. I’ve found doing this makes me more accurate.

 

[Hankus]

Jerry Miculek goes straight D/A. He don’t do too badly at it. I endeavor to follow the best. That’s the goal. When semi’s were DA/Single Action lots of schools taught throw the first shot. I was taught when the gun leaves the holster and your off hand goes where it’s supposed to go, begin squeezing the trigger so when the sites come up to where you are shooting, the trigger should break. Amazing how accurate that is.

I taught Primary Marksmanship Instruction in the Army before every range from the time I was a PFC through the rank of SSG. I was also the guy that had to retrain the second lieutenants and privates that BOLO’d their first time around. I taught this method and the vast majority of them qualified Sharpshooter or Expert with their M9s afterwards.

 

[kmoore]

I still remember the 1st shot I took with a sig P220 DA/SA .45 acp. It was during training while on the firing line, the gun was passed down the line to shoot it. So, no dry fire, learning the weapon or any of the important stuff. 10 yards, 1st shot was SA in the x ring. Followed by DA with shots about a foot low. After a mag and more shooting I got use to the SA/DA and that gun could shoot well. It was to be the 1st semi auto issued service gun. But Sig said it would take about 1 full year to supply the dept. with 1000 of them and at a cost of about 2 times of a Glock 17. The Glock rep was told about the deal and almost gave us model 17s as soon as the order would be delivered. So, we got Glocks in 1991.
In the end the Glock likely was better choice. I and purposely did not say better gun. Considering shooting and training a new shooter with a Glock 17 is much faster and simpler than a DA/SA .45.

 

[wheelgun1958]

Point-pull-repeat

 

[protoolman]

Jerry Miculek won't tell you to do a straight pull through on a Ruger. In fact I've seen him tie up a Ruger six series he owns doing it. That's why he shoots straight smith and Wesson's. They have short actions. DA pull through on Smiths. Staging on old long action Colts and Rugers. I believe Dan Wesson's are also short actions. I get A kick out of people who shoot double action and shoot long and short actions. You'll never be good at both. Rugers are excellent for staging not pulling through. Shoot them single action if you own both.

 

[dannyd]

Rugers are the only revolvers I own, so to me they are normal to other people not so much. :)

 

[RSIno1]

Rugers seem to me a whole lot easier to stage the trigger. With Smiths I usually just pull the trigger all the way through.

My Colt Trooper (not a III) also likes the full pull with no pauses.

 

[gramps]

I had a GP-100,(.357 mag)that I staged as I shot, got to where the recoil would give a rapid second shot on target. I miss that gun. I have a Redhawk now, and no I don’t do the recoil thing lol, but I do stage. If I was being attacked by a bear, I bet I would pull straight through.
gramps

 

[dannyd]

Learning a whole new way to shoot Two handed double action; practicing for my first USPSA match using a GP100. :)

 

[contender]

dannyd,,, "Welcome to the world of USPSA.!" I've been shooting USPSA since 1998. I've been using a revolver for several years now.
When other shooters see me & my gun,, I casually say; "I shoot a REAL gun, a revolver!"

Which GP-100 are you shooting? I'm currently using the Super GP-100 in 9mm.