RugerMen
Bearcat
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Ruger DA revolver and a SA revolver. I'm thinking of getting one in the $500-$800 range. I would use it for target shooting and open carry.
Ruger Revolvers
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WIL TERRY
Buckeye
ARE YOU SURE..that is all you need to know right at the moment ???
Donaldjr1969
Blackhawk
The only disadvantage of a Ruger revolver, either SA and DA, is that you will NEVER be satisfied with just one. You WILL want another! 
pisgah
Buckeye
Pretty broad question, there. Answering broadly --
Any DA or SA Ruger is fine for target/recreational shooting. In fact, few are better. Most will say an SA is not the best choice for self defense. I see the point, but a good SA revolver can serve well for that purpose, provided the user is willing to put in the time training with it. Of course, the ability to use DA fire won't do you much good, either, without appropriate training and practice.
Some find Ruger handguns a bit too bulky for comfortable concealed carry. They aren't, especially the LCR (not the best general-purpose recolver, though), but they are enough bigger/heavier than some competing revolvers (S&W) to require a bit more care in finding a comfortable and concealable method of carry.
In short, all handguns are, to some extent, a matter of compromise. None are as effective in the self-defense role as a long gun -- but they are all easier to carry. Some are too small for real target work or use as practical hunting arms -- but some are too big for comfortable full-time carry. This is one reason (aside from the love of handguns) why so many handgunners own more than one handgun.
Any DA or SA Ruger is fine for target/recreational shooting. In fact, few are better. Most will say an SA is not the best choice for self defense. I see the point, but a good SA revolver can serve well for that purpose, provided the user is willing to put in the time training with it. Of course, the ability to use DA fire won't do you much good, either, without appropriate training and practice.
Some find Ruger handguns a bit too bulky for comfortable concealed carry. They aren't, especially the LCR (not the best general-purpose recolver, though), but they are enough bigger/heavier than some competing revolvers (S&W) to require a bit more care in finding a comfortable and concealable method of carry.
In short, all handguns are, to some extent, a matter of compromise. None are as effective in the self-defense role as a long gun -- but they are all easier to carry. Some are too small for real target work or use as practical hunting arms -- but some are too big for comfortable full-time carry. This is one reason (aside from the love of handguns) why so many handgunners own more than one handgun.
flatgate
Hawkeye
Read Wil Terry's post!
Please take the time to read and learn from the many, many
books that are out there for the viewing....
JMHO,
flatgate
Please take the time to read and learn from the many, many
books that are out there for the viewing....
JMHO,
flatgate
roarin 54
Bearcat
Mernickle Custom Holsters go a long way toward making a 4 5/8 SBH concealable.
I'm a DA guy ~ specifically the older Security, Service and Speed Six models.
Disadvantages? Can't think of any.
Advantages? Well .... they're lighter and a little smaller than the GP100.
Certainly cheaper to buy than a GP or (God forbid :lol: ) about any S&W.
They'll be "collectable" sooner than the GP.
Have 6 shots instead of 5 like the SP and Smith J Frames.
More rugged and durable than most Smiths and Taurus's.
You can get at two for your $500 to $800 price range.
Use the K-Frame holsters.
Since you can get two I'd suggest a 2.75" Speed Six and either a 4" or 6" Security Six. There's the best of both worlds. One blue, one stainless, 2 barrel lengths, one round butt, one square butt, one fixed sights, one adjustable sights.
Disadvantages? Can't think of any.
Advantages? Well .... they're lighter and a little smaller than the GP100.
Certainly cheaper to buy than a GP or (God forbid :lol: ) about any S&W.
They'll be "collectable" sooner than the GP.
Have 6 shots instead of 5 like the SP and Smith J Frames.
More rugged and durable than most Smiths and Taurus's.
You can get at two for your $500 to $800 price range.
Use the K-Frame holsters.
Since you can get two I'd suggest a 2.75" Speed Six and either a 4" or 6" Security Six. There's the best of both worlds. One blue, one stainless, 2 barrel lengths, one round butt, one square butt, one fixed sights, one adjustable sights.
Hugh
Buckeye
DA Advantage:
Point (aim) and pull the trigger repeatedly until all cartridges are expended.
Reload: Cylinder swings out, quickly eject spent cartridges, drop in new cartridges, close cylinder, point and pull the trigger.
SA Disadvantage:
Cock the hammer, point (aim) and pull the trigger. To shoot again recock the hammer and repeat the process until all cartridges are expended.
Reload: Depending on model, open loading gate and push expended cartridge out, turn cylinder and repeat the process until each expended cartridge has been removed from the cylinder. Then place new cartridge in each chamber of the cylinder until loaded. Close the loading gate. You are now ready to continue shooting.
For most shooters SA is slower.
There may be more advantages/disadvantages to each type.
As some have said practice, practice, and practice. Some of those disadvantages may be diminished.
And, as Will Terry said:
$500 - $800 will go a long way in the purchase of a Ruger revolver SA or DA. More so toward the purchase of a good used Ruger revolver; SA or DA.
Point (aim) and pull the trigger repeatedly until all cartridges are expended.
Reload: Cylinder swings out, quickly eject spent cartridges, drop in new cartridges, close cylinder, point and pull the trigger.
SA Disadvantage:
Cock the hammer, point (aim) and pull the trigger. To shoot again recock the hammer and repeat the process until all cartridges are expended.
Reload: Depending on model, open loading gate and push expended cartridge out, turn cylinder and repeat the process until each expended cartridge has been removed from the cylinder. Then place new cartridge in each chamber of the cylinder until loaded. Close the loading gate. You are now ready to continue shooting.
For most shooters SA is slower.
There may be more advantages/disadvantages to each type.
As some have said practice, practice, and practice. Some of those disadvantages may be diminished.
And, as Will Terry said:
$500 - $800 will go a long way in the purchase of a Ruger revolver SA or DA. More so toward the purchase of a good used Ruger revolver; SA or DA.
tacklebury
Single-Sixer
In my experience, if you cannot get it done with 5 shots, you probably won't. Unless you are dealing with more than 5 assailants, you will usually scare them off or hit them by 5. Most single actions hold 6, so you should be good if you choose to use it for open carry. Simple solution, buy a couple. I have a double and single and use them differently. Double for carry, single for target/hunting. My H110 300 gr. hunting loads would be murder in the smaller carry gun anyway, so carry gun has unique and 250 gr. hp's. I have shot with a lot of guys with da's and there is a limited number that I've even seen keep all 6 on a human silhouette at 25 yards double action. Single actions do make you slow down and think also. 
WESHOOT2
Hunter
One can shoot a DA revolver SA, but one cannot shoot a SA revolver anyway but SA.
Speedloaders exist for DA revolvers; SA revolvers remain slow to reload.
Speedloaders exist for DA revolvers; SA revolvers remain slow to reload.
guitarpicva
Bearcat
WESHOOT2 said:
Unless the DA has no external hammer.
Probably the most important point from a self-defense perspective. 5 or 6 disappear in a hurry.
stantheman86
Buckeye
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2010
- Messages
- 1,103
IMO Double Action revolvers are perfect all purpose weapons, but I'll admit in calibers above .44 Magnum, the actual real world usefulness of DA is debatable.
A DA .357 like an SP101, GP100, or Six is pretty much my idea of a perfect handgun. .357 is still controllable in fast DA with some practice, and as stated above, they are much faster to reload, especially if you have them cut for moonclips or get really good with speedloaders. A Ruger DA will last forever, much longer than any S&W and will require little to no parts replacement. I always thought that, with a Ruger DA, you have the best of both worlds.........you can shoot all day every day in Single Action if you want, but still have the option of Double Action for quick close up shooting.
Single Actions have the advantage of less mechanical parts, and you really can't bust a Ruger SA. They give shooters looking for a traditional SA revolver the added advantage of being very rugged. For self defense or carry I personally wouldn't go with an SA revolver unless you just have a very strong preference for one, and are very skilled with it.
Don't forget about the Magnum Research and Freedom Arms Single Actions, I always thought of them as "cousins" of the Super Blackhawk and they are available in all of the big boomer calibers Ruger doesn't offer.
A DA .357 like an SP101, GP100, or Six is pretty much my idea of a perfect handgun. .357 is still controllable in fast DA with some practice, and as stated above, they are much faster to reload, especially if you have them cut for moonclips or get really good with speedloaders. A Ruger DA will last forever, much longer than any S&W and will require little to no parts replacement. I always thought that, with a Ruger DA, you have the best of both worlds.........you can shoot all day every day in Single Action if you want, but still have the option of Double Action for quick close up shooting.
Single Actions have the advantage of less mechanical parts, and you really can't bust a Ruger SA. They give shooters looking for a traditional SA revolver the added advantage of being very rugged. For self defense or carry I personally wouldn't go with an SA revolver unless you just have a very strong preference for one, and are very skilled with it.
Don't forget about the Magnum Research and Freedom Arms Single Actions, I always thought of them as "cousins" of the Super Blackhawk and they are available in all of the big boomer calibers Ruger doesn't offer.
5of7
Hunter
The single action is slower to shoot and reload, but easier to clean.
Also, I think that the SA, given the same general size, is a little more rugged design than the DA.
I think the SA is a simpler design and therefore probably a little more reliable.
For hunting or target shooting, one is as good as the other, but for personal defense, I would much prefer the DA
Also, I think that the SA, given the same general size, is a little more rugged design than the DA.
I think the SA is a simpler design and therefore probably a little more reliable.
For hunting or target shooting, one is as good as the other, but for personal defense, I would much prefer the DA
stantheman86
Buckeye
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2010
- Messages
- 1,103
As a pure range gun, outdoor packing gun (for bears, etc.) or an overall fun gun a Single Action will do you just fine. Most of the plinking I do with my DA revolvers is done in SA anyway, but for defensive training I always shoot in DA.
Overall there's a reason why LEO's and the military stopped issuing SA revolvers in the 1890's-1900's
Overall there's a reason why LEO's and the military stopped issuing SA revolvers in the 1890's-1900's
EDK
Single-Sixer
RugerMen said:
Where can you open carry in "the land of Obama?" Or anywhere in Illinois for that matter? Aren't they the last state that doesn't have concealed carry permits of some sort for the "unwashed masses" without political connections. They get pretty sticky about Firearms Owners ID cards too!
I moved to Missouri in 1977 and I'll move to Idaho a lot sooner than I'll move back to Illinois. AND anyone who re-locates voluntarilly at the age of 62 has some major issues of some sort!
EDK said:
I believe we can carry open or concealed in our place of business, private residence or on land we privately own. Very restrictive to say the least. Sadly, for work, I moved here FROM Missouri. Now can't wait to sell my business and move BACK!
WESHOOT2
Hunter
"carry open or concealed in our place of business, private residence or on land we privately own"
Correct.
I moved out in '79. For the last time....
Correct.
I moved out in '79. For the last time....
A
Anonymous
We can open carry in VA, anywhere but the usual courthouse, school, etc. restrictions. But, you're likely to get a lot of hard looks, even screams, with everyone's current state of alarm from public shootings. You probably wouldn't make it more than two blocks at a time between police stops for questioning, too. I think OC is legal in Arizona and several other states??
I have owned DA revolvers in the past, by Ruger and Charter. All I have now that I've re-entered shooting and went total rimfire is Ruger SAs. Because, Ruger was no longer making a .22 DA revolver, S&W is overpriced, Charter QC is down, and Taurus QC totally sucks.
I think a SA revolver would be fine for concealed carry, if you could find a good way to carry it. An SA tends to be longer than a DA, with a more prominent grip. SA worked fine for self-defense with Hickock, Earp, etc., but theirs were open carry........
I have owned DA revolvers in the past, by Ruger and Charter. All I have now that I've re-entered shooting and went total rimfire is Ruger SAs. Because, Ruger was no longer making a .22 DA revolver, S&W is overpriced, Charter QC is down, and Taurus QC totally sucks.
I think a SA revolver would be fine for concealed carry, if you could find a good way to carry it. An SA tends to be longer than a DA, with a more prominent grip. SA worked fine for self-defense with Hickock, Earp, etc., but theirs were open carry........
CraigC
Hawkeye
TN's carry license is actually just a "pistol permit". You can open carry if you choose. Haven't seen anyone do it yet and I'm not about to become the first, but it is legal.
guitarpicva
Bearcat
bearcatter said:...SA worked fine for self-defense with Hickock, Earp, etc., but theirs were open carry........
Well, that and everyone was SA
roarin 54
Bearcat
My general purpose carry gun is my Kimber 1911 .45 ACP. I've just ordered a holster for 4 5/8 SBH, which will allow me to carry it concealed. I plan on carrying this gun when I fish at night. I will be loading it with 2 shotshells backed up by 4 mid-range .44 mag rounds loaded with 240 grain Hornady XTP's. While catfishing at night I occasionally come across large rats, overly curious beavers and snakes. Self defense isn't just from 2 legged vermin.
roarin 54
Bearcat
While open carry is legal in PA I'm better off carrying concealed. It keeps other fishermen from gettin jumpy. :lol:
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