I was brought up with double action but always taught to shoot single action... so go figure ... 4" is my favorite, at least on my favorite revolver a S&W model 19, seems like just the right balance in both feel and look.
Which do you prefer - DA or SA revolvers? (plus preferred barrel lengths)
- Thread starter TheTexasRAT
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For carry it's either a Taurus 85 CH or SP101 DA in 32 H&R Mag. For the range I have more DA than SA bit I love them all. LOL. For carry no more than 2 inches. But again for the range I have pretty much every barrel length from a 1.5" Dan Wesson .357 MAG Porkchop.to a 10.5" SRH .44 MAG. Best accuracy is with 6" S&W N frames in 41 MAG, 10MM. and 45 ACP.
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Coyote56
Single-Sixer
4"...3"...2"...all fine by me. Cannot deal with 6" or longer barrels.
I find the DA Rugers are more "comfortable" to shoot in magnums that begin with a .4 to me, and I tend to be more accurate with them. I still cock them like a SA most of the time, but I prefer the "feel" of the DA. A Bisley comes in a close second in that realm.
Double action for me
Depends on purpose.
I carry single action revolvers mainly as a woods gun, camping gun, etc. My favorite is a 4 5/8" in .44 or .45. Although I own several 5 1/2" and 7 1/2".
My only double action (gasp) is a Smith J frame .38 Airweight shrouded hammer. It is carried whenever everything else is too big. I was tempted by a .357 Dan Wesson the other day, but it had the pork chop barrel so I passed. I do sorta have a hankering for a 4" stainless DA .357
But for concealed carry it's an auto for me.
I carry single action revolvers mainly as a woods gun, camping gun, etc. My favorite is a 4 5/8" in .44 or .45. Although I own several 5 1/2" and 7 1/2".
My only double action (gasp) is a Smith J frame .38 Airweight shrouded hammer. It is carried whenever everything else is too big. I was tempted by a .357 Dan Wesson the other day, but it had the pork chop barrel so I passed. I do sorta have a hankering for a 4" stainless DA .357
But for concealed carry it's an auto for me.
I kind of favor 3" round butt S&W in a revolver. I do own several other revolvers from Colt and S&W.
I have both, but don't CC them. For hunting I use an 8 3/8" Smith. For target and some woods carry I use a 5" NM Blackhawk or a 4" Smith. For CC it is auto.
OP
Yeh, I prefer the round butt as well.
I like single actions with short barrels.
Those are beauties. Nice collection.
gunman42782
Hunter
I really love them both. If pressed, I guess I would rather have a DA. I am one of the weird ones that can shoot DA usually better than I can SA.
Bob Wright
Hawkeye
This may come as a surprise to many, but I actully prefer the Single Action revolver.For everyday carry, 4 5/8" barrel, longer range work the 7 1/2" burrel.
Bob Wright
Bob Wright
They all have a purpose for something and somebody.
My short answer:
If limited to one, DA 3" barrel.
Long answer:
Double Action
For my purposes, a 6" barrel is about as much as I ever need and even that's uncommon. I should be OK with nothing more than a 4" barrel. I also use several 2" snubs, and they probably make up at least half my accumulation.
So call it 2"-4".
And if I had to pick one, I do like the 3" barrel DA.
Single Action
I hadn't realized this before, but while I've had a lot of barrel lengths of SAs in the past, almost all of mine now are 4-5/8" or 5-1/2". The exception is a Bearcat, which would seem odd with a barrel that "long".
Choosing one length between those two isn't easy, but I guess I'd go with 5-1/2".
Overall
For me, the SA is for fun, but the DA is for fun AND serious use. The choice is easy if I had to pick one:
DA.
So overall, my pick is a DA with 3" barrel.
My short answer:
If limited to one, DA 3" barrel.
Long answer:
Double Action
For my purposes, a 6" barrel is about as much as I ever need and even that's uncommon. I should be OK with nothing more than a 4" barrel. I also use several 2" snubs, and they probably make up at least half my accumulation.
So call it 2"-4".
And if I had to pick one, I do like the 3" barrel DA.
Single Action
I hadn't realized this before, but while I've had a lot of barrel lengths of SAs in the past, almost all of mine now are 4-5/8" or 5-1/2". The exception is a Bearcat, which would seem odd with a barrel that "long".
Choosing one length between those two isn't easy, but I guess I'd go with 5-1/2".
Overall
For me, the SA is for fun, but the DA is for fun AND serious use. The choice is easy if I had to pick one:
DA.
So overall, my pick is a DA with 3" barrel.
I'm in for it all as long as it's .44 mag or more. 
smith1961
Blackhawk
Awesomeness
I have six Ruger SA's, all 4&5/8ths. They are .22lr, .32H&R, .41mag.
I have fifteen DA S&W revolvers that are mostly 4" models. Only long tube being model 57 8&3/8ths. I would give them all up except my model 13 and 58. JiminMaine, you rock!
Thanks. I am a bit of a 41 Mag nut. In addition to my 58 I also have 57 (ND) 4", 6", 8 3/8" an Interarms Dragoon Silhouette 10.5", OM Blackhawk , Contender 14" and of course a Marlin 1894.
I only own 3 single action revolvers, but have over twenty (I've lost count) double-asction.
smith1961
Blackhawk
Jim,
We must be related...I'm afflicted with the .41 disease. I'm the fool been crying for a .41 Mag Vaquero here for years!
We must be related...I'm afflicted with the .41 disease. I'm the fool been crying for a .41 Mag Vaquero here for years!
