Why Single Action?

[Palu]

Search is not working for me right now. And didn't see a sticky? (I'm sure this has been discussed before...)

Anyway, long-time gun owner. Never owned a SA (shot many). What is the appeal? Advantages I'm not aware of? Just trying to wrap my head around why SA hasn't gone extinct.

 

[BlkHawk73]

For me it's the classic design and styling mostly but they also fit me better than the DA's. It's not all about capacity, capacity, capacity or how fast you can dump 13 rounds downrange and hope you hit something.
Now if you've shot many, didn't that present anything as to why they're still is as popular as they are?

 

[maxpress]

Far more accurate in my hands than a DA even when firing a DA in SA.
Lighter more portable pakage for long hikes.
Much easier for me to tune to very crisp.
COOL factor.
nothing quite like being able to knock down steel at 100 yrds with a handgun.

I have a redhawk but i always strap it on, take it off, throw it in the safe and grab a BH or Vaquero.

I dont do it but I'm sure CAS has sumthun to do with it.

and there just as fast as a DA with a little practice.

 

[Palu]

Thanks for the replies.

Blkhawk - I have shot plenty, but didn't really see the appeal or advantage over my DA. Now, keep in mind, I don't do any competition--just recreational. I saw hardly any difference in accuracy. Only difference I saw was being able to just squeeze the trigger vs having to cock. Weight difference wasn't that apparent, either. I do get the cool factor, though.

 

[Palu]

Just found an interesting thread about accuracy--

http://www.thehighroad.us/showthread.php?p=5306421

Edit: more.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344139

 

[Sugar River]

For me it's the power to weight ratio coupled with the robust nature of the SA. There's just a whole lot less to go wrong vs a DA.

With a 4.75" bbl the 41 Mag BH is about 37 oz. And the same in 45 would be even a bit lighter. That's a lot of power in a very portable package. And I can think of very few problems that can't be solved with either of the above.

Pete

 

[don44]

' cause they feel so good! :wink:

 

[Dale53]

Frankly, I like both. I have many examples of both and shoot both on a regular basis.

My speed work was all done with 1911's during my IPSC years. I shot PPC with double action revolvers. All of my deer hunting has been done with double actions (one blued S&W Model 29 because of it's wonderful single action trigger and one SS Ruger Red Hawk for bad weather hunting).

You don't need to limit yourself. Get whatever spins your propeller and use it in good health.

Dale53

 

[41 mag fan]

I just like the design.

 

[461]

It's a personal choice thing really, it just plain works for some people. A lot of folks can't understand why anybody still uses a DA revolver when the semi-auto is "clearly so much better".

My shooting is slow and methodical and I don't mind the time it takes to unload and reload, I do this to relax and enjoy life so taking my time only adds to the enjoyment. I also can't afford to throw a countless number of rounds down range, heck I work hard to load those things and I want them to count for something. :D

 

[Sheriff]

Frankly, I like both. I have many examples of both and shoot both on a regular basis.

My speed work was all done with 1911's during my IPSC years. I shot PPC with double action revolvers. All of my deer hunting has been done with double actions (one blued S&W Model 29 because of it's wonderful single action trigger and one SS Ruger Red Hawk for bad weather hunting).

You don't need to limit yourself. Get whatever spins your propeller and use it in good health.

Dale53

+1

 

[Tensaw]

Do you appreciate art, fine tools, history and punching holes in paper?

 

[CraigC]

I just like `em! I love S&W's too but there's just something about a fine single action that is irresistible to me.

 

[ranger1]

Probably from watching the old westerns like alot of us in that era. Got my first single action (Ruger Single Six) when I was 21. Moved up to the big boys as I got older. I guess I just like the feel, looks and I have a blast shooting them. It's a change of pace from shooting the double actions and semi-autos.

 

[batmann]

Hard to argue against a good DA, but everytine I pick up my .44 Spl Flattop, I feel like I'm picking up a bit of history. For me, a SA fits better, points better and carries better. Are there draw backs? Yep, slow to reload, slow to reload and slow to reload---LOL
I love the style and grace of a Colt SAA and in a close second is the Ruger Vaquero followed by the mid-frame Ruger Flattop's.
Get a SA, handle it, shoot it, carry it and then see if that doesn't answer your question.

 

[RADAR]

I have 4 revolvers-a S&W 686 4", Super Blackhawk 5.5", Single Six 9.5", and my beloved Bearcat.
I probably won't buy another DA unless something really special comes along, the 686 fills all my DA needs.
I will expand my SA collection...I just enjoy shooting them more.

 

[KWYJIBO]

They have a simpler mechanism inside. If we're talking about OM Rugers, Colts, and Colt clones, the trigger pull is better from the start and also easier to improve. (Less so for New Models.) I find them much easier to clean. I like their traditional lines, the way they fit my hand, and how they point.

There are only a few reasons you could argue for a DA's superiority: It's faster to shoot, and it's faster to load. But I can't shoot a DA very fast anyway, at least not if I want to hit anything. I could get better with practice, but I could also get a lot faster shooting a SA. (Watch someone who's really good at Cowboy Fast Draw!) I find that I seldom shoot my DAs in double action mode. I usually thumb cock the trigger, same as I would a SA. As for loading, I think it's only significantly faster if you're using speed loaders or moon clips. I don't have either one, so I load them one at a time, same as my SAs. I think if I were to time a reload in one of my DAs I'd find it takes me about 30 seconds. With one of my SAs it's probably a minute or so. To me, that 45 second difference just isn't critical--I doubt I'll ever miss it.

 

[Revolver-Time]

Its a bit ironic but I do not see why there are double actions. If I am hunting I pull the hammer back for accuracy. If I am trying to hit the bullseye I pull the hammer back. I own plenty of double action revolvers but they magically become single action in the field or at the range.

 

[BlackEagle]

Do some research about Sturm, Ruger & Co. and you'll see people were saying the same thing back in the fifties. Ruger history aside there are three words that give a good "post-modern" reason single actions aren't extinct:
COWBOY ACTION SHOOTING.

 

[KWYJIBO]

Its a bit ironic but I do not see why there are double actions. If I am hunting I pull the hammer back for accuracy. If I am trying to hit the bullseye I pull the hammer back. I own plenty of double action revolvers but they magically become single action in the field or at the range.

Exactly. Of course, for personal defense a DA revolver is good. But something that's also very good in my opinion is a high-quality 1911. Oh, hey... they're single action!

A general observation: most of the guns I lust after are based on designs at least 100 years old.

 

[timnc]

After 50 yrs of shooting handguns,including practically every style made since 1900 and some before then, I find my current accumulation consists of 1/3 SA revolvers,1/3 DA revolvers, & 1/3 semi-autos. No single shot since no good place to shoot one and no BP-they're fun but a real pain to clean and no good place to shoot them. I use them for different purposes as well as simply enjoying the fun & challenge of the different styles. I also like trains & cars as well as airplanes. Don't care for horses but lots of people do. Do what you enjoy as much as you can when you can because one day you can't.

 

[eagle55]

John Taffin seems to hit most of my feelings about the subject of SA revolvers.. A good read!
http://www.sixguns.com/range/single_actions.htm

 

[GaryA]

A single-action revolver - not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.

 

[weiss27md]

For me the single action is like an added safety feature plus I think they are more accurate as the trigger is very light on my .45

 

[cpti]

A single-action revolver - not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.

You win Obi-Wan :D

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Colt perfected the revolver in 1873. Ruger refined the design. There simply is not a better, more dependable handgun available. A Ruger single-action is the real deal. :D :D

from wiki:

The Colt Single Action Army (also known as the Peacemaker, Single Action Army, SAA, Model P and Colt 45) is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six rounds. It was designed for the U.S. government service revolver trials of 1873 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, today Colt's Manufacturing Company, and adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892.

The Colt Single Action Army has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths. Its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. Colt has discontinued its production twice, but brought it back due to popular demand. The revolver was popular with ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws alike, but current models are mostly bought by collectors and reenactors. Its design has influenced the production of numerous other models from other companies.

...Jimbo

 

[DennisE]

Advances in weaponology created new forms of handguns that are better tools for sustained shootouts and/or concealed carry but none that are more accurate, reliable, just plain fun to shoot or more effecient to hunt with than a good single action revolver! Dennis

 

[maxpress]

I should ad that i dont like the "push" of a bigbore DA during recoil. But that nice roll is just fine with an SA.
357 DA dosnt bother me thoughand i own a few.

As far as fast shooting DA vs. SA check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kuiy3-hFpys

 

[flatgate]

One picture is worth a thousand words. :D

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[IrvJr]

I like SA revolvers because of their power to weight ratio and simplicity of design. I have a couple of DA revolvers (snub nosed) and some semi-auto pistols, but I enjoy shooting my SA's the most.