Single vs Double Action.
 

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

DA. One hand, no surprises.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Depends on the goal. If I think I need to shoot in a hurry double action is the only way I will go. Single action is a little more slim and trim and elegant to me as far as the pistols are made so for target shooting plinking single action is fine for me.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Does single action require depressing the hammer each time, Your Professurship:questionm :thumb.aspx:

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

I would call that incorrect.

Double action means just that, the trigger must preform more than one action to fire the cartridge.

Usualy this is cocking the gun and releasing the hammer in one trigger pull. Pulling back cocks the gun, eventualy resulting in a dissengaging of any firing pin blocks(for most semi autos) and then releasing the hammer to strike the firing pin, which then strikes the primer, firing the cartridge.

Single action means that a pull of the trigger is performing a single action. This usualy means that that hammer is already cocked reward and a pull of the trigger is merley releasing the hammer to engage the firing pin/primer.

These are the most basic definitions and apply to auto loaders and revolvers alike.

As far as ease of use, a double action trigger will generaly have a longer and heavier trigger pull. This is because it is performing more mechanical operations. On many guns it is also a saftey feature; a longer heavier trigger has less chance of accidental discharge.

Single action is generaly a very short, very light trigger pull. On a DA/SA gun(most auto-loading pistols, except glocks of course) every shot after the first will single action, since the recoil of the gun is cocking the hammer back for you instead of you doing it with manualy with the trigger.

So, as to your post, I would say you have it backwards.

Double Action will take longer and require more energy to pull(in your average DA/SA gun).

Single action will take less force and movement to operate, allowing for faster firing with less force on the trigger(more accurate firing, less jerking the gun around).

This is for standard DA/SA guns. There are guns like Glocks that are Double Action only, but have a trigger pull similar to many single action guns.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

for a true SA, I believe it does. The alternative is the SA/DA which is more a semi-auto's feature than a revolver.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

just a clarification

The first shot on a single action would be minimally faster if the gun is already cocked, but on a revolver the shooter will have to cock the hundgun manually via the thumb or the second hand. Essentially a single action must be cocked via a method outside of the trigger finger whereas a double action can be cocked by pulling the trigger. You can fan a single or double action revolver at the same pace

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Yeah - I hate wiki..

But they have it right

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

------------>:confused_m:<------------ Blueice

:signs14: me confused...If someone is purchasing a semi-auto, should a SA or DA handgun be of any concern:questionm

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

For me, SA all the way. 1911 and Hi Power. Do I need to say anything else?

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

BlueIce, the standard way to carry a SA semi auto like the 1911 is with one under the hammer, the hammer cocked, and the safety on. Cocked and locked. To fire, you thumb off the safety and squeeze the trigger. That fires the first round. As the breech cycles, it not only reloads the chamber, but cocks the hammer back for another round.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Blueice, it will sink in oh so well if you head down to the local shop and ask the proprietor to put one of each type in your hands. It really is not complicated at all.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

I recommend that you get a little range time with a SA/DA revolver, and a modern SA/DA semi-auto (like a Sig p226), so you can experience the differences first hand.

For SA with the revolver, you manually pull the hammer back and it will catch on a notch (called the SA sear). At that point, it only takes a few pounds of trigger pull to release the hammer from that notch. It should feel like a glass rod snapped inside and released the hammer.

For DA with the revolver, you pull the trigger and you can visually see the hammer rotating back. If you smoothly and slowly pull, you will feel it catch on the sear. Up to that point, the trigger required more like 10-12 pounds of force to rotate the hammer back.

With a semi-auto like the Sig, you rack the slide to chamber a round. That racking action also cocks the hammer and the gun is in SA mode. If you push the decocker, the hammer will drop without hitting the firing pin, putting the gun in DA mode.

The Sig's SA trigger action is a dream. The DA trigger is a long religious experience, as in "oh my God, when is this thing gonna shoot". It's neither good or bad, just something you need to experience first hand and train around possible shortcomings.


My preferences depend on the intended use. I love the DA revolver for practice, because the longer trigger action really helps me smooth my squeeze. I also like it for a nightstand gun, because the longer and harder trigger pull will help prevent a person from accidentally firing the gun. Aside from sighting in the gun, I normally will only shoot the revolver in DA mode.

For fully awake, personal defense use, I prefer a 1911 carried "cocked and locked" in SA mode.

For backcountry use where I might run into black bear or mountain lion, I would carry a .357 revolver because it's pretty much idiot proof. If I was in Alaska, I'd carry something bigger.

For accurate bullseye shots at the range, a revolver in SA.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

To many it does. Auto pistols can come in single action mode (Colt 1911 types), double/single mode (Berettas, Sig-Sauers, H&Ks, etc), or recoil-operated double action only mode (like Glocks, Springfield XDs, Smith&Wesson M&Ps, etc.)

With experience you will more than likely develop a preference for one action style over another.

My solution: Glock...avoids the confusion. Only one trigger pull.

Hope this helps. SC

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

I personally prefer DA/SA and then DAO.
Pick up the gun, squeeze trigger, repeat.
The DA pull is safety enough to me for carry purposes. For other purposes the manual safety (if exists) can be used.

FWIW, unless the hammer is concealed, you can manually thumb cock the hammer on a DA/SA gun (you'll note the trigger moves with this motion). You can also carefully half cock the hammer with the trigger (on most weapons).

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Cocked and locked gives you a more reliable trigger pull which should allow you to be more accurate, but if you're ever going to be firing under stress, you'll likely forget to disengage the safety.

Whereas with a DA/SA, you only have the very instinctive (albeit long and tough) trigger pull to squeeze a round off.

I recommend DA/SA unless you're experienced, practiced and need the accuracy.

Oh and DAO is right out in my book, with the exception of striker fired Glocks which work great (and only ~5 lbs trigger pull)

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

XDs are single action. That's why there triggers are so much better than Glocks.

I'm a cocked/locked 1911 man, but if you're not going to properly train yourself, there are a lot of advantages to a monkeyproof design like a Glock/XD, or DA/SA.

Of course, if you don't train enough to make your safety release as natural as taking a breath, you probably won't be good enough at your drawstroke to present your weapon, much less accurate enough to hit anyone further than arms reach away.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

I agree with this, but offer yet another alternative: The H&K USP.

I can carry cocked & locked, or locked and hammer down (how I carry).

There is another advantage to this gun: Second strike capability.

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Glocks are actually neither. It's is what is called a striker fired "pre-cocker". The action precocks the action and the trigger finishes it. So you get a trigger pull that is somewhat lighter than a normal double action but longer/grittier than a single action.

As a result, once you pull the trigger and the striker releases, it can't recock unless the slide is actuated. This means you can't try the trigger again on a bad round. (important for some folks, not for me)

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Blueice

Your going to be most accurate with a single action. There is less mechanicle activity occuring at the pull of the trigger. Most 1911s or Browning High powers can have great triggers and accuracy because there is much less energy being used.

Double actions involve cocking(1st action) and fireing (second Action) the striker fire Glocks and M&Ps partially cock each time they cycle. this allows for less trigger work.

I only have Double actions---Not by design---they are better for quick presentation and excited fireing with the loss of fine motor control.

Its my thinking that I would be so excited and uncoordinated at a time like this that I would need the simpelist--Double action----method of fireing.

Paper punching I think single actions would rule.

E-A

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

I have a Single Action Ruger .44 Mag that shoots wonderfully, and I can hit my target at 25-yds single handed at that.

For defense, I'd rather have my Glock but if your aim is true then DA really doesn't have much advantage.

I've never hunted with a pistol but I'd suppose that one shot is all you need and especially in a large caliber.

:wink:

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Ooops.......I forgot to include a pic ~ here ya go !

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...l/PICT1022.jpg

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

put some pacmar grips on that gun

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Not much for concealed carry, is it, Argent?

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

Argent shooting his Ruger...

http://www.imfdb.org/images/thumb/9/...rRevolver3.JPG

Re: Single vs Double Action.
 

:111:LOL..........that's funny !