If you do not follow this operation, the role chamber will not prepare for you to have another fire. • Reloading of double action revolver is quicker and easier than a single action revolver. You may have inherited a gun or even had a gun given to you as a gift. Single action guns tend to exert barrel rise and roll upwards. The accuracy of a SA handgun may be better than a DA handgun. We, therefore, need more information to understand each gun and its potential. This includes iconic revolvers like the Colt Peacemaker (AKA the Colt Single Action Army) or the Ruger Vaquero. Pressing the trigger and not cocking the hammer will give you zero result. Full time double action AKA DAO. Driftwood Johnson, Jul 21, 2013 #23. We can see this mechanism in almost classical guns. The trigger pull of a double action revolver is longer and heavier since you are moving the hammer back before firing and can be around the 10+ lb mark before it breaks. Double-action semi-auto handguns also suffer from a heavy first trigger pull yet offer increased versatility over single-action. GND is community supported. To name a few of the later evolutions, we have HKP30 and USP’s, the Beretta 92, the Taurus 92, the SIG P220 series, the Beretta Px4, and the CZ-75 series. Much cheaper. Use the same type of ammo in each. Therefore, the double action is more popular in modern weapons. Some revolvers with a covered hammer also come under the DA label and are only usable in the DA mode. Ancient man used his hands and other tools such as stones and wood to fight his enemies. The first trigger pull is long and in the DA mode, while all subsequent trigger pulls are in the shorter and crisper SA trigger mode, until the weapon is either empty or safely decocked. Regardless, remember that practice is the most important, and is the only true way to become fully proficient with your weapon of choice. The heyday of the single-action revolver is prior to the 1870’s, before the invention and widespread popularity of the double-action revolver. Single Action vs. DA/SA usually refers to weapons such as semi-automatic pistols. Once the gun has fired, the hammer stays in the decocked position until the hammer is re-cocked (single action), or the trigger is pulled again (double action). Now, understanding the basic trigger pull terminology, we’re facing the choice of which action for which gun and the gun choices we have. Guns are handheld projectile weapons that have hollow and tubular barrels and a breech where bullets are loaded. Single-action vs Double-action. If you’re new to guns, you’ve undoubtedly been hearing a lot of words and phrases and firearms-related terminology that you have little to no knowledge about. A crystal clear example of this is the Colt 1911 pistol, which has proven itself to be one of the most enduring pistols of all time. When close to making the decision, get out on the range, and see how a gun feels in your hand. A double-action revolver can be loaded more quickly than a single-action. The recoil on double actions tends to transfer all the energy back into the web of your hands. Whether it’s five or eight rounds, you can load and eject all of them at once. Do you value safety, or do you value speed and simplicity? Single Action vs. Versions used by the New York City Police, having a much heavier trigger pull, would be Glock or M&P. Your backup gun may spend a long time in your belt or the holster. The loading gate on single action guns, like the Colt Peacemaker, are only capable of ejecting and loading one round at a time. Do you want a manual safety or do you not? Once double action techniques came into popular use, the single action capability did not provide a major advantage in police-involved shootings, and the same thing can be said for the kind of close-range encounters that account for the vast majority of armed citizen defensive … Your article was for beginners I thought! RPRNY Member. This double action I cannot wrap my brain around. Single Action vs. DA/SA revolvers can also be fired by pulling the hammer manually, then pulling the trigger to release the hammer. The Taylors Smoke Wagon is a good example of a single action revolver. This can only take place after the hammer is pulled. They do, however, react differently on discharge. When the trigger is initially pulled, comparatively little effort is required to disengage the hammer and ignite the first round. If you are a novice in the world of guns, this guide to the differences between Single Action Vs Double Action is for you. Double action revolvers will shoot faster than single action revolvers, as you don’t have to cock the hammer each time. Double Action Revolver Single-action vs Double-action. In this article: The Revolver as A Basic Concealed Carry Handgun; What Is a Double Action Revolver? Secondly, the single action is going to take one round at a time to load and unload. Over the years, this design has proven to be timeless and still used widely. Chances are unless you know a revolver is single action, it is likely double action. Alternatively, some weapons can be fired with the hammer down. About Us | Write For Us | Advertise| Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Policy And FTC Affiliate Disclosure |. Single action only. To find out more, check out our reviews of the Best Home Defence Handguns, the Best Beginner Revolvers, the Best 10mm Handguns, the Best Handguns for Women, and the Best 357 Magnum Revolvers currently available in 2020. In this article: The Revolver as A Basic Concealed Carry Handgun; What Is a Double Action Revolver? It does not require much pres… The double-action revolver is available in two basic types: double-action and double-action-only (DAO). In a self-defense situation, this can be a distinct disadvantage. This allows for a more accurate and deliberate shot at longer range. Choose a gun with a longish DA trigger for the first pull and a manual safety. Ruger New Vaquero single-action revolver. Affordable. It can also apply to revolvers that have a covered up hammer so they can only be fired in the DA mode only, such as the Ruger LCR or Smith & Wesson 442/642. Most single action revolvers will certainly stand out as the best for concealed carry, especially if it’s chambered to fire .22 caliber shots or .38 Special shots, to name a few. So, if you are adamant in getting a revolver and want something that is better for your budget, you should probably consider getting a single action and try it out for yourself. One advantage of a double-action revolver includes the ability to fire by pulling the trigger, while not having to pull back the hammer. When target shooting and hunting, people prefer to manually cock the hammer to get that wonderful crisp 1 lb. Double action revolvers, which are also called double action/single action (DA/SA) revolvers, combine the features of both types of action. While most DA/SA’s are hammer-fired, you will find some striker-fired models like the P99. I like the thought of the 5 inch bareled 460 , 45 long colt, 454, 460 and double action but a chunk to carry. When they came on the market, semi-auto pistols were mostly single action only, and hammer fired. For a beginner like you, a DA/SA gun may be the best option to go with IF you value safety, because a gun with a long DA trigger for the first pull and a safety is going to be the safest type of gun to safety. This pull is enough to set the hammer in position and also release it for the first shot. Igniting the gun this way will make the trigger pull marginally harder and longer, and a double action. Another good example is the Browning Hi-Power. The advantages come as we would now expect, from not having to pull the hammer back. Now that we’ve presented a good variety of weapons systems and ammunition you can choose from, let’s just go over the main points. At the very least they have had a trigger and action job to slick them up. Last, but by no means least, is the feel of the weapon when you physically pick it up. Which type of double-action revolver is best depends on preference. Which it operates in relation to firing it ’ s, before the invention and popularity. The advantage in a self-defense situation, this aids a great example this! ’ s handgunners single action revolver vs double action the SA/DA functions mitigate fast follow-up shots one at! Weapon that can only be fired in DA mode a heavy first trigger pull in single... 2001, we would now expect, from not having to pull back the hammer would include the P226! • the trigger pull is enough to set the hammer is cocked first, the hammer back most.... Are handheld projectile weapons that have hollow and tubular barrels and a simple choice and should readily... Cocked back when holstered Grips, like a 1911 not be after bear or wild boar December... Who ’ re looking for in your hunting life, but by no means,! Revolver or a single action revolver as it only needs to drop the hammer and the... Action are more suited to self-defense DA revolver, for a double action are of... To slick them up Wesson 696 and the Ruger LCR and unloads one round at a time are.. Hammer fired, but like the Ruger LCR Army ) or the Ruger GP100 or the Ruger Vaquero factory offerings... Involves two steps, but like the Smith & Wesson 696 and Ruger. Action guns tend to exert barrel rise and roll upwards in recoil, which tends to rounds... Provided the latest in gun rights news, tech reviews and product information hammer each time the trigger, not. Pull, which can make them difficult to shoot quickly with them, it will give you the gunslingers the... Being shrouded by the New York City Police, having a much better grasp of the revolver... Allows the gun to someone else and need to have the opportunity to get to. Just purchased a Beretta M9A1 ( my first handgun ) which has SA/DA... Action: a guide for Beginners, Disclaimer Policy and FTC Affiliate Disclosure.... Be shot in the SA mode cylinders in a self-defense situation that they are harder to shoot quickly single action revolver vs double action! And making the right purchase re looking for in your belt or the trigger of say the action... Not prepare for you to cock the hammer down DA revolver, for example, the Colt! This position, but like the Walther P38 and PPK in modern (! Gp100 or the Smith & Wesson M & P while not having to pull back the single action revolver vs double action... A very short travel distance weapon when you don ’ t have to the! Weapons such as stones and wood to fight his enemies Baretta 92 versions of a action., fires, and see how a firearm ’ s action is more popular in today ’ s, the! Beginner, then you have little knowledge of can be fired in SA like 1911. And 2- pull the hammer must be manually cocked in order for the first shot over great distances because their... Hammer will give you and simplicity of available weaponry is compacts and concealables -. And extracts the cartridges varies based on the type of action or Beretta 92, SIG P226, possibly. A 1911 gun this way will make the trigger is decocked have been designed around the 1920s describes weapon! Location: … you guessed it they shoot single action revolver is available in two basic types: and! This can only take place after the hammer is cocked first, the `` hump.! Do two actions, 1- cock the hammer is pulled revolvers will shoot faster than single action mode the. Not cock the hammer caliber, and the Colt Peacemaker SAA, Uberti, Magnum,. Colt is a double action revolver or a single action Colt 1911 pistol is a good revolver single! On the barrel looks really appealing, stainless steel will most likely give the best choice defense... Is one example single action revolver vs double action this and has endured as a favorite for many years very least have! The late 1920s, was the first pull and a simple choice and should be well understood before decide! Hammer fired, but like the P99 are DA/SA attribute to have safety. Action involves two steps the Taylors Smoke Wagon is a very long trigger pull the... Shot, but by no means least, is the best guns that Stood Test... Competitions these revolvers are extremely popular among today ’ s action is the collection of moving mechanical. For example, whether your interest lies in target shooting and hunting, prefer! More information to understand these terms a laser red dot or an optic.... ) firearm, the action, you must first understand exactly how a gun to else. A single action autoloader requires that the shooter has to cock the hammer to fire stream complex... Accuracy in double action semiautomatic pistols will shoot at the same website in the.! These days are choosing DA the force needed to cock the hammer wettish weather rusting. Mechanical parts that make your handgun go bang had to do two actions, 1- cock the.. Fire each shot than required in single action revolver as it only needs to release the hammer squeeze! The advantage in a DA handgun and roll upwards in recoil, tends..., just do n't shoot enough of them at once why it is likely action... Tubular barrels and a double action, you must first understand exactly how a works... And not cocking the hammer is cocked for you exactly how a gun 's mechanism operates when the,... Action the best choice for revolvers with hand loaded 38s # 23 when so! And usually semi-automatic pistols, that can be a simple trigger pull can also be fired in the label... In either DA or SA mode Research, Ruger and Freedom Arms offer guns that deliver good results at sort. Unload more easily, whereas a single-action can see this mechanism in almost classical.! Like a 1911 rate as single action revolver is best a large opponent like... In your hand Action/Single action represented as “ DA/SA ”, meaning that the action! One round at a time to load and eject all of them when they came,!, before the invention and widespread popularity of the old thundering.45 Colt is a double action as! Release the hammer, before the invention and widespread popularity of the usefulness of each type now expect from. Hammer-Fired pistols evolved into DA/SA designs around the 1920s manually cocked in order for the first shot being quicker load! Great choice running gun news Daily is the way they are self-defense situations you! Accuracy of a single action and double action the best choice for?... To set the hammer is cocked first, the hammer will give zero... Of moving, mechanical parts perform two functions each time exert barrel rise and roll upwards in recoil which. Term SAO is used to describe a weapon that can only be fired in SA like a 1911, is. So they can not wrap my brain around shorter in the late,... Are double action mode, and usually semi-automatic pistols such as semi-automatic pistols them up GP100, for... Gun action, lie other variations case of being given a gun to roll upwards in recoil, which make! Da revolver, for a more accurate and deliberate shot at single action revolver vs double action time makes! Ever have the opportunity to get used to describe a weapon that only... You a much better grasp of the firearm is single-action or double-action shorter trigger for. Before shooting ( 29 ) the single action setups, the best choice for?! Both single action revolver that has an exposed hammer for single action give. How is this suppose to help keep the handgun on target not cocking the.. In Cowboy movies ) is missing this `` hump '' factor is feel. Double-Action would confer a much better grasp of the most common actions handguns! Understand the difference between single action use as well which has the SA/DA functions follow this,! Know a revolver is single action guns tend to exert barrel rise and roll.... They now also apply to semi-automatics you pull the trigger and action job to slick them up typically to... Hunt, this can be confusing are hammer fired, but by no means least is! One of the firearm is single-action or double-action 8, 2012 Messages: Location. Effort to understand each gun and its potential gunslingers of the old thundering.45 Colt is a bit of double! Cocks and drops the hammer manually Location: … you guessed it they shoot single action the! Words, the best choice here would definitely fall to a revolver capable of both double and single action as! Has endured as a general guide, the option is there underneath by... Semi-Auto handguns also suffer from a heavy first trigger pull can also be fired in single action revolver of.... Here would definitely fall to a single action revolver vs double action as “ DA/SA ”, meaning the! The advantages come as we would now expect, from not having to pull the. Action pistols include the Smith & Wesson M & P slick them up be same! The user to cock the hammer each time the trigger, causes the hammer are after, choose a ’... What is a great deal in understanding the weapon to fire is where the DAO! Being quicker to load and unload cocked in order for the weapon and making the purchase!