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Single action or double action
- Thread starter mrbill16
- Start date
There are even more shadings than that; Glock refers to their proprietary trigger as something else....
Essentially, "single-action" autos (best example-the M1911) only fire from the full-cock position. Normally a manual safety can be applied, and there may (as in the M1911) be secondary safeties as well.
You can carry these weapons in several "modes", such as "cocked and locked" (ready to go except for the manual safety), "condition two" (hammer down on a live round-requires manual cocking of the hammer), etc.
Double action weapons, such as the Walther P38, PPK, etc, allow firing the first shot by simply pulling the trigger through a long, hard first cycle, similar to a double action revolver. On subsequent shots, the trigger remains back, and has a light pull similar to a normal semi-auto. Normally, these pistols have a "drop the hammer" safety, which lowers the hammer onto a live round.
Advantage-you can carry the weapon ready to go, and just pull the trigger.
Disadvantage-some find the change of trigger position disconcerting, and the safety mechanism complex.
Double-action-only pistols simply eliminate the change described above. Each pull of the trigger cycles the hammer/striker, much like a double-action revolver.
Advantages-the trigger pull is always the same, and it's very safe to carry.
No safety devices to fool with.
Disadvantage- precision shooting is somewhat difficult, depending on design.
Glock has an action which functions like the full-time-double action, but works a bit differently. No external safeties whatever. Pick it up and shoot. There are a number of internal safeties. Advantage-simplicity.
Disadvantage-some find Glock's trigger action a bit annoying and difficult to shoot with precision. (they do make "target" models)
You will find ferocious advocates of all these systems, and all are in use in various military/police forces all over the world.
Personally, I think the Glock is perhaps the easiest weapon for those with revolver experience wanting to "transition" as we say.
All of these weapons can provide fine service, and one should train with whatever you decide on.
Always a good idea to go somewhere that will let you shoot a variety of weapons to see what suits.
Essentially, "single-action" autos (best example-the M1911) only fire from the full-cock position. Normally a manual safety can be applied, and there may (as in the M1911) be secondary safeties as well.
You can carry these weapons in several "modes", such as "cocked and locked" (ready to go except for the manual safety), "condition two" (hammer down on a live round-requires manual cocking of the hammer), etc.
Double action weapons, such as the Walther P38, PPK, etc, allow firing the first shot by simply pulling the trigger through a long, hard first cycle, similar to a double action revolver. On subsequent shots, the trigger remains back, and has a light pull similar to a normal semi-auto. Normally, these pistols have a "drop the hammer" safety, which lowers the hammer onto a live round.
Advantage-you can carry the weapon ready to go, and just pull the trigger.
Disadvantage-some find the change of trigger position disconcerting, and the safety mechanism complex.
Double-action-only pistols simply eliminate the change described above. Each pull of the trigger cycles the hammer/striker, much like a double-action revolver.
Advantages-the trigger pull is always the same, and it's very safe to carry.
No safety devices to fool with.
Disadvantage- precision shooting is somewhat difficult, depending on design.
Glock has an action which functions like the full-time-double action, but works a bit differently. No external safeties whatever. Pick it up and shoot. There are a number of internal safeties. Advantage-simplicity.
Disadvantage-some find Glock's trigger action a bit annoying and difficult to shoot with precision. (they do make "target" models)
You will find ferocious advocates of all these systems, and all are in use in various military/police forces all over the world.
Personally, I think the Glock is perhaps the easiest weapon for those with revolver experience wanting to "transition" as we say.
All of these weapons can provide fine service, and one should train with whatever you decide on.
Always a good idea to go somewhere that will let you shoot a variety of weapons to see what suits.
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 1,556
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2003
- Messages
- 15,288
Each type should mention trigger pull !! It can get confusing ,for example the H&K USP has a number of different systems available .There are special light trigger pull versions too such as the DAK SIG or the LEM H&K.The best for me is the H&K P7 ! which is different from any of the others. Whatever you buy make sure you thoroughly understand how that gun functions !!!
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2007
- Messages
- 429
mr.bill,
I have carried most configurations for many years so my opinion is based on a defensive perspective. Double action revolvers generally have fairly long trigger pulls and accuracy can suffer especially when under duress. DA/SA pistols have the problem of adjusting to two different trigger strokes which can be detrimental to accuracy, then having to remember to decock. I recently converted to the standard 1911 and am very happy with the immediate readiness it provides. Cocked and locked is very quick into action and then the safety can be applied with no decocking. Also, the short trigger stroke is very condusive to accurate shot placement. I have come to favor this design for self defense because of its total simplicity.
I have carried most configurations for many years so my opinion is based on a defensive perspective. Double action revolvers generally have fairly long trigger pulls and accuracy can suffer especially when under duress. DA/SA pistols have the problem of adjusting to two different trigger strokes which can be detrimental to accuracy, then having to remember to decock. I recently converted to the standard 1911 and am very happy with the immediate readiness it provides. Cocked and locked is very quick into action and then the safety can be applied with no decocking. Also, the short trigger stroke is very condusive to accurate shot placement. I have come to favor this design for self defense because of its total simplicity.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2006
- Messages
- 8
A subset of the DA/SA system where you have a lever that drops the hammer safely but doesn't need to be disengaged to fire the pistol. I think SIG first used this type of action, and most manufacturers offered DA-Decock models of their service pistols at some point.
Advantages: The handgun isn't "cocked-n-locked." Though that's not necessarily an advantage.
Disadvantages: DA-SA trigger pull transition, and (very important) the gun will fire when you pull the trigger. "Hammer Dropped" doesn't mean "Manual Safety Engaged" as with Walther PP/PPK/P-38 type DA/SA pistols. Okay that's not necessarily a disadvantage either.
Whichever operating system you choose, stick to one and practice practice practice. Any alleged disadvantage will be overcome by consistent training.
Stay safe. Peace man
C.....
Advantages: The handgun isn't "cocked-n-locked." Though that's not necessarily an advantage.
Disadvantages: DA-SA trigger pull transition, and (very important) the gun will fire when you pull the trigger. "Hammer Dropped" doesn't mean "Manual Safety Engaged" as with Walther PP/PPK/P-38 type DA/SA pistols. Okay that's not necessarily a disadvantage either.
Whichever operating system you choose, stick to one and practice practice practice. Any alleged disadvantage will be overcome by consistent training.
Stay safe. Peace man
C.....
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2000
- Messages
- 2,044
Very true. I went to a class years ago and saw a patrol cop shoot a S&W DA/SA 9mm as fast as pro competition shooters. The DA/SA transition didn't slow him down in the slightest.
Pick a pistol that fits you well and has an operating system you like, then shoot it a lot.
imho the glock deosnt fit into any of the std DA/SA/DAO categories, i really like it though, the kahr striker fired DAO system is also one of my favs the trigger reminds me of a colt 'D' frame trigger fired DA really smooth, 1911's also are a good one but i think requires probably more training to be safe with it, and in last place is the traditional DA/sa autos (ie walther, S&W, ruger) which i carried for yrs and of which the SIG is the best example with its smooth albeit heavy DA pull, some do this better than others, all taurus autos i have seen have heavy DA pulls.
in summary my favs are glock and kahr for edc.
in summary my favs are glock and kahr for edc.