Single action revolvers vs. Double action

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
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Greetings all. First off, let me preface this thread with the fact that I am fairly ignorant about the subject... revolvers. I have had a desire to have a revolver for a knock-around plinker, with the thought of perhaps using it when out canoing/backpacking... if I ever get the chance to do those things again.
I really like the line-up that Ruger has. Their single action revolvers really appeal to me on an aesthetic level. However, in discussing with a fellow gun nut, he made the single action sound like it was a total pain in the keister to use as far as speed and ease of loading, and the ability to shoot fast. As I understand it, you must cock the hammer each time to shoot. Also to load/unload, you must open a little door and rotate the cylinder to perform either function one cylinder at a time. Now this sounds kinda slow and meticulous.... something you don't want when you are in bear country. Now DA's have the option of cocking the hammer for a lighter trigger pull, but can follow up another shot just by pulling the trigger but with a stronger trigger pull. To load/unload, the cylinder pivots out and the empties can fall out and you have the option to use a speed loader to load 5 or 6 shells.
So, since this sounds like it is SO much better, why are there single actions? Is there a benefit to this? Why can't "they" make a DA revolver to look like the SA's?
One more can of worms to open... what caliber would YOU recommend?
thank you in advance for your answers and opinions,
Mongo
 
single action = old technology - the majority of your old "Western" revolvers were single action.

double action = what they invented after single action ;)

I may be wrong but I would imagine that the only single action revolvers produced today are clones of old 19th century guns, used for western re-enactment for instance.

btw - why would you want to take a revolver with you when you are canoeing? Is this a "Deliverance" thing ? :D :D
 
Your friend is correct on the technical details. Why do they still make SAs? 1) People like them, 2)they're simple (less to go wrong), 3) they tend to be stronger in modern versions (Ruger, Freedom Arms).

Looking for a bear gun? A rifle is better, but if you insist on a revolver, get a 44mag DA or a strong (Ruger or FA) 45Colt SA and handload. A 454 in DA would be better, but they're huge. A 454 in SA is not nearly as heavy. With the SA, you can get as big as 500Linebaugh (custom guns here).

Check out www.sixgunner.com for more detailed info.

Chris

PS I carry a DA, but wouldn't feel less well armed with an SA.
 
You've asked some good questions, and I'll try to answer them.

They did make a DA that looks like an SA. In the 1880's Colt made two revolvers, the Lightning and the Thunderer (correct me if I'm wrong, I think the only difference was the calibre), but they were soon dropped because they were fragile.

Don't get hung up on the loading angle. Many people keep SA's on their bedroom stands, and successfully used them for defense for many decades. Even in a 'home invasion' scenario, you have other problems that can be solved with better doors, windows and locks.

A Ruger SA, in all their configurations, is a fine hunting revolver. They are safe to load all six cylinders, and the .480, the 454 Casull and the .475 can easily kill any game on the North American continent, even brown and Kodiak bears.

They are simple to clean and maintain, they are accurate, they come in a myriad of calibres and many different finishes. If they weren't good they wouldn't have been around since the 1830's and '40's.
 
Originally posted by NJL
I may be wrong but I would imagine that the only single action revolvers produced today are clones of old 19th century guns, used for western re-enactment for instance.

Yes, you are wrong ;). There's a mix of clones and modern SA models on the market today. The clones are no stronger than the Colts of yesteryear, the modern ones are some of the strongest handguns on the market today.

btw - why would you want to take a revolver with you when you are canoeing? Is this a "Deliverance" thing ? :D :D

No, the gun is to keep a "Deliverance" thing from happening :D

Critters such as snakes need killin' when they end up in your canoe. Revolver shotshells are perfect for this. Also, you sometimes leave the canoe and step onto land. A good gun can be useful.

Chris
 
Here's my take on it. I like them all. But, if I was buying one pistol to do it all and never have to worry about wearing the gun out, I would buy a modern single action. In fact, I just bought a brand new Ruger Bisley in .45 Long Colt. With this pistol, I can plink inexpensively with the low power Cowboy loads and hunt just about anything with higher power loads. A lot of people are unaware that the .45 Long Colt cartridge case actually can hold more powder than the .44 Magnum. With proper bullets(like hard cast)and higher power loads, the .45 Long Colt can stop most anything. But yes, they are slower to load and unload, and you do have to cock the hammer after each shot. Doesn't bother me in the least. This Bisley will be around a lot longer than me, no matter how much I shoot it.
 
both of my 'camping guns' are single actions: an old Colt Frontiersman in .22 and a Ruger Vaquero in .357 (for choice of ammo).

i may be a western nut, but i always liked the simplicity of SA's.

Metis
 
I still want to get a Ruger Blackhawk SA in .357 with the extra 9mm cylinder. I know they made one, but have never seen it. :)
That would give me all the options in .357, plinking with .38spl, and the ability to shoot 9mm also. One of these days I'll find one, and have the money to buy it. :)



Blades
 
The subject has been covered really well, so let me add that unless you're going to start reloading, you can't get the right bullet necessary for dangerous game with factory ammo.
At least for 357 and 44 mag. I haven't been doing much handgunning recently, but the last time I looked, a FMJ wasn't available commercially loaded for either the 357 or 44 mag.
 
Originally posted by Crookshanks
The subject has been covered really well, so let me add that unless you're going to start reloading, you can't get the right bullet necessary for dangerous game with factory ammo.
At least for 357 and 44 mag.
Click to expand...

Have you looked at what Garrett Cartridges offers? I trust their 330 grain .44 Magnum rounds against anything in North America. And you can't safely handload beyond those levels.

--Bob Q
 
Bazookas are way cool, but last time I checked, ammo is not readily available.
 
They both have their uses.

If you have a DA on your hip, in your sleeping bag, or whatever, and something snags the trigger, you might be in real trouble. :eek: An SA is not going to hurt you in this situation, you have to cock it first. When you want to do some real precision shooting with a DA, you always cock it and use it in SA mode, better trigger pull. Hmmm...

When something large is coming at you, it's nice to be able to point and pull - score one for the DA.

It really depends. Most SA revolvers can be much stronger than DA ones, and still easy to carry and shoot. Note that I said most.

For me, I prefer SA revolvers. They are nostalgic to a time gone by, and I like their balance.
 
I used to go to Yosemite and there were bears there, but I don't think you're allowed to be armed openly. If I'm in the local Los Padres or Angeles forrests areas camping, I feel pretty safe with a stainless 4" Ruger GP100 .357 magnum. With a round of snake shot followed by a bunch of Cor-Bons I should be safe from mountain lions or the two legged varmits. For the mountain lions, my reflexes will be a bigger handicap than my gun.

I like a DA as it's a grab and pull proposition in a defensive situation, and faster to reload, but it let's you have a bit more precision when operated in SA mode.

I know SA onlys can be stronger and had in bigger calibers, but I don't see myself carrying a 500 Linebaugh soon.

jmx
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
I know SA onlys can be stronger and had in bigger calibers, but
Click to expand...

That isn't as true as it used to be. My personal favorite is the Taurus Raging Bull. It was the first production revolver to be designed from the ground up for a high-end cartridge (.454 Casull) and not just modified from an existing .44 Magnum. You can now get the Raging Bull in a variety of cutting-edge calibers.

I like the Raging Bull in .44 Magnum because, having been designed to tame the .454, it handles the lighter .44 as if it were a .38. I can double-tap with that thing! :)

--Bob Q
 
For your speedy responses. It seems to me that SA's are lighter in weight, yet offer a stronger frame. This would allow for something like the .454 or Ruger .480. But I think these are both available in DA too. As far as what Swede79 mentioned with the danger of something snagging the trigger... how frequent/realistic of a scenario is this? I'm ASSUMING that a decent holster would prevent this from happening.
I have also heard that one can get different cylinders in caliber for the same frame... ala .22/.22mag, or .357mag/.38/9mm. Is this a SA thing only? Or does this exist in DA's too? This seems like a handy and fun property to have.
I'm also considering getting a lever action rifle in the same pistol caliber so I could have a little more versatility and fun. I would imagine that .44mag is one of the more popular calibers here. I have also seen .357mag in this format too. Does anybody here have the same duo?
Thanks again,
Mongo
 
Originally posted by Mongo
I'm also considering getting a lever action rifle in the same pistol caliber so I could have a little more versatility and fun. I would imagine that .44mag is one of the more popular calibers here. I have also seen .357mag in this format too. Does anybody here have the same duo?
Thanks again,
Mongo
Click to expand...

I have a Ruger GP100 DA 4" in 35mag and a Winchester 94 carbine in 357mag as well. Nice combo. The GP100 is strong enough to easily handle a load that drives a 180gr bullet to 1200fps (out of a 4" barrel). Cor-Bon, Federal, and Winchester have similar loads if you want factory. My load should be faster out of a rifle since I use slow powder and the rifle offers a longer barrel for better powder burn, but I haven't chrono'd it. I'd feel comfortable with that load out of my handgun against anything up to a medium sized black bear. Out of my rifle, it should be inching close to the old 35Remington loads.

The levergun with 38specials is like a bigbore 22lr :D.

I've considered rechambering the levergun to 357max (1/8" longer cartridge, lots more velocity). It's not a hard conversion, I just keep putting it off. :rolleyes:

Regarding the trigger snag issue, it's not likely. DA triggerpulls are pretty stout. You'd have to be oblivious to a strong branch pulling at the holster on your belt to miss it. That's assuming you have a holster that doesn't cover the trigger like many do. Still, it can happen theoretically, but I've never known anyone to experience it.

Chris
 
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