What do you understand "DA" to mean:
A. Broad sense. It refers to the overall pistol function itself and means the pistol has two modes of operation - DA and SA (e.g. S&W Revolvers or Beretta 92FS) - that is, you can operated the pistol in so that the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer/striker and you can operate it so the trigger only releases the hammer, thus you have a double "mode" or trigger that can act in two modes. So, one could say, "It's a double action pistol because the trigger can be operated either as da or sa:" or
B. Narrower sense. It refers only to the operation of a trigger which both cocks and releases the hammer/striker when pulled. So, one would say, "It's a double action triggfer because the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer/striker." - without reference to whether or not a pistol can also be shot SA.
If the first case, then why label a pistol as DA/SA - wouldn't DA suffice? And how can Glocks, XD's, Steyr's be labeled DAO pistols if they have no SA mode? But if DA doesn't mean DA/SA, then why does, for instance, S&W identify it's DA/SA pistols as "Traditional Double Actions," which suggests a definition of "DA" ='s DA/SA.
I realize pistol terminology is a function of historical development and doesn't always follow rules of logic and even consistency. I just wondered others thoughts on this quandary.
My thought would be to limit the terms SA, DA et al. to the functioning of the trigger alone, and I would add a category - PA, or "pre-set action" trigger. Also, there would be no need for SAO or DAO terminology. So, you would have only SA, DA, PA and combinations thereof:
SA (or SAO) - e.g. 1911, BHP (Single Action Only trigger that only releases hammer/striker and in no way cocks it);
DA (or DAO) - e.g. FN49, Taurus 24/7, S&W Sigma (Double Action Only trigger that fully cocks and releases hammer, with no SA functioning);
DA/SA - e.g. Beretta 92FS, CZ75B (allows both of above trigger modes);
PA (or PAO) - e.g. Glock, Kahr, Steyr, Para LDA (slide action is required to preset the striker/hammer and the trigger only finishes the cocking then releases the hammer/striker, no provision for SA or DA operation)
PA/DA - e.g. HK P2000, Sig P226 DAK (same as above, but if slide doesn't preset the hammer/striker, then allows for DA second-strike operation)(C)opyright KWF
I'm sure some of you have opinions on all this, so let me have . . . er . . . hear it.
A. Broad sense. It refers to the overall pistol function itself and means the pistol has two modes of operation - DA and SA (e.g. S&W Revolvers or Beretta 92FS) - that is, you can operated the pistol in so that the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer/striker and you can operate it so the trigger only releases the hammer, thus you have a double "mode" or trigger that can act in two modes. So, one could say, "It's a double action pistol because the trigger can be operated either as da or sa:" or
B. Narrower sense. It refers only to the operation of a trigger which both cocks and releases the hammer/striker when pulled. So, one would say, "It's a double action triggfer because the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer/striker." - without reference to whether or not a pistol can also be shot SA.
If the first case, then why label a pistol as DA/SA - wouldn't DA suffice? And how can Glocks, XD's, Steyr's be labeled DAO pistols if they have no SA mode? But if DA doesn't mean DA/SA, then why does, for instance, S&W identify it's DA/SA pistols as "Traditional Double Actions," which suggests a definition of "DA" ='s DA/SA.
I realize pistol terminology is a function of historical development and doesn't always follow rules of logic and even consistency. I just wondered others thoughts on this quandary.
My thought would be to limit the terms SA, DA et al. to the functioning of the trigger alone, and I would add a category - PA, or "pre-set action" trigger. Also, there would be no need for SAO or DAO terminology. So, you would have only SA, DA, PA and combinations thereof:
SA (or SAO) - e.g. 1911, BHP (Single Action Only trigger that only releases hammer/striker and in no way cocks it);
DA (or DAO) - e.g. FN49, Taurus 24/7, S&W Sigma (Double Action Only trigger that fully cocks and releases hammer, with no SA functioning);
DA/SA - e.g. Beretta 92FS, CZ75B (allows both of above trigger modes);
PA (or PAO) - e.g. Glock, Kahr, Steyr, Para LDA (slide action is required to preset the striker/hammer and the trigger only finishes the cocking then releases the hammer/striker, no provision for SA or DA operation)
PA/DA - e.g. HK P2000, Sig P226 DAK (same as above, but if slide doesn't preset the hammer/striker, then allows for DA second-strike operation)(C)opyright KWF
I'm sure some of you have opinions on all this, so let me have . . . er . . . hear it.