IDPA revolver, convert to DA only?

[eflatminor]

Currently shoot IPSC but I'm looking forward to trying out IDPA, where I'll concentrate on using wheel guns. I have my eye on a nice K fram S&W. Once I pick that up, I plan to have a local pistolsmith improve the trigger and undertake any other mods allowed by IDPA. I believe conversion to 'double action only' is allowed. My question is: Why NOT convert to da only? What's the downside?

 

[Old Fuff]

You will quickly discover the downside if you change your mind. New hammers are getting hard to find, and expensive when you do. Learning to shoot double-action is a great idea, but I wouldn't de-spur the hammer until you're absolutely sure. Also if you go to something else, bobbing the hammer probably will decrease the trade-in value.

 

[Jim Watson]

I only use single action to chronograph and bench test ammunition. But I am still sorry I had a gun converted to DA only and real sorry that I had the hammer spur cut off. Not because of resale value but because it is nice to be able to back the hammer enough to drop the cylinder stop and make sure your cylinder will rotate. Sometimes it won't because of fouling under the extractor or a bum reload and it is nice to know that and be able to fix it before the buzzer sounds.

 

[eflatminor]

Thanks gentlemen! I will keep the action as is and practice DA.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, you could still have it polished, tuned, and no stronger springs than necessary; leaving the DA in and the spur on.

 

[DragonFire]

My question is why convert it?

For IDPA, what's the advantage of DAO?

I never shoot single action, but can't see what advantage I'd gain from converting a revolver.

And you're just talking about doctoring the hammer spur? That would prevent you from cocking the hammer, but doesn't really make the gun DAO. You have to do some altering of the internals to remove the double action postion on the sear (or whatever the part name is). Otherwise, you could use the trigger to move the hammer back slightly so you could get your thumb on it, you could still cock it to single action mode.

 

[jmorris]

I needed to bob the hammer on my L frame as I use a very high thumb grip with my strong hand that hit the hammer spur. I didn’t what to loose single action capability (or change the original) so I just shortened and narrowed the spur on an extra hammer I bought from brownells.

 

[Pat Cannon]

Jim Watson:
I only use single action to chronograph and bench test ammunition. But I am still sorry I had a gun converted to DA only and real sorry that I had the hammer spur cut off. Not because of resale value but because it is nice to be able to back the hammer enough to drop the cylinder stop and make sure your cylinder will rotate. Sometimes it won't because of fouling under the extractor or a bum reload and it is nice to know that and be able to fix it before the buzzer sounds.

I never thought of that! The first time I shot my DAO Ruger SP101 in a backup gun match, I had a round with a damaged rim that wouldn't let the cylinder turn. And here I thought all that cylinder-spinning in the movies was just for fun.