Double vs single action

I own all listed as well as sp101 22 and enjoy shooting them all. The sa single 6 and bh just get very monotonous loading them. For casual fun I'd rather take my sp101 or gp100 out. I am not good enough to tell accuracy between them but all are minute of can.

Here's what I usually do (much to the dismay of the war department Mrs.) when faced with such a dilemma. I carefully consider all options, narrow it down to two and buy both of them.

For practical, utility, defensive needs, well, DA, as seen in my avatar, to the left of this narrative. For fun, SA.

In actual practice, my .22 LR trainer, for DA shooting, is an S&W Model 17-4. I have several .45 Colt USFA Single-Actions, but do not yet have any single-action revolvers chambered in .22 LR. A Ruger Single Six is quite high on my to-do list, but is not urgent, so it is probably a matter of a nice pre-owned sample being available, when I happen to be at a local gun store, some time in the future.

Old_Grouch said:

Here's what I usually do (much to the dismay of the war department Mrs.) when faced with such a dilemma. I carefully consider all options, narrow it down to two and buy both of them.

Click to expand...

Technically, we COULD say he has narrowed it to TWO.

Either the DA (GP100 .357/.22 combo)
Or the SA (BH/SS .357/.22 combo)

A GREAT solution, by your logic, just buy BOTH combos.

You won't go wrong with the GP series. I prefer single actions but I don't compete with modern guns and I'm in no hurry so the slower pace is fine. All the listed guns are top notch so it's just a matter of personal taste.

Jeff

SSBN617b said:

I did indeed narrow it down. My thinking is to have the 357 for woods carry and buy a 22 in the same platform to practice on.
Conclusion, Gp100’s.
Thanks all.
Yeah like this is the end of buying

Click to expand...

Absolutely you're done buying guns. But if
you like pairs, you might consider a
Smith & Wesson Model 15 or 19 along with a
Model 18 or even a Model 14 or 586 and Model
17. And then there's........

The GP100 is a very nice handgun. You'll be pleased.

The Single Actions can come next. Find some nice used ones. Mine are from the 70's, have been shot a bazillion times, and still function perfectly.

After that you will (obviously) need a couple of nice S&W K-frames...

Dave T

Yes if given a choice I would go with an older 3 screw model over something made with the transfer bar action. The Blackhawk I picked up at a gun show from a buddy of mine who had a table there. It was a bit dirty and dingy but the price was too good to pass on it. Cleaned up very nicely with the help of a little bit of Flitz metal polish.

The Single Six was a gift from a friend of mine who used it when he was running his trap lines. When he retired from the business he said he didn't really have any use for it so he gave it to me.

Tallball said:

For target shooting, either 22 would be fine. However, for anything involving walking and carrying stuff, I would lean towards the Single Six. GP100's are heavy revolvers. The Single Six is smaller than the Blackhawk, and the Single Six also has an aluminum frame. It's a light, handy revolver. Lugging a GP100 around just to plink with seems like a lot of effort.

Click to expand...

I feel the same way about .22 revolvers, meaning I like them lighter than full size centerfire revolvers if possible. The sweet spot for me is right around 30 ounces or a smidge more. 40+ ounce .22s aren't really my thing anymore. Considering I have some experience with my 39 ounce .22 that is pushing 52 ounces now thanks to optics, etc.

If you can afford both, get the GP's. DA means "double-action" - which means they also shoot single-action.
The .22 GP only comes with a 5-1/2" barrel so now the questions are, do you get the 4.2" or 6" .357, and do you get the .357 blued or stainless to match the .22?

I dislike single action 22 revolvers more than any other type of gun except maybe pot metal junker autos . Individually punching out those little empties gets on my nerves really fast. I don’t mind with big centerfire cases but 22s are a different story. I’ll never own another rimfire without a swing out cylinder.

I prefer DA revolvers but SA can be fun too.

I saw you went GP/GP. Not a bad choice of revolvers at all .

Having a rimfire “understudy” like the .22 LR GP for the .357 magnum version is a great way to get a ton of extra trigger time in without the ammo expense (factory ammo) or time/money investment (reloaded ammo) of a centerfire.

I have several rimfires that perfectly duplicate many of my handguns, while a few other rimfire handguns aren’t actual duplicates but help me with sights/breathing/trigger press/and follow through as I shoot them as a warm up or cool down at the range.

I think you’ll find these two guns are fun; worthy of your money and your time to shoot them. Please let us know how they shoot for you then you get a chance.

Stay safe.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

If you can afford both, get the GP's. DA means "double-action" - which means they also shoot single-action.
The .22 GP only comes with a 5-1/2" barrel so now the questions are, do you get the 4.2" or 6" .357, and do you get the .357 blued or stainless to match the .22?

Click to expand...

Or a 5" GP100.

stonebuster said:

Or a 5" GP100.

Click to expand...

Lipsey's exclusive, not offered by Ruger. I checked the Lipsey's site and they don't seem to have any of the 5" blued .357Mag available - but I'm not one of their retailers so maybe I can't see their full lineup. But, yeah, if you gotta have a 5" GP-100, the Lipsey's model is probably the way to go.

SSBN617b said:

Bought both on gunbroker. Unfortunately I am laid up with a bad back. Will have to have some patience to getting to know them.

Click to expand...

Heal well, then, enjoy your revolving pistols.

I got an old new Blackhawk but that was because I got it for $300 less than the GP100 or 686 I was considering. For my purposes either would do and I’ve never had a single action before. I did have a GP100 and really liked it but sold it years ago because kids are expensive.

SSBN617b said:

I did indeed narrow it down. My thinking is to have the 357 for woods carry and buy a 22 in the same platform to practice on.
Conclusion, Gp100’s.
Thanks all.
Yeah like this is the end of buying

Click to expand...

A Ruger Blackhawk in 357 Mag was one of the best handguns I've every owned. I'm not sure what year it was made... probably early 1970s vintage... possibly older. It was given to me by a Native American friend of my dad's when I was a teen. I stupidly sold it when I was about 17 as I was thinning out my gun collection. I had more firearms as a teenager than I do now. I still kick myself for letting that one get away... but girls and keeping the gas tank of my Mustang topped off took priority.

That being said, twin GPs is a good choice. Now that you've made your decision you can start saving up for a Blackhawk and a Single Six. Single action vs double action is really an apple to oranges comparison. If you're like me you'll eventually want the apples and the oranges... and a vintage Mustang with a 351 Cleveland engine...

DA, SA is so nostalgic, or old...like BP ...I do possess all of the above

it is hard to find fault with either of o.p.’s two paths since they both start and end with ruger revolver. my choice was the single action path. my blackhawk is the 357/38/9 convertible, which is comforting these days as 9mm ammo is coming back in decent availability at decent prices while 357/38 isn’t.

I would go with the GP100s, they can be shot in SA or DA so you would be able to shoot them either way.

It would have to be a desperate situation for me to ever sell my 4" GP100 - just saying.

I you want an inexpensive little SA .22 then buy a wrangler or rough rider if you want a great dedicated little SA .22 then the ruger single six fits the bill. I think the pietta has a little .22/.22mag 10 shot SA also

d

Elkins45 said:

I dislike single action 22 revolvers more than any other type of gun except maybe pot metal junker autos . Individually punching out those little empties gets on my nerves really fast. I don’t mind with big centerfire cases but 22s are a different story. I’ll never own another rimfire without a swing out cylinder.

Click to expand...

Just take a vallium before a range session. I guarantee your nerves will be fine.