Certaindeaf makes an excellent point. As my instructors from my Grandfather forward drilled into me; "The proper way to fire a double action revolver is in double action. Don't be cocking that hammer boy!"
So, I have spent my decades of revolver shooting.....shooting double action. In fact, one of my favorite, and perhaps one of my most accurate revolvers is a double action only S&W model 64-3. It was a Brinks turn in that J&G had for sale. Based on the NY-1 variant 64.
It has a superb trigger. Smmoth as glass with a crisp release. IMO accuracy starts with a good trigger. You can have a Performance center revolver with a match grade, air guaged barrel and if the trigger is lousy you will not hit squat. A good revolver should have a great trigger. This trade in 64 has a BETTER trigger than my S&W Performance center revolvers. I sh...spit you not!
One can be amazingly fast and accurate when they master double action shooting with a revolver. You don't have to fork over a fortune either to get the equipment to learn how. I saw five DAO model 64's on the auction boards this AM. All of them were between $220 and $269. Get one of those, a case of ammunition........well......that might be problamatic these days.....but, you get the idea. A nice DAO revolver with a great trigger and a case of ammo will give you a good start on your skill set.
While examining my old Colt Cobra last night I recalled another "trick" we use to do. Only police use holsters - according to bad guys anyway.
So the plain clothes guys use to take the 1/4 inch rubber bands from the office and wrap them around the grips of their Cobras, DS, Agents and Chief Specials. This way you could stick it in your waisband and the rubber bands would keep it there. I'd forgotten that trick till I saw the rubber bands still on my Cobra.
Heres another trick too, that I mentioned in another thread, but see I've left out of this thread. The old tale that a bad guy will grab your revolvers cylinder and keep you from shooting him. Well, in 25 years of close quarter contact with felons I never saw this even attemted by any mope. I think I saw it on T.V., maybe. Anyways, should some miscreant grab your revolvers cylinder - and you are carrying a S&W - simply twist your revolver clockwise by the grip while squeezing the trigger. It will go boom. Try it. WITH SNAPCAPS ONLY PLEASE!!
If you are carrying a Colt revolver simply twist it counter-clockwise while squeezing the trigger. Same results. Snub revolvers are harder for a miscreant to get hold of vice larger guns. Makes it tougher to disarm you.
My personal policy always was that some mope may get my gun - BUT - he would get it bullets first! Surrender is not in my vocabulary. Id advise everyone who contemplates carrying a revolver to train for the worst and hope for the best. Always be prepared to fight for your life, because someday you may have to. Our close combat instructor use to say; "Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog!" Mindset matters as much.......if not more.....than skill with a firearm. Although it would be optimal to possess both simultaneously.
Oh, speaking of close combat with a revolver, in a grappling fight try to push and block with your off hand. With your revolver in your strong hand, go for contact shots. Lower abdomen, pelvic girdle hits will often drop your attacker to the ground enabling you to put distance between you and them or to seek cover, whichever is more approprite at the time. Contact shots to the head work welll too. Just be aware of where your off hand is in relation to your revolvers muzzle. Feet as well for that matter. Sucks to shoot yourself.
Lets talk about nice revolvers for a moment. A nice revolver for defensive use will have an excellent trigger and should be accurate. Almost every snub Combat Magnum, model 15, Colt DS, Cobra, Agent I've ever shot sufficed as a carry revolver.
In the J-frames I've ever only owned two. A Chiefs Special and a 640-1. I prefer the 640-1 in a J-frame. It is heavy enough to practice with regularly, something I have not experienced with other small and light weight revolvers. But once again, GO WITH WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!
The last revolver I qualified with and carried on or off duty was a 3 inch 13-3, rendered DAO by my talented gunsmith, with a spurless hammer. It was one slick little carry gun. I have always preferred 3 inch K-frames as "for serious" guns. They simply point naturally and are......."lively" handling guns. The full length ejector rods aid in the positive ejection of empty casings as well.
On that topic, make sure you get in the habit of giving that ejector rod a VERY HEALTHY SLAP! Tilt the revolver up as much as possible while doing so. Nothing messes up your day like having to pick out empty's whilst trying to reload.
Whew! I haven't typed this much in decades. Alright, time for lunch.
One of you lads take it from here! Best TJ