Opinions on a SAA for carry?

Get a gun with a transfer bar safety if you are carrying it or using it for defense. The load 5 method with a fixed pin sucks to deal with if you need to bring the gun back to empty chamber in the dark. An old school SAA? No way. A Blackhawk? All day.

I would still prefer a DA but single actions are stupid simple to operate as long as you don't need a reload. Someone will tell you it's a bad idea to carry single actions but they don't wear your belt so carry thereupon it what thou wouldst like best.

Not for me. Much better choices in 2020, IMO.

I love SAAs, but, let's face it, they are historical artifacts. There is no reason to use them for serious defensive purposes when something more modern is available. That said, the day may come when we, for legal reasons, are limited to "historical artifacts." That's why it might be wise to hedge one's bets and become familiar, not only with SAAs, but even with cap-and-ball revolvers.

I am the most comfortable, and have a long history shooting s/a revolvers.
But.....

FL-NC said:

Not for me. Much better choices in 2020, IMO.

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Not my top choice, I'll say that.

I do have one on my permit and I do carry it once in a while.

Mostly while horseback riding up in the mountains.

Sometimes I bring it with me to the range I work at just to make a point that not every gun you own needs to be tactical.

And, I will do say that for the first 5 rounds the old revolver is very fast/effective.

Hokkmike said:

Met a fellow who said he regularly carries, and conceals no less, a SAA with a 5.5 inch barrel. I have long considered a SA pistol to be a good "top of the stairs" home defensive firearm. It is an easy and safe concept for my wife to pull the hammer back and be ready to fire. But to carry? Never thought of it. What do you think?

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No. Why would you willingly put yourself at that much of a disadvantage?

They were outdated by the 1890s. A Hi-Point is vastly superior.

HB said:

They were outdated by the 1890s. A Hi-Point is vastly superior.

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Outdated for carry yes. A Hi-Point vastly superior, no.

When the plan goes to hell and you decide to hide behind a wall of lead, the wall will be thin.

Wait till someone tunes in with carrying a black powder gun. We've had those threads. It's been said, for serious defensive carry, yes it is a gun that can KEAL but there are better choices. Should I give up my bronze sword for an iron one?

AlexanderA said:

I love SAAs, but, let's face it, they are historical artifacts. There is no reason to use them for serious defensive purposes when something more modern is available.

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People say the same thing about da revolvers and 1911s. If it's not striker fired and polymer BAD DECISION!!!

Trunk Monkey said:

No. Why would you willingly put yourself at that much of a disadvantage?

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Disadvantaged compared to what though?

Kleanbore said:

Agree.

I think it likely that those who would pose the question have little understanding of what is likely to be involved in a defensive shooting incident.

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Step one, have a gun to shoot defensively.

I'm sorry, that's just a cliche and we are passed that. Question - want to drive in snow. First step have a car.

Do we really need folks just being cantankerous and argumentative? There are much better revolver and semi auto choices for practical usage. Wyatt Earp - that's long gone. Would you go to his doctor?

If we go into silliness, this gets closed if you just want to the a gun version of the "GET OFF MY LAWN" guy. Damn it, why doesn't my new computer have a floppy drive!

I had a couple of friends who considered single actions suitable for carry.
One was a (reserve) deputy and went so far as to special order a basketweave uniform holster for his nickel plated .44 Special SAA. Ammo was Skelton if not Keith spec. He got pretty good with it, about as effective for the first five as anything. But he was a member of the Gun Of The Month Club and soon moved on to something else.
The other guy was about as often to be found with a Blackhawk .45 as any. Only worn out Ruger I ever saw. But Ruger overhauled it for a reasonable price.

Hokkmike said:

Met a fellow who said he regularly carries, and conceals no less, a SAA with a 5.5 inch barrel. I have long considered a SA pistol to be a good "top of the stairs" home defensive firearm. It is an easy and safe concept for my wife to pull the hammer back and be ready to fire. But to carry? Never thought of it. What do you think?

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If you learn to run it right...?



GR

I love SA revolvers. I take one to the range every time I go because I enjoy shooting them. I have on occasion carried one for SD in the woods & even in town and a SA is a heck of a lot better than nothing. However in a gunfight involving reloading (more than 6-shots) the SA is a huge disadvantage against opponent(s) armed with magazine-fed pistols of any kind. Anyone that has reloaded a SA revolver knows that it's a slow process even under the best of conditions. Reloading a SA under the stressful conditions of a real gunfight must be a terrible experience.

Kleanbore said:

That should be patently obvious.

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Actually, it isn't. No one can perceive the actual threat level you may be up against, you can only make guesses based on evidence. Or do you have a crystal ball? It sounds as though youve picked a weapon and based scenarios around it which is something you've advised others against doing in other threads. If threat assessment says a single action will cover it, such as snakes, feral dogs, mountain lions and rural areas, what's the problem? In some world's a hi cap 9mm MAY be second or third best choice.

Op asked for opinions. I said "if" then "transfer bar" and then "prefer a d.a." so get back to me on sound advice.

Kleanbore said:

The post says nothing...one is required to watch the video.

Okay, I did.

The shooter fired at some things single action with one hand.

He did not demonstrate proficient defensive shooting

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You obviously have a very high opinion... of your own opinion.

No comments were necessary - the vid did a very good job of explaining it.

Kleanbore said:

...A reasonably fit attacker might close a distance of ten feet between each of his shots.

If one is able to fire a first shot at a distance of twelve feet, a somewhat faster rate of fire might be desirable.

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Worst case scenarios - are not done here at THR.

In fact, You just closed a thread on one.




GR

I love Single Action Revolvers. I participated in CAS and CMSA for many years with Ruger Vaqueros 45 Colt. In fact one of them hangs in a holster on my headboard. I installed Ruger Bisley hammers on them for easier cocking.

I also carry one when we ride our horses. There is a small wooded river not far from our place and mountain lion tracks have been seen along it. Our horses sensed something they most definitely did not like on one of our rides by the river. My biggest problem is the horse I have now has not been trained for mounted shooting. My wife’s horse is trained so I will hand her the gun and have her shoot a mountain lion if one decides to eat some kibbles and bits (me!)

But as I have occasionally mentioned shootings in my area in February and March, 2016 had a profound effect on me and I now carry a Beretta 92FS/G as my primary edc.

I have the mid-size Ruger Vaquero in 357 near the top of my buy list. A pair of Single Action Revolvers should be in every P******s Armory.