What do you prefer? DA/SA SAO DAO for a CCW and why?

I have carried DA/SA, SAO, DA revolvers, and DAO striker fired weapons.

My current carry piece is a Beretta PX-4 9mm. I have come down on DA/SA as best for me. Under stress fire conditions, I have found it best for me to have that long first stroke as I rip right through it and it feels like a four pound pull.

So despite untold thousands of dollars fired down range, I can't get slow or smooth, and am still more like an attack dog just let off of the leash. Since I basically grip and rip the first shot and calm down only as I fire I have out found why the DA/SA likely exists.

Did not vote...

Two of the guns I carry are DAO, and one is a 1911. I like a consistent trigger pull. Period. As long as it's between 3-15lbs and consistent, I'm good.

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This statement sums it up perfectly for me. I typically carry a DAO S&W 642 or a 1911 in condition 1. I've never done particularly well with DA/SA triggers, but my father prefers them.

I prefer not having to adjust for DA and then readjust for SA after the first shot. I love the Glock trigger system, not the quality of the pull, but the way its pulled. But I can definately live with a DA/SA Sig Sauer or HK. I wouldn't consider a SA at all.

DA/SA is the best of both worlds. It's a trigger safe enough to carry with one in the chamber and the safety off, and rapid follow up shots will be fast and accurate.

I don't really fit into one category. My issued duty gun at my full-time job is a DA/SA Beretta 96, my BUG is a DAO S&W Airweight, and my off-duty guns are a Glock 36 and HK P7.

My duty gun at my part-time job is a S&W M&P45, same BUG and off-duty guns as full-time.

I don't use the manual safety on my Beretta except as a decocker, so the only real constant with my weapons is aim and pull trigger (and in the case of the P7, squeeze).

I voted DAO because most of my carry guns fit into that category, but the gun I am most likely to actually have to use is DA/SA, at least until we switch to the Glock 22 next year.

I prefer DA/SA because I can store it decocked, with a round chambered. I do not use my DA/SA .45 for CCW, but I do keep it in my car in the driver side door pouch. It's in a leather case, so legally it cannot be considered concealed in my state (Arizona law states that cased firearms, stored anywhere, are not concealed). But I can open the case and extract the firearm with one hand.

I prefer DAO in my autos because I am a revolver guy and prefer to have uniform training on all my weapon's trigger pulls. I like the consistency of DAO trigger.

Even with DA revolvers,I find that I use them SA.I don't know why,really.Too many westerns as a kid?

I'm a DA/SA fan, for the reasons other have listed. One in the chamber, safety off, nice crisp follow-ups. If I ever find a DAO I actually like the trigger on, I wouldn't count against it.

The first shot wavers a little, but I practice keeping the sights straight, not getting used to the trigger. That comes on its own.

The DA/SA is the reason I have a 20-year-old S&W instead of a Glock. I don't care what anyone self, as far as I'm concerned Glocks are single action--if it goes 'click', and pulling the trigger again produces neither a click nor a bang, I won't carry it. Argued with the cleark about that one.
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Voted SAO for range use, but I'd like to suggest that there's a reason Glocks have found such widespread acceptance in defensive pistol sports. Their triggers aren't exactly superb, but they're a great compromise for quickly and accurately putting lead into a target at defensive ranges. I really enjoy shooting SAO autopistols, but the Glock 19 gets the nod for concealed carry.

DA/SA or DAO. As long as the pull is smooth and not too heavy or long.

No manual firing inhibiting device for me.

I prefer SAO (and voted accordingly). Only hitch is that my build and mode of dress don't allow me to conceal a 1911 in the summer. My go anywhere anytime carry gun is DAO but I really dislike DAO guns (and I've shot lots of them). There's always a trade-off... :-(

My duty, off duty, and BUG's are all the same action - DAO. All have similar trigger pulls and function the same way, no safeties, decockers, or mag disconnects. A lot less stuff to think about that way.

DAO, but the trigger makes it very smooth first shot.


Probably the safest to carry...chambered round...but not cocked till deployed....then the trigger is best there is....of course, my very humble, but extremely accurate opinion

There is NO such trigger mechanism as "Single Action Only".

There's a Single Action trigger mechanism, but not "Single Action Only."

Think about it.

Likewise, there is no "DA/SA" trigger mechanism. It's merely Double Action (DA).

Cheers!

Colt 1911 Series 70

SAO Colt 1911!
Trained with many, Accustomed to few and Carry only One!
Cocked, Locked and ready to ROCK!

After literally thousands of draws, draw and fire dry fire drills. The 1911 for me feels most comfortable in the hand, holster and reliability.

No matter what you choose, practice till your palms bleed (sort of speak), Perfect practice is better than PRACTICE. Video yourself if you must, get a second opinion on your six step draw. Practice slow speeds and become one with your GAT!

Most importantly have fun, be serious and be safe.

Dutch1911

DAO, closely followed by DA/SA with a decocker only (not a hybrid compromise decocker safety combination doo-hickey).

DAO is my top preference for reasons of simplicity. There is one, and only one trigger pull to learn. Generally, a DAO pistol does not have an external safety to manipulate. Pull the trigger, it goes bang... don't pull it, and it won't.

DA/SA is nice too, but now the trigger behaves in a totally different way fromn shot to shot. Also, many a manufacturer trys to incorporate a safety onto the pistol where just a decocker would make more sense. You may have already guessed, but I like DA/SA pistols to behave as much like DAO pistols as possible. If a long, heavy first pull is the DA/SA's safety feature, why does it need an external safety like a SA? Pull the trigger, and it should go bang.

SA is something I could live without. Now you have a trigger so light that even the manufacturer doesn't trust it, so they put a safety on it. Well, pull the trigger and it goes... Oops, I for got to take off the safety! Lets try again, take off the safety, pull the trigger and it goes... Darn, what now? Oh, cock it, take off the safety, then pull the trigger, and it goes bang.:banghead:

The only SA I find appealing is the HK p7 series. But, then again, isn't the squeese cocker more like a DAO/SA, but with two controls to accomplish the initial cocking, instead of just the trigger? Its definately in a class of its own!

...a hybrid compromise decocker safety combination doo-hickey...

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It's called a hammer drop safety.

DA/SA is nice too, but now the trigger behaves in a totally different way fromn shot to shot.

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A DA handgun does not exhibit "shot to shot" differences in behavior. The DA handgun can be manually cocked to fire the first shot in SA mode just like any DA revolver, therefore trigger pull remains consistent between the first shot and subsequent shots, until the hammer is decocked.

Trigger pull remains consistent if the hammer isn't decocked after the first cartridge is manually chambered.

Finally, shoot a DA automatic to slide lock, reload and, unless the hammer is decocked, trigger pull remains consistent.

If the hammer on a DA automatic is not cocked, then pressing the trigger will fire the gun in DA mode. Subsequent shots will be fired in SA mode simply because the recoiling slide automatically cocks the hammer and the trigger mechanism operates in SA. The transition from a long DA trigger pull to a shorter SA trigger pull is where differences in trigger characteristics occur between the first and second shots ONLY.

If a long, heavy first pull is the DA/SA's safety feature, why does it need an external safety like a SA?

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Some people don't view it as a safety feature. I carried a DA Beretta 96FS on police patrol and I carried with the manual safety engaged to extend the time a potential gungrabber needed to figure out how to get the gun running.

Now you have a trigger so light that even the manufacturer doesn't trust it, so they put a safety on it.

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But you have a VERY CONSISTENT, PRECISE trigger. Pressing it does one thing - it drops the hammer. Many people prefer that.

Oops, I for got to take off the safety! Lets try again, take off the safety, pull the trigger and it goes... Darn, what now? Oh, cock it, take off the safety, then pull the trigger, and it goes bang.

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People who prefer an SA automatic, in my experience, know how to operate their gun intuitively. Draw gun, disengage safety. Train to do this everytime and it's second nature.

Likewise if a DA is equipped with a manual safety it should be carried with the safety engaged so the shooter is forced to go through the motions to disengage it everytime.

Carrying a DA handgun with the manual safety disengaged is a recipe for failure. In accordance with Murphy's Law, it will have been inadvertantly engaged moments before the shooter needs to draw his gun only to find that it won't fire.

I've shot the DA/SA, SAO, the new DAk trigger, the Glock "safe action", as well as DAO on revolvers. The 1911 SAO trigger is by far the BEST trigger on a handgun. The trigger is like a buttery button of smooth trigger perfection.

I shoot SAAs and 1911s the most. I'm perfectly comfortable with carrying the 1911. I usually do just that. But I will admit to carrying a kel tec, as well. Too bad they don't make a C&L capable kel-tec.

~~~Mat

I voted Single Action-as I think that is the closest to my XD though I don't believe it is a true single action. This is my main carry. I feel safe carrying with one in the pipe because I know the trigger & the grip safety both have to be depressed at the same time for the pistol to fire. I also have a Ruger P-series DA/SA. I haven't spent as much time shooting this gun with the Double action trigger as I have the single action but I feel confident that if I have to use it in a hurry it will work. I don't want anything I'd feel uncomfortable carrying one in the pipe with.

I voted DAO, but I prefer the Glock Action.

im in with a DA/SA chambered and decocked - no safety , when you reach and pull its gotta be as smooth and accurate as possible , no extraneous movements or thoughts , cant afford a miss and need to concentrate on the first shot first

Revolvers

I have shot SA revolvers, Rugers accurately and
fairly fast. but I've never owned one. I had a S&W Model
18 as a teen, and today I have a S&W in every frame size
up to the N frame. THe DA pull is different in each frame
size of the Smiths. My current K-frame is the best action
out of the box. THe N-frame has the Master Revolver Action
job from S&W but it does have the longest DA travel/reset

Semi-AUto

1911 SA Cocked and Locked I do have a CZ 75B DA/SA
& it's DA pull isn't bad, but the SA pull well good isn't a 1911, but
first shot DA is something I'm getting used to shooting and
carrying.

so, it's Both... since I carry the 1911 the most, but have
more of the other.

Randall

For the responder buggering his own critic of a safety, the 1911 as well as
the CZ 75B frame mounted thumb safeties are not
operable and cannot be changed to ON if the hammer isn't Cocked

As far as a 1911 trigger goes, a crisp consistent 4 lb trigger pull
is easily attainable - and smihts know to not go much lower than
3 lbs as a full auto may result.

Sinc nobody said it, if I were in a 25-50 yards shootout, besides
my 1911 I'd be wanting my 625 5" Bbl. in SIngle Action aimed long
shots. It's trigger pull must be 2.5 LBs? whatever it is it's crisp breaking
glass

I've shot a G19 and now understand why Jeff Cooper thought the
trigger design was by Mattel.

Randall