Does a SA offer anything a DA doesn't (Blackhawk vs. Redhawk)

Some people think a SAA type balances better. Just feels more natural in the hand. You know those guys that do fancy gun tricks? In the flash of the eye, spin'em around, throw them up in the air, catch them behind their back. Stuff like that. They ALWAYS use a SAA. You couldn't do those tricks with a modern DA revolver.

I used to be a big SA fan, but now I prefer the GP100 over the Blackhawk.
Just as rugged, just as accurate, better handling.

You mean other the advantages of the double action, swing out cylinder for quicker and easier reloads and grip designed so the gun does not slip under recoil?

Of course there are those of us that do not consider those features as a "advantage."

There is a difference in recoil between the two. A single action typically has the grip lower than a double action. During recoil a single action will tend to have more muzzle rise as where a double action has more of a straight back recoil. The difference is not huge but it is noticeable. It really comes down to more of personal preference to which one feels better to you and which one you shoot better.

I have a Redhawk with a 3" barrel that I love shooting but hate carrying the weight in the backcountry. The 69 has my eye as well, it looks like a great field weapon. Since most of your shooting will be with your rifle, make your pistol as light as possible while still being useful.

single actions look cooler and have value to the traditionalist.

Some people think a SAA type balances better.

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The Colt does. As do the new model Vaquero's. But the Blackhawk and other adjustable sighted Ruger SA's are just way too thick and top heavy because of the extra metal that gives them their strength to handle the hot loads they are known for.

If I were going to shooter lighter loads and wanted a "cowboy gun" I really do prefer the way the new Vaquero's balance and feel. The Blackhawks save some money and are pretty tough guns. I just cannot deal with the odd balance and out of proportion looks of the frame and cylinder compared to the grips.

If I were buying a gun to hunt with and would be using heavier loads I much prefer the DA Rugers or even the Smiths.

Cowboy action shooting shows that a SAA style gun is not any slower than a DA. But for the amount that most folks practice I suspect that a DA can put rounds in a given size target a little faster than an SA gun.

And if you're in the woods then you won't be shooting light loads I suspect. So how a DA would compare with an SA while delivering .357Mag or .44Mag or proper .45Colt loads might be a good basis for some timed drill testing. You know, something that involves the random starting "beep" then draw and fire all six into a target at 8 to 10 yards. The scoring to be a combination of time and accuracy.

Macchina said:

I have wanted a .44 Mag for a while and really like Ruger firearms. I see a lot of people buying the Ruger Blackhawk. This gun would mostly be used for fast 240g handloads at the range, however I'd never buy a handgun I couldn't carry in the woods. Does the SA design offer any advantages that a SA/DA revolver doesn't?

I have a Marlin 1894 in .44 already, so I don't really want a .45 or other big bore.

I'm trying to decide between something like a 5.5" stainless Blackhawk or something like the 4.2" Ruger KRH-444 (I also like the new S&W Model 69). Maybe a Ruger Alaskan ?

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The SA will be lighter. SA's are more mechanically more simple and therefore rugged.

If you're really going to carry one in the field an SA will likely be a better choice.

I have three .44 Special SA's and recently picked up a S&W 24-3 in 4". After having carried, fired, and hunted with SA's for over a year, the S&W felt like a club. I fired it a few times and put it back in the safe until I can get around to selling it.

Oh yeah, quicker reloads.... I killed three deer last year with a handgun and only needed to use one shot apiece out of my revolvers. If you need to reload a handgun when you're hunting, it's too late anyway.

35W

I like the strength and simplicity of single actions over DAs, but that really doesn't apply to the Redhawk. BUT, the Blackhawk, for all its strength and accuracy, is lighter on the hip than a Redhawk. Those things are like totin' a pallet of bricks around, HEAVY.

As others have pointed out, single actions offer a different size and shape. This may, or may not, translate into better balance, lighter weight, and improved handling of stout recoil. It's just a matter of personal preference.

Most of the really big bore handguns (above .44 mag power levels) are single-action guns. Redhawks, Super Redhawks, and X-frame S&Ws are available, but the single actions are more common. Some experienced folks consider the bisley grips as the best choice for handling recoil. I have no personal experience there and I suspect that that, too, varies from person to person.

Macchina said:

I'm trying to decide between something like a 5.5" stainless Blackhawk or something like the 4.2" Ruger KRH-444 (I also like the new S&W Model 69). Maybe a Ruger Alaskan ?

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I have all three Rugers mentioned with the only difference being that mine are chambered for .45 Colt/.454 Casull. My Bisley Blackhawks are the most enjoyable to shoot at the range and are the most aesthetically and mechanically pleasing. However, for woods carry the nod goes to the Alaskan because it's chambered for .454 Casull. If not for that I'd use the Redhawk which I consider to be an excellent all around revolver.

MCgunner said:

, the Blackhawk, for all its strength and accuracy, is lighter on the hip than a Redhawk. Those things are like totin' a pallet of bricks around, HEAVY.

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I'd be surprised if the Blackhawks above are lighter than my Redhawk with its 4.2" barrel ... I could be wrong though.

I can't stop looking at that photo 1858! Beautiful!

I like apples (da) better than oranges (sa). Oranges are just too hard to peel (reload).

I like apples (da) better than oranges (sa). Oranges are just too hard to peel (reload).

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Well, I like cap and ball, the ultimate single actions. Patience, young grasshoppa.....

It doesn't seem like much since it isn't a tangible feature that can be concretely itemized, but I can shoot a Ruger Bisley more comfortably and for more rounds than I can just about any other big bore revolver. Definitely more than the 5.5" Redhawk I had or the Ruger Alaskan I currently own. Or the SW 69 which I also have. For a gun that gets most of its use on the shooting range, that means a lot for me. More so than easy reloads and access to a DA trigger. If I were going to try to force it into SD/HD service, I would definitely want the DA revolver though.

IMHO, heavy recoil is better managed with the single action. The grip just rolls in the hand and one uses his little finger to flip it back as he/she cocks for the next shot. Some DA grips HURT with heavy loads. The good news is, grips can be changed. I have a thing for Hogues on DA guns, not so much on my SA guns.

I have both DA and SA. I carry the DA because it is shorter but I mostly shoot SA. The Blackhawk is less expensive and built like a --house. I don't need to worry too much about CC so if I were to but a 44mag in size you asked about it would be the Blackhawk.

Does the SA design offer any advantages that a SA/DA revolver doesn't?

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Short answer, no.

On the other hand, are there any useful advantages that a SA/DA revolver has in a powerful cartridge like the .44 Mag? Again, the answer is no -- in a .357 or similar revolver, the speed of reloading, and the ability to fire rapidly can be an advantage, but in .44 Magnum, who's going to fire bursts in double action, and need a quick reload?

Before camping in the Alaska Wilderness, I researched as much material as I could digest on which sidearm would be suitable for protection from Grizzlies. Much was said about the short amount of time one had to get off a shot. BEAR ATTACKS OF THE CENTURY by Larry Mueller is one excellent reading book that advises a double-action over the single action simply because you may have to shoot when a bear is ON you, without full use of your cocking thumb. If you're like me and carry various pieces throughout the year, it's important to remember you may not get off a second shot with a SA.... either in the field or the city. I believe the simpler the gun, the more reliable, but, double-action is my usual carry. Wish I'd have read that book before I bought a few pieces!

Only thing. BLU, that I disagree with on speed is that I can cock my SA with my shooting hand as easily as my off hand. But, I get that bear are fast. This is why I think the handgun has an advantage over a long gun, too, for bear defense, despite all those that say only a 12 gauge slug can kill a bear. That sidearm on your person is a lot faster than that shotgun slung on your back or leaning against a tree.

I think for bear defense with a good deal of PRACTICE a single action magnum revolver is not bad. I personally would feel a little better with a double actio anti-bear revolver do to the fact that if the bear already has me I can still rapidly fire the double action gun into the bear which would be difficult to do with one hand with a single action gun.

The SA trigger is usually lighter and smoother than a DA trigger, even when shot SA. If you are using the gun for hunting you will probably be shooting SA anyway so the better trigger is an advantage.

Back in the day when I decided I wanted a 44- I had my heart set on the brand new (at that time) Redhawk. I got thinking how much was I going to fire a 44 double action. That fact and the cost led me to a Super Blackhawk. I have never had second thoughts about my decision.