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

[45 Dragoon]

I think S.A.s are faster (the speed records are held by S.A.s) and I've never heard a D.A., fired 2 times and sound like 1 shot!! ( much less 3! . . . . . yes 3).

So, faster, less parts, lighter, stronger . . . . . whats not to like?!!

45 Dragoon

 

[BLU]

I agree with you on the speed at which you can get off a shot from the SA. In this book... BEAR ATTACKS OF THE CENTURY by Larry Mueller they mention many attacks where the butt of the rifle was sticking out of the ground with the barrel skyward. It was apparent that the bear charged and hit the man before the guy pulled the trigger. Reading that made me very nervous when hiking through some of that thick Alaskan bush. There are just so many ways a bear can silently surprise you. With Black Bears, a .44 Mag would work nicely and I'm sure a SA would be all I'd need. I grew up around black bears. But grizzlies? I highly recommend that book. S&W use to pack that with their survival guns.... that's how I first saw it-excellent read.

Oh... you want DA speed shooting? Jerry Miculek 12 shots in under 3 seconds.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lLk1v5bSFPw

 

[BILLYDIXON]

I like both. I bought a Redhawk when they first came out. I also bought a 6" 629. I carried that handgun when lived in Alaska. Never had to use it. I bought a 4" 624 and carry that handgun were I live now in the mountains of Virginia. I also have single actions. I carried a Colt SAA .45 Colt 5 1/2" for about 5 years before that. I

 

[Drail]

SA revolvers come in much more "interesting" calibers than most DA revolvers. They do require a little more practice and a different technique. I have owned and used both for years but if I absolutely positively need to knock something down hard I would reach for a SA.

 

[MCMXI]

I think S.A.s are faster (the speed records are held by S.A.s) and I've never heard a D.A., fired 2 times and sound like 1 shot!! ( much less 3! . . . . . yes 3).

Two things come to mind. First, how much do you want to bet that the speed records were set using two hands i.e. try shoot a SA quicker than a DA using just one hand. Second, have you ever heard of Jerry Miculek?

 

[Barry the Bear]

Two things come to mind. First, how much do you want to bet that the speed records were set using two hands i.e. try shoot a SA quicker than a DA using just one hand. Second, have you ever heard of Jerry Miculek?

Have you ever heard of bob munden? He used 1 hand with single actions.

 

[Drail]

Most of the really amazing world record stuff I saw Munden do was with two hands. But he was pretty amazing with one hand also.

 

[mavracer]

$$$$$$$$$$$$
A Blackhawk is a might cheaper than a Redhawk or Smith DA.

 

[back40]

i have the 3.75" bisley .44mag super blackhawk that i much prefer to DA that i've shot. the recoil is much more pleasant with the same loads than my buddy's 629.

it's simple, stout, and handy to both carry, and shoot. i don't have need for anything more.

 

[TennJed]

DAs are better on even days, SAs are better on odd days

 

[shafter]

[QUOTEOnly 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.][/QUOTE]

I agree MC. For those of us who practice a SA is far from slow unless you factor reloading. I grew up with a hog leg in my hand and I can cock and shoot with one hand with no trouble at all. It also comes out of the holster mighty quick for a first shot. I wouldn't try to argue that it has any real advantages over a DA, but I wouldn't sweat carrying one in bear country.

 

[beag_nut]

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 ?

NO.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

And that's the bottom line -- a DA capability in a powerful revolver like a .44 Mag is a capability that is never used.

 

[Wil Terry]

YES IT DOES !!! And you will never ever know until YOU shoot 'em all.

 

[BLU]

Shafter-> I love my SA too and sometimes use my SA .45 Colt for carry. Yes I know, reloads are not fast... but if at all possible when getting shot at, I'm going to use my Nike's more than my SA. (My Mother raised a fool... but.... I call him my Brother!) When in Bear country though... I'm pure DA. I've seen both Black & Grizzlies run and they cover ground way too fast for my taste!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I often carry a Colt New Service DA revolver in .45 Colt. But like the double action feature, I don't see attempting a rapid reload when facing a charging bear.

 

[Bezoar]

lets seeee.

If im out in the field and i slip and a fall down. and my SA goes plop into the underbrush. and when i find it, and see it has the action all gunked up with crud and crap. Its not a big issue.
I pulls out my screw drivers and take that grip off. Then i takes the grip frame off. Then i gets to get the crap out.

with 99 % of DA/sa revolvers, youd need a hammer to get that side plate off. and then youll most likely loose one or two of the 27 springs and pins inside it..

The SA is a robust design, regardless of who made it. the fact is ive seen quite a few reports of how early gun collectors in the 1930s were finding guns that had been fully functional for 10-20 even 30 years with what was basically chicken wire gunsmithing holding it apart.
If you need a new hammer screw on a saa you can make one. on a da/sa you need a gunsmith.

 

[SwampWolf]

with 99 % of DA/sa revolvers, youd need a hammer to get that side plate off. and then youll most likely loose one or two of the 27 springs and pins inside it..

There are an awful lot of Ruger da revolvers out there that don't conform to this scenario.

 

[2ndamd]

While being a DA guy for function, I have to admit that my DA revolvers will never be as cool as a Blackhawk with Elk Stag grips.
Feel free to post a picture to confirm

 

[Vern Humphrey]

No disrespect meant to DA revolvers, but revolvers, and especially DA revolvers are difficult to maintain -- primarily due to the difficulty in detail stripping them. In Viet Nam, when Army helicopter crews were issued S&W .38s, I saw many a fine revolver turn into junk.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

The only time I ever tried DA rapid fire with my Redhawk, the front sight flew off after 3 rounds. Never found it; of course they're easy to replace.

BTW, looking at the Ruger site, the standard Redhawk is missing. Only the Super Redhawk is offered. Never much cared for the look of the SRH. Besides, the standard RH was heavy enough.

Got my eye on a SBH Bisley; either the blued standard or the stainless Hunter. Had a .357 Bisley once that was a joy to shoot.

 

[bob2231]

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

35 Whelen
"The SA will be lighter. SA's are more mechanically more simple and therefore rugged."
After most of 30 years as a Tool & Die maker,I can tell you that the amount of complexity involved has exactly 0 to do with reliability.
Quality will always determine reliability or "ruggedness".
Quality of design,of materials,quality of the people doing the actual manufacturing.
Quality of the user,and quality of maintenance.
We ran single hit dies that crashed hourly,and progressives that were over 12' long with 30+ distinct operations that ran non-stop other than loading new coils.
Rocks are pretty simple but they split all the time.

 

[back40]

I can tell you that the amount of complexity involved has exactly 0 to do with reliability.

it would seem many in the firearms world would disagree with this statement. although it may not be the only factor affecting reliability, complexity certainly comes into play.

 

[45 Dragoon]

1858, my apologies. I guess i should have been more clear and said something about using both hands. I was trying to show the operating speed of a S.A. Since D.A.'s operate with 1 action and S.A.'s with 2, it stands to reason that 2 actions with the same hand would be slower than 1 action.
I happen to have 2 hands and can use both. End of arguement.
There's a vid right now in the blk powder forum that shows a guy shooting a CAP AND BALL (51 Navy copy) faster than most folks can fire a D.A.! He is using both hands of course.


45 Dragoon

Oh yeah, no I haven't heard of him but it dosen't matter , S.A.'s are faster.

 

[MCMXI]

I happen to have 2 hands and can use both. End of arguement.

And you know for a fact that you'll be able to use both in every situation that you encounter ... ok. I still maintain that a double action action is faster for multiple shots using one hand, but unlike you, I won't claim to know whether or not I'll have the use of one hand let alone both.