Double Action Shooting

[aaaaa]

About the only time I use SA on a DA revolver is when I am testing the accuracy of the gun and/or adjusting the sights.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm a 90% DA shooter and it's been quite some time since I shot any DA revolver in SA mode.

 

[bangswitch]

I said about half and half. When I practice for absolute accuracy, I'll shoot SA, but then I'll follow with another target shooting DA, then compare the two to see how much I'm pulling my shots in DA. Shooting this way helps me improve my DA shooting, which, BTW, is all with S&W revolvers of varying calibers from .357M to .45 Colt and with barrel lengths from 2-1/2" to 6". I can't say how much the SA/DA mix is away from the range, I haven't been in many gangland shoot-outs lately.

 

[mcb]

This poll skews a bit more towards double action than I thought it would. Thanks for the responses.

 

[desmobob]

I chose 50% but that's changing fast. I used to only shoot my handguns at targets; especially the two revolvers I had. I recently purchased a rimfire revolver (S&W 317 Kit Gun) intended to be carried on hikes, while hunting and fishing, etc. and my goal is to learn to shoot it well DA. So far, I think it's more challenging but also more fun. I just picked up a small set of heavy steel spinners I can take to the local range.

I need to get in the habit of spending time shooting offhand and DA instead of automatically sitting down at a bench with a rest. I guess it's a habit from working up hand loads and testing rifle accuracy.

 

[JDeere]

My big bores are single action for hunting. My DAs get dao 90% of the time. On occasion I will run a cylinder full in SA to see the difference if any...

 

[CajunBass]

I used to shoot my Smith and Wesson revolvers mostly in S/A mode. I didn't use them for self-defense or anything like that, so S/A was just the way I did it.

Then I got a 2020 Colt Python, and that gun just BEGS to be fired in DA mode. I probably haven't fired it a half dozen times in SA. The recent acquisition of a Dan Wesson 15-2 has continued that trend.

 

[tubeshooter]

When I got my first revolver, it was with carry and self-defense in mind. I always practiced shooting DA since I figured if the worst ever happened, that's likely how I would be firing the gun. I also figured that the better you are shooting DA, the better you will shoot period.

A couple of my revolvers are DAO. As a matter of fact, my current EDC is DAO.

I like having the hammer on a field gun, and I occasionally will cock the hammer on such a gun for a more precise shot. But not very often.

I got into single action revolvers much later on after that first DA revolver - about 20 years later.


I voted 90% DA.

 

[Riomouse911]

I shoot mostly DA with DA revolvers, with a couple of exceptions.

My 1930’s vintage Colt Officers Model Heavy Barrel gets shot exclusively SA with light target/wadcutter loads. It was worked on by Kings many decades ago and I don’t want to beat the old gun up too much.

If I am regulating sights on a newly purchased gun I will shoot SA off a rest. Same goes if I am trying to get an idea of accuracy potential from a gun/load combo, I will shoot a few groups SA before moving to DA.

If I am shooting .41 - .44 Mag / heavy .45 Colt - .454 Casull full power loads. For me those big boomers call for SA shooting.

Stay safe.

 

[murf]

before I joined this forum I seldom, if ever, shot da because that is how I was taught as a kid. now my da percent is about 25. I intend to increase that number substantially going forward.

murf

 

[Tallball]

More and more of my revolver shooting is DA.

1) It makes you a better shooter.

2) I own better revolvers than I used to.

 

[Zendude]

I like shooting paper targets at closer ranges so I can clearly see where the rounds are hitting. Shooting DA is still challenging even at relatively close distances.

 

[DR505]

SA only when targets are out past 100 yards or so. DA the rest, so about 99% DA.

 

[alfsauve]

IDPA, ICORE, USPSA, so most all shooting is done DA. Did 3 in one hole the weekend past at a IDPA match. Unfortunately it was into the No Shoot target. But since they couldn't "prove" it was 3 rounds I only got one "hit". Of course, the fact that the adjacent actual target had no hole meant I got 15 seconds down on top of the "hit".

 

[MrBorland]

I voted "90% or more. I rarely use single action" because not all my revolvers are mechanically DAO. I almost never shoot SA, though. If I hunted with a revolver, though, my choice would be a nice beefy SA revolver. A little something from Freedom Arms in .44mag would just be peachy.

This poll skews a bit more towards double action than I thought it would

Agreed, but I think by its nature, it's going to select for those who prefer DA shooting. Judging by what I've seen at the range and on YouTube, DA shooters here are more the exception than the rule.

 

[StrawHat]

Here is my latest build, it will tell you how I choose to shoot.





Kevin

 

[ontarget]

I had to go with 90%+. The only time I ever thumb cock a DA is when I shoot the first couple of cylinders of a new to me gun. After I check up on the sights, it's DA only.
If I'm in the mood for SA I have lots of those to choose from.

 

[ECVMatt]

I responded 50/50, but truth be told I mostly shoot DA when I am shooting by myself. I enjoy the discipline that goes with DA shooting. When I am shooting with buddies we usually take turns picking off rocks or dirt colds under the pressure of shame and ribbing, so SA is almost always used. Since I like to shoot socially, it ups my SA percentage.

 

[Rexster]

I selected the “90% or more” choice. The number of single-action shots that I fire, from a DA revolver, amount to far less than 1%, but not quite 0%.

 

[Targa]

I am a10 percenter mainly because my favorite revolvers are big bore .44mag and up. To me, the heavy hitters just aren't as enjoyable to shoot DA. My 38’s and .357’s get a bit of DA use but certainly no where near SA use.

 

[sanpitch]

When I went through the then new Utah police academy in 1969 firearms training was 50 ft bulls eye and a PPC like course on the Colt B21 target. Lots of single action training. I heard officers complain about DA at even close range. Later I read an a story about an accidental shooting of a juvenile by a officer. I looked and found many other accounts. All had one thing in common. The officer had thumbed back the hammer and the old "slick" action had fired with just a light touch on the trigger. I went DA shooting totally. Practice, plinking, hunting with my Redhawk and PPC. It didn't hurt my 50 yard PPC scores, it helped.

 

[StrawHat]

When I went through the then new Utah police academy in 1969 firearms training was 50 ft bulls eye and a PPC like course on the Colt B21 target. Lots of single action training. I heard officers complain about DA at even close range. Later I read an a story about an accidental shooting of a juvenile by a officer. I looked and found many other accounts. All had one thing in common. The officer had thumbed back the hammer and the old "slick" action had fired with just a light touch on the trigger. I went DA shooting totally. Practice, plinking, hunting with my Redhawk and PPC. It didn't hurt my 50 yard PPC scores, it helped.View attachment 1150737 View attachment 1150738

I also wore a badge, and as a Range Officer I would often request reports from other departments involving “accidental” shootings. The primary, but not necessarily sole, factor was thumb cocking a double action revolver. I petitioned my department “powers that be” to go to DAO. “No, we are a small department.” Made no sense, then or now.

But double action shooting is the way to go for accuracy, in my experience.


And I must say, nice stick!

Kevin

 

[Rodfac]

For the most part, at least with my S&W's of the "K", "L", & "N" persuasion, I shoot mostly DA, finding the triggers are good enough on those bigger frames to approach SA size groups.

But the "J" frames and several pre-war Colt DA revolvers, the DA trigger just don't allow for good grouping. Note, however, that none of my "J" frames nor any of the old Colts have been tuned by a skilled gunsmith. YMMv but Best Regards anyway, Rod

 

[chaim]

A couple of my revolvers are DAO. I couldn't shoot my Taurus 85CH or S&W 442 single action no matter how much I may want to.

When I first started shooting, I shot primarily SA. It was more accurate for me. Then I started practicing shooting how I would likely shoot if I ever needed to pull the trigger in self defense and I practiced more and more DA. Now, I may cock the hammer and fire SA for a cylinder or two in a range session, but the vast majority of my trigger time is DA in all of my revolvers.

 

[Pat Riot]

I chose 50/50.
For years all I owned were SA revolvers, except for a S&W 442, so shooting SA was the norm for my first DA revolvers. About 10 years ago I started shooting revolvers in DA more often all because of my Glocks. I am sure that sounds odd, but one day I fired my Glock 34 and for some weird reason I raised my left thumb to cock the hammer.
That told me two things. My grip was wrong for that firearm and I obviously needed to get more in tune with DA shooting.

I have revolvers that I am equally accurate with in DA or SA, but I have a couple of N frames that DA is quite difficult for me to shoot accurately. My model 25-15 is a bear to shoot DA accurately. I am getting much better with my 337 NG.
The one revolver that I really love shooting DA is my model 19-4. That one was made for DA shooting.