Firing a DA revolver in SA mode

[doc hamer]

I have noticed in some Youtube videos the tendency to cock the hammer before shooting. I am guessing it is for precise placement. If I am not mistaken in sa it is an easier/lighter pull rather than a heavier/longer pull in da. All i have are single-actions (cap & ball, metallic cartridges) with the exception of a vintage Colt 1917 New Service so I am not all that familiar with da operation.

 

[entropy]

I tried the trigger on my 25-5 SA for the first shot, but the DA is so nice, the rest were done DA.

 

[Targa]

I have noticed in some Youtube videos the tendency to cock the hammer before shooting. I am guessing it is for precise placement. If I am not mistaken in sa it is an easier/lighter pull rather than a heavier/longer pull in da. All i have are single-actions (cap & ball, metallic cartridges) with the exception of a vintage Colt 1917 New Service so I am not all that familiar with da operation.

Nothing much to add to your thread doc, you have it summed up pretty well.

 

[jmr40]

It depends on the goal. A good DA revolver will have a 3ish lb trigger pull in single action and for longer precision shots is really the only way to go. The DA pull is long and usually 10-12 lbs. If you have to shoot fast then DA is the best option.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

FWIW, SA on a DA revolver also gives a much shorter pull. I like to compare it to the second stage of a 2-stage rifle trigger.

 

[MrBorland]

I have noticed in some Youtube videos the tendency to cock the hammer before shooting.

IME, I'd say most folks cock the hammer when shooting a DA/SA revolver. Because of it's longer and stiffer trigger pull, mastering the DA trigger takes more practice. The quality of the factory DA trigger often could use improvement to boot.

 

[Jim Watson]

Double action shooting is pretty well standard in the PPC, range 7 to 50 yards.
Bullseye shooting is nearly always single action, 25 and 50 yards.
It was a long while before an expensively accurized auto was as accurate as a good revolver but the self cocking was worth a bit larger machine rest group.

The Webley Fosbery “automatic revolver” was liked for target shooting in its day.

 

[trackskippy]

Most people I see shooting DA revolvers thumb cock them to shoot them. See the same thing more often than not with the DA autos as well. Its almost like there's a DA phobia going on.

Realistically, I think most just never learned to shoot that way and understand the advantages, and because of it, don't have the necessary muscle tone needed to be able to do it well.

Early on, I was one of those SA shooters who picked up a 4" Model 29 and was starting to develop a nasty flinch shooting it in SA. The biggest problem there is, you know as soon as you touch that light trigger the gun is going to go off and you start focusing on that instead of the sights. An old family friend, who was a PPC shooter, showed me the way. Once I started to get it, improved my muscle tone, no more flinching and my groups tightened right up too. Other than rare occasions, havent thumb cocked a DA gun since either.

 

[alfsauve]

Speed is the reason to shoot DA, accuracy SA.
in NRA/CMP action pistol DA is required. In most other pistol sports it’s your choice.
my IDPA, USPSA and Steel Challenge guns don’t have a hammer spur so SA isn’t safe to do anyway. For ICORE I like to have the option because sometimes the stage might have 50+yard targets. For silhouette shooting, out to 200m, it’s all single action as is hunting usually.

 

[Japle]

Shooting DA is an acquired skill, and is not easily acquired.
In the pistol league I shoot in, about 1/3 of the competitors shoot revolvers and they all shoot DA, due to time constraints.
Those shooters have had their guns worked over and mostly put in the time to learn the techniques of good DA shooting.
The difference between the targets shot by the ones who've put in the time and those who haven't is often dramatic, but that applies to those who shoot autos, too.

 

[tominboise]

I used to shoot all my DA revolvers almost exclusively in SA mode. Then I started watching Paul Harrell video's on youtube and decided to start practicing DA with them, as I wasn't very experienced at it. I am still not a very good DA shot but I am getting better with practice. A skill that should be cultivated IMO. You can still shoot SA anytime you want.

 

[P5 Guy]

I shoot double action, rarely pull back the hammer.

 

[sgt127]

I’m blessed. My first gun was a Colt Diamondback .22. I’ve shot thousands of Wildcats through that gun. Almost all DA.

Then a 6” Model 27. Thousands of 148 Wadcutters with 2.7 gr of bullseye. (I had Star reloader). Almost all DA. Occasionally for 100 yard plus shots, just for fun, I’d cock it.

I think those from my era, that learned on DA revolvers, have a serious advantage. One you’ve mastered DA triggers…everything feels like cheating.

 

[Riomouse911]

I shot a few dozen rounds SA with the Model 14-3 today. Here are 6 shots using 3.0 gr Bullseye and a 148 gr plated DEWC at juuuust a bit over 15 yards.



I can’t do this well DA. (Not that this is match-winning stuff! ) For a precise shot I will cock the gun. For 90% of the rest of my DA/SA revolver shooting, I’ll shoot DA.

Stay safe.

 

[MrBorland]

The DA trigger can be reasonably accurate as well, but, as mentioned, it takes more to master.

15 yards, double action:

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

I practice shooting double action cause if the need arises for me to use my carry piece more then likely it's gonna need to be done quickly. But I also shoot my double actions in single action mode by cocking hammer each time alot as well for more fun at the range and better accuracy for target shooting. I think if someone is gonna carry a double action wheelgun they should familiarize there selfs with using there piece in double action.

 

[Tallball]

FWIW, if you're getting light strikes with certain ammo or something, cocking the hammer back can give a slightly harder strike on the primer.

 

[StrawHat]

My thoughts,





I wish I had this one when competing in PPC.

Kevin

 

[CajunBass]

Almost all my shooting these days is DA unless maybe I'm trying a new (to me) gun with my elbows rested on the bench. This proves to me that it is ME shooting poorly, not the gun.

(sigh) It always is.

 

[trackskippy]

These were all shot DAO, with most of them being shot just like I would with my autos, and not just shot "statically" squeezing them off in slow fire. Theres movement and rapid multiples in most of them. Even the 625 on the bullseye target was shot as quick as I could get back on target at 10 yards.

Shooting DAO really isn't all that difficult, but you do need to figure some things out, like where your focus should be, and work on building and keeping your "shooting" muscle tone up, and that's a full body thing, and not just your trigger finger. Once you learn your focus is on the sights, and start being able to hold your sight alignment as you stroke the trigger, you're on your way.

 

[doc hamer]

Since most of what I have and shoot are single-actions with a few exceptions, I think for me at least it is habit. Just like loading 5 even though i could load six. My understanding, and I could be wrong, that for defensive a DA draw is suggested. Also an this might seem odd I just really like the sound a cocking hammer makes. Lol.

 

[jar]

For my revolvers almost all has been DA for far too many decades but with SA mode when I want greater than SD accuracy.

 

[Hookeye]

Hold right, thumb left.
Always shoot SA with my Colt and Smith DA revolvers when hunting.

Kills me when I see Youtube "experts" hold and thumb w same hand (changing their grip in the process).

Can shoot OK DA, but N frames seem too big.

I also hunt/shoot with Ruger single actions, and there it's hold right and thumb left.
Its just so easy, dunno why folks make things harder.

 

[MrBorland]

Since most of what I have and shoot are single-actions with a few exceptions, I think for me at least it is habit. Just like loading 5 even though i could load six. My understanding, and I could be wrong, that for defensive a DA draw is suggested. Also an this might seem odd I just really like the sound a cocking hammer makes. Lol.

I get it, but if cocking the hammer on a revolver is habit, and you're looking for a SD gun, I'd consider a DAO revolver or even a striker-fired semi-auto. I'm no SD expert, but it's held that in a stressful situation, you'll do whatever is habit, and cocking a revolver hammer in a stressful SD situation is very bad mojo. If you're looking at SD options, then, I'd consider the possibility that something without a hammer is your best bet.

 

[mcb]

After years of shooting USPSA with a revolver I shoot double action as well or better than single action in most situation. Even when hunting I use double action. My carry gun is a double action only revolver.

It did take allot of practice to get to this point.

Moonclips rule!