"Goofy finger" shooting a DA as a SA.

[gonoles_1980]

I have a SuperRedhawk DA 44 mag. I shoot it single action, but I use my left thumb to cock it, just doesn't feel right with my right thumb (I am right handed). My wife shoots it using the right thumb to cock the hammer.

Anyone else shoot like me? Is there any reason I need to learn to use the right thumb to pull the hammer back?

 

[Malamute]

I mostly use the left thumb to cock single actions unless shooting one handed. Its much less movement of the shooting hand, meaning more consistent grip, and just more trouble to use the shooting hand.

 

[Sam1911]

Aside from being a better shot if you practice shooting DA, nope it doesn't matter which thumb you use.

 

[Drail]

I have seen LOTS of people cocking revolvers with their off thumb. It doesn't matter. If you want to see some amazing examples of this go to Youtube and watch some Cowboy Action matches. Those guys are unbelievable with SA revolvers and lever guns. They really don't need semi or full auto weapons.

 

[strambo]

If I were shooting a revolver SA only, I would use my right thumb for shot #1 out of the holster and left thumb for follow ups.

 

[CaptTripps]

I use my left thumb to cock the hammer. Once I have my dominant hand firmly gripping the pistol, I don't want to move it. 75% of my hand strength grips the revolver, the other 25% is pressing on the recoil shield area. Left hand wrapped around my right, left thumb cocking the hammer, then resting comfortable alongside my right thumb. With practice you can become scary fast with a SA.

 

[PO2Hammer]

When I shoot 2 handed I always use my off-hand (left) thumb to cock any revolver. Feels more natural.

Most DA/SA revolvers are hard for me to cock right handed, Blackhawks and my small frame F/A cock much easier with the right thumb.

 

[Jim K]

^^^^

If shooting SA (either a DA/SA or an SA revolver) with a two-hand hold, cocking with the off thumb is common and normal to me.

Jim

 

[murf]

that is the best way to cock for single-action if you don't want to disturb your grip.

murf

 

[BCRider]

You're actually doing it the better way.

For best accuracy we don't want to upset or alter the hold of the strong hand. So cocking the hammer with the support hand is the better way to do it.

I shoot in the "duelist" style for my cowboy action shooting. In that case the rules call for cocking and shooting all with one hand only. It sure does slow one down and make really good accurate shooting harder to do. It's a good thing the targets are all really big and really close.

I'll bet that if your wife could adapt to thinking with two hands instead of one that she would also find that the gun is more steady from shot to shot or that time needed to gain back the proper grip and sight picture after cocking the hammer would be reduced.

 

[CraigC]

Agree with all of the above.

 

[huntsman]

I have big hands so cocking with the strong hand thumb doesn't effect grip and since I shoot both single and two handed I want to keep everything the same with grip hand.

 

[Red Cent]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CG8-r1GZaw

 

[splithoof]

The only important thing to remember is to use proper and safe gun handling.

 

[PapaG]

Used to shoot lots of bowling pin matches with revolvers, cocking with my left thumb. Won a lot, too. Not much slower than da shooting if you practice and trigger control for me was much easier.

 

[RA40]

Another chime for the left thumb cocking with a dominant right hand grip. Less hand shifting where one simply brings the left thumb over to cock the hammer then back down into a firm two hand position.

 

[Hondo 60]

Anyone else shoot like me?

Yes!

I use my left thumb to cock my single & double actions.
It's faster than using my right thumb as I don't move my dominant hand.

A friend who's been a firearms instructor for 40+ years commented on my "unorthodox style"
But when he tried it, he too found it to be faster.

I was never "trained" to do it that way, just happened upon that technique all by my lonesome.