SA vs. DA/SA

[LkWinnipesaukee]

What are the advantages of SAO over DA/SA?

Why aren't all SA guns equipped with a DA/SA feature? It seems more appealing to have a gun that be carried with the hammer down/safety off AND hammer cocked safety on.

 

[FireArmFan]

Well trigger pull is obviously going to be heavier on the first shot in a DA/SA. And as far as i'm concerned in a life or death situation, the 1st shot is the most important. That being said, i have nothing against DA/SA. But that is one advantage i see to a SAO.

 

[BHPshooter]

Simplicity of design and manufacture, for one.

FireArmFan already mentioned the bigger reason, though -- why play with 2 trigger pulls when you only need one? Almost everyone I know who has a DA/SA pistol cocks the hammer on the first shot anyway.

Personally, I think all advantages of the DA/SA system over SAO are imagined. In roughly 12,000 rounds, I have had only 1 round that didn't go off on the first primer strike. Funny thing is, it didn't go off on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th strikes, either. Tap-Rack-Bang would have been necessary in that situation regardless of action type.

As far as carrying with the hammer down and the safety off, I guess I just don't understand the mental anguish that comes from seeing a cocked hammer. I certainly doesn't give me goosebumps or cold sweats. Additionally, I like having the safety engaged with the hopes that, if I should ever lose control over my gun, the jerk will have to do something other than just pull the trigger to shoot me.

Just my preference.
Wes

 

[Tom Servo]

As far as carrying with the hammer down and the safety off, I guess I just don't understand the mental anguish that comes from seeing a cocked hammer.

I have a friend who's otherwise knowledable who's very uncomfortable with C&L carry. Never mind all the redundant safeties on the 1911, the sight of a cocked hammer makes him nervous.

Of course, I've pointed out numerous times that his Glock is half-cocked when chambered.

Personally, I trained on DA/SA, so it's a bit more natural to me. I do love my 1911's, though. Thing is, they're two different MOA's, and I carry what I've practiced with most recently. If you have trouble with the DA/SA transition, get a wheelgun and practice with it.

As far as the actual "transition," if you're handling trigger reset correctly, it's not an issue. Long squeeze, relax, short squeezes until slide-lock. It becomes quite natural after awhile.

 

[Geronimo45]

Beats me. Seems like SA guns nowadays are 1911s or Raceguns - or, of course, Glocks - and XDs, I think. Glocks were designed as no frills weapons, and a DA mode increases complexity. The XD seems to be a kind of Glock-1911 love child. The HK LEM trigger is, I think, another Glock-ish trigger - since police are used to that kind of trigger, HK makes a gun with that kinda trigger.

When you're pumped full of adrenaline, you probably won't notice the DA trigger.

 

[Anna's Dad]

The XD seems to be a kind of Glock-1911 love child

Just had to say, I love that description of the XD! Got a good chuckle when I read it.

 

[steveracer]

You need a CZ-75!

Then you get SA and DA/SA. Nice!

 

[Geno]

Can't have everything...

The trigger on a nicely tuned 1911 is so precise that even my best Glock, Springfield, Ruger and BHP can't compare. Even the 3.5 pound Glock target trigger is harsh compared to the 1911. I guess we can't have all things.

Doc2005

 

[PO2Hammer]

I can get along nicely with either SA/C&L or SA/DA.
My Colt Super .38 is very fast into action, , but I don't feel any slower with my Sig P226.
With the Colt, you swipe the safety off as you bring the pistol up.
With the Sig, you start the DA trigger pull just before youre sights come into allignment.
If anything, the DA first shot is faster for me because I just 'let it flow'.
With the Colt I seem to pause on target, then squeeze.
I've been shooting the Sigs longer, so I better go practice with the Colt.