Single Action For HD

[lizziedog1]

My wife isn't much of a shooter. She does seem to have a natural knack for it when she does.

She seems to do very well with single action revolvers. In fact, she does much better with them than I do. At fifteen yards, off-hand, she can put six rounds did center of the target. At a dozen paces she can knock six cans off a log without a miss.

I have joked with her that if an intruder comes into our house, I'll grab the phone and dial 911 while she covers me.

Back to the question of this thread.

How practical do you think it is to keep a single action revolver at the ready for home defense? We have no kids at home, so keeping any gun loaded is not a safety issue in that regard.

Does anyone else here use, or would use a thumb-buster for things that go bump in the night?

 

[RaceM]

No reason not to. It's not the weapon but the shooter that makes the difference. A well placed shot is a well placed shot, and will end the problem.

Lately I've been carrying a 100+ year old thumb buster I converted from 38 S&W to 22LR because of its small size. The next bigger is a Ruger Single Six with the magnum cylinder in it. I used to carry a Ruger Blackhawk in a clam shell shoulder rig.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Until you have to reload, using a single action revolver for home defense is NO handicap. What caliber, barrel length, model, etc.?

 

[Gary A]

I am one who keeps single action revolvers for home defense. Since the key word here is "home" defense, my answer to the slow reload should a reload be necessary is a second single action revolver. And a third should it be needed. It is the same plan of action i understand that some horse soldiers in the civil war often employed, multiple guns.

(Not that I believe any but the most farfetched and unlikely scenario would result in me scrambling for a second or third single action - especially since I would probably have to pass up a perfectly serviceable shotgun to do so...lol. )

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

It should be fine but what about a DA/SA revolver? Can be used the same way but it's easier to reload.

 

[DeMilled]

It should be fine but what about a DA/SA revolver? Can be used the same way but it's easier to reload.

I agree.

A GP100 with a 4" barrel would be pretty hard not to like for this shooter.

 

[shiftyer1]

If your comfortable with a saa then use it. I am just as comfortable with my blackhawk as my security-six. I tend to fire them both sa. I feel in a home defense shooting 5-6 rounds is plenty. If not I do have a 1911 with a 30 round drum

 

[BCCL]

It's not the weapon but the shooter that makes the difference. A well placed shot is a well placed shot, and will end the problem.

^That........

 

[Drail]

Don't give any thought to reload speed, just get her a second SA.

 

[Lawdawg45]

This is a good and practical question, but it will generate passionate opinions on both sides. The best answer is for her to use the gun she can place consistent, deadly shots with every time, and it sounds like the SA is that weapon. In my 30 years as a LEO, I've carried wheel guns and semi autos, and in retirement I'm now carrying a 1911, but my favorite CCW is still my Vaquero Sheriff's model in 45 colt. Capacity is an issue, but in my opinion reloading is not. How many people will pick up a reload at night while wearing their Jammie's (or less)? More than likely the free hand will be holding a flashlight and not spare rounds.

On a related note, check out www.sheriffjimwilson.com for his current article on the SA as a combat weapon.

LD

 

[Ghost Tracker]

There's more that one study showing a SA wheelgun being as fast or faster into action than ANY other handgun. Need to be aware/cautious, however, about the short trigger-pull with the hammer cocked. One bump on the elbow funny-bone (against the door-frame in the dark) and you can have a Ka-BOOM! Occurs much easier with a cocked SA than a uncocked DA or a "safe-action" autoloader. Take-up is sometimes a good thing! Just a thought.

 

[roaddog28]

Again, a HD handgun is the gun a person shoots the best. It looks like that is a single action. As far as reloading, in a life threating situation, if a person can't bring down the attacker in six rounds then the gun fight will be over anyway. Reloading is of course slower with a single action but I doubt a faster loading double action would make much difference. If she is as good as you stated then I would get the single action revolver she has been using.
Now that were talking single action I have a new model Blackhawk 4 5/8 inch that is a 357/9mm. I am very good at shooting 7 yards with the 9mm cylinder. I shoot then cock again with my off hand. I am almost as fast this way as a double action only. So yes I think a S/A is ok if a person shoots them well.
Regards,
Howard

 

[MrBorland]

My concern wouldn't be capacity or reload speed, so much as the SA trigger: If prematurely cocked in a high stress situation, a ND could result. The issue's the same with a DA/SA revolver, but at least the hammer doesn't have to be cocked.

 

[Sniper X]

It sure worked well for Cowboys for a hundred years or so. Still does. I often use to carry a birds head Uberti with a 3.5in barrel in .357mag. Plus i t was a great BBQ gun!

 

[Sniper X]

Mr B, it is just like any other carry gun, TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING. There is a different technique needed for carry of a SAA but I got it down pat real quick and in drills it was second nature. Plus, it's no different than carry of a glock since if you have a finger in the trigger well it is a single action gun with no safety.

 

[MrBorland]

It sure worked well for Cowboys for a hundred years or so.

It was largely the only option available, but it doesn't necessarily mean it worked "well". Actual historical accounts are often at odds with our romanticized view of the Old West. Equipment aside, today's average gunnie shoots & practices much more than the Old West cowboys did, and are likely better shooters for it, but a safety-less SA trigger in a high-stress situation would still concern me.

I often use to carry a birds head Uberti with a 3.5in barrel in .357mag.

Fair enough, but unless you actually had to use it in a SD scenario, you really don't know how well it would've worked.

Again, I'm not knocking the platform. Seems it can be a viable option for those used to and proficient with it, but the SA trigger calls for extra care, IMO.

 

[MrBorland]

Mr B, it is just like any other carry gun, TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING. There is a different technique needed for carry of a SAA but I got it down pat real quick and in drills it was second nature.

As I indicated above, I agree, sort of. Depends on the training. Maybe some might feel they're "trained" because they can pop Coke cans at 50 yards with their cowboy gun. But if, in the process, they've trained themselves to mindlessly cock the hammer, they're likely to do it in a SD situation as well.

it's no different than carry of a glock since if you have a finger in the trigger well it is a single action gun with no safety.

Not sure I'd agree completely. I wouldn't carry a cocked SAA around in a holster, for instance. Keeping your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire ought to make it an acceptable practice, yet it doesn't seem to be.

 

[Cosmoline]

Need to be aware/cautious, however, about the short trigger-pull with the hammer cocked.

That's really the main issue. If you're good enough with SA's and practice with them, that should be OK. But it's no Glock. Many single action revolvers have very light pulls, so you really don't cock until you're about to fire. Running around with the thing cocked, a hair trigger, and a round in chamber below the hammer is a bad idea in general.

The other issue I could see along these lines is the balance of the single action. They aren't usually friendly towards a modern stiff-finger-to-the-side carry that's used with semis. Your finger naturally wants to go into the guard. They were designed long before the Four Rules, when lives were cheaper and shorter.

 

[gunguy0829]

Like others have said, nothing wrong with SA for HD, I had a ruger super blackhawk in 44mag, just practice, practice, practice

 

[Dr.Rob]

There was a brief time where that was all I had on hand. Didn't bother me a bit.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

This is an interesting thread. If she shoots a SA best & handles it well/safely = absolutely yes. Is it (IMHO) ideal? = no. Will it do the job admirably? = yes. Is it durable, reliable & dependable? = Are you kidding? I guess the bottom line question for ME is...Would I feel comfortable with my wife deciding on a SA for home defense? = uh, no.

 

[Sniper X]

Of course you can't think I meant to carry a SAA cocked do you?

 

[mashaffer]

I suspect the most important thing is that she train in the tactics that the situation will require so that it is second nature. I think that the trigger issue is mostly important if you are moving and I am assuming that she is not going to be "clearing" the house. Rather I see a barricade situation such as behind the bed with gun in hand but not cocked. If someone comes through the door there will be time to cock and fire so no need to pre-cock it.

If one were forced to move into an offensive routine I would expect that it might be better to have the trigger pulled back and use a slip hammer for a first shot as AD would be less likely but a quick shot still possible.

Just some ideas.

mike

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Single action revolvers point very naturally and for SD that counts a lot since you won't be taking those well aimed shots.

Really I think after the first big boom the bad guy will either be dead or running for his life, but if you have any doubts keep a loaded shotgun for back up.

 

[foghornl]

MANY years back, I carried a repro of the 1858 "Army Remington".

Yeah, you read that right..a Single-Action Blackpowder revolver.

It was what I had at the time (my only handgun)so....

Run Whatcha Brung