Single Action For HD

[Jim Watson]

It is just as effective as it ever was, but she must learn the gunfighting techniques, not the plinking method.

I know two ladies who had ADs while checking out the Bump In The Night with cocked revolvers in hand. These were S&W and Ruger DAs but they had soon found it was a lot easier to get hits with a 2 lb SA than a 10 lb DA, and reverted to habit under stress. Nobody was hurt but the sudden loud noises got their attention. One went 1911 so she could have a manual safety, I don't know what the other one ended up with.

 

[Scipio Africanus]

If she hits best with it, why not?
But get two.

 

[SAA]

The sound of a hammer being cocked can be a huge psychological advantage, but at other times silent cocking may be called for, so you might want to consider having her practice these drills used by hunters.

Pull the trigger and cock the hammer. Release the trigger while holding the hammer at full cock. Ease the hammer down to sear engagement.
Done correctly with a standard Colt SA, there will only be two clicks, the second of which will be fairly quiet. From there, you can fire the gun, or make it safe to recock later without making any sound whatsoever.

To silently make the gun safe from full cock, pull the hammer back and hold it back, pull the trigger, start easing the hammer down and immediately release the trigger. Ease the hammer down into the half cock notch.
Now, to silently make the gun ready to fire again, pull the hammer back while beginning to pull the trigger. Pull the hammer back fully. Release the trigger while holding the hammer at full cock. Ease the hammer down to sear engagement...or just cock it and fire in a hurry!

You can go directly from quietly full cocking back down to half cock without having to rest the hammer on the full cock sear. In all there will only be two clicks, both of which can be done as soon as you pick up the gun and before meeting the invader.

 

[lizziedog1]

The gun in question is a Ruger Vaquero, the old-school one, in 45 Colt.

When I met my wife, she had no experience or exposure to guns. She grew up in a liberal, Bay Area family. Her sister is the typical Birkenstock-wearing, granola-munching woman. She would make the perfect poster child for PETA.

Early in our relationship I took her to a range, an outdoor private type. This was one of my concerns, that she would detest my hobby.

I decided to let her first shoot my Vaquero. I had some light reloads to use. They replicated old 45 rounds, very little muzzle blast and recoil. I also figured a single action revolver would be safe. I have seen too often a rookie shooter turn around with a loaded gun pointing it at people around them. At least with a single action revolver the hammer is resting on an empty chamber.

I loaded the first cylinder full for her, explained how to operate the gun, and gave her some rudimentary instuctions on aiming the thing.

This is my least favorite gun. I love its looks, it is so cowboy. But I can't hit anything with it. I have tried all manners of factory and handloads. I have shot it from different rests, sandbags, all sorts of shooting contraptions. The safest place for you to be if I was shooting at you with this gun would be straight in front of me. In a SD scenario, if I use this gun, I only hope the blast scares the person away.

I had set up a silhouette target at fifty feet for my wife. I was standing next to her as I watched her squeeze the first shot off. It hit almost dead center of the target. It would have dropped a BG in his tracks. I was thinking, beginners luck.

The next shot hit almost touching the first one. She ended up putting all six rounds into a group that could be covered by a silver dollar. I would be lucky to hit a life size, T-Rex target at that distance with that gun.

I realize that in a SD situation things are quite different than at a range. But, if my wife could keep her witts about her, with that Vaquero, she would be quite deadly.

One more question.

She usually shoots mild loads out of this gun. They are the old-school, 250 grain lead bullets at about 900 feet per second. How effective do you think these loads would be against a person with ill0intent?

 

[Gary A]

250 grain lead bullets at about 900 feet per second.

I think that will work just fine!

 

[Bobson]

How does your wife handle a shotgun or rifle? I tend to lean more toward the 18.5" bbl shotgun or AR for HD. If she can handle either of those well, and you have one available, giving her that single-action for HD should be just fine, provided she uses it to get to the shotgun or rifle.

If you don't have a shotgun/rifle for HD, I agree with those who said to get her a second single-action. It's pretty unlikely that you'd need more than six shots, but why take the chance?

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

She usually shoots mild loads out of this gun. They are the old-school, 250 grain lead bullets at about 900 feet per second. How effective do you think these loads would be against a person with ill0intent?

That works out to 449 ft/lbs. Which puts you in the low .357 magnum territory in terms of energy. More than enough to kill a man or beast.

 

[LordDunsany]

In my youth I worked as a mining claim surveyor, principally in the mountains of New Mexico. I would be out for several days at a time, living out of a tent and legging it up and down the hills with my partner. While animals, principally black bears, were the only real concern, we periodically ran into hermits and other ne'er-do-wells, some of which were not overly friendly.

My buddy had a snub .38 open carried that he placed a lot of faith in. Back then I was poor and newly married and all I had was a Ruger Blackhawk in .357. Over time we got to know some of the old-timers out there, and most every one made the comment that they placed a lot more faith in the single-action six-gun than any of the newfangled bottom feeders. Almost to a man they owned well-used Colts or Ruger single-actions, along with the ubiquitous 30.30

Not that this tale should really mean much, but I was fairly proficient with the Ruger and never felt under-armed. It was interesting to note that some of the local law enforcement guys and a couple of the rangers wore single-actions. Mostly Ruger 357's but a couple had 44 mags. Also a couple had nicely maintained classic Colt Peacemakers. Those Colts would bring a pretty good sum these days.

I have a pair of New Vaqueros in .357 and 45 Colt. Both of these guns are more accurate for me than any of my S&W revolvers or Glock Autos. Only difference is rate of fire, or perhaps rate of reload.

Ron in Texas

 

[savit260]

but a safety-less SA trigger in a high-stress situation would still concern me.

It's got a big ol safety.. It's called the hammer. I've accidentally knocked the safety of a semi auto before... I've never accidentally cocked a single action revolver.

Pull that trigger till your hearts content (no don't do that.. but you COULD)... it's not going to do anything until you cock the hammer... Don't try that with your Glock or Model 19.

A propperly loaded single action is about the safest hand gun you can carry imo. It's not going off until that hammer is pulled all the way back first.

 

[mashaffer]

I would say that a 250gr hunk of lead at 900 fps would easily take out the BG and the horse he road in on.

mike

 

[monet61]

I sometimes keep either my Colt SAA or my Ruger OMV by the bed. .45 Colt 255 Keith bullet. Never feel under gunned. If she's comfortable with it and can shoot it, good for her. (And you, maybe).