I have a Sig P226 as well as a Browning HP. I'm thinking of using one for concealed carry but would like suggestion which one is better for this role. The Sig is abit fatter than HP, but please do not include that in the reasoning. The issue I have is whether single-action or double-action is better for concealed gun. I have another poll/post about carrying it with a round chambered. I'm not sure if that has bearing with chosing single-action vs. double-action, if there is, please let me know as well. Thank you.
Single-Action or Double-Action Autoloader for Concealed Carry?
- Thread starter AirPower
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Ok, here is my take.
If you are going to carry a single action firearm, it would be wise to lock it...hense cocked and locked. I dont want to un-safe a gun before firing. So no single action cocked and locked for me.
I prefer a SA/DA action such as that on a sig. first shot DA, subsequent shots SA...no safety. The long, heavy first trigger pull IS your safety. I own and often carry a pistol such as this.
There is also DA only, which is ok by me also. I have and often carry a DA only pistol.
Then there is a glock style "safe action" which as i understand it, is somewhere between DA and SA....no hammer to cock, no safety....just pull the mushy trigger until it fires. I also own and carry a pistol with a similar mechanism to this.
Bottom line, i dont like cocked and locked...or locked at all.
If you are going to carry a single action firearm, it would be wise to lock it...hense cocked and locked. I dont want to un-safe a gun before firing. So no single action cocked and locked for me.
I prefer a SA/DA action such as that on a sig. first shot DA, subsequent shots SA...no safety. The long, heavy first trigger pull IS your safety. I own and often carry a pistol such as this.
There is also DA only, which is ok by me also. I have and often carry a DA only pistol.
Then there is a glock style "safe action" which as i understand it, is somewhere between DA and SA....no hammer to cock, no safety....just pull the mushy trigger until it fires. I also own and carry a pistol with a similar mechanism to this.
Bottom line, i dont like cocked and locked...or locked at all.
faustulus
Member
both are safe, both will work. If I had to choose I would do so by the gun itself and not the action.
The action type doesn't matter nearly as much as the shooters familiarity with it. I know a couple of people who carry a Colt SAA and I would not bet against them. They practice a lot and are good at it.
For me, the 1911A1 is a good choice because I am most familiar with it, and a well trained operator is well armed indeed with a single action auto cocked and locked.
I like the 1911A1 because of its short trigger reset and you can easily get a nice trigger pull with it. As a plus, its easy to detail strip for the average operator.
I think the argument against double action pistols is pretty lame. Most engagement distances in a self defense scenario are pretty darned close, so I fail to see exactly what you give up by a long first pull. I know Cooper and other well respected shooters have made disparaging remarks in the past about them, but I don't see it. If I had anything against DA's, its all the additional parts to make it what it is.
For me, the 1911A1 is a good choice because I am most familiar with it, and a well trained operator is well armed indeed with a single action auto cocked and locked.
I like the 1911A1 because of its short trigger reset and you can easily get a nice trigger pull with it. As a plus, its easy to detail strip for the average operator.
I think the argument against double action pistols is pretty lame. Most engagement distances in a self defense scenario are pretty darned close, so I fail to see exactly what you give up by a long first pull. I know Cooper and other well respected shooters have made disparaging remarks in the past about them, but I don't see it. If I had anything against DA's, its all the additional parts to make it what it is.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I like 1911, BHP, ie. single action but ... am way too old to really become safe and proficient with condition #1 now. I go for condition #2 ... P95 or P97 ... D/A - S/A .... safe with one in the tube but .. quick to get into play. Thunder, Mak - also same.
I also have no probs with D/A only ... instance P3AT ...
I also have no probs with D/A only ... instance P3AT ...
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I voted for the double-action, cuz I carry a
West German proofed SIG-SAUER .45 caliber P220A.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
West German proofed SIG-SAUER .45 caliber P220A.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
wally
Member
I prefer SA as the first shot is more accurrate for me, which also makes it quicker. But my smallest guns are DA so I end up carrying both types, with DA most frequent. At a car length or less with "instinctive" point shooting, it doesn't matter, DA can then be quicker should you fumble the safety on the SA.
--wally.
--wally.
In the words of Kirk Freeman, "It Depends".
For primary carry, I go for single action - Colt 1911. For secondary (jacket pocket and/or ankle) I go with double action. I could probably get used to a single action on my ankle, but as of now I go with a snubby revolver.
For primary carry, I go for single action - Colt 1911. For secondary (jacket pocket and/or ankle) I go with double action. I could probably get used to a single action on my ankle, but as of now I go with a snubby revolver.
The Real Hawkeye
member
I much prefer single action auto over traditional double action auto. I used to carry Sigs, and I think they are great guns, but for many years now its only 1911s or double action only guns like the Kahr P9. I think that double action only is about equal to a single action auto (though I put single action in a slight lead), with the traditional double action auto a distant third. That first round is a problem with the traditional DA setup. Takes much more training to get good at that than it does to become good at either a double action only or a single action. Two people equally well trained, one carrying a 1911 or BHP and the other carrying a Sig traditional double action auto in the same caliber, and my money is on the 1911/BHP guy every time.
By the way, the BHP is a much better carry gun, not even counting the single action design, but just because it is so slim, much like the 1911.
By the way, the BHP is a much better carry gun, not even counting the single action design, but just because it is so slim, much like the 1911.
critter
Member
Main carry is Kimber compact SS .45 acp (single action, cocked and locked). BUG is Kahr MK9 (double action semiauto).
The Real Hawkeye
member
Critter, I wasn't aware that Kahr made a double action auto pistol. I have only seen their "Double-Action-Only" auto pistols. Mine is the P9.
Flashpoint
Member
I would prefer not to have to mess with a safety on a CCW piece so I picked the DA/SA or DAO. That being said I have no experience with a gun that could be carried kocked and locked.
Sean Smith
Member
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For a pocket gun I'd want DAO, otherwise single action.
modifiedbrowning
Member
I voted DA/SA because I carry a Walther P99. In fact all the pistols I own currently are DA/SA.
Slowhand
Member
Single action. I always wonder why people think they'll miss wiping off the safety on a 1911. I've shot a good number of IDPA matches with seated draws and such and practice presentations regularly. I have never missed the safety on my 1911s, ever. I guess that's not to say it couldn't happen, but it sure must be a rare occurance.
LynnMassGuy
Member
I like TDA(DA/SA).
I much prefer SA. I prefer to carry a 1911, BHP, HKP7 or Glock. I don't like the DA/SA transition. I also greatly prefer the slimness of the afore-mentioned pistols (except the Glock - it's a little thicker).
The Sigs are great guns, though. If I do carry a DA/SA, my view is, if the shot is up close and fast, I can hit with DA. If I have more time, I'll cock it, first.
I also shoot the 1911, BHP and HKP7 like no other pistols. For some reason, I've never been able to shoot my Glocks as well as those.
Steve
The Sigs are great guns, though. If I do carry a DA/SA, my view is, if the shot is up close and fast, I can hit with DA. If I have more time, I'll cock it, first.
I also shoot the 1911, BHP and HKP7 like no other pistols. For some reason, I've never been able to shoot my Glocks as well as those.
Steve
The Real Hawkeye
member
Steve, the reason you can't shoot the Glock as well as a 1911, BHP or P7 is that it has, by design, a staplegun-like trigger. The trigger does not have a crisp breaking point. That is not to say that a good double action trigger cannot be very good for precision work, but the Glock aint it. A nicely tuned S&W K Frame revolver, for example, can be made to be perfect for precision work, but I don't think a Glock can be.
SapperLeader
Member
I use single action guns like my xd-9, 1911 and eventually bhp for my primary, and my secondarys seem to end up being dao like j-frame, keltec p-32 and next month a kahr pm9. I prefer the same trigger pull for each shot on the primarys, and on the backups dont worry about it due to there not being many s/a guns that small.
da or sa or dao
i have a S&W 669, a keltec p11 and a makarov. i would choose the p11. smaller, lighter and consistant trigger. i love the mak,feels solid and goes boom. am not really sold on the smith sort of bulky. all are acceptable. my p11 at 18 oz. loaded disappears iwb. the smith is largest of all. each is acceptable. i think it all boils down to personal choice. what do you feel comfortable with? one man's junk is another man's treasure. in another 2 months i may be able to give another opinion when ohio finally approves ccw. as far as dependability there's no winner. all have performed impeccably. i wish you wouldn't ask questions like this.
i have a S&W 669, a keltec p11 and a makarov. i would choose the p11. smaller, lighter and consistant trigger. i love the mak,feels solid and goes boom. am not really sold on the smith sort of bulky. all are acceptable. my p11 at 18 oz. loaded disappears iwb. the smith is largest of all. each is acceptable. i think it all boils down to personal choice. what do you feel comfortable with? one man's junk is another man's treasure. in another 2 months i may be able to give another opinion when ohio finally approves ccw. as far as dependability there's no winner. all have performed impeccably. i wish you wouldn't ask questions like this.
cratz2
Member
The more I deal with them, the more I prefer either single action or double action only (or pre-cocked or trigger cocked or whatever you want to call them)... 1911 or BHP for single action... Kahr, Glock or DAO Beretta for DAO. Never tried an HK DAO variant but I'm not a huge fan of the HKs in general.
For you DAO-hatin folks, keep in mind that you can have a trigger job done on a DAO pistol that, if done right, will result in a long, smooth, relatively light pull that often times isn't possible on a DA/SA pistol because of the varying breaks between the SA and DA actions. One of the nicest non-1911, non-CZ, non-revolver trigger pulls I've ever experienced was a Beretta DAO with a trigger job.
For you DAO-hatin folks, keep in mind that you can have a trigger job done on a DAO pistol that, if done right, will result in a long, smooth, relatively light pull that often times isn't possible on a DA/SA pistol because of the varying breaks between the SA and DA actions. One of the nicest non-1911, non-CZ, non-revolver trigger pulls I've ever experienced was a Beretta DAO with a trigger job.
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