Single Action Revolver Handling

[Mr. Mosin]

I’ve a question... in regards to a single action revolver, and a single action revolver *only*... is it feasible to render the “finger/trigger” rule when ready to fire null and void since you’re literally dealing with a fancy paper weight until you cock the hammer ? In all my years, since I “grew up” and got long fingers, never been able to get my trigger finger into the trigger guard in a timely manner without sticking it in the trigger guard during the draw and not cocking until properly on target.

 

[bdickens]

That seems like a very bad idea.

 

[thewillweeks]

I’ve a question... in regards to a single action revolver, and a single action revolver *only*... is it feasible to render the “finger/trigger” rule when ready to fire null and void since you’re literally dealing with a fancy paper weight until you cock the hammer ? In all my years, since I “grew up” and got long fingers, never been able to get my trigger finger into the trigger guard in a timely manner without sticking it in the trigger guard during the draw and not cocking until properly on target.

Sounds like a great way to speed up your negligent discharges...

 

[Hartkopf]

I treat a single action as if the hammer is already cocked.

 

[ontarget]

That sounds like a great way to build a very bad habit. It's only a matter of time before you grab another style of gun and bad muscle memory puts your finger on a hot trigger. Hell if it's a stressful situation you might grip the gun tight enough to pull that trigger. Hence our safety rules.

 

[Seedy Character]

Draw
Aim
Cock
Engage trigger

 

[Pat Riot]

I am pretty sure you will never fire a single action without cocking the hammer, BUT it’s a bad habit. I say that because someday you’ll be shooting another type of handgun and that bad habit might cause you trouble. The kind of trouble you may not come back from.

 

[GJeffB]

I'd like to go slow here, as I THINK I understand what you're saying. If so, my first response might be "are single actions the only handguns you ever have, and ever will fire?"
Why ask that?
1. Trying to combine the above concepts and answers, the clear answer is because of muscle memory. Every motor coordination activity is perfected by muscle memory, the unconscious movement repeated so often as to become ... well, unconscious. Introduce any variation and that memory may prove faulty and result in a mistake.
2. If the answer to the posed question is "yes" the next muscle memory issue becomes "when?" The draw, the trigger finger engages, and the hammer is cocked ... I'm sorry, when? Between holster and horizontal? Sometime when the muzzle is pointing upward on the way to vertical? Somewhere the opposing thumb cocks, and in each case where is that "somewhere?"
That's a lot of blada blada. Sorry. I teach my grandkids the same thing (muscle memory) the same way, every time regardless of make, model, action, long gun, short gun, etc. The muscles take a long time to remember, and just as long (or longer) to unlearn.

-jb, more comfortable as a simpleton

 

[Tallball]

Same as everyone else...

It's a bad habit and will become muscle memory.

There were several near negligent discharges which I didn't avoid because I was being smart and paying proper attention - I wasn't. I avoided them because my hands know the right way to do things, and they will do things the way I've made them practice thousands of times whether I'm paying attention or not.

My trigger finger will not go inside the trigger guard until I tell it to. It stays on the outside and patiently waits for me to invite it in.

I wish my dogs were that well trained.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Mmm. Y’all are correct. Thank you all for correcting my error in judgement.

 

[NeroM]

Also have large hands, long fingers.
For approximately 150 years, I believe the suggested way to carry a single action revolver (SAR) has been/is hammer down on an empty chamber. Load one, skip one, load remaining, place hammer down on empty chamber. Currently do so with all types/makes of SAR, so no amount of trigger pull or unplanned hammer action will discharge the firearm.
So, I too "draw" or "carry unholstered" SAR with finger in trigger guard. Only cock the hammer when I intend to shoot, which for some SAR - is the only way the sights can be fully visualized.
Know my finger in guard may not be optimal......

 

[Armored farmer]

.....so I suppose my draw/reverse spin/hammer cock at eye level, signature move is frown upon?
Just kidding (not really)

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’ve a question... in regards to a single action revolver, and a single action revolver *only*... is it feasible to render the “finger/trigger” rule when ready to fire null and void since you’re literally dealing with a fancy paper weight until you cock the hammer ? In all my years, since I “grew up” and got long fingers, never been able to get my trigger finger into the trigger guard in a timely manner without sticking it in the trigger guard during the draw and not cocking until properly on target.

No, proper gun handling doesn't go by the action or type of trigger, it goes by what's safe and practical in general. Keeping your finger off the trigger is just as important with a single-action as it is with an open-bolt full auto. If your finger's on the trigger when you cock the hammer, lots of different not-good-things can happen and at least one very bad thing will happen: you will be pointing a ready-to-fire weapon at something other than your intended target with your finger on the trigger.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Same here OP.
I'm not even sure I could cock a single action without my finger in the guard (off the trigger).
Never have tried and I, for one, think Colt made the gun to be handled that way.
Of course the SA design dates from a time when guns were tools, not range/living room toys.

JT

 

[BobWright]

Well, I have to differ with you all. In an emergency situation, a draw-and-shoot-to-kill here is my regimen: Elbow brushes back covering garment, hand grasps gun butt, thumb on hammer spur, trigger finger on trigger. As my gun clears leather cock the hammer. As gun comes level, press the trigger. Such situations are not range politically correct, it is a matter of life and death. Such gymnastics taught at most ranges/classes fly out the window in such circumstances. The practice of bringing the gun to the mid chest, grasping with off hand, then presenting will most likely get you killed.

And, yes, I've handled both Single Action and double action revolvers. Rigid index finger plays no part in my practice. Applying pressure to the trigger at the right time does. And this has been my practice for over sixty years. Negligent discharges to date = 0.

Let the flak commence.

Bob Wright

 

[BobWright]

.....so I suppose my draw/reverse spin/hammer cock at eye level, signature move is frown upon?
Just kidding (not really)

Just what is your adversary doing as you bring the gun to "eye level?" More than likely pumping 9mm pills through you from his wonder nine.

Bob Wright

 

[BobWright]

Same here OP.
I'm not even sure I could cock a single action without my finger in the guard (off the trigger).
Never have tried and I, for one, think Colt made the gun to be handled that way.
Of course the SA design dates from a time when guns were tools, not range/living room toys.

JT

When you're on the street facing a stick-up, your gun is no longer a "range/living room toy."

Bob Wright

 

[JeffG]

My trigger finger is indexed along the trigger guard upon grasp from the holster, and draw. I may cock the hammer after the gun clears the holster and is pointed away from me, but the trigger finger does not go into the trigger guard until the separate decision to fire the gun is made. I have seen/heard of/had the mix up in sequence occur resulting in an AD too many times, to relax that training-shooting rule. YouTube is full of single action AD fails from the holster, if you want to look.

 

[BobWright]

My trigger finger is indexed along the trigger guard upon grasp from the holster, and draw. I may cock the hammer after the gun clears the holster and is pointed away from me, but the trigger finger does not go into the trigger guard until the separate decision to fire the gun is made. I have seen/heard of/had the mix up in sequence occur resulting in an AD too many times, to relax that training-shooting rule. YouTube is full of single action AD fails from the holster, if you want to look.

In such circumstances, the decision to fire is made even before my draw begins. And, at no time is my gun pointed towards me.

Bob Wright

 

[jstert]

the family of halyna hutchins and joel dsouza may have relevant opinions about keeping one’s finger off the trigger of any firearm, until ready and willing to destroy a known target and what is behind it.

muscle memory and learned behavior is crucial in all operations involving dangerous equipment.

i was once witness to the negligent outdoors discharge of a ruger bearcat 22lr single action revolver. bringing the bearcat into quick action while walking. bearcat comes out of strongside holster. hammer cocked, finger moves inside trigger guard, muzzle rising to acquire target, left foot scuffs slight rise in ground, handgun discharges into dirt just 3” in front of right foot. rudely sobering wakeup call.

i really like single action revolvers. i do employ one for protection at times in my habitually low threat environments. i am not a cowboy action shooter and i truly respect those folks’ expertise. i know my humble limits. if i really needed a fast reaction handgun to deter imminent apex predator threats i would choose a double action handgun.

 

[huntsman]

I think it depends on your use of the SA, my sole purpose for my Blackhawk is deer hunting so I practice different skill set than a SD handgun.

 

[Kleanbore]

I think it depends on your use of the SA, my sole purpose for my Blackhawk is deer hunting so I practice different skill set than a SD handgun.

The four rules are universal.

 

[BobWright]

I think it depends on your use of the SA, my sole purpose for my Blackhawk is deer hunting so I practice different skill set than a SD handgun.

You are exactly on target! When I am in the woods, I do not "draw" so much as take the gun from the holster. The general gist of the threads hereabouts has been defensive shooting. There are many distinct differences between on the street drawing and drawing the gun from the holster while on a tree stand or under a likely hickory nut tree looking for bushytails. Also trodding over pastures looking for ground hogs. Range, field, and street all call for different disciplines. It is the height of foolishness to be on a deer stand with a holstered gun.

Bob Wright

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

a single action revolver is for leisure activities like target shooting.

no need to rush. instilling bad habits can have some real negative dividends.

 

[Armored farmer]

Just what is your adversary doing as you bring the gun to "eye level?" More than likely pumping 9mm pills through you from his wonder nine.

Bob Wright

I have my own wonder 9 for street shooting.
I don't twirl it.