Uncle Alvah
Member
Why is it that single action revolvers are made with a loading gate as opposed to a swing out cylinder like a DA? Is there a mechanical consideration, or is it simply a case of preserving a nostalgic design element?
Single action revolver question
- Thread starter Uncle Alvah
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Lucky Derby
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I am not a firearm designer designer, but my guess would be that, in some cases anyway, nostalgia plays a big part. People who buy guns such as the Vaquero, Colt SAA & clones, want a certain look and feel. Also in Cowboy action shooting the guns used must have been designed prior to the 20th century with allowances made for safetys, such as Ruger's transfer bar.
Uncle Alvah, they are diffrent guns, Thats rather like asking why a pick up truck has a bed and a sedan doesn't. A single action " cowboy gun" ( I hate that term but every one seems to understand it) is a type of action. A revolver with a swing out cylinder is a diffrent cat, thats why they are diffrent. Your question could have been " since the design is so old , why are they still producing when there are modern revolvers with swing out cylinders".
Pistol Toter
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"Uncle Alvah, they are diffrent guns, Thats rather like asking why a pick up truck has a bed and a sedan doesn't. A single action " cowboy gun" ( I hate that term but every one seems to understand it) is a type of action. A revolver with a swing out cylinder is a diffrent cat, thats why they are diffrent. Your question could have been " since the design is so old , why are they still producing when there are modern revolvers with swing out cylinders"."
Yeah or why bother with an antiquated silly ole 6 shooter when you get a pistol that shoots 14 or 15 or 17 times on a single loading.
I'm of the opinion that revolver production should cease and just make Semi-auto pistols!!
Some folks like SA, some DA, some Top Breaks, some............ It's all in what fires your rockets.
Yeah or why bother with an antiquated silly ole 6 shooter when you get a pistol that shoots 14 or 15 or 17 times on a single loading.
I'm of the opinion that revolver production should cease and just make Semi-auto pistols!! Some folks like SA, some DA, some Top Breaks, some............ It's all in what fires your rockets.
Master Blaster
Member
Cause I only need one shot to hit what I'm aimin at, two to make sure, that leaves 4 extras.
One big advantage the revolver has over the pistol is I dont have to go lookin for my brass.
Another is reliability, In the couple hundred thousand or so rounds I have fired from revolvers and semi autos, revolvers are more reliable, no misfeeds if I want to shoot flyin ashtrays or full wadcutters, also no worries about reduced power target loads, or worn magazine springs.
Another advantage is that 500 S&W, 454 casull, other powerful chamberings, can be shot from a revolver, the pistol that shoots these rounds would be crew served.
Single-Action vs Double-Action reolvers are very different things in terms of internal design and how they work in the firing process. I haven't really paid that much attention to cylinder rotation, but IIRC, SA cylinders turn to the right (as viewed from the grip end) while a majority of DA revolvers go left.
I suspect a lot of that, too is that folks who buy (for lack of a better term) "Cowboy Guns" want that look and feel.{Like me!} I have 3 Ruger SA revolvers, and a Marlin lever-action rifle.
Same reasons as to why lever-action rifles/carbines still are popular sellers; while you can buy almost any modern caliber in an auto-loader or even 'pump-action' versions. {Hmmmm..havent seen an autoloader in .45-70, though}
And even the old 'dog-ear hammer' side-by-side "Coach Gun"*** style shotguns sell well.
***As in the shotgun carried by the StageCoach co-driver/rider/shotgunner
I suspect a lot of that, too is that folks who buy (for lack of a better term) "Cowboy Guns" want that look and feel.{Like me!} I have 3 Ruger SA revolvers, and a Marlin lever-action rifle.
Same reasons as to why lever-action rifles/carbines still are popular sellers; while you can buy almost any modern caliber in an auto-loader or even 'pump-action' versions. {Hmmmm..havent seen an autoloader in .45-70, though}
And even the old 'dog-ear hammer' side-by-side "Coach Gun"*** style shotguns sell well.
***As in the shotgun carried by the StageCoach co-driver/rider/shotgunner
unspellable
Member
SA with swing out cylinder
Both S&W and Colt sold SAs with swing out cylinders. I own an example of the Colt.
The S&W is a varient of the K-38 on the K frame. The Colt is a varient of the Officer's Match.
If you remove the self cocking strut from a DA revolver it will only work in manual cocking mode. But what you have is not a SA, it's DA that doesn't work right.
The S&W and Colt actually have a different hammer and trigger set. The object of the excercise is a shorter hammer fall and reduced lock time in target shooting.
Needless to say, these revolvers had a very specialized nich market and were not big sellers.
There are probably other more obscure SAs with swing out cylinders out there somewhere.
Both S&W and Colt sold SAs with swing out cylinders. I own an example of the Colt.
The S&W is a varient of the K-38 on the K frame. The Colt is a varient of the Officer's Match.
If you remove the self cocking strut from a DA revolver it will only work in manual cocking mode. But what you have is not a SA, it's DA that doesn't work right.
The S&W and Colt actually have a different hammer and trigger set. The object of the excercise is a shorter hammer fall and reduced lock time in target shooting.
Needless to say, these revolvers had a very specialized nich market and were not big sellers.
There are probably other more obscure SAs with swing out cylinders out there somewhere.
MCgunner
Member
DA colts turn the same direction as the SAs. There's no design thing to do with it. I suppose a SA gun could be designed with a swing out cylinder, too, but the SA design is much stronger than a comparably sized DA. It takes a BIG frame DA to shoot the heavies that a lighter, more compact SA can shoot. Just think about it, fewer hinges, the cylinder pin is locked in place, no sideplate.
If you want a quick reloadable SA, the Smith and Wesson top breaks were FAST, but they're even less strong than a swing out cylinder design DA.
If you want a quick reloadable SA, the Smith and Wesson top breaks were FAST, but they're even less strong than a swing out cylinder design DA.
Jim March
Member
The fixed cylinder pin leads to greater accuracy. Each time you swing the cylinder closed on a DA revolver, you change the gun's alignment slightly. Over time this gets worse. An SAA-pattern can loosen up too but it takes longer and a base-pin swap for cheap (and user installable) deals with it.
A lot of people buying SAs want accuracy, so cloning the basic Colt SAA pattern with better sights works fine.
The fixed-cylinder full frame SAA pattern is also very tough and compatible with big calibers and power levels in relatively small packages. And as long as you can deal with the "roll in the hand grip frame" style you can take those recoil levels.
The reliability and simple parts count is also well liked by some looking for a "wilderness carry gun" where high-cap firepower isn't an issue.
Upshot: Yeah, some people buy 'em for the looks, others for the handling, performance and toughness.
A lot of people buying SAs want accuracy, so cloning the basic Colt SAA pattern with better sights works fine.
The fixed-cylinder full frame SAA pattern is also very tough and compatible with big calibers and power levels in relatively small packages. And as long as you can deal with the "roll in the hand grip frame" style you can take those recoil levels.
The reliability and simple parts count is also well liked by some looking for a "wilderness carry gun" where high-cap firepower isn't an issue.
Upshot: Yeah, some people buy 'em for the looks, others for the handling, performance and toughness.
tubeshooter
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^ thank you, I didn't know about the fixed cylinder pin info above.
I've been considering single-action for a 22 revo since the new DA offerings are so few now.... plus I'd rather not have a key lock on mine if it can be helped.
I've heard good things about the Single Six and Bearcat, so they would be in the running. I'd rather have a good used DA as an understudy to my .38/.357, but I don't want to have to comb pawnshops and gun shows trying to get lucky; I don't suspect people sell a good-functioning one all that often.
I've been considering single-action for a 22 revo since the new DA offerings are so few now.... plus I'd rather not have a key lock on mine if it can be helped.
I've heard good things about the Single Six and Bearcat, so they would be in the running. I'd rather have a good used DA as an understudy to my .38/.357, but I don't want to have to comb pawnshops and gun shows trying to get lucky; I don't suspect people sell a good-functioning one all that often.
MCgunner
Member
If you come across a M511 Rossi Sportsman DA 4" "kit gun" style stainless revolver, pick it up. It's discontinued, but I found one at a local gun show after my original one got stolen. Great shootin' little kit guns for a lot less money than a Smith. Mine is amazingly accurate. DA trigger ain't too great, but the SA is very light and crisp.
I prefer the single six to the bearcat for it's adjustable sights and better accuracy. The little bearcat is a GREAT little gun in the kit gun roll, though. It's a handy little trail gun. Just depends on what you need, I reckon.
The most accurate, finest little .22 revolver I've ever had the privilege to fire was my uncle's worked over nickel plated K22 masterpiece. I'm afraid they don't build 'em like that anymore. That was one sweet .22 revolver.
I prefer the single six to the bearcat for it's adjustable sights and better accuracy. The little bearcat is a GREAT little gun in the kit gun roll, though. It's a handy little trail gun. Just depends on what you need, I reckon.
The most accurate, finest little .22 revolver I've ever had the privilege to fire was my uncle's worked over nickel plated K22 masterpiece. I'm afraid they don't build 'em like that anymore. That was one sweet .22 revolver.
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