how good do you want to be at it? for the most part, at any distance people will shoot single action, and double action is rapid fire at close range. my issue with revolvers has been that if I practice double action, then I am not delicate enough on the single action trigger and will fire well before I intend to. so, at any range I practice single action, and then for double action I'm firing at an 8" steel plate at 10 yards as fast as I can go, and if I hit it mostly, I'm good for the skill level I'm looking for.
Tips on Double Action Revolver shooting please
- Thread starter Mark_Mark
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I never fire my DA revolvers in SA mode. I don't have any trouble stroking the DA trigger and keeping the sights in-line and on target. Been doing that since I start shooting handguns several decades ago. Using a DA revolver in SA mode makes the shooter at a disadvantage if the revolver is used for SD/HD. Cocking a revolver into SA mode and approaching a tense situation is a recipe for disaster. Back in revolver days most PDs specifically banned cocking into SA mode due to misfire mishaps.
Oldschool shooter
Member
One thing that has helped me with DA shooting is to wrap the thumb of my weak hand around the rear of the frame pointing upward. I held it in such a way that just before the trigger breaks, I could feel the hammer just make contact with that thumb. It also aids in helping to maintain a consistent grip.
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Mark_Mark
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I will be trying this grip!!! thumb touch before the hammer breaks!!!! NICE
UncleEd
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You get in the habit of putting your offhand thumb up behind
your grip and you may regret it if you switch to an auto and
still leave your thumb there. Some habits can be painful.
There's that. But I'm also of the opinion that some points of contact do little for grip and are just something else to have to apply consistently. It may be heresy to this group, but I put thumbs in that category. Since I mainly shoot non-magnum rounds out of K/L frames, I use the thumbs-forward and thumbs-off grip. But, like Uncle Ed's advice, it's best to remember the caveats
.All valid points. The use of the DA trigger for accuracy tends to beg the question "why?" and "what's good?"
As the latter, I've offered my thoughts numerous times, so I'll just post a link:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-good-handgun-shooting.829298/#post-10698972
As to the former, it's subjective as well. One could simply argue that there's virtue in doing something well which isn't easy, took effort, and not everyone can do. If that was the end of the story, though, practicing with a goal of stuffing 50 raisins up your nose would be a virtuous endeavor too, so there has to be more to it.
IMO, marksmanship is, in addition to sight picture and trigger control, managing mental chatter. The better you can focus and manage the mental chatter, the more your overall skill increases. The DA trigger just adds a bit more chatter to contend with. And there's something very practical about being able to just pull the trigger and hitting the target. Both of these aren't unlike getting off the bench and shooting your rifle from field positions. The complete wheelgunner would be able to shoot a SA/DA revolver well in both modes, and the complete rifle shooter should be able to hit their target from field positions. JMO, YMMV, and all that...
J-Bar
Member
It should be comforting to those of us with mediocre skill when those shooters who are more skillful agree on techniques. I was re-reading W. W. Greener's classic book, "The Gun and It's Development" (mine is the 9th Edition by Bonanza Books, New York), and found a lengthy quote by Mr. Walter Winans in the chapter titled 'Modern Pistol' (page 538). Several of the previous posts appear to agree with Mr. Winans, who was a champion at the Bisley (England) matches in 1896. Mr. Winans won 10 of the 12 revolver matches and tied for first in the 11th, so I think his opinion is worthy of consideration. Extracts follow:
"In my opinion, revolver shooting is essentially a matter of firing rapidly at short ranges. Deliberate shooting at stationary targets, especially at long ranges, is all wrong. ...When a revolver is used practically, either in war or self-defence (sic), the shooting is done generally at a few yards distance and at a rapidly moving object. Further, it often happens that a succession of shots has to be fired in a few seconds. ...a man who can hit a target, say, eight inches square at five yards range in snap shooting is a good practical shot."
The entire quote is much longer, but I hope I have done it justice.
It's also fun to note that we tend to re-invent knowledge. Mr. Winans said these things 127 years ago. I wish we could watch him shoot today.
"In my opinion, revolver shooting is essentially a matter of firing rapidly at short ranges. Deliberate shooting at stationary targets, especially at long ranges, is all wrong. ...When a revolver is used practically, either in war or self-defence (sic), the shooting is done generally at a few yards distance and at a rapidly moving object. Further, it often happens that a succession of shots has to be fired in a few seconds. ...a man who can hit a target, say, eight inches square at five yards range in snap shooting is a good practical shot."
The entire quote is much longer, but I hope I have done it justice.
It's also fun to note that we tend to re-invent knowledge. Mr. Winans said these things 127 years ago. I wish we could watch him shoot today.
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Mark_Mark
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a moving target range would be cool!
One final thought is that developing skilled DA shooting WILL make you a better SA shot. LEO for 33, mostly my old 4 screw 19, transitioned to auto....DA M/39, final duty gun M645...........DA revolver to DA auto presented no issue whatever, trigger control is what it is simply all about.
Mark M, convert that to moving yourself while the target is re positioning and seeking cover! One of my officers did exactly that when he screwed up and ordered an armed robbery suspect to walk toward his cruiser........that fella did, and at the last moment dodged for cover the passenger side of the police car afforded. My man, realizing what was happening exposed himself running toward the cover of a light pole that was to his front left and fired three times (needless to say DA) while running....he hit the suspect with all three rounds, one dead center upper chest, one right shoulder and one to the center of the rear of that mans head! 2nd round spun him. I came on scene just after and I remain amazed that a fellow of my man's girth and height could conceal himself behind a phone pole!..................Anway, the point being that DA accuracy is easily possible and point shooting is a skill that will serve everyone that uses a firearm defensibly........I'll add that I have had several close associates involved in shootouts, all said they never saw a front sight and all said they did not have enough ammo!
Incidentally, my man behind the phone pole still had three left in that model 15!
Incidentally, my man behind the phone pole still had three left in that model 15!
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Mark_Mark
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I just want to cloverleaf at 7 yards DA!
Why does your memory reminds me of a movie with Clint Eastwood!
