---------------------- SA PROS-----------------------------------
1. As some have already said, with a SA you can fire a heavy caliber in a smaller package. This is important if you are on long treks in the back country and every once counts.
2. SA are very durable under field conditions, but some DA such as Ruger and Dan Wesson are stronger and as durable as most single actions.
3. The ergonomics on a SA are different and therefore they handle recoil in a different way. SA tend to roll up under heavy recoil, therefore making it a little more comfortable to shoot than a comparable DA which tend to drive into the web of your hand more than a SA.
4. SA look cool while you are riding a horse. (This is actually the most important reason to own one.
------------------------SA CONS-------------------------------------
1. Slow rate of fire due to having to manually cock the hammer for each shot. I know there are men and SA guns that can fire amazingly fast, but for the average person, the SA is much slower into action than a DA. This is why LE uses DA. This is also imprtant in any defensive situation against 2 or 4 legged critters.
2. Slow reload. This becomes less important for field use unless you happen upon a drug operation while hiking in the back country.
3. Slow follow up shots due to more muzzle flip under heavy recoil.
I do not own any SA guns since I do not own a horse (See #4 under SA PROS). The only real disadvantage of the DA's I own (Dan Wessons) is the weight, and since I am a large and fit individual, that has not become a hiderance to me yet. Even while hunting, defense is always a possibility, so I tend to stay with DA.
