Who else carries a single action?

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I don't yet have my CCL, (should soon) but I open carry my .44 Blackhawk whenever possible and will carry it concealed when I can. I'm just curious, who else carries a SA revolver as their main weapon?
 
Just out of curiosity, why are you carrying a Blackhawk concealed? Further, how do you carry a Blackhawk concealed? I don't necessarily see anything wrong with toting a SA around, I am just not sure of the logistics of doing something like that. Are you in a rural area?
 
I have done so in the past. I've got a nifty rig for it, a double shoulder rig, built on the lines of the Montana Skeleton. The muzzles ride in little pouches about an inch deep, and there are little leather covered spring steel clips that hold the cylinders. The gun rocks out, and that's it. Quick as quick can be. Most people claim that a pair of 7.5" Super Blackhawks aren't concealable. They're wrong.

However, the more I got to thinking about it, the less that seemed like such a good idea. For one thing, although I'm plenty quick and accurate shooting two handed, if I were to have one hand disabled, and be forced to shoot one handed, it would change the whole dynamic. Second, even a short barrelled SA tends to be pretty long, and they aren't the easiest guns in the world to hang on to, if a goblin grabs hold of that long barrel. Third, they're about the slowest guns around to reload. Takes me about six seconds to recharge one, versus a second and a half for a 1911. Plus, the 1911 can be shot one handed, with no appreciable difference in rate of fire.

It's not a bad idea to carry a SA, after all, lots of folks carry J-frames, and they only hold five. But a big colt, or bigger ruger is a lot of gun to tote around for only carrying five or six rounds. They cite FBI stats that say most gunfights are over in two or three shots. Trouble is that there's no guarantee that the one you stumble into will be.

To my mind, carrying isn't about being cool, or different. It isn't about "what's the oddest, least efficient gun I can tote, and still possibly save my bacon when the chips are down?" It's about "what is the most efficient and reliable tool I can find for the job?" See my sig for more details.

To my mind, that's something that carrys a decent payload of a major caliber, is quick to reload if need be, and doesn't need to be thumbcocked between shots.

~~~Mat
 
I carried a Ruger Bisley Vaquero in 45 cal. for a long time.
I got to be very quick with it and very accurate.

Just out of curiousity, why do you want to carry a blackhawk?
 
Carry what ever gun you are confortable with. I've carried my Ruger Vaquero 45lc with the 3.75 barrel and it rode in my front pocket. You are the one who has to tote around that hog leg and if that is what you shoot well with then I'm all for it. Happy shooting
 
In the winter I will carry a SBH 7.5" in a Freedom arms crossdraw holster.
I don't feel under gunned
Later,
Doug

xmas_tree_6.gif
 
I've carried my USFA Rodeo SAA in .45 Colt as a woods gun if I'm wearing a coat or jacket. Not something I can do when wearing normal street clothes.
 
If we could tote open carry, I'd carry a .45 Blackhawk from time to time probably. But, it ain't much of a concealment gun in south Texas. No thanks. I have more concealable weapons. For me, pocket guns start out around a 2" J frame and work down in size. I cannot fathom a pocket big enough for a Blackhawk.
 
This is often in a fanny pack that's...camouflaged...in ways I won't discuss publicly.

I even added a bit of psychological warfare :). This gun was actually bought and customized as an urban CCW piece.

vaqhawk.jpg
 
I carried a Vaquero one Halloween :)

Basically, it comes down to having a reliable, powerful gun that you can score hits with. If the Blackhawk does it, then by all means carry it. Wouldn't be my first choice, but it can work.
 
I though all you guys were dead!!:evil:

I admire your confidence but the last guy I heard carrying an SA for defense was Elmer Keith. Now I'll have to call my son in Texas and find out if it's still done.;)

I know how you feel. Most of the LE guys I encounter are SHOCKED that I carry a Model 21 S&W (.44 Special). They think that I don't have enough firepower! I haven't had to hurt a human yet so I don't know things with certainty, but statistical studies I've read show no increase in hit/kill probability with large capacity sidearms. It seems that most encounters are settled with two hits, whether five or fifty rounds are expended in the effort.

I think that you're best with what you're comfortable.
 
Further, how do you carry a Blackhawk concealed?
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Shoulder holster...waist holster...backpack...fanny pack...gove box...take your pick. ;)

Just out of curiousity, why do you want to carry a blackhawk?
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'cause cowboy guns are cool. :D Plus the .44 mag will stop just about any threat that presents itself. I tend to listen to country music and drive lifted trucks, too. ;)

I think my next purchase will be a 3 1/2" barrel .357 Vaquero with birds head grips, though.
 
I'm not sure I'd ever carry a full-sized single-action, if I had the option of a stone-reliable modern descendant available, but the NAA mini-revolvers are single-action, and I've been known to tote one around.
 
All of my guns are full-sized SA guns (except a Buckmark with a Red Dot sight) so if I decide to carry, that's what it'll be. Not likely to put much effort into trying to conceal it though. I'm told the visibility of a large SA often lends a welcome bit of Civility to social interactions.

:cool:
 
There are just way too many double action revolvers out today that shoot just as well in SA mode if for some reason you'd want to...plus reloads don't take 3 minutes or involve 35 steps. I just don't get it unless it's done purely to be different.
 
I have carried a 5 1/2 inch Blackhawk on my belt from time to time. I have shot this revolver quite a bit and I'm comfortable with it.
Most of the LE guys I encounter are SHOCKED that I carry a Model 21 S&W (.44 Special). They think that I don't have enough firepower
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A lot of the LEOs today don't have a clue about firearms except what the department put in their hands (and very little about that).
There are just way too many double action revolvers out today that shoot just as well in SA mode if for some reason you'd want to...plus reloads don't take 3 minutes or involve 35 steps. I just don't get it unless it's done purely to be different.
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By the same analogy there are way to many semi-autos out today........
So to each their own.
 
When I first started carrying concealed, I carried a Ruger Birds-Head Vaguero, with 3 3/4 (?) barrell.

Heavy, but it was very comforting. Wore it under a vest.

I have a couple of auto's, including two glocks and a 1911, and still find myself gravitating to the Revolvers.

I will say this for the .45lc, it will never be considered a "mouse gun"!
 
I like single action guns. I often carry cap and ball guns (all single action) and some single action cartridge guns. I see nothing wrong with single action guns so long as you practice and are quick and good at shooting them. If you're truly pulling it out for defense you can cock it quickly as you finish pulling it out (assuming you don't have a really light/sensitive trigger) adding little or no time to what it would take to have a double action ready to fire.
 
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