Why do folks like SA revolvers still?

[Smaug]

I'm not criticizing the choice, but just want to understand it better. I think I'm younger than the typical SA revolver aficionado. (45) With respect, maybe it's a generational thing?

To me, a DA revolver that has a SA option does the same thing, and more efficiently, while retaining the same fixed barrel accuracy:

• Faster lock time
• Faster reloading
• DA option

Is it a nostalgia thing, for folks who grew up watching cowboy shows, or is there something more to it? For example, I've read that SA revolvers with the traditional cowboy grip tend to rotate upwards in recoil rather than push back. From the few times I've shot one, that arch still gives a pretty good thump right in the palm of the hand.

Is it akin to choosing a lever action rifle over an automatic rifle, where a slower, more deliberate way of doing things can be more satisfying?

 

[mcb]

My first revolver was a single action. My second revolver was a double action. I have never come back to single action revolvers, yet. I do almost all of my revolver shooting double action, cant remember the last time I cocked the hammer of one of my revolvers or the last time I had that old Blackhawk out.

 

[silicosys4]

People like being able to relate to times long past.

 

[J-Bar]

In my experience a single action handgun, revolver or semi-automatic, is capable of shooting smaller groups. The double action handgun will have a heavier, longer trigger pull, which in my hands at least opens group size a bit. For tinkering, the single action handgun is simpler mechanically. I can disassemble and reassemble single actions; I have never even attempted disassembling a double action.

And then there is the historical, nostalgic, aesthetic appreciation of the 19th century revolvers. The open top Colts, the Model P, the early Remingtons are graceful machines. French curves all over the place. Those of us who grew up with western Saturday matinees in movie theaters and westerns on TV will always want one. Or two. Maybe more.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The Colt Single Action Army was the direct descendant of the earlier Colt single action Cap & Ball revolvers.

First introduced in 1873, the SAA was in continuous production until 1940, when Colt switched production to making firearms for the War.

After WWII, Colt had no intention of starting up production of the old design, expecting no one would be interested in such an old revolver.

What Colt did not count on was thousands of GIs returning home after the War, going to college and buying homes on the GI bill, and installing televisions in those new homes.

Suddenly Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, and dozens of other silver screen cowboys were galloping through living rooms in all those new houses.

An enterprising young man named Bill Ruger introduced a small, 22 caliber single action revolver in 1953. There was so much pent up demand that Ruger could not produce enough Single Sixes to satisfy the demand.

In 1955 Ruger introduced a full sized 357 Magnum single action revolver.

In 1956 Colt finally saw the handwriting on the wall and started making the Single Action Army again.

Yes, it is absolutely a generational thing.

I used to love watching all the old Westerns on TV when I was a kid. Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Sugarfoot, Cheyenne, Bonanza, and Maverick to name a few.

I will be 72 in a few days.

I bought my first single action revolver, a replica of the Colt Navy Cap & Ball revolver in 1968.

I started collecting and shooting single action revolvers, reliving my childhood fantasies about 20 years ago.

If a single action revolver thumps your hand, you are not holding it correctly. Too many novices try to cram their entire hand onto the grip and hold it with a vice like grip.

I learned a long time ago to curl my pinky under the grip, hold it relatively lightly, and allow the revolver to rotate up in recoil. Then bring it down and cock the hammer for the next shot.

Trust me on this.

 

[.38 Special]

In addition to nostalgia and "slowing down", I personally find that:

Single actions have the best grips/grip frames for really heavy recoil.

Single actions are the simplest of all repeating handguns, in use, maintenance, and repair.

Single actions point more naturally.

Single actions are better looking.

Of course, most of that is subjective and so not any sort of argument of superiority. And of course, as fighting handguns they are pretty far down the list - I wouldn't feel unarmed if one was in my CCW holster, but...

And just for what it is worth, I was in my twenties when I fell in love with the SA, and have never looked back.

 

[film495]

my summer carry is a double action revolver. one of those NAA minis. clips in a pocket, and the fold out grip makes it so I can actually hold and aim a firearm that small. I would have selected all 3 of your options in the poll, but - had to pick just one. I like the simplicity of the mechanism, makes you slow down and think a bit about what you are doing. Fun for target practice and a good training tool. I have a few single actions and if I was a richer man I'd have many more.

 

[CraigC]

It's a lot of things. It's certainly growing up with westerns but just gets your foot in the door. You're not going to do what I've done over the last 35yrs, owning nearly 80 single action revolvers, based on that alone. There's a lot of utility in their use and I don't consider them "slowing down". The guns are comfortable to shoot, accurate, dependable and they still are able to serve a lot of purposes. I've got two dozen DA's but rarely shoot them double action. It's just not the kind of shooting I like to do. So if I'm cocking the hammer anyway, what's the difference? One big difference is the way they handle recoil. The single action delivers its recoil in a gentler, more controllable way. There's a reason why all those custom .475's and .500's are built on single actions.

 

[Fyrstyk]

For me, the SA points much better.

 

[Sistema1927]

In this day and age, many wonder why people still like any type of revolver, or any type of single-shot, or any type of double barrel.

The "low drag, high speed" crowd tend to think that if you can't mag dump 17 rounds in 4 seconds, or 30 rounds in 6 seconds, you are some kind of antique. However, some of us know better.

 

[mcb]

In this day and age, many wonder why people still like any type of revolver, or any type of single-shot, or any type of double barrel.

The "low drag, high speed" crowd tend to think that if you can't mag dump 17 rounds in 4 seconds, or 30 rounds in 6 seconds, you are some kind of antique. However, some of us know better.

Some of us are stuck between the two and attempt to see how fast we can dump rounds from a revolver.

Years ago I even made speed loaders for my Blackhawk (9mm) to speed reload it for some head to head steel matches that required 11 rounds to complete the heat. Since it was handicapped by your base time from qualifying you could be competitive even reloading a single action. It was fun for a change.

ETA: Since this is a thread about single actions here is my very first revolver a Single Action Ruger Blackhawk convertible 38/357 - 9mm

 

[Cornhusker77]

I just like them for a few reasons. They are "cool" being on top of the list.
It's probably not what I'd carry to a gang fight or a combat zone.
I don't think I'd cc one.
But I like shooting them, holding them, looking at them.
I guess I really don't need a reason, I like them

 

[beag_nut]

None of the above; The Ruger Single-Ten is almost unique, considering its capacity and superior Ruger quality. I have a SS model and it is the perfect squirrel-hunting handgun. Accurate enough to raise eyebrows.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

The "low drag, high speed" crowd tend to think that if you can't mag dump 17 rounds in 4 seconds, or 30 rounds in 6 seconds, you are some kind of antique. However, some of us know better.

I am an antique.

And proud of it.

 

[wcwhitey]

I have never carried a single action other than in the field. That though is what I like about them, I have two Rugers, Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk 44 Special and Magnum. Both are great hunting revolvers and range guns. I am not in a hurry. I appreciate the style and strength of the design, as a hand loader they make me look good.

 

[Stefan A]

My first revolver was a single action Ruger Blackhawk. I bought it because I shot a friend's and had no idea about revolvers. So I just got the same thing. Once I knew about revolvers and more about their history, I bought my 2nd revolver - a Cimeron SAA clone. I just like the historical aspect of them plus I enjoy learning about various styles of firearms. Because my education was lacking, I recently bought my first double action - an Anaconda!.

Stefan

 

[captain awesome]

The feel, the mechanics, the more involved and personal way of firing them. The looks sometimes...the most beautiful handguns I have ever seen are single actions. Of course that's highly subjective, and some can be down right ugly.

 

[Jimfern]

The used to be cheaper to buy, used at least. I still enjoy shooting them and even with my double actions, I usually fire them single action at the range.

 

[chicharrones]

I grew up when Clint Eastwood's revolver carrying movie character got a name, and that name was Dirty Harry. Dirty Harry was no cowboy and he didn't carry a cowboy gun.

Sure, I've seen western movies looong after they were newly released, but they had no impact on why I bought the single action revolvers I have.

I got hooked by the rugged and fairly simple construction of the Ruger versions of single action revolvers. I bought them because they are a good solid gun.

Not to mention that the retention system of empty cartridges can't be beat.

 

[chicharrones]

Have you ever tried to edit a post but accidentally quoted yourself?

Yep, happened again. Now deleted.

 

[UncleEd]

Ruggedness, reliability, simplicity
beyond any other handgun design.

 

[Barbaroja]

My first handgun was a ruger Blackhawk in 41mag that my old man gave me. That’s likely the biggest reason for me. I learned on a single action and that’s now what I prefer. I shoot them well and I feel they handle the recoil better than a double action. Double action seems to put all the recoil right into the thumb joint if my hand.

 

[armoredman]

Some of us devolve even further back...



Why? Why not? It's just plain fun, and while a black powder handgun would never ever be my first choice, second or even third choice for modern self-defense use...I can hit what I am at and lay down a good thumpin' with 6 140 grain lead round balls.

 

[Charlie98]

Single actions point more naturally.

I don't really think that's true... much depends on the handgun grips and everyone's particular hand shape. Personally, I think the most natural pointing handgun... for me... is a 1911.

I probably wouldn't own any single-actions had I not been on the search for a Blackhawk in .41MAG. As it was, I wound up with a rotation of Blackhawks in one form or another, but in .45 Colt, sort of as a stop-gap. I finally traded a 7.5" Vaquero .45 for a 5.5" Vaquero .45... and I've had that pistol for about 20 years. The only reason I have it still is because I can stuff big .45 Colt loads in it, to go with my H&R Classic Hunter in .45 Colt, and my brother's Trapper. It's rugged, it's reliable, it was cheap... it just happens to be a single-action. I would much rather have a 4" or 5" S&W N-frame (Model 25?) than my Vaquero... but it is what it is.

What ever happened to my quest for a Blackhawk in .41? Well... I finally got hold of a beautiful stainless Bisley, 5.5" barrel, in .41MAG. Horribly built pistol... it had so many things wrong with it, I just sold it rather than try to jack with Ruger and get it right. After that, I toyed with the idea of picking up another single-action .41... but at the end of the day, I would rather have a DA pistol. I'd love to find a Redhawk in .41.

I like all firearms... and I like single-actions, too... no flies on them, but I use my firearms, or I guess I could say they all have a specific purpose. A single-action doesn't really fill any role I need any more than a DA revolver might... so I might as well go that route.

 

[Speedo66]

Why? Variety is the spice...