Why would I shoot double-action MORE accurately than single-action ??

[bgw45]

Some people can accept "the float" when shooting DA, but fight the float when shooting SA.

 

[Wil Terry]

Simple ! You do not know when the gun is going off in DA shooting. You DO know when on SA shooting and you have a flinch caused by the GO-BAND-NOW Syndrome.
And so it goes...

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm thinking I probably do this backwards.
... talking about getting better results shooting semi-auto pistols in DA.

That is pretty common among self-taught shooters. Learning optimal sight alignment technique is a progressive skill, not a static goal.

One of the huge downsides of 3-dot sights is that it slows down perception of correct sight alignment as the dots, on the rear blade, draw your eye away from the front blade

 

[BCRider]

Since you say that you're primarily an SA shooter I'm going with the folks that say you're doing better in DA because you're concentrating harder on the proper basics.

You came back and said that you didn't think it was the case. But the facts support that it is the case.

I've got the same thing when it comes to shooting with my off hand. When I do it right I've often had tighter groups shooting left hand only than my right (strong) hand only groups. I'm pretty sure it's not due to any inherent better ability other than my focus on doing all the basic things just right. Once I get into that same mind set I find I can then turn around and match my left hand "tighter" group with my right hand only group.

But it often takes my left hand embarrassing my right hand to make the right hand smarten up.... I'm not sure what the similar deal would be for the same hand shooting in DA vs SA. Either way though I'd suggest it's you just focusing on the basics of your trigger pull more when in DA mode.

 

[jad0110]

One of the huge downsides of 3-dot sights is that it slows down perception of correct sight alignment as the dots, on the rear blade, draw your eye away from the front blade

And that right there explains why instinctively, I've always preferred simple, all black sights, though a front sight composed of a red/orange ramp or gold bead is good too. Definitely prefer an all black rear, though I can tolerate a white outline rear such as on a S&W revolver. I really dislike 3 dots ... and I like fiber optics even less. But then I again I have decent eye sight.

For me, shooting DA forces me to focus on the basics. I find I flinch or anticipate recoil less frequently when shooting my 3" 629 .44 Magnum in DA than I do shooting a SA 5" 1911 .45 ACP.

As long as you have sufficient strength in your trigger finger and you don't have too bad arthritis pain in your finger joints, there is no reason why one shouldn't be able to shoot just as well DA. Probably the biggest hurdle is one's own mind ... perceptions, assumptions, preconceived notions, etc. Which explains why I have a little harder time with SA triggers ... it goes both ways !

 

[murf]

a da trigger pull has an automatic ten pound follow-through, an sa trigger pull does not. to shoot sa accurately, one must resist the temptation to slap the trigger and must have a consistent follow-through imo.

follow-through is important in any shot process, so it being automatic in da helps some to be a better shot.

murf