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Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:34 pm
by Embalmo
Guys,
I'm not a "hammerless" revolver guy because I prefer to shoot my revolver single action; but I like having the option of drawing and firing without pulling the hammer back. Soooo-My question is why buy a single-action only revolver. It it a nostalgia/hobby thing like black powder, or is it somehow easier to shoot, or more maintenance free. Just curious.
Embalmo
Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:46 pm
by KFP
I suspect that very few people carry a single action only revolver. Usually, they are popular for cowboy action shooting, or hobby/nostalgia as you mentioned.
I wouldn't mind having a Colt Single Action Army someday!
Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:52 pm
by WildBill
KFP wrote:I suspect that very few people carry a single action only revolver. Usually, they are popular for cowboy action shooting, or hobby/nostalgia as you mentioned.

The only single action revolvers that I know people carry are the derringer or NAA type. IMO, the full size SA such as the Colt Peacemakers are mostly for nostalgia. They are fun to shoot, but aren't recommended for carry.
P.S. I don't like DOA revolvers. Mostly, because they look weird.
Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:03 pm
by ELB
There was an incident in Pennsylvania, I think, where a man open-carrying a SAA of modern manufacure (like an Uberti) exchanged fire with a robber in a convenience store. As I recall, the robber was hit and ran out of ammo, which was a good thing, because Mr. SAA fell down once and BROKE his SAA (the trigger, I think).
Dadgummit, now I am going to have to google the details to be sure, but that is the only time I have actually heard of a SAA being used in modern civilian combat.
Update: It was Virginia. I posted on it sometime back.
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... ry#p300412" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Indeed the guy broke the trigger on his revolver, apparently when he dove to the floor, and fired a shot or two by just thumbing the hammer back. He also used the 7.5 barrel on it as a club.
Kinda neat, but the Single Action I am going to stick with is my FN Hi Power.

Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:04 pm
by Embalmo
Thanks guys-That's what I figured.
Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:08 pm
by Embalmo
P.S. I don't like DOA revolvers. Mostly, because they look weird.
[/quote]
I totally agree. I carry autos, but I got my revolver 'cause I've always thought that snubbies look cool and they look like there's a part missing when there's no hammer.
Embalmo
Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:14 pm
by WildBill
Embalmo wrote:P.S. I don't like DOA revolvers. Mostly, because they look weird.
I totally agree. I carry autos, but I got my revolver 'cause I've always thought that snubbies look cool and they look like there's a part missing when there's no hammer.
Embalmo
They look "deformed".

Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:55 pm
by puma guy
Sometimes it's all you got!
I was burglarized in 1995 and got wiped out: all my weapons stolen among other stuff. (I know, I know should have had a gun safe) Anyway the only weapon recovered was a Ruger .357 Blackhawk SA. The guy who ended up with that particular pistol decided to hijack a convenience store about a year later, but was caught red handed. I wondered what kind of idiot would do a hold up with a single action, but the guy was at least smart enough to give it up against the LEO's with semi-autos. It bears the scar from where it hit the pavement. Too bad it didn't fall on the hammer and send a pill into him. It took over two years to get it back but is no worse for the wear. BTW I have slowly built up my cache and they are all in gun safes, thank you very much.

Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:26 pm
by KFP
Puma guy hit the nail on the head. I have Clint Smith's video on revolvers. In it he says almost the same thing - train with the gun that you've got, it's good enough to defend yourself if you train up to it. Clint actually carried single action revolvers only for an extended period (a month?, three months?) to prove that he trusted them to do the job. I believe that he wrote an article on it as well.
If Clint Smith can do it.....well, I'll stick with my semi-autos and DAO revolver.
Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:19 pm
by G.A. Heath
To run a Single Action revolver in a gun fight takes a lot of skill and training. Someone with those can unload that single action revolver quicker than most people can unload 5 rounds out of an autoloader with some truly scary accuracy. Many people died wrongly thinking they had the skill to run one in a gun fight, then somebody came along and invented the Double Action revolver and then someone else invented the Autoloader. I love single action revolvers (Ok, I admit it I actually love guns) however I know enough to admit I can not run one as well as I can run some of my other guns in a fight. I would expect to see some folks starting to carry them because some of those SASS guys are getting scary good with those old guns.
Re: Why single action only?
Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:05 am
by jester
KFP wrote:I suspect that very few people carry a single action only revolver. Usually, they are popular for cowboy action shooting, or hobby/nostalgia as you mentioned.
Another good reason is handgun hunting.