Double Action Only versus Double Action/Single Action
December 13th, 2006 by Syd
I’ll admit to a preference for exposed hammer revolvers. I don’t know why really. Maybe it’s the traditionalist in me. Maybe it’s because I like to have the option to fire single action if I want to. Single action fire is generally thought to be more accurate than double action. When target shooting and hunting, people prefer to manually cock the hammer to get that wonderful crisp 1 lb. trigger that a good revolver firing single action can give you. The sights just move around less when you don’t have to apply the force needed to cock the hammer.
On the other hand, people who carry a revolver for self defense should practice almost exclusively for double action fire, as if the single action option wasn’t even there. Why? Because there are almost no situations in which single action fire is appropriate in self defense. Most self defense situations unfold rapidly. There isn’t time to thumb cock a revolver and take careful aim in the way one would do while target shooting. A cocked revolver is dangerous in the adrenaline dump of a lethal force encounter. The trigger is just too light. It’s too easy to fire when you don’t mean to. There was a well-publicized case in Miami several years back in which a police officer accidentally shot a suspect he was holding at gunpoint with a cocked revolver. The suspect was killed and the officer faced a lengthy court process which ultimately destroyed his career.
In a nervous situation, a cocked revolver is dangerous. When you’re really nervous or scared, the heavy double action trigger pull is an asset rather than a liability. I can hear you say, “Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire,” and that’s true, but we also know that people don’t always do what they’re supposed to do in the stress of a deadly encounter. The police officer in Miami is a good example. I’m sure he had heard the rules. A firm double action trigger can be a welcome piece of insurance against an accidental discharge. With a DAO revolver, manual cocking isn’t possible, nor is it possible to be accused of negligently cocking the hammer in a civil action which could follow a self defense shooting.
Is there a case to be made for the DA/SA? A little imagination can generate scenarios in which single action fire could be an asset: a hostage situation, a survival situation in which a careful shot on a game animal might make the difference between living and starving, some kind of “broken field” situation in which there is an active threat but it is further away than a few yards. Admittedly, these all fall into the “one-in-a-million” category, but if it’s possible, it could happen.
As we have often seen before, all handguns are studies in compromise. For a self defense revolver, the DAO format seems to be an acceptable trade-off. Single action fire is sacrificed for superb, snag-free conceal-ability and the elimination of certain liabilities.
Sourch: The Snubnose Files
See also: What is the difference between single action and double action in pistols?
I can’t tell you how much incredibly usefull information you’ve provided to me on your websites. I’ve always been a 1911 fan and post-Katrina got my CC permit and chose a 1911 to carry. A lot of the information I’ve really relied upon has come from The Sight 1911 and your blogs. Thanks.
So does your logic above argue against a 1911 for carry? It seems to me that here is similar time involved in taking the safey off the 1911 and cocking the DA revolver. A 1911 trigger won’t be nearly as stout as a DA revolver. And although there won’t be time for careful aim, should’t we find the time to access the front sight. (I’m glad you named the blog “Front Sight, Press.” It helps me to remember.) And once we’ve gotten to this point, Don’t we want all the advantage we can get and if a light trigger saves us a couple of inches on target then isn’t it worth it? I think we have a little different perspective than law enforcement officers in that we’re not going to be arresting anyone and I don’t see us holding anyone at gunpoint. To draw my weapon, I have to feel that deadly force is necessary, i.e., the decision to fire has probably already been made before my gun clears its holster.
George,
Thanks for the kind remarks. I’m pretty quick on the draw with a 1911. With a little practice, the safety sweep becomes part of the draw stroke and there really isn’t much extra time involved.
However, there may be circumstances in which the 1911 may not be the ideal carry gun, such as when we are suffering from injuries or other physical impairments.
I relay some of my own experience with this matter in my article “Age and the Snubnose” at http://www.snubnose.info/docs/age.htm
Syd
Something that bugs me is when I go to the range and there are 2/3/4 other people there shooting at silhouette targets with their snubbies, and they are all shooting them single action.
I never practice single action with mine. I figure if I can shoot it accurately double action, then I should be able to shoot it pretty well in single action if I ever want to.
These people who I see at the local range are all CHL holders and have chosen to carry a snubby. I think they are doing themselves a disservice by practicing only single action shooting.
Yep. SA may stroke the ego (or provide a false self confidence), but it doesn’t do much else.
Syd