Author Topic: handgun hunting (Read 2510 times)

warrior1 · « **on:** July 24, 2007, 07:42:12 AM »

when hunting with your double action handgun, is your first shot taken single action or double action.

jhalcott · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2007, 07:58:21 AM »

IF I have to "draw and fire" like Wyatt Earp it would be double action. I try to be ready well before I take a shot though! So my gun is usually cocked and waiting for the target to give me the shot I want. The draw & fire mode would be a defensive move with a "Hail Mary" added!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2007, 09:02:11 AM »

During a hunting situation, I usually use the double action in the single action mode.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2007, 09:13:52 AM »

I've been hunting with handguns (almost but not quite exclusively with double actions) for over 40 years. So far I've fired every shot on game single action. If I were able to hunt another 40 years I expect I'd be able to say the same then as now.

ccoker · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2007, 10:20:57 AM »

I would bet most everyone is going to say single action
try both and see what your are more accurate with.....

Josh M. · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2007, 12:54:04 PM »

What's this "double action" you speak of? - Josh M.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2007, 01:11:11 PM »

Actually, I've used my double action revolvers both ways. Just really depends on what mood I'm in. Works both ways just as well.

Dan Chamberlain · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2007, 02:17:25 AM »

I've never encountered a situation that required a shot be fired so quickly, that the hammer couldn't first be brought back. I will occasionally shoot double action for target work and have found that with care and attention, comparable groups can be fired in that mode to single action groups, but when shooting for speed, I have to satisfy myself with larger groups.

I have a friend who shall forever be known to his shooting friends as the human ransome rest. His double action groups sicken many of us single action shooters!

Dan

Bullseye · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2007, 06:42:46 AM »

Single action for hunting. Matter of fact I rarely ever shoot a revolver in double action. Maybe once or twice a year just to do it.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2007, 11:39:38 AM »

Single action. Have hunted with a handgun for 40 years like Graybeard. I don't believe some hunters could get off an accurate shot in double action. No insult intended to the seasoned handgunners.

The few times I ever needed a quick second shot it was cocking the hammer again. Old hunting habit I guess.
And I use to shoot alot of PPC competition with a double action only custom gun. But these were only paper targets and not a hunting situations.
I guess if I were being attacked by a bear or wild boar a double action shot might happen if my brain was working at the time. But I'd probably be shooting on the run and over my shoulder.

jamaldog87 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2007, 11:48:43 AM »

once i kill a turkey and it was a draw and fire with my 454 ruger with 45long colts. but most time i fire Single action.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2007, 12:15:00 PM »

Quote

So far I've fired every shot on game single action. If I were able to hunt another 40 years I expect I'd be able to say the same then as now.

Me too, even if it's at wounded game, i've always fired single action and picked my shots!

DM

Davemuzz · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2007, 12:55:03 PM »

I have shot deer in single action. that's 90% of the time. But then, I have shot them in DA, that 10% of the time is when they are on the run and I have a shot that I can't pass up.....the DA has worked very well. Those shots are (have been) 20 yards or less.

Dave

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:08:44 PM »

Single action

Cheesehead · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:53:07 PM »

Always use single action when hunting, so much so that I switched to a single action pistol.

cheese

warrior1 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2007, 12:49:39 AM »

thank you for the input, seems i'm not the only one who uses single action. dan

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #16 on:** July 27, 2007, 02:15:58 AM »

I like to practice double action just because it is something not everyone does well. I am reasonably confident in my skills at this point.
This week I hit a woodchuck looking out of his hole at 40 yards with my double action Ruger.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #17 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:02:06 AM »

Quote from: Hairtrigger on July 27, 2007, 02:15:58 AM

I like to practice double action just because it is something not everyone does well. I am reasonably confident in my skills at this point.
This week I hit a woodchuck looking out of his hole at 40 yards with my double action Ruger.

Woodchucks are like insurance salesmen. When you get rid of one....sure enough, in a week or so, another one will show up....look and act just like the last one, and you'll have to get rid of that one the same way!

Dave

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #18 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:37:40 AM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on July 27, 2007, 06:02:06 AM

Quote from: Hairtrigger on July 27, 2007, 02:15:58 AM
I like to practice double action just because it is something not everyone does well. I am reasonably confident in my skills at this point.
This week I hit a woodchuck looking out of his hole at 40 yards with my double action Ruger.

Woodchucks are like insurance salesmen. When you get rid of one....sure enough, in a week or so, another one will show up....look and act just like the last one, and you'll have to get rid of that one the same way!

Dave

They sure fun to shoot!

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #19 on:** July 27, 2007, 11:45:44 AM »

Woodchucks or insurance salesmen?

Davemuzz · « **Reply #20 on:** July 27, 2007, 03:13:18 PM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller on July 27, 2007, 11:45:44 AM

Woodchucks or insurance salesmen?

Ha,ha,ha....That could be a toss up!

warrior1 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2007, 05:54:49 AM »

well according to my great uncle giovanni ohallaran,he as a younger one sought the consoltation of his elders and it was agreed you had to hold just a hair higher on them insurance salesmen. fuller brush and tax revenuers , call em to shotgun range.
vacuum cleaner salesmen, llet them demostarte,get your free gift,then lead em to the left just a bit as they make a run to the car.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2007, 08:13:34 AM »

That's an Italian Irishman? It matters not.....must have been a good shot!

(and all those free gifts too)

Dave

corbanzo · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:49:57 PM »

It depends on the balance too, I have had a couple of revolvers which I shoot straighter in double action than I do single action, just because of how they sat in my hands. So, for the most part single action, but depends on the gun.

west · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2007, 02:05:07 PM »

All depends, with the squirrels be armed? file down front sight so it "pulls" easier.

If armed: double action
Unarmed: single action

Large caliber: double action, heck you might hit low and "bark" the tree twisti'n beast with a quick draw.

west · « **Reply #25 on:** August 01, 2007, 02:07:39 PM »

ooohh yeah, forgot...

If you have to fast draw down on the rascal, don't shoot youself in the foot, you be surprised how often people do that playing Wyatt Earp.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #26 on:** August 01, 2007, 02:41:56 PM »

Quote from: west on August 01, 2007, 02:07:39 PM

ooohh yeah, forgot...

If you have to fast draw down on the rascal, don't shoot youself in the foot, you be surprised how often people do that playing Wyatt Earp.

Ouch!!!

That's gonna leave a mark!

warrior1 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 01, 2007, 04:40:12 PM »

just about did that on a cottontail with a 12 gauge double he was running at me ,i missed with the first barrel, but the second sorta created a red mist mighty close to my foot. big lesson that day.that was years ago.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #28 on:** August 02, 2007, 02:05:24 AM »

warrior1,

Ohhh....a bad case of "where did the bunny go???...he was just here a minuet ago!!!"

Dave

blhof · « **Reply #29 on:** August 02, 2007, 03:56:02 AM »

I watched a similiar experience with a pheasant a few years ago, when one flushed at the feet of the hunter beside me. He shot at eye level; but the barrel was touching the tail when he fired. There was an explosion of feathers and not enough bird to keep. At least the head was intact, so he could prove it was a rooster.