Author Topic: easiest double action? (Read 942 times)

qajaq59 · « **on:** November 19, 2005, 05:21:26 AM »

I'm thinking of buying a double action revolver for self defense. However with the arthritis in my hands I want to get the one that is easiest to fire but isn't a piece of crap. Since there is nowhere here I can rent different guns to try them I thought maybe you guys might have an opinion on which would be best? If indeed there is any that you'd consider easy?

poncaguy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:05:56 AM »

I have a Dan Wesson 8" 357 which has a real nice double action trigger. My Ruger GP 100 357 isn't too bad, but heavier than the DW. I have arthritis too , a real pain.....especially when I shoot my Encore 15" 460 S&W..:eek:

qajaq59 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:16:11 AM »

Thanks, I'll start by looking at the Dan Wessons. Heck of a thing when we have to buy guns by what our arthritis allows instead of the ones we really like, but if I can't pull the trigger easy enough to hit something I guess it wont be much help when I need it.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:48:09 AM »

S&W makes some fine revolvers. I had a S&W model 66 in 357 mag and it was a great defence gun, but it was stolen recently.

arky65 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:53:55 PM »

Easiest out of box double action revolver i ever shot was a colt trooper. smooth and clean to the break and broke crisp and clean.

jme

arky65

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2005, 03:00:15 AM »

When you've decided on the gun that you're going to keep, set aside a hundred to hundred fifty bucks for a COMPETENT gunsmith. A properly worked 10# pull trigger will feel lighter than an out of the box 6#, unless of course you're spending large dollars on an out of the box gun.
The term "buttery smooth" is highly over used on triggers that are actually just not as rough as the commonplace but can be honestly applied to some. It is skilled labor intensive, not something anyone with a file and stone is going to do successfully and certainly not somethng you are going to find in a production handgun.
Arthritis runs heavy in my family and older friends, I sometimes think it may be something in the water :wink: and I'm just biding my time till it hits me. Personally, I'm willing to spend as much on the gunsmith as the weapon. Which brings up another point, I've done enough metal work to know that the quality of the finished product depends completly on the quality of materials started with.
My decision for my last pistol is almost finished, an all steel J-frame Smith in 357. The small grip frame allows me far greater range in shopping for heavily padded grips that fit and are comfortable without being huge. As the condition worsens (is that a word?) I can reduce the charges with off the shelf ammo till I get down to a 38 S&W. When I can't deal with that I'll just hang my wallet on the front door.

Zcarp2 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2005, 03:48:54 AM »

I consider the older S&W triggers to be the best. Buy them used. The one that I wish that I had bought was an old 5 screw S&W 38 Special. Well worn in. SMOOTH!

The second best was an old Colt Police Positive. Both of these guns had been used and taken care of. Didn't get that one either.

Just found one for my father. A S&W Model 10, no dash. Pencil profiled 6" barrel. Shot it once and he loves it.

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2005, 01:39:06 PM »

I bought a 30 year old K frame in 38 special that had been used but not abused. It cost $300. No need for gunsmithing, and it is quite smooth.

jro45 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2005, 02:22:12 AM »

I found those S&W handguns to be easy to fire. Like the one I have is the model 13. 357caliber.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2005, 02:48:36 AM »

Quote from: Questor

I bought a 30 year old K frame in 38 special that had been used but not abused. It cost $300. No need for gunsmithing, and it is quite smooth.

For a normal healthy person, I'd agree completely, but were talking about a condition that gets to a point that every movement is painful then the gunsmith makes a tremendous difference.

Savage · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2005, 05:07:34 AM »

The Wolff spring kit makes a world of difference in the trigger pull of any revolver. Still, if you have never experienced a well "Smithed" revolver trigger, you don't know what you're missing.
Savage

qajaq59 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2005, 01:32:19 PM »

Gentlemen, I thank you all.

And, I'd say after reading the responses that I should be looking for a S&W and a "competent " gunsmith. The S&W might be a lot easier to find around here then the competent gun smith. I'll start asking the guy at the range about it as we have not lived here very long. I did have a Williams sight put on locally and frankly no way would I let that guy anywhere near one of my triggers.

44 Man · « **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2005, 07:57:35 AM »

A good smith can smooth out most triggers. And I will say that S&W probably has one of the best triggers out there. But I have never seen anything that would compare to a well tuned Colt Python trigger. I owned an older nickled python 4" many years ago that had the finest trigger I have ever handled, period. Trouble is, finding one of those gun now at a price you can afford and finding a smith that still knows how to work on one. Good Luck . 44 Man

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2005, 08:46:25 AM »

Best trigger I ever squeezed was on a Python, could feel absolutely nothing mechanical between initation of the pull till the hammer fell.

jro45 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2005, 08:59:31 AM »

44 man, I agree S&W is what is needed

.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2005, 10:01:05 AM »

44man & Butlerford,

I have had some colt Pythons that were the slickest working actions going, But the problem now is findind one that don't cast an arm and leg. The people that have them know what they have and are going to keep them............Joe.............

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2005, 11:53:35 AM »

I think they are wonderful weapons, however I still think they are generally over rated and definately overpriced.

Swamp Yankee · « **Reply #17 on:** November 27, 2005, 12:17:35 PM »

My choice would be a model 14 K-38 S&W with oversized factory grips [easier to hold onto]. I had one and foolishly sold it some years back. I regret it to this day................Jim

1911crazy · « **Reply #18 on:** December 01, 2005, 04:23:06 AM »

If I were you i would look for a used well broken in Ruger Security-Six then you can take it apart and moly it up that will make everything turn easier and smoother for you. You can also get a lesser tention hammer spring(wolf spring kit) too that will make it easier to pull the trigger in double action too.

Ahab · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2005, 04:45:45 AM »

Early sixties S&W will do what you want. Can be had in good condition. Will not cost an arm and a leg and you won't need the services of a gunsmith. You can still find some .357's that were traded for autos by various State Highway Patrols. :grin:

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2005, 03:02:09 PM »

Has been great reading. The best dbl action pull that I ever tryed was a friends 90's vintage 686 smith. This had been worked on by a competent smith and would even hit the primers hard enough to fire it.

However....The arthritis may be un-noticible in a self defense situation.
Is kind of like the Africa big game hunters, the recoil of a hard hitting magnum suddenly becomes insignificant when something large & dangerous comes over to settle differences.

Still need to practice though. I guess that this is where you really need that light pull.