Author Topic: Single action or Double action? (Read 2310 times)

drbooth · « **on:** December 18, 2009, 05:57:56 PM »

I want to start hunting with a handgun but can'd decide on what action. I love single action but I don't know if the noise of drawing back the hammer will spook game. Why did you pick the revolver your using?

Dustyvance · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2009, 06:08:07 PM »

I like both and would hunt with both. I just prefer double action incase a quick back up shot is needed/presented. I have never had but one problem in the past 5 years where an animal heard me and then a gunsmith buddy of mine showed me a trick that makes it easy and as quiet as possible. as ur easing the hammer back, VERY LIGHTLY pull the trigger at the same time and it makes VERY little noise. DO NOT TRY THIS WITH A SINGLE ACTION!!! The trigger on mst single actions are 2 light for this to be affective and could make for a very bad day if that bullet goes astray.

Three44s · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2009, 06:53:26 PM »

I am a confirmed DA guy myself ..........

........ however, when it comes to hunting ...... I'd pick the gun I liked the most .... hammer clicks aside as they are all gonna make some noise.

Three 44s

Bigeasy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:20:43 PM »

Pick the style of gun that you like, and shoot well, the gun that fits your hand. Unless its extreme close range, almost all handgun hunter shoot their revolvers in the single action mode. When I am sitting on stand, I keep my revolver cocked, barrel in a safe direction. If I have to move around, I hold the gun with my thumb between the hammer and frame. When moving on foot, I think it is unwise to carry cocked. I'll just carry it in my hand, or in a holster. Single action handguns have been popular for generations, the noise of cocking the gun is just one of the challenges of handgun hunting.

Larry

jk3006 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:10:56 PM »

Quote from: drbooth on December 18, 2009, 05:57:56 PM

I want to start hunting with a handgun but can'd decide on what action. I love single action but I don't know if the noise of drawing back the hammer will spook game. Why did you pick the revolver your using?

It's a mute point. Don't worry about it. Practice cocking to find the most quiet method, and go kill something. BTW, follow-up shots with single actions are VERY quick. The only time where DA is really needed is if something jumps out of the brush at you and you have no time whatsoever but to just pull the trigger and hip shoot.

Tom W. · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2009, 10:36:03 PM »

I like the D.A. because the recoil feels different than a S.A. and my elbow knows the difference. 99% of the time I shoot it in S.A. mode anyway.

blhof · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2009, 11:30:26 PM »

I just killed my first B/p deer with a Hawkins that has double set trigger. A slow deliberate cock and set trigger pull got no response from the deer, the final pull resulted in a bang/flop. A sharp crack will usually stop a deer, wait for movement to return and they will stop at any other sound, I've cleared my throat to stop a walking buck before he got out of range.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2009, 01:36:49 AM »

Single action for me. I have both single and double action revolvers, I hunt with my single action 90% of the time. Never had a problem with the noise of cocking the single action revolver. Even my double action actions revolvers are used in the single action mode.

Autorim · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2009, 02:08:40 AM »

IMHO single action is always best for deliberate shooting whether with a single action or double action revolver. I don't agree with Larry's method of stand hunting with a cocked revolver. It can be done very quietly if done slowly. I will go with safety first and would rather take my chances of game hearing the cocking over an accidental discharge.

Ken

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2009, 03:54:22 AM »

That S\A hammer can be quickly & quietly finnessed back without hardly making a noise that even you can hear.

Most of the time, you are going to be tuned in to the surroundings and will hear that tell-tale rustle well in advance and be prepared for it. Sometimes not but I have never had the hammer spook a deer.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2009, 04:55:13 AM »

Quote from: Autorim on December 19, 2009, 02:08:40 AM

I don't agree with Larry's method of stand hunting with a cocked revolver. It can be done very quietly if done slowly. I will go with safety first and would rather take my chances of game hearing the cocking over an accidental discharge.

Ken

Ken-

I respect your opinion. Can't argue with gun safety. A long time ago I learned to cock a single action revolver, and hold it in my left hand, with the V of my thumb/forefinger between the hammer and frame while I was sitting on stand. I would not reccomend this method to any one else if they were not 100% comfortable with it, or were hunting in a group. It does help when you are hunting a thick Maine swamp, maybe 10 yards from the deer trail. But like I said, just my opinion.

Larry

Autorim · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2009, 05:04:22 AM »

Larry,

You are obviously an experienced hunter and your method works for you. People do have strokes, heart attacks and other various black out conditions. I would hate to see a dropped, cocked revolver.

Ken

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2009, 05:28:43 AM »

For me it comes out to 6 of one, half dozen of another. I have both and still use single action while hunting either! I just cock my hammer in the most quiet manner as possible.

corbanzo · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2009, 05:16:43 PM »

Even with a light trigger, the aboved pulling the trigger as it is cocked method can work safely. Just pull trigger back, pull hammer back and keep pressure on both. Keep good pressure on the hammer and on the grip, as you slowly let off the trigger until your finger is off it and it is completely reset, then you let the hammer pressure slowly off until it sets itself on the trigger - while keeping your finger off the trigger, until ready to shoot like normal.

If your gun has trouble doing this, it isn't safe, make it into a paperweight. The real safety concern is to just let the pressure slowly off of the trigger and hammer to make sure they set correctly. I own almost all DA, and rarely shoot them in DA when looking for any kind of accuracy.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:36:01 AM »

Quote from: corbanzo on December 21, 2009, 05:16:43 PM

Even with a light trigger, the aboved pulling the trigger as it is cocked method can work safely. Just pull trigger back, pull hammer back and keep pressure on both. Keep good pressure on the hammer and on the grip, as you slowly let off the trigger until your finger is off it and it is completely reset, then you let the hammer pressure slowly off until it sets itself on the trigger - while keeping your finger off the trigger, until ready to shoot like normal.

If your gun has trouble doing this, it isn't safe, make it into a paperweight. The real safety concern is to just let the pressure slowly off of the trigger and hammer to make sure they set correctly. I own almost all DA, and rarely shoot them in DA when looking for any kind of accuracy.

Well said. That is the way to do it!!!

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:42:47 AM »

I like a single action because of the weight. Redhawk felt like it weighed twice as much as Super Blackhawk. Blackhawk also has a smaller frame.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #16 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:39:19 PM »

"I just prefer double action incase a quick back up shot is needed/presented"

A quick back up shot - will be done very good with a SA.
When I shot my Cape Buff at 35 yds - I shot 5 shots within 20 yds.

But - all is a question about how many shots you have fired in your lifetime.

I have hunted with DA and SA for years - and I like the DA-grips much better.
But I will not shoot faster with this gun - when I shoot on living animals.
Papertargets is an "another divison".

corbanzo · « **Reply #17 on:** December 22, 2009, 04:48:29 PM »

Try this:

First of all, this takes practice, and if you dont do it right, it can be unsafe, so try it with the gun unloaded first.

Holster your revolver as normal, grab the gun, with your thumb on the hammer, while it is still on your hip. As you pull the gun up and push forward, lag your thumb, this will make the motion of the gun cock the hammer. When you get to what you are pointing at it will be full cocked and ready to rock.

Try and make sure cocking motion is complete before you complete the upswing. If you are still cocking with the gun pointed, it is going to look like the idiots in the movies cocking with one hand with a flick of the wrist that points the gun straight down in the dirt for a few seconds (where in real life they would be getting shot)

Try it out, chances are you can shoot your SA faster than shooting DA this way.

corbanzo · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2009, 04:49:23 PM »

Oh yeah, and that is for the speed/defense/fun idea... not so much for the hunting

pmeisel · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:51:04 PM »

I use a DA and shoot it SA most of the time anyway....

bilmac · « **Reply #20 on:** December 23, 2009, 12:21:07 AM »

Holding the trigger back while cocking is not as unsafe as it sounds because you do it while the gun is pointed at whatever you are going to be shooting at.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** December 23, 2009, 01:11:25 AM »

I hunt with both and dont really see an advantage either way. But to be honest i more often then not grab a single action.

silly goose · « **Reply #22 on:** December 23, 2009, 01:15:41 AM »

Single actions for me. I've just never found a double action that had any soul. And if I had to explain it, I wouldn't be able to, and you wouldn't understand anyway. Just my thing. Never had a deer spook with the cocking of the hammer, closest about 10 yards. If they did notice, the next thing they would see is a flash so it'd be a moot point anyway. Good luck, its a great journey isn't it?

Terbltim · « **Reply #23 on:** December 23, 2009, 08:40:50 AM »

Quote from: drbooth on December 18, 2009, 05:57:56 PM

I want to start hunting with a handgun but can'd decide on what action. I love single action but I don't know if the noise of drawing back the hammer will spook game. Why did you pick the revolver your using?

I've been using revolvers for deer hunting since '79 and iron sights all the while.
I have and use both the single action and double action. Regardless which is used, I fire them using single action.
I cannot claim one is better than the other.
The double actions have a faster lock-time, (that brief period of time that begins when the trigger releases the hammer and when the gun actually goes Bang!)
The difference can be significant and is why many shooters become more accomplished with a double action revolver.
Fast lock-time is always a good thing for all shooting.
For hunting purposes that is about all the difference there is to consider other than price.
I have not yet fired a handgun upon a deer that was farther than about 42 steps and usually they are under 30 steps and recently 20 steps or less is not unusual.
In all these situations I have only seen one deer acknowledge having heard the cocking of the single action I was using. The deer's reaction was to look hard at me as if trying to understand what it heard and saw. This deer was 19 steps distant and his rack is on my shop wall.
I think the idea of "spooking" game with the sound of cocking the gun is laughable if that game is as far as 25 steps.
When they're closer than that you have to think carefully about everything, including how to muffle the cocking sound.
Get the one you like and shoot it enough to become a good shot.
That will matter much more than the noise of cocking.
You'll see.

jhalcott · « **Reply #24 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:30:57 PM »

More often than not, you will be using S/A when hunting. DOUBLE action is for those time you are holding on to some criminal who means to harm YOU! Then a double action firearm is really appreciated. Just my opinion!

drbooth · « **Reply #25 on:** December 23, 2009, 07:35:33 PM »

Thanks for your imput.
I'm going with a single action, it's what I've shot the most and shoot best.

Pistol_Pete · « **Reply #26 on:** December 24, 2009, 04:43:27 AM »

Quote from: drbooth on December 23, 2009, 07:35:33 PM

Thanks for your imput.
I'm going with a single action, it's what I've shot the most and shoot best.

IMHO, you've hit on the two best reasons for a pistol choice. When I bought my hunting pistol, those were my most important considerations. Another reason was that the Blackhawk just felt better in my hand than the Redhawk. Plus it was less expensive.

I shoot with two hands, and cock the hammer with my left thumb. Cocking happens while I'm recovering from the .44 mag's substantial recoil, so it adds exactly zero time to my second shot.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 24, 2009, 05:24:14 AM »

Quote from: drbooth on December 23, 2009, 07:35:33 PM

Thanks for your imput.
I'm going with a single action, it's what I've shot the most and shoot best.

Great choice, and for all the rigght reasons. Welcome to the single action dark side of handgun hunting..

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #28 on:** December 24, 2009, 10:23:07 AM »

The RUGER BlackHawk and RedHawk are both great.

I have had a number of BH over the years, and presently shoot a 5.5" RedHawk.

I did find that the base pin on the BH had a tendency to move with heavy cast bullet loads. Bullets in the 310 to 325gr. range. This caused damage to the base pin because of the recoil caused battering between the base pin and the spring loaded cross/retainer pin.

If I were to again shoot the BH and desired to use the heavy cast bullets, I would buy an after market base pin with the set screw to help prevent this problem.

The problem never was an issue in the BH with bullets in the 240 - 260gr range.

However, the double action RedHawk, takes a lick'in and just keeps on tick'in!

My standard load for it is a cast 310gr LBT ahead of 19gr of AA#9.

It is one tough gun and shoots VERY well with never a wimper.

Keep em coming!

CDOC

millwright · « **Reply #29 on:** December 30, 2009, 12:10:31 PM »

I have both and really haven't given it much thought because I use them all single action anyway.