Author Topic: Shot a Single Action. I'm surprised. (Read 3655 times)

mannyrock · « **on:** January 09, 2012, 07:09:25 AM »

Dear Guys,

I have never cared for handguns much, but I have fired a fair number of semi-autos and double action revolvers over the years. Every handgun I ever shot felt like I was holding a "machine" out in front of me, or a hunk of square metal. None of them ever felt natural or easy to aim or shoot. I always had to use a modified Weaver stance and really really use those sights.

So, I was really surprised when I shot my friend's single action Stampede the other day. This one had a six inch barrel. It was amazing. It felt like a natural extension of my hand. Wherever I pointed, the bullet went. I was able to get baseball size groups at 20 yards with no problems with pretty fast shooting, even with my old eyes. And the recoil, even in .357 mag, seemed almost like nothing. The revolver just rolled up and right back down. No pain or pinch. Using .38 special was even more pleasant.

99% of what I would ever use a handgun for would be too shoot coffee cans at 15 to 20 yards, or to have one in my house for protection. Sure it only has 6 shots, but I can't envision myself in a lengthy engagement in my home, trying to use a speedloader or spare magazines in the dark.

I may have to give these things a second look. And, there just so damned beautiful.

Regards, Mannyrock

guzzijohn · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2012, 08:47:54 AM »

SAs may be an old design but they are still popular for just the reasons you described. They are probably the easiest of handguns to shoot well. And yes, no other handgun design comes close to the beauty of a SA.
GuzziJohn

teamnelson · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2012, 08:58:50 AM »

If you get a chance to shoot a bisley, I encourage it. My Bisley .44mag is my only single action, but she's all you described - natural pointer, recoil rolls nice, and thumbing a 2nd shot is slower, but not hard. Nice clean light trigger. All that shooting should be!

It took me a few years, but I've reached the conclusion that newer designs aren't always better.

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2012, 09:06:25 AM »

I don't care for the Bisleys at all, but I love my single action revolvers.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2012, 09:24:17 AM »

Single actions are like pump shotguns they just feel right at times.........

reliquary · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2012, 10:29:27 AM »

I've had several single-action revolvers over the years. Love the Ruger BH series. Built a "parts" Colt back in the good old days when you could find parts at shows and stores. Have an ASM birdshead model now that is just right for packing around the lakeshore and the property with snake loads; it also loves cowboy-equivalent loads. It's hard to beat a Colt or clone for handling, pointing, and instinctive shooting; Father Sam certainly got that one right.

The only thing I've ever found that was marginally better was a reproduction .36 Navy with 7 1/2 inch barrel. I don't even remember who the manufacturer was, and never figured out what made it better, but it felt and pointed even better than the Peacemakers. IMO.

AJAX · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2012, 05:53:05 AM »

Just remember if you have a single action without a transfer bar, it's a five-shooter since you should keep an empty chamber under the hammer in case the gun gets dropped.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2012, 06:06:59 AM »

Quote from reliquary:
"The only thing I've ever found that was marginally better was a reproduction .36 Navy with 7 1/2 inch barrel. I don't even remember who the manufacturer was, and never figured out what made it better, but it felt and pointed even better than the Peacemakers. IMO."

I agree. I have small hands and the 1851 fits me as perfect as any handgun could. I just got tired of the BP hassle after awhile. Have thought about getting one of the cartridge conversion replicas.
GuzziJohn

bilmac · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2012, 06:34:45 AM »

My first 6 shooter was a Smith. Bought it in a neighboring State when I was in high school. I shot at many running rabbits with that gun and can't remember that I hit any. Then I bought a cheap SA 22. All of a sudden I could occasionally hit moving critters. Not every time but it was no longer futile to try. My buddies used to throw bottles and try to hit them in the air We weren't the trick shooters you see on the tube, but when we were doing it a lot we could hit them fairly regularly if they were tossed right.

A single action just points better for me.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2012, 07:00:48 AM »

I would guess that "pointability" was part of the design being that the gun was designed for use off of horseback. It is quite difficult to use the sights well when on horseback and moving.
GuzziJohn

44 Man · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2012, 03:11:32 PM »

You have learned our secret! And I quote from a thread I wrote some time ago.....

Ah, the single action handgun...
There is nothing quite like it.
A Glock is a tool, and looks like a tool
and with it's black finish, it looks all business.

The 1911 is more classic, polished blue
and wood, and while iconic, it is still
angular and straight.
A double action is a fine handgun,
And while useful and fast to reload, it is still
somewhat angular, and just whose hands do
those big grips fit anyway?

Enter the single action, first of the breed
and still the best. It is a friend, a trusted companion
you can ride the river with. It is a comfort on my hip.
The natural feel of it and the way it fits into my hand
as I slide my palm onto it and thumb the hammer back.
The way it points and how the sights fall naturally into line.
The roll of it in recoil, offering the hammer to me for the next shot.

And who styled it? Someone in love with natural
curves and shapes. Almost certainly someone who
loves women and wanted all the grace and beauty
of that creature to be mirrored in this gun.
It's natural curves hold our hearts as we look at it.

You can spend time in the outdoors with any gun you choose.
Me? My first choice will always be a single action.
I can find no better friend and companion. One ready
and willing whether the job is serious or just busting rocks!
I find no better comfort than my single action on my hip,
when I pause to survey my domain while resting my hand on it's grip
as John Wayne did so often. It just feels right.
And I guess if' it was good enough for John Wayne, it is good enough for me.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2012, 04:11:53 PM »

You are not limited to 6 rounds total.
The S&W No 3 shcofeild or Russian reproductions in 45 colt are comfortable to shoot and with the top break and auto ejection you can dump out your first 5 or 6 and I use the HKS M25 speed loaders and they work like a charm. Just need to modify the speed loader move a little and use your left thumb to keep the cylinder inmoble.
Loading, unloading and reloading under stress is possible, and if you are planning on using it for home protection you may want to have a plan of some kind, other wise you have a metal club in a gun fight.
And it can not hurt to to go to a couple IDPA type shoots with it.

bilmac · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2012, 05:48:32 PM »

Gun poetry??? Now that's a new one.

Lonegun1894 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2012, 08:38:00 AM »

Like the poem, but you just have to love a good single action. I have been using them since I was 13 and still trust my life to one. Dont get me wrong, like Double-actions and 1911s too, but there's something about the way a single-action feels, handles, and shoots that I just can't explain--but almost anyone can understand by the time they fire the first cylinder through one.

flmason · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2012, 04:35:07 PM »

I'm a huge fan of Ruger single actions. Yeah, they're not as refined and as smooth as some others... but everyone, save one, I ever owned or knew of seems that it will be outlasting it's owner. Basically I just trust them.

But... from a "tactical" perspective (geez I can't believe I just used that word)... they do leave something to be desired. DA revolvers and semi-autos are superior on that level I do believe. My general feeling is, if I'm gonna leave it on the shelf and hope I never have to use it... DA revolver. All springs are at rest... just pick it up and squeeze... or cock if you like. If I need it now, for some combat like situation... well... a well tuned and tested semi auto strikes me as the ticket.

All that said, yeah, despite being a handgun guy my whole life... rifles and shotguns have rarely seemed to fit me right... I agree, most pistols and revolvers don't instintively point as well as a darned old Benjamin air pistol I once had...

But... I have found that the Walther P-38, various CZ's and Sigs and the High Power all point pretty good, along with, oddly enough the lowly Jennings J-22. So there's a few to check out if you want the higher firepower.

However, yes, there is something to the pointability of many SA's that is infatuating, LOL!

The early 3 screw Super Blackhawks with the high polish, rebated cylinder and 7.5 inch barrel have been my #1 pick my whole life. But I'd be the first to admit there are more practical handguns, by far. Even so... both times I started purchasing guns in my life... SBH was first handgun I bought.

So's the point? None really, just chiming in as another SA revolver fan, who often wonders if it makes any sense, LOL!

Guess they're a bit like the ladies. Ya just love the ones ya love, and that's that!

bilmac · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2012, 05:18:57 PM »

Something to remember if you do have a fight with a SA in your hand, is that you can top off the cylinder at any time without really having the gun out of action. Find a little cover and a break in the action, you can pop out an empty and replace it. If you can do that when you, have only shot one or two rounds and you can replace those two without spinning the cylinder and looking for the fired bullets.

ratdog · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2012, 09:58:54 AM »

mannyrock sounds like they have you hooked enjoy them i do mine

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2012, 12:35:13 AM »

I hear that from others too swampy. Id about bet a dime to a dollar that if you spent some serious time shooting one youd be looking for grip frames to convert your rugers. Especially if your shooting serious loads. To me they not only handle recoil a whole lot better but in my hands they just feel right and point more naturaly. But then ive been shooting big bore bisleys for many years. I can still remember the first one i ever saw. It was a 7.5 44 mag. I thought it was about the ugliest thing in the gunshop but because id never seen or shot one before i bought it. After a couple of range sessions it looked a whole lot prettier to me. I still have lots of both style grip frames and like them both for differnt reasons but the bisleys will allways be my favorites. There just easier to shoot accurately off hand for me.

Quote from: Swampman on January 09, 2012, 09:06:25 AM

I don't care for the Bisleys at all, but I love my single action revolvers.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** January 16, 2012, 02:49:00 AM »

I don't care for the Bisley grip either but have not shot it alot at all. You might be correct about warming up to it thru. use.

zoner · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2012, 02:53:50 AM »

i own two SA's. A Ruger 4 5/8" 45 Colt and a 5 1/2" Single Six, both converted to Bisley configuration. And that's the way I like em...Mike

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2012, 08:51:37 AM »

Ya'll are going to cost $$$$$$$$$$$.

epanzella · « **Reply #21 on:** January 17, 2012, 09:31:35 AM »

Old eyes prevent me from being an accomplished pistolero but despite the fact that I can group my Smith 629 much better in deliberate fire, I just feel more comfortable in bear country with my 44 mag Blackhawk on my hip. It's the most natural thing in the world to draw a single action and fire almost instantly without using sites or even raising the gun higher than my hip. I can hit a pie plate reliably and quickly out to 20 feet and that's all I need for a "stay off the menu" sidearm. I guess all those John Wayne movies had their effect on me.

bilmac · « **Reply #22 on:** January 17, 2012, 11:25:08 AM »

I'd call hitting a pie plate at 20 feet from the hip accomplished.

epanzella · « **Reply #23 on:** January 17, 2012, 12:36:05 PM »

Quote from: bilmac on January 17, 2012, 11:25:08 AM

I'd call hitting a pie plate at 20 feet from the hip accomplished.

I don't get much better when I use the sites, only slower.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** January 18, 2012, 01:06:12 AM »

Quote from: bilmac on January 17, 2012, 11:25:08 AM

I'd call hitting a pie plate at 20 feet from the hip accomplished.

Depends on time

flatgate · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2012, 03:09:39 AM »

Quote from: mannyrock on January 09, 2012, 07:09:25 AM

shoot coffee cans at 15 to 20 yards

Regards, Mannyrock

Try them at 50 or even 100 yards. You'll be surprised!

7-1/2" Ruger Flattop .44 mag. It WILL reach out and touch something!

flatgate

mannyrock · « **Reply #26 on:** February 06, 2012, 07:02:28 AM »

Well, this month's issue of G&A pretty well beat up on the Stampede. After the test shooting, the writer described it as very finicky to reload. Apararently his didn't index very well at all. I couldn't really understand the problem he was describing, because I certainly didn't have it when I was shooting one.

A bad point, though, was that the revolver shot 3.5 inches to the left, at just 15 yards. Totally absolutely unacceptable. The writer said that you could take it to a gunsmith and have him fix it by turning the barrel.

You may hate me for saying it, but I would not tolerate such a defect. If I paid $600 for a revolver, it had dang well shoot better than that. I would send it back to the manufacturer to be fixed, and if it refused, or couldn't fix it, my next trip would be to small claims court, to file a claim for the cost of repairs, plus punitive damages. I am 99% certain that a small claims judge in my area, and a jury if I requested it, would all find that the revolver was defective after showing them the target in that article. (Indeed, the very purpose of sights is so that the gun will hit where you aim.) Submitting copies of the flashy ads and promises by the manufacturer would certainly bring the verdict home.

In short, don't tolerate shoddy manufacturing. Make the manufacturer spend the extra $20 up front to make sure the sights line up. It's not rocket science.

Mannyrcok

Graybeard · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2012, 12:44:36 PM »

Uberti doesn't have a facility in the US to fix the problem of shooting wide to left unless they've added it since I had mine. I was told they would replace the guns if I was dissatisfied ONCE but they couldn't turn the barrel to adjust POI.

You might win such in your area mostly on the strength of them not showing up with a lawyer but I doubt it.

If ya buy a gun with fixed sights that can't be adjusted you should just expect that it ain't gonna hit very close to POA and that it's yours to fix if you don't like it. Me I traded all mine back in where I bought them due to that problem and now own only guns with adjustable rear sights.

I like messing around with the Colt clones but even more I like to be able to hit what I shoot at and I can't do that with any of the four Uberti made clones I've owned so far.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #28 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:15:29 PM »

I love the single action grip! I like the Bisley grip, but love the old plowhandle. My wife, with her small hands, took to the Ruger Bisley like a duck to water. Claimed my 45 Colt before I had a chance to shoot it! LOL!

Jeff
NRA Life

kynardsj · « **Reply #29 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:34:20 PM »

A single action just feels natural to me. I've owned a bunch of semi autos and double actions but am the most comfortable with a Ruger single action in my hands. My last trade though was for a 45 LC Ruger Redhawk just because I didn't have one but it doesn't see near as much use as my SA's. My understanding is that a Bisley style handles felt recoil better but I just can't get used to the look of them.