and.... another noob question

TheCanuck

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
Montréal
What are the different handgun actions and whats are they/whats the difference?
I know theres SA/DA, DAO. SAO???

I'm all confused here :oops:
 
DOA - double action only (Like a revolver).

DA/SA - double action for the first shot and then single action for the remainder.

SAO - single action only (cowboy style).

Safe action (Glock/Sigma/XD) - the striker is half set.

Hope this helps.

RePete.
 
RePete said:
DOA - double action only (Like a revolver).

DA/SA - double action for the first shot and then single action for the remainder.

SAO - single action only (cowboy style).

Safe action (Glock/Sigma/XD) - the striker is half set.

Hope this helps.

RePete.

There are also several models of DAO semi-autos..... S&W, SiG, Beretta all make them...
 
yeah but how does each action operate? like, you can fire with hammer down, or you need to #### the hammer or rack the slide or ...??
 
DAO - double action only (Like a revolver).
With these, you'd normally insert a loaded mag, then rack the slide; this puts a round in the chamber, and the hammer will follow the slide down. These normally take a 6-8 pound pull for each shot. Examples include the Beretta 92/96 D models, the S&W 5946, the Para LDA, and others.

DA/SA - double action for the first shot and then single action for the remainder.
With these, you'd normally insert a loaded mag, then rack the slide, and this leaves you with a cocked pistol with a loaded chamber. To put that pistol in a safe condition so you can holster/carry it, there'll be some form of hammer-drop safety or decocking lever that blocks the firing pin and lowers the hammer to the "ready" position. First shot on these will be 6-8 pounds, then the slide will #### the hammer after each shot, leaving you with a 2-4 pound pull. Examples include the Beretta 92/96, the Sig 226/228 and copies thereof, the CZ-75, etc.

SAO - single action only
With these, you'd normally insert a loaded mag, then rack the slide, and this leaves you with a cocked pistol with a loaded chamber. To put that pistol in a safe condition so you can holster/carry it, there'll be one or more manual and automatic safeties. Examples include the Colt 1911 and copies, the Browning Hi-Power and copies, the Luger, etc.

"Safe action"
Glock's term for their DAO mechanism, where the internal striker isn't fully cocked each time the slide cycles, and the striker has to be fully cocked then released by the action of the trigger bar for each shot. In the XD/HS2000, the striker is fully cocked by the slide cycling each time a shot is fired, but several internal automatic safeties are deactivated as the trigger is pulled for each shot.
 
To further complicate things, a Single Action revolver, as RePete has mentioned is the "cowboy style" revolver like a Ruger Blackhawk, whereas a Single Action semi-automatic, such as a 1911-style .45 is a completely different beast. Both need to have the hammer cocked before firing--the revolver's hammer is cocked with the thumb, and the semi-auto's is cocked by the reciprocating slide.

Single Action Semi-auto (Colt Combat Target):
Colt.jpg


Double Action Revolver (S&W Model 17):
M0d-17.jpg


"Safe Action" Semi-auto (Glock 34):
G34.jpg


DA/SA Semi Auto (H&K USP):
USP.jpg



(sorry, no pix of single action revolvers...any one else?)
 
Yes, as Thamok mentioned, the kind of shooting that you're considering is important. All of the action types mentioned here are very good for certain types of shooting--and most are good for more than one. For example, a good centerfire double action revolver (which can also be shot single action) can be used for a tough 100m prone shot, but also equally as well for a fast six or twelve rounds at close range, say 5m or 7m.
 
I always thought that the Beretta 92 was both DA and SA, I only handled one in my life (unloaded in a store, pre C-68) but I <think> I was able to pull the hammer back and it stayed that way, technically making it an SA/DA ....
 
TheCanuck said:
So what would be better for IPSC ? SA/DA or SAO?

It depends on what division you want to shoot in; some divisions have restrictions on the action type/trigger pull weight, but you can go over and above those restrictions if you want. For example, you can use a CZ-75 or Beretta 92/96 in Production, but they have to start with the hammer down so they're DA for the first shot. You can use the exact same pistol in Standard (provided you don't mind the Minor power factor if you're shooting 9mm), and if you're using a selective SA/DA like the CZ, you'd be allowed to start hammer cocked/safety on.
 
Don't forget LDA!!!
LDA = Light Double Action - The hammer has to be cocked (like by racking the slide) before the "double action" works! When you #### the hammer it goes back down to rest, and when you pull the trigger, it does it's fake double action #### and release. But after you say, dry fire it, the double action doesn't work. Very strange, but makes for a VERY light "fake" double action:


HIGH RES



HIGH RES
 
Back
Top Bottom