Confusion on Actions and recoil

gobrob

gobrob

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
Location
Edmonton
I am new, so please bear with...........
I am looking to purchase a handgun soon, waiting for my restricted PAL.
I have only shot twice, i am going to purchase a 9mm, probably going to share with my g/f for now.
We have shot a berreta(not sure of model) and the action was single, you brought the slide back on the first round to pull the hammer back, and each subsequent round was already cocked for single action.
Second time, we rented a XD9, it was DA, so each round required a full trigger pull.
How do you know what guns are DA/SA, and if they go auto to SA, or if you have to bring the hammer back manually for SA?
Also, the Berreta seemed to have noticably less recoil, both with 115gr ammo.
This is important due to g/f recovering from shoulder surgery, and the less strain on her shoulder the better.
Any recommendations welcome, we have the Walther P99, sig 226, Baby Eagle, towards the top of our list...we like non-1911 styling
Thank you!!
Rob and Leah
 
Beretta 92FS is DA/SA gun that means that you don't have to #### (pull back) the hammer to be able to fire. After the first shot the slide cocks the hammer for you, so basically you shoot in SA mode after first shot.

with SA guns you have to #### the hammer (for the first shot) before it could fire, after that it's the same as with DA/SA... btw XD is a SA

think this way Double Action first cocks the hammer than drops it (2 actions) Single Action only drips the hammer (one action) :)
 
Last edited:
Your lady is likely better off not shooting anything until her shoulder heals. Then you should think in terms of two pistols. A proper hand fit is essential and it's very difficult to have one pistol that will fit two shooters well. Two sets of grips can help one pistol fit you both though.
"...seemed to have noticably less recoil..." It fits your hand better.
Pistols(not revolvers) are DA or SA only for the first shot. If you only have to pull the trigger to fire a hammer down, round in the chamber pistol, it's DA. Most of them tend to have a longer trigger pull than a SA. This affects the fit too.
A net search for whatever pistol you're looking at will tell you if it's DA or SA. Some of 'em come in both too. In either case, how a pistol fits your hand is the most important consideration. If you insist on non-1911 styling, have a look at a Browning High Power. They tend to fit most people well.
 
My wife and I are rookies as well and are waiting for our PAL/restricted to arrive in the mail.. :)

We were told repeatedly to stay away from 9MM or larger for our first pistol.

The logic is you can learn proper shooting technique, and get allot of lead down range without breaking the bank using 22. Then switch up when you develop some good habits.

We are going to get a Walther P22. Semi and still looks good, but it is small enough for her, and just big enough for me (I have fired a Glock 26 with no issues).

We can drop 3-5 thousand rounds through it MUCH cheaper than a 9MM.

Then we plan to go to a 9MM to start down the IPSC road.

B
 
Actually Blackthorne, i forgot to mention that we are getting a .22 as well. Probably the P22 as well, we like that style, that's why we're thinking the P99 for 9mm.
We would like to get the 2guns with a very similiar action and trigger pull

Ok, i'm going to try to clarify my question, when a gun shows DA/SA, how do you know whether you have to #### the hammer back manually for SA, or if the gun does it for you?
 
I not too sure I understand what (or why) you're asking, but with DA/SA you don't have to #### the hammer manually at all, usually it's done by pulling the slide back to chamber the load or if it's not your first magazine the slide should be already locked (thus cocking the hammer).
when a gun shows DA/SA, how do you know whether you have to #### the hammer back manually for SA, or if the gun does it for you?
Click to expand...
 
Ok, so if it's DA/SA, you don't have to #### the hammer, except possibly on the first round. If it's DA only, it's DA.......
Think i've got it.......
 
Yes, DA/SA means you have the option of cocking for the first shot, every following shot will be SA (generally much shorter and lighter trigger pull) SA has the same trigger pull for every shot; but must be cocked (and safety on) before shooting commences. There is also DAO, Double Action Only, this also gives the same trigger pull for each shot, but the hammer, or striker returns to the "at rest" position between shots.
There are also sort of hybrid actions that are not quite one or the other, like the Glock "Safe Action".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom