Revolver shot double action

Depends on the gun , on my colts, I can stage the trigger>pull to just before the hammer drops, sight check and pull the rest of the way.
On my smith, and a Dan Wesson, I just pull through as they are so light and no stacking, mind you my colt 357 model is just about as good, factory springs (I think, as it was used , as most of mine are) If I am shooting slow, I can pull to the break, but you can't feel it. On a factory tuned 6 in model 14 38 masterpiece, I can stop at the break on it, most of the time.
The few Rugers DA I had had way heaver springs , I did tune a 2 1/2 " stainless security six, and it was nice, lots of flame with mag loads.
If I am on my game and the elbows are good , I can shoot about 1-2 in group just pulling through with the m. 19 I can't hold off hand very long any more
I have not shot the newer Ruger models 100, 101
Ganderite said:
When you guys talk about DA, do you stage the hammer, then pull? Or do you pull in one continuous motion?
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Ganderite said:
The Colt and S&W pull though and surprise me.

The Ruger and Taurus are easy to stage.

I will pick a S&W and practice pulling through and pick a Ruger, and practice staging.

I am hoping I can learn to shoot well, pulling straight through.
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One other important thing when shooting DA is to NOT squeeze your non trigger fingers while squeezing the trigger. Hold your grip steady and just move the trigger finger.

Auggie D.
 
Think about the reason Webley pistols are set up the way they are.

One thing, a mentor taught me a long time ago about DA firearms, don't confuse the types of shooting and the circumstances the firearm is being used under.

Double Action designs, whether revolvers or auto loaders, are designed to be used under stressful conditions. Pinpoint accuracy isn't very important under those conditions for the most part.

If you're practicing a regimen to duplicate or at least resemble stressful situations, pinpoint accuracy goes the way of the willow in the storm. You need to practice with the DA option as much as possible.

If you're practicing under controlled conditions to shoot small groups at fixed distances, with lots of light, then staging can be useful, but cocking for Single Action before letting off will eliminate a lot of negative accuracy issues.

Small grips or to large grips will also cause issues. Hogue makes nice, affordable grips for almost every handgun made. They don't slip, for most people are ergonomically correct and can be bought with finger grooves for quick hand placement. There are others of course, some cheaper, some better, some not so good. It's up to the individual shooter to decide which grip is best suited to their purpose

You need to choose the strategy which will be the most useful to you.

I have one DA Colt revolver, 22rf, that i recently swapped out the barrel on to get it into the RESTRICTED class. It doesn't have a front sight. Not yet anyway. It's been purposely left off so that I can practice at 3 meters, standing, facing my target, elbows tucked into my ribs, with both hands on the grips, while the pistol points directly in front of me.

This is a very good stance for stressful conditions. Your body will point where you are looking and your hands, with a bit, not much practice, will put your projectiles into suprisingly on center groups on a 12 inch target. Certainly accurate enough for defensive purposes and even a fresh newbie can master the technique quite well on the first couple of cylinders of ammo. VERY USEFUL and it doesn't require a firearm to be extended at arm's length, where it can be easily snatched away or swept aside. It's a great stance for people with little time to go to the range or having to travel long distances to visit a range. It's also extremely useful for psychological conditioning. I've had many newbies, especially females, tell me that tucking their elbows into their ribs, makes them feel stronger and more confident. This stance is beneficial to both DA revolvers and auto loaders.
 
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One thing I have tried ,as I saw it on a gunner show, and it works for me with the guns I use a lot, Stand as Bearhunter is talking about, look at a spot on the wall or target .
Close your eyes, bring the gun up, open your eyes and see where the sights are pointing, with a grip that is correct, I find that you will be pointing at the target.
If not adjust your grip, till it works.
Yrs ago , I did a lot of hip shooting with revolvers, SSA and mainly Pythons and could as a rule hit a plate at 15yrds or so. Now? Public ranges are such a drag.
 
I gave up on double action a long time ago. Now wondering if I should have stayed on it and practiced more.

Trigger pull change can be dramatic, as was the case on an old H&R 9shot Sportsman I used to own (22LR) It went from a bit heavy to OMG.

Anyway, what were your impressions on the change in trigger pull for the revolvers you used?
 
I have recently ordered a GP100 4.2" and will be practicing and shooting almost exclusively PPC with it so most of my shooting will be double action. Both the S & W and the Ruger I tried had great pulls; came down to the fact I got a great deal on a new Ruger... now if the transfers were coming through like hey were a few months ago I could be out shooting.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
I gave up on double action a long time ago. Now wondering if I should have stayed on it and practiced more.

Trigger pull change can be dramatic, as was the case on an old H&R 9shot Sportsman I used to own (22LR) It went from a bit heavy to OMG.

Anyway, what were your impressions on the change in trigger pull for the revolvers you used?
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What you describe is the reason there aren't any H&R revolvers in my stable
 
Ganderite, take your Model tens at home empty of course take a one handed high grip now with your trigger finger tip not curled on the trigger and draw it straight back slowly till it breaks and just hold your finger at that point, look and see how far away trigger is from frame with practice dry fire when you draw it back you should be able to stop it just before it breaks and then just ease it back till it breaks while you hold it before it breaks you can settle the sight picture.
That is Police Pistol Combat style have fun:)
 
I went back to the range with a pair of revolvers. They are similar tuned up 3" 357s. Both are ported and about the same size.

There seems to be 2 ways to shoot DA. Pull through in one motion. Or pull pack about 90% of the way, then refine the aim and shoot.

The Ruger builds to about 8 pounds and once the hammer starts to move the pressure drops a bit and the trigger goes all the way. Perfect trigger for straight through shooting.

The Smith has a 7 pound trigger and the trigger weight remains the same until it fires. It is easy to stage it.

I shot a number of targets with both, using the technique best for each. Results were about the same. Groups were in the 7" to 8" range. I am still surprised. I did not know I could shoot double action and still hit my target.

hXne16G.jpg


The Smith is a tuned up M66.
 
Nice revolvers. I like both of them

I've swapped out all of the barrels on my Prohib revolvers, now to go through the process of having them put into the "restricted category"

I find the shorter barrels easier to handle and control but as my time approaches to find out what's happening on the other side of the curtain, my heirs aren't able to inherit my collection and aren't eligible for 12/7 status, because they aren't DNA connected. Some of the pistols, especially a S&W 686, actually shoot better with the longer barrels. Still, they aren't nearly as comfortable as they were with three inch barrels.

This thread has peaked my interest in shooting my non antique status handguns again. Thanx for starting it.
 
We did some training with our 929's back in September in Ohio and found while group shooting that staging wasn't the best for accuracy. I was much more likely to jerk the last 5% and throw the shot. It was most remarkable shooting weak hand at distance, I was hitting a plate rack of steel bowling pins at quite a distance. Neat stuff.

Aim the gun, then stop aiming and with a nice even smooth trigger pull and fire -no staging. The front sight is going to wobble but accept that as normal, and keep pulling the trigger.

100 revos? I stopped buying guns (other than backup competition guns) once we got into action shooting. I can't justify buying a gun I'll never shoot as every time we go to the range there is something to work on. Plus the cash goes into buying lead, primers and power. Plus that new Mark 7 looks very purty and I'm getting tired on pulling the handle on 50,000+ rounds a year.

My wife has her 929 magnaported. She thinks it helps but it's a job to keep it clean.
 
Unless you're shooting bulls-eye type competition, the logical way to go is double action... All self-defence courses, when using a revolver, preaches double action only as well...
 
For me, if I am shooting DA fast, like doing a double tap, I am still in the process of refining my aim as I begin the double action pull. You can definitely shoot a good aimed double action as fast as a semi auto. And its a lot faster to reload a revolver than it is to refill a magazine. Especially if its cold out. The loads just drop right into the cylinder, as opposed to pushing down cold rounds with your thumb.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
For me, if I am shooting DA fast, like doing a double tap, I am still in the process of refining my aim as I begin the double action pull. You can definitely shoot a good aimed double action as fast as a semi auto. And its a lot faster to reload a revolver than it is to refill a magazine. Especially if its cold out. The loads just drop right into the cylinder, as opposed to pushing down cold rounds with your thumb.
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That's why you carry spare mags and KWIK loaders for both types. You're right though, when it comes to filling mags, cold or tepid.
 
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