Revolver shot double action

[Ganderite]

Over the years I have done a lot of handgun shooting, but almost never tried double action. Not even when dry firing.

I tried it the other day with a dozen different revolvers, and was shocked (real shocked) that I was able to hit a target shooting double action.

Today I went back to the range and tried six other revolvers (3 in 38SPL and 3 in 357) I made a point to have 3 different makes of revolvers in each caliber.

This time I kept the targets. Targets were at 25 yards. I shot standing, with 2 hands.

The double action groups were a lot bigger than single action, but a lot better than I would have expected.

Each make of revolver had a different "feel". I got the impression that if I picked any of the guns I would learn the feel and get good at shooting it.

I found the Taurus felt the worst. The Ruger and Colt were both good, but felt very different. Colt is smoother. And the two Smiths felt the best.

I first shot a cylinder in single action, to establish a group size and point of impact (target on the right) and then shot two cylinders in double action, to see group size and change in point of impact.

 

[Big bore dinosaur]

I agree, double action is a little weird to learn.. But
Fun and challenging..
My S&W 357 performance center.. clicks internally to tell you when your on the sear... also too a little to get used too..
I love my DA

 

[4n2t0]

I have the opposite situation, I only shoot my revolvers in double action. Shooting single action feels like cheating, lol.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

I have the opposite situation, I only shoot my revolvers in double action. Shooting single action feels like cheating, lol.

Same for me. Our club has a Thursday night pistol league from mid April to late September. We pick one steel challenge course and shoot that. Using revolvers requires double action. Often my times with the wheel guns are better than with the semi's. If you can master a DA revolver, it makes everything else seem so much easier.

Auggie D.

 

[MechanicalSparky25]

I've yet to shoot a revolver in my life. Short of going to a range and renting one what's the easiest way to shoot one ? Go to a range and ask someone?

 

[Ganderite]

I've yet to shoot a revolver in my life. Short of going to a range and renting one what's the easiest way to shoot one ? Go to a range and ask someone?

Yes.

Buy a box of 38 Spl ammo and ask someone to let you shoot.

 

[Peerless]

I always shoot my 686 DA. Makes a fine trigger after 1000,s of rounds. Very nice groups though. Peerless.

 

[Nestor]

That's how I was introduced to the handguning. DA S&W wheelgun. Love the heavy, smooth trigger till today.

 

[a j cave]

Like wheel guns most are Single action. Can’t shoot my cf handguns ( recoil on bad joint).

 

[remington jim]

I had a S&W M19 4 " that was ALL Slicked up and it was GREAT to shoot Man you could BANG out 6 just About as fast as a Auto pistol ! RJ

 

[bearhunter]

I've yet to shoot a revolver in my life. Short of going to a range and renting one what's the easiest way to shoot one ? Go to a range and ask someone?

I don't know the ranges around Surrey. There are certainly a lot of folks that read these pages close to you though.

I would suggest reaching out here or maybe going all out and attending a club meeting to get acquainted with the handgun shooters at your club of choice.

Ganderite makes a good suggestion about purchasing a box of ammo to take with you but it's been my recent experience at our local range, not Surrey, that I'm the only retro curmudgeon that shows up with a revolver. The odd time I run into a shooter with a single action only, cowboy type pistol, which I like, but quality double action revolvers are few and far between.

I like and own single action, double action revolvers and even one DA only S&W slider. I also own a few semi auto pistols.

From Ganderite's targets, it looks to me like his pistols are factory tuned. I usually work on the triggers of my double action revolvers to smooth them out so they have a glass smooth, consistent pull all the way to the let off. This really does tighten up the groups. In experienced hands, the groups can be every bit as tight as most shoot in the single action mode.

I have an old Toronto Police issue 22LR Colt wheel gun that is unbelievably smooth. Whoever their smith was, he knew his stuff and it's a real joy to shoot. I often allow curious shooters at the range to try it out.

There is something about the balance and feel of a wheel gun that just can't be duplicated with a semi auto. No, I don't have anything against semi auto pistols. I like most of them.

The thing is, a finely tuned S&W revolver of any model is a dream to shoot. Same goes for Colts and a few others.

Low end revolvers are a different ball game. Often they can't be made to shoot well or comfortably. That doesn't mean some of the surplus revolvers, bought at very reasonable prices are in that category. Those cheap Model 10 M&P pistols can be tuned to extremely fine operation and accuracy with very little effort. The 38 special cartridge is often maligned but it's every bit as effective as any 9mm offering with similar weight bullets.

Sorry for the long post but I LIKE REVOLVERS.

 

[highlander]

I have the opposite situation, I only shoot my revolvers in double action. Shooting single action feels like cheating, lol.

I was trained from day 1 to shoot double action only. I only shoot single when I'm shooting precision fire.

Double action takes a bit of getting used to, but you can get pretty accurate with it with some practice.

In your case, switching from gun to gun didn't help; find one you like and stay with it.

 

[mactroneng]

I've been mostly shooting revolvers, but single action. Actually been doing a lot of reading on them recently, good timing for this thread, and am set on learning how to shoot them double action now.

First step I plan on taking is dry firing with an empty case balanced on the end of the barrel so I know I'm not swinging it around too much. Past that, I think I'll need some instruction.

 

[Ganderite]

I was trained from day 1 to shoot double action only. I only shoot single when I'm shooting precision fire.

Double action takes a bit of getting used to, but you can get pretty accurate with it with some practice.

In your case, switching from gun to gun didn't help; find one you like and stay with it.

Yes. I guess I should continue shooting them all and see which one feels the best. So far, the S&W M19 feels best, but there are some 686s and M66s to try, and a handful of M10s. And I guess the Rugers and Colts should be tested too.

Good thing I have a Dillon.

 

[Peerless]

I also have a M10 manufactured 1964 that I shoot DA. Trigger is smooth a butter.

 

[MuthaFunk]

I have a fine revolver collection of various generations from various makers and I have to say it's hard to beat a S&W trigger. Right out of the box S&W's seem generally better but they can be tuned easier than the others as well.

 

[marshall]

We had a newbe night at the indoor range last week, let a couple new members shoot my M19 smith , I shoot that a lot , have lots of speed loaders.
I can shoot it almost as good DA as SA, mind you it is tuned.
Colt about the same, but no speed loaders
One of the Ex RCMP that shot a lot of matches shot one of my model 14 38sp stock guns off had DA at 15 yrds into the bull 6 shot into about one inch.
One handed bulls eye shooting. I can't shoot very good one handed anymore Joints are too old, damn it.
I saved that one, I don't do that good, 2 inch is about it standing.
I find newer guns have crappy triggers.
I don't mind suppling 2 or 3 loaders to the new guys, the new ladies do better than the new guys as a rule I find.

Yes.

Buy a box of 38 Spl ammo and ask someone to let you shoot.

 

[marshall]

You should try a Dan Wesson.

I have a fine revolver collection of various generations from various makers and I have to say it's hard to beat a S&W trigger. Right out of the box S&W's seem generally better but they can be tuned easier than the others as well.

 

[old303]

I've seen and fired PPC revolvers that were modified to DA-only; apparently there was a minimum trigger weight for that competition, and SA would always be lighter than DA in the same gun, so by eliminating the SA cocking click they could then tune the DA pull much lower. So no SA, but an amazingly smooth DA shooter!

There was another interesting action long-ago; Elmer Keith was describing how some of the oldtimers back when he was young would rip out the trigger bits of an old SA revolver entirely, and aim with one hand while slapping the hammer back with the other and letting it spring forward and fire. This was then regarded as the fastest way to fire all six at close range.

A modern revolver that does both SA and DA is ideal for learning how they differ and how best to handle each way.

 

[Ganderite]

Almost all my handguns were bought used, on EE. So I don't know which ones are stock and which ones have been tuned up - except the ones I had worked on. My Rugers have all been cleaned up because they were originally so much worse than a stock S&W.

One thing I discovered is that the hammer strike on DA is not as heavy, so i got some misfires. The Taurus was 20% misfires, so I have since added some weight to it. The hammer spring is adjustable.