Single Action vs Double Action Pistol

[canadian hunter312]

For a first time shooter, which action would you recommend and why?

What make and model would be good for a newb, yet still be "fun" and "useful" for someone who is experienced? A one gun forever type deal, theoretically...

 

[BCRider]

For semi auto the way that most folks shoot their guns they may as well be single action. It's only if you take the added effort to decock the hammer that you get the DA mode for the first shot, then it's SA mode.

Or do you mean "DA" as in striker fired guns such as the Glock or M&P? That's another issue.

For me I got to try over a dozen different guns thanks to having a commercial "Rent-A-Gun" range near me. I quickly came to the finding that I liked the trigger feel of hammer fired guns in either DA/SA or SA only formats. I also preferred the feel of the all metal guns. As a result my first gun was a CZ Shadow. And a 1911 in .45acp followed pretty soon after. At this point I'm in deep with a lot of others but I still don't have any sort of polymer gun that has a striker trigger.

I don't know of any sort of such rental range in your area. An alternate would be to buy some 9mm ammo and go around to the handgun matches in your area to watch and help out for the afternoon. As you talk with the shooters mention that you're looking to get your first handgun and that you're looking at the various styles of competitions to see which sort of direction you'd like to eventually try. If you lend a hand to the taping and such and stick around to help with the tear down I'd be shocked if you didn't have the guys lining up to let you try their guns and giving you a few pointers on how to hold correctly. They'll also be favourably impressed when they see you have your own ammo. Some will refuse your offer to use your own or replace their ammo you shoot. But at least make the offer.

If you do this at a couple of meets you'll quickly get to shoot a wide variety of handguns and get a pretty good idea of which guns fit your hands the best and points in a more natural manner. And fit and angle is more important than the actual SA or DA issue.

 

[misanthropist]

Typically it's easier to teach one trigger press than two. Either can be learned, but one is quicker for most people to deal with.

 

[RUPZUK]

The DA striker fired pistols (polymers) are cheaper to get into and generally don't have external safeties (Glock / M&P) so they are popular with new shooters (don't touch the trigger- its safe).
SA's (1911 types) have an external safety and the triggers are generally lighter than a DA and have less travel before they break- so if your a new shooter they go bang much easier and you have to manipulate a manual control to ensure it doesn't go bang.
Personally I prefer quality metal pistols; I find the poly pistols carry most of their weight in the top ends and they feel like a big heavy typewriter racking back and forth in my hands.
I find a metal pistol has less of a percentage of its total mass cycling when fired.
That said, there's some really great metal DA only pistols (S&W), DA/SA's (CZ) or SA's (CZ or 1911's)
Also consider a lousy DA or SA trigger is just that-a lousy trigger. Not all DA triggers are bad and not all SA triggers are good.
Try a few and you'll have your answer.

 

[velocipede]

I recommend single action. The newbe will have better results and more fun. The catch is he may not really understand trigger squeeze and not really learn marksmanship.
The CZ is a good choice. Get one with a deckocker so both trigger can be tried by the shooter, but like someone else said, the DA will never get used.

If this newbe will eventually work with a gun, get a DA. Learinng on a SA only will most probably be a nuisance when and gets his training on a DA firearm.