SA with a DA revolver in self def not good?

[JB357Mag]

I saw a video w Hickok45 and he said you shouldnt use single
action with a double action revolver in a self defence shooting.

Why is that?

Thanks, Jimmy

 

[geronimojoe85]

Well, I can't say as to why HE said that. But one opinion may be that you shouldn't count on being able to use single action in a self defense situation. In other words you should be proficient in using the double action trigger pull.

The SA pull is nice and will give you nice tight groups but most aren't able to manipulate it fast enough to be effective. That's not saying its impossible.

 

[mtgasten]

i think i recently saw this video as well i thought i remembered him saying it was because if you are being attacked you wont have time to think to pull back the hammer into SA mode

 

[45fan]

I have heard the argument made that it could prove intent to kill if you took the time to shoot SA with a SA/DA revolver. I have never read this anywhere to validate it, but at least in my instance its a moot point, as I carry a Smith 442. My wife could run into this, but she has proven more accurate shooting her .44 in DA over SA anyway, so it would be a pointless waste of time for her.

 

[Compatriot G]

I believe I remember Mas Ayoob and many of the other gun writers commenting on this in the "olden days". The thought was that cocking the hammer could be seen as "something" more than just self defense. I suspect this might be the case in areas that are more anti-gun than Indiana. It seems like I remember Mas Ayoob relating a case where something like this happened.

 

[herby31]

I have heard the argument made that it could prove intent to kill if you took the time to shoot SA with a SA/DA revolver.

just how in the heck are they going to find this out after the fact? such a miniscule detail is dang near impossible to notice in a gunfight. if someone is shooting at you, you are going to look for a way out, a hole to hide in, or a weapon with which to kill them back, not to see if they have pulled back their hammer. it seems like a moot point for everyone. I could get behind the logic of not practicing with first shot SA though, that is one less step to worry about when you are in competition to retain or forfeit your life.

 

[JohnP82]

I have heard the argument over not using a SA revolver many times over the years with all sorts of different angles. Most being legal issues and whatnot like the issues posted before me.
Another reason is that when you cock the hammer on a revolver you get a "hair trigger" so they say, which can be easier to discharge the weapon when you don't intend to under a high stress situation.
I have heard several different reasons why not to use SA in defense and some of them can make some sense. Just more proof that it is important to train and practice with what you carry. Know your weapon and know how to use it.

 

[WebSnyper]

If you end up not needing to shoot, decocking a revolver safely while all jacked up on adrenaline could be an issue. Reholsterig without decocking could be even more of a concern.

I don't buy into the perception of it being an issue in court if the shooting is justified, but just seems that it would not be a good practice for gun handling in a stressful situation.

 

[NIFT]

Hey, Dirty Harry cocked his "most powerful handgun in the world" .44 magnum. That's good enough for me.

Besides, what does Jerry Miculek and did Jim Cirillo (and BIll Jordan, and Jelly Bryce, and...) know about shooting revolvers?

 

[04FXSTS]

IIRC there was an article by Mas Ayoob some years ago about this sort of happening. The shooter was in a position where a self defense shooting was justified. The problem was he cocked the revolver into SA mode and then admitted the gun then fired accidently. He was convicted of some charge that would have been moot if just pulling the trigger in DA to stop the threat. Jim.

 

[griffin]

As long as you don't accidentally pull the trigger because it is lighter in SA mode, no difference. And if you do accidentally pull the trigger, don't say that!

 

[Skywired]

Correct me if I'm wrong....But, back in the days when all the police departments carried revolvers.....when they repeatedly qualified....didn't they have to shoot DA only??

 

[45fan]

I have heard the argument made that it could prove intent to kill if you took the time to shoot SA with a SA/DA revolver. I have never read this anywhere to validate it, but at least in my instance its a moot point, as I carry a Smith 442. My wife could run into this, but she has proven more accurate shooting her .44 in DA over SA anyway, so it would be a pointless waste of time for her.

just how in the heck are they going to find this out after the fact? such a miniscule detail is dang near impossible to notice in a gunfight. if someone is shooting at you, you are going to look for a way out, a hole to hide in, or a weapon with which to kill them back, not to see if they have pulled back their hammer. it seems like a moot point for everyone. I could get behind the logic of not practicing with first shot SA though, that is one less step to worry about when you are in competition to retain or forfeit your life.

Learn how to quote from ABC News did ya?

 

[cjacobs]

Once you pull the trigger, the use of deadly force was either justified or not, sa/da trigger has nothing to do with that.

 

[herby31]

Learn how to quote from ABC News did ya?

not real sure what you meant here. I'm just saying that witnesses and assailants probably wouldn't notice if the person with the wheel gun was shooting SA or DA. that is all.