1 or 2 - The Firearms Forum

rik · 08-06-2003, 09:47 PM

Hey guys
What's the diffeence betwixt single action, and double action?
Also what gun is good for plate shooting competition?

thanks
rik

1952Sniper · 08-07-2003, 07:50 AM

Single action means you have to manually cock the hammer before each shot. Double action means that the hammer is cocked as part of the trigger pull (or other means).

When you see those old Western movies where the guy uses his left hand to "slap" the hammer back between each shot, that's single-action shooting.

A double-action revolver will not only cock the hammer, but turn the cylinder when you pull the trigger.

That is what you were asking, right?

Xracer · 08-07-2003, 08:41 AM

Rik......Sniper's reply refers to revolvers.

There are also single action, double action, and double action (only) semi-automatic pistols. That's a bit more complex, but if you'd like to know about those, just ask.

rik · 08-07-2003, 09:57 AM

Thanks Sniper
That is what I was asking, I thought it had something to do with that, but wasn't sure how it worked.

Xracer
I am definitely interested in what it means when refering to semi autos.

Thanks again
rik

Xracer · 08-08-2003, 08:15 AM

OK, Rik, here ya go.

Single Action Auto: The hammer must must be cocked (in the back position) before firing. When the gun is fired, the slide moves back and recocks the hammer for the next shot. These guns are usually carried with the hammer cocked and the safety on...."cocked & locked". M1911-type guns are an example of the Single Action Auto.

Double Action Auto: The hammer is down for the first shot. The first part of the trigger pull cocks the hammer and the second part of the trigger pull drops the hammer and fires the gun. The slide moves back and cocks the hammer for the next shot, and subsequent shots are single-action. The hammer can be "decocked" and carried in the down position. These guns are usually carried with the hammer down. The Browning HiPower is an example.

Double Action Only Auto: The hammer is always down. The first part of the trigger pull cocks the hammer and the second part drops the hammer and fires the gun. The hammer returns to the down position after firing. These are carried hammer down. Most of the more modern designs are like this....Glock & many others.

My personal preference is for the Single Action Auto due to it's lighter and more consistant trigger pull. But.......to each his own.

91/59 · 08-08-2003, 08:29 PM

I HATE it when people point out possible posting mistakes. It makes them seem like know-it-all idiots.
Having said that........
The Browning HiPower is mostly encountered in single action form. Although they did produce a double action version, the vast majority are SA.
I only point this out in cause the original poster (rik) goes to a gunshop to get some hands-on experience and picks up a conventional HiPower and attempts to dry fire double action.

Tony Mig · 08-08-2003, 08:36 PM

Not to step on anybody's toes, but I thought it important to also point out that most modern day double action only semi-auto's are hammerless, as the Glock is the best example of this.
This is not to say the gun has "no" hammer, it's that the hammer is not external.

08-06-2003, 09:47 PM	#1
rik Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 31	1 or 2 Hey guys What's the diffeence betwixt single action, and double action? Also what gun is good for plate shooting competition? thanks rik -->

08-08-2003, 08:29 PM	#6
91/59 Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 26	I HATE it when people point out possible posting mistakes. It makes them seem like know-it-all idiots. Having said that........ The Browning HiPower is mostly encountered in single action form. Although they did produce a double action version, the vast majority are SA. I only point this out in cause the original poster (rik) goes to a gunshop to get some hands-on experience and picks up a conventional HiPower and attempts to dry fire double action. __________________ I don't believe atheists exist.

08-08-2003, 08:36 PM	#7
Tony Mig Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Sorprano State Posts: 716	Not to step on anybody's toes, but I thought it important to also point out that most modern day double action only semi-auto's are hammerless, as the Glock is the best example of this. This is not to say the gun has "no" hammer, it's that the hammer is not external. __________________ "I solemnly swear to tell the truth as I know it, the whole truth as I believe it to be, and nothing but what I think you need to know." New Jersey Politician's oath of office O /\ (( -------------v-

08-07-2003, 07:50 AM	#2
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	Single action means you have to manually cock the hammer before each shot. Double action means that the hammer is cocked as part of the trigger pull (or other means). When you see those old Western movies where the guy uses his left hand to "slap" the hammer back between each shot, that's single-action shooting. A double-action revolver will not only cock the hammer, but turn the cylinder when you pull the trigger. That is what you were asking, right?

08-07-2003, 08:41 AM	#3
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Rik......Sniper's reply refers to revolvers. There are also single action, double action, and double action (only) semi-automatic pistols. That's a bit more complex, but if you'd like to know about those, just ask.

08-07-2003, 09:57 AM	#4
rik Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 31	Thanks Sniper That is what I was asking, I thought it had something to do with that, but wasn't sure how it worked. Xracer I am definitely interested in what it means when refering to semi autos. Thanks again rik

08-08-2003, 08:15 AM	#5
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	OK, Rik, here ya go. Single Action Auto: The hammer must must be cocked (in the back position) before firing. When the gun is fired, the slide moves back and recocks the hammer for the next shot. These guns are usually carried with the hammer cocked and the safety on...."cocked & locked". M1911-type guns are an example of the Single Action Auto. Double Action Auto: The hammer is down for the first shot. The first part of the trigger pull cocks the hammer and the second part of the trigger pull drops the hammer and fires the gun. The slide moves back and cocks the hammer for the next shot, and subsequent shots are single-action. The hammer can be "decocked" and carried in the down position. These guns are usually carried with the hammer down. The Browning HiPower is an example. Double Action Only Auto: The hammer is always down. The first part of the trigger pull cocks the hammer and the second part drops the hammer and fires the gun. The hammer returns to the down position after firing. These are carried hammer down. Most of the more modern designs are like this....Glock & many others. My personal preference is for the Single Action Auto due to it's lighter and more consistant trigger pull. But.......to each his own.