Revolvers: Is DA trigger pull worth learning if you only target shoot?

[Mystery_Milk]

Kind of strange question.

I like revolvers, but I'm not that good with the double action trigger pull. At the range I find myself reaching for the hammer more often than not. The anticipation of the recoil during the long trigger pull is just too much and I flinch.

I've even thought about just getting SA revolvers since their triggers are a bit nicer and they're cheaper. I might also hunt with them, but every handgun hunter I've seen pulls the hammer back.

My question is, is the DA trigger pull worth learning for someone like me? I'm sure I can learn the DA pull if I put enough time into it, and I'm sure some of that skill would carry over to the DA/SA pistols I shoot (which, for some reason, I'm better with that double action pull than the revolver's). I'm looking to start competing, and competing with a revolver would incentivize me to put the effort in.

On the other hand, in most scenarios where I envision myself reaching for a revolver instead of a pistol, in most of them (hunting or longer distances) I'd be pulling that hammer back.

The "why nots": the ammo cost and time cost, mainly. I'm better with a DA/SA pistol but I'm far from proficient, and I could put more time and ammo into that instead.

What do you guys think?

[dfletcher]

The gun doesn't recoil any less when you flinch.

It's always worthwhile to learn to use a firearm to its and your own best capabilities. I practice DA shooting once in a blue moon and do OK. I think it's important to be realistic on how you practice. SA may be great for 25 to 150 yds but I'd limit DA to about 15 ft or so. And use a suitable sized target.

[Lead Waster]

One good thing about DA triggers is that you can dry fire without any extra effort like racking a slide or cocking a hammer.

You can lighten the DA pull a bit if you don't have fingers with huge uh, biceps on them.

[theLBC]

my opinion is yes.

for one thing, if you've mastered trigger control for DA, SA will be easy.

slow dry fire drills will build up trigger control, and once you have mastered this, the DA pull can and should be sharp and quick.

i know when you haven't practiced enough that trying to pull the trigger quickly causes you to jerk, and that's probably why you are crawling the trigger, and that's why that anticipation (or flinch) builds up. you have too much time to think about it.

practice practice practice and someday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzHG-ibZaKM

[hambam105]

Ah yes. I too was in the same predicament as the OP.

I too aked myself, "Self, should I learn a life saving skill, since the life I might be saving could be my own."

I figured learning to shoot revolvers double action with a modicum of success was a bit tuff on me so I went back to watching Oprah on channel 5..

[ojisan]

Yes you should learn to shoot DA...and SA...and striker-fired.

It is important that the gun have a good smooth DA pull.
Using a gun with a crunch and grind trigger pull is going to cause problems even for the experts.
It's really not the weight of the pull or even the length of pull that matters, it is the smoothness and consistency.

If you ever get a chance to try something like a S&W Performance Center or a privately done well tuned revolver, you will be amazed to find that you can shoot it very well in DA within just a few shots.

[mjmagee67]

Yes........if you want to learn to shoot better and shoot heavy triggers.

[Mystery_Milk]

SA may be great for 25 to 150 yds but I'd limit DA to about 15 ft or so. And use a suitable sized target.

15 feet? As in 5 yards? I can land my hits in a silhouette at 7 yards. I was thinking more like practicing until I could do that at around 15 yards. (This isn't a snubnose though.)

Yes you should learn to shoot DA...and SA...and striker-fired.

It is important that the gun have a good smooth DA pull.
Using a gun with a crunch and grind trigger pull is going to cause problems even for the experts.
It's really not the weight of the pull or even the length of pull that matters, it is the smoothness and consistency.

I don't even own a striker-fired! But I know from firing friends' guns that it's not that different than DA/SA, the takeup just has more weight.

You know, maybe that's why I'm having a harder time getting good DA hits with my revolver than with a pistol. It's a Ruger, and I read they haven't been good about polishing and deburring their internals in recent years. I just took them out and dry-fired them and not only is the revolver a lot heavier in DA, it's also grittier.

I was thinking about putting a lighter hammer spring and trigger return spring in the thing cause it maxed out a trigger gauge last time I measured it. I don't really like touching the internals of a gun, will dry firing it a lot in double action smooth it out or is this something that has to be hand-polished?

[dfletcher]

15 feet? As in 5 yards? I can land my hits in a silhouette at 7 yards. I was thinking more like practicing until I could do that at around 15 yards. (This isn't a snubnose though.)

If you can already do 7 yds then I'd back up to 10 yds or do a smaller target at 7 yds. Either one will be more challenging and help you improve.

[plumbum]

Yes........if you want to learn to shoot better and shoot heavy triggers.

It will make you a better shooter. Period.

[eaglemike]

Yes, learn to shoot D/A.
It will help you learn to hold the gun still while you are working the trigger, and keeping the sights aligned.


EDIT: If you can afford it, get a decent .22 DA/SA revolver. These are really fun for DA practice. A S&W 617 or GP100 with a smooth action is great for practice.

[MarikinaMan]

I bought a DA wheel gun to get better trigger control for my semis. Seems to work.

[Carcassonne]

I am more accurate shooting double action than single action.



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[ojisan]

To answer your original question directly, if all you do is target shoot one shot at a time, then no, you do not need to learn how to shoot DA.

I'm sure your Ruger would be far better with a good cleaning and lubing.
With today's drop-in parts fitting, most brands can use some work.
Note that I did specify a Performance Center or similar tuned revolver to see what a good DA pull is like and can do.

There is no need for lighter springs if you are only going to shoot it SA, one shot at a time.
Problems with light springs can be weak primer strikes, slow hammer drops (giving more time to pull the sights off the target) and sluggish trigger return.
Not an issue when plinking at the range.
Not acceptable for use for serious purposes.
Jerry Miculek uses tuned actions with standard weight springs.
He does not want misfires or a slow hammer fall, and he wants a fast and positive trigger reset.


Yes, dry firing will usually smooth any guns action.
But a dry action will still be a challenge, however smooth the parts might be.
If your Ruger (or any gun) is bone dry inside, then yes it will have a tough DA pull.

Seems to me that everyone who is into guns would want to learn to shoot all action types with proficiency.
Then again, there are people who go to the beach but never get in the water.

[MosinVirus]

I would say that mastering a DA pull is going to make all trigger pulls be perfect for you.