Why a SA revolver vs DA/SA?

[bergmen]

I have two other single actions along with the three in my photo. One is a Cimarron 1872 Open Top Navy in .38 Special, the other is my Ruger Super Single Six Convertible.

The three pictured are in .45 caliber (top two 454 Casull, bottom in .45 Colt). When I hunted deer I packed one of these for short range shots (.308 rifle with scope not good for that). I worked on loads for many years to optimize ballistics and terminal performance. I don't hunt anymore so these are range toys. And, I have begun to back down on the horsepower, no need for top ballistics and they are more fun to shoot that way.

I have 7 DA revolvers with hammers (from .22LR to .357 Magnum) and two DAO (hammerless, .38 Special). I always shoot my DA with hammers in SA and like the convenience of the swing out cylinder for loading/unloading. The DAO revolvers (S&W 442 and Ruger LCR) are strictly for EDC and are my primary carry weapons (along with three 9mm autos).

Lots of tradition in the Single Actions. It is very interesting to note the minor refinements that Freedom Arms and Ruger have made to the 1873 Single Action Army platform without disturbing the overall form (safety enhancements, coil springs vs. leaf, etc.).

My Cimarron is an unmolested, true to form replica with a few inherent warts. No safety notch, impossible to load all cylinders for carry without the firing pin resting on a primer. I have not carried this in the custom holster I had made for it, so this isn't an issue since I use this strictly on the range. Sights are microscopic so the lighting needs to be just right before I can see them. If everything lines up, it is a real joy to shoot and quite accurate as well. Made by Uberti, the quality is exceptional. I did take it apart and smooth out the working parts (lots of rough edges but shapes were accurate).





Dan

[newbutold]

Single Actions make sense for nostalgic reasons and should be standard issue for those police that are prone to slop shooting their semis.

[lastinline]

My Cimarron is an unmolested, true to form replica with a few inherent warts. No safety notch, impossible to load all cylinders for carry without the firing pin resting on a primer. I have not carried this in the custom holster I had made for it, so this isn't an issue since I use this strictly on the range. Sights are microscopic so the lighting needs to be just right before I can see them. If everything lines up, it is a real joy to shoot and quite accurate as well. Made by Uberti, the quality is exceptional. I did take it apart and smooth out the working parts (lots of rough edges but shapes were accurate).





Dan

Is that Cimarron a black powder model, or is there a conversion cylinder? If it is black powder, can the hammer be rested between nipples, allowing the cylinder to be loaded with a full six rounds?

[Wheellock]

For me, it's straight up nostalgia. My favorite is a Colt Walker replica; it's big, heavy and makes a huge cloud of sulphurous smoke.

[bergmen]

Is that Cimarron a black powder model, or is there a conversion cylinder? If it is black powder, can the hammer be rested between nipples, allowing the cylinder to be loaded with a full six rounds?

No, this is a cartridge model but based on a cap and ball design. There were many cartridge conversions in that era and this is one of them.

I experimented with resting the hammer between cartridges and this would work for safety but the cylinder latch (called a "bolt" in the parts list) rested between notches and left burnish marks on the cylinder. I polished the surface of the cylinder latch ("bolt") to mitigate this but it still left slight marks on the cylinder. If I was to carry this in the field I would either leave one chamber empty or if I wanted all six chambers loaded I would rest the firing pin between cartridges. I don't carry this in the field so it is moot point.



Dan

[IVC]

So, for those that love the SA revolvers, why? Is it just the nostalgia, or something else?

Almost any revolver is nostalgia, with SA revolvers holding special place because of the Old West.

Otherwise, revolvers hold their own with magnums and super magnums for hunting and defense against bears (brown, not black). There is also a niche self-defense role as backup guns or very light hiking guns. Short of that, revolvers in service calibers are sentimental value only, as seen by military and police use around the globe.

[Spyder]

I used to have zero interest in single actions. Now I can't get enough of them. Not entirely sure what caused me to switch, but they're great fun.

I wouldn't carry one for defense, be it bear or person or anything else, but I would for hunting, plinking, fun, and nostalgia.

[benjamin101677]

I have a single action 45 long colt on my concealed carry permit. I actually can shoot it very well. I think I shoot it the best because it makes you slow down your rounds as you have to cock every round.

[TS77]

Because the chiappa rhino double action isn't other roster....

[Den60]

Because...

[SkyHawk]

Because click-click-click-click bang!

[Verdha603]

Single Actions make sense for nostalgic reasons and should be standard issue for those police that are prone to slop shooting their semis.

Giving them a slower shooting, lower capacity pistol isn't going to make them any better of a shot than before. The blame should be placed on their poor or limited training rather than the handgun they're carrying.

[Verdha603]

Mostly nostalgia.

I'll admit the main reasons I haven't bothered with an SA revolver yet is because I hate the gutter/trench sights on most of them and they're not really on my radar due to how they're never a target for gun control advocates. Heck, even CA ignores them to the point that unless you get a short barreled model they're entirely exempt from the Handgun Roster.

I'd sooner grab a nice pistol caliber lever action before using it as a good excuse to finally buy an SA revolver to match it.

[golfish]

Despite their ability to go off without pulling the trigger they have a look all their own.

I always wanted a Colt SAA. Then Standard Manufacturing came along..now I'm readying some customer service problems from them so now I'm back to Colt.

[highpower]

I personally am not real fond of heavy recoil through a single action revolver. But I dearly love shooting my old second generation Colt SAA in .45C as long as I am using cowboy level loads.

Personally though, the revolver grip that fits and feels the best no matter the power level of the cartridge, is a Smith and Wesson K, L or N frame with the N frame feeling the best with magnum loads. If I could only have one revolver, I would probably opt for my M27-2 with the 6" barrel.