Double action semi-auto handguns

[InlineFour]

as far as i understand, double action handguns means that when you pull the trigger, you also cock and release the hammer

so what's the point of 'double action' on a semi auto handgun if the cartridge is automatically fed into the chamber after each shot?

 

[Viper GTS]

Consistent trigger pull, & safety.

That's pretty much it.

Viper GTS

 

[JDMnAR1]

With single action autos, you either carry it cocked and locked or you have to manually pull back the hammer for the first shot. Not so for double action.

 

[InlineFour]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
With single action autos, you either carry it cocked and locked or you have to manually pull back the hammer for the first shot. Not so for double action.

so double action and single action autos only matter for the first shot?

 

[PAB]

Originally posted by: InlineFour

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
With single action autos, you either carry it cocked and locked or you have to manually pull back the hammer for the first shot. Not so for double action.

so double action and single action autos only matter for the first shot?

It depends.

If you have a single action revolver, you have to cock the hammer on each shot.

If you have a double action revolver, you can pull the trigger or you can cock the hammer and pull the trigger. The difference is when you cock it, like a single action you cut a bunch of movement from the trigger. The next shot will be double action.

If you have a single action automatic, the trigger pull is consistent on every shot.

If you have a double action automatic, the first shot is a heavy DA, and the subsequents are SA.

If you have a double action only, all shots are fired DA with a heavy/long trigger pull.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: InlineFour

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
With single action autos, you either carry it cocked and locked or you have to manually pull back the hammer for the first shot. Not so for double action.

so double action and single action autos only matter for the first shot?

He's most likely referring to DA/SA autos (think 1911).

DAO = Double Action Only, every trigger pull is exactly the same
DA/SA = Double Action the first pull (if not already cocked), Single Action thereafter

Viper GTS

 

[JDMnAR1]

I am not going to say 'always', but most double action autos are only truely double action on the first shot. After the first shot, the hammer stays back and you are effectively firing a single action auto. This may not be 100% true, as I am not well versed in every handgun out there, but the ones I have fired have all been like this.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

He's most likely referring to DA/SA autos (think 1911).

DAO = Double Action Only, every trigger pull is exactly the same
DA/SA = Double Action the first pull (if not already cocked), Single Action thereafter

Viper GTS

A 1911 is single-action only. No true 1911 is double action (though the 1911-derivative Para LDA is DA-only).

 

[InlineFour]

double action makes it harder/longer to pull on the first shot. so i could just cock it manually on the first shot (make it single action), and the trigger pull wouldn't be as long/hard to pull, right?

when you load a magazine and pull back the slide to load the cartridge into the chamber, it automatically cocks the hammer for you. wouldn't this make double action obsolete? i'm not counting carry and concealed of course.

i hope i'm not using these terms incorrectly.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

He's most likely referring to DA/SA autos (think 1911).

DAO = Double Action Only, every trigger pull is exactly the same
DA/SA = Double Action the first pull (if not already cocked), Single Action thereafter

Viper GTS

A 1911 is single-action only. No true 1911 is double action (though the 1911-derivative Para LDA is DA-only).

You are correct, the Para LDA confused me (awesome triggers BTW...).

Viper GTS