Single Action vs. Double Action

[BDawg]

I understand what the difference, mechanically, between single action and double action in a semi-auto pistol. In real world shooting though, what is the difference? If the slide is pulled before the first shot, how do single and double differ in shooting?

 

[sillymofo]

Trigger pull.

 

[bleeb]

Yeah for each trigger pull you get single shot for single action and two bullets for double action. Hence the "single" and "double" denotions.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: bleeb
Yeah for each trigger pull you get single shot for single action and two bullets for double action. Hence the "single" and "double" denotions.

I hope you're not being serious.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: bleeb
Yeah for each trigger pull you get single shot for single action and two bullets for double action. Hence the "single" and "double" denotions.

slap yourself. seriously.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: bleeb
Yeah for each trigger pull you get single shot for single action and two bullets for double action. Hence the "single" and "double" denotions.

Are you as stupid in real life as you sound here?

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo
Trigger pull.

Is it safe to assume that single action has an easier trigger pull since you don't have the extra energy to pull the hammer back?

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo Trigger pull.

Is it safe to assume that single action has an easier trigger pull since you don't have the extra energy to pull the hammer back?

It's the opposite, think about it.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Single action requires less trigger pull, and is therefore inherently more accurate. Anytime you have to pull hard on the trigger, the weapon wants to move more.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo Trigger pull.

Is it safe to assume that single action has an easier trigger pull since you don't have the extra energy to pull the hammer back?

It's the opposite, think about it.

He's right. By cocking the hammer with your thumb, you have already expended the necessary energy to move it.

With single action, the trigger only has to release the hammer for it to fall.

With double action, you must squeeze hard enough to make hammer move back first.

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo Trigger pull.

Is it safe to assume that single action has an easier trigger pull since you don't have the extra energy to pull the hammer back?

It's the opposite, think about it.

He's right. By cocking the hammer with your thumb, you have already expended the necessary energy to move it.

With single action, the trigger only has to release the hammer for it to fall.

With double action, you must squeeze hard enough to make hammer move back first.

But the hammer is still reset by the action of the slide when you fire, correct?

 

[sillymofo]

Yeah.... single is better for trigger pull, I was confused for a min.

Single action: Colt .45
Double action: Glock

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo Trigger pull.

Is it safe to assume that single action has an easier trigger pull since you don't have the extra energy to pull the hammer back?

It's the opposite, think about it.

He's right. By cocking the hammer with your thumb, you have already expended the necessary energy to move it.

With single action, the trigger only has to release the hammer for it to fall.

With double action, you must squeeze hard enough to make hammer move back first.

But the hammer is still reset by the action of the slide when you fire, correct?

Okey doke, I see the confusion.

I was thinking of the initial shot. Unless you are carrying a double action auto pistol "cocked and locked", you have to either cock the hammer manually (single action) or pull the trigger to set the hammer into place. Once the weapon is fired, it makes no difference, because as you say, the hammer is postioned for you.


Edit, I still didnt explain that right, since you are still setting the hammer when carrying cocked and locked, but I think you understand that.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Oh, with a revolver, you always can choose between single and double action with each shot if a double action pistol, as it does not have a gas operated mechanism. In this case, single action is still preferred, but double action is faster. What you do depends on your situation

 

[BuckNaked]

The first shot from a double action will require more force for the first round fired (if the hammer is not already in a cocked position), but usually the action is cocked after firing the first round, so the rest of the rounds are fired in single action... There are some autos that are double action only, and have the heavier trigger pull each time you fire the weapon (considered a safety feature, and also keeps the trigger pull consistent between rounds fired).

As far as I can remember, a Glock is neither single nor double action, but is really catogorized as its own unique action... but trigger pull wise, its generally consistent with a single action.

Dave

 

[tcsenter]

Oh, with a revolver, you always can choose between single and double action with each shot if a double action pistol, as it does not have a gas operated mechanism.

Except for single-action only revolvers, of the Old West type. ;-)

It largely comes down to personal preference.

The first double action shot will almost always be somewhat errant due to the longer and 'heavier' trigger pull. After that, they operate the same, except double-action only (DAO) pistols.

In a real stress fire situation, the average person wouldn't want to bother with something like racking the slide after drawing the pistol. This presumes your off-hand is free to rack the slide, which may not be the case for a number of reasons. Its one more step that can up the degree of complexity in a situation where simplicity/speed wins (and losing means something more serious than wounded pride).

The Israeli military does teach this method, but they also drill it a thousand times - off hand and single hand. So if you are willing to invest a hundred hours in this one technique and know a skilled single-action instructor, then by all means. Most people, however, will not.

Single-action pistols like the venerable 1911 .45 demand a higher degree of discipline and proficiency because carrying Condition One or 'Cocked and Locked' is far less forgiving of imperfect technique and the slightest deficiency in trigger discipline. However, it is considered the optimal condition of combat readiness in a service arm.