Single Action for Self Defense?

[Jeff Higgins]

"It's not the arrow, it's the Indian..."

I know, I know... a single action revolver for self defense in today's world makes no sense whatsoever. There are far better, far more modern options available. Yet... even though I own plenty of examples of "better", more "modern" sidearms, I still find myself carrying one of my old Colts - with "only" five rounds in it - as much as I carry anything else. There is a comfort factor, a familiarity - I grew up shooting single actions. From the time I was about six. They are an extension of my hand. My dad and my uncles used to let us kids shoot them off the back porch of my uncle John's orchard until we got tired of doing it. So, is it totally out of the question today? Gunsite Academy instructor Il Ling New obviously doesn't think so:

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

"It's not the arrow, it's the Indian..."

I know, I know... a single action revolver for self defense in today's world makes no sense whatsoever. There are far better, far more modern options available. Yet... even though I own plenty of examples of "better", more "modern" sidearms, I still find myself carrying one of my old Colts - with "only" five rounds in it - as much as I carry anything else. There is a comfort factor, a familiarity - I grew up shooting single actions. From the time I was about six. They are an extension of my hand. My dad and my uncles used to let us kids shoot them off the back porch of my uncle John's orchard until we got tired of doing it. So, is it totally out of the question today? Gunsite Academy instructor Il Ling New obviously doesn't think so:

Timely. I'll be practicing that with my new 686...when I get enough ammo.

Hey Jeff a question please. Right now I have mostly wad cutters to feed the 686. A few rounds of jacketed but not many.. With the cutters that's alot of raw lead going into a new barrel. Is it detrimental to a new barrel or should I wait until I can put more jacketed rounds through it first?

[Cajundaddy]

I was taught from an early age to make one shot- one kill. For a long time I hunted and shot paper with single shot rifles and shotguns. The pump shotgun was such a luxury when I used it but never broke the habit. We are responsible for every projectile that exits the barrel so I want to make very sure it is on target.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Timely. I'll be practicing that with my new 686...when I get enough ammo.

Hey Jeff a question please. Right now I have mostly wad cutters to feed the 686. A few rounds of jacketed but not many.. With the cutters that's alot of raw lead going into a new barrel. Is it detrimental to a new barrel or should I wait until I can put more jacketed rounds through it first?

I wouldn't worry in the least. Target wadcutter loads are loaded to very low velocities and will not typically lead a smooth, quality barrel such as that fitted to your new Smith. A lot of shooters will recommend "burnishing" a new barrel with jacketed bullet loads, and I have done this myself with several barrels meant for high velocity magnum level lead bullet loads, or for black powder target loads in rifle barrels. Until you reach those levels of velocity and pressure with lead bullets, though, I see no real advantage to this "burnishing" process. You can essentially shoot those low velocity, low pressure wadcutter loads forever from your "virgin" barrel with no worries regarding leading. Just shoot it and have fun. Some guys like to shoot a jacketed bullet or two at the end of the day just to scrape the lead out, thereby conserving those jacketed bullet loads, and it does work. I don't think it's entirely necessary with those target wadcutters, though.

[HardDrive]

Shooting another creature takes focus. I think semi automatic pistols bred a 'spray and pray' mentality. Its the reason so many bystanders are injured during shootings.

To be clear, I carry a Sig 938, but I don't view it as superior to a single action. Coolness under fire and shot placement mean infinitely more than magazine capacity.

Now, I want to take back a bit of the above. A Sig 938 is superior in one regard. It doesn't feel like you are carrying a barbell on your hip.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I wouldn't worry in the least. Target wadcutter loads are loaded to very low velocities and will not typically lead a smooth, quality barrel such as that fitted to your new Smith. A lot of shooters will recommend "burnishing" a new barrel with jacketed bullet loads, and I have done this myself with several barrels meant for high velocity magnum level lead bullet loads, or for black powder target loads in rifle barrels. Until you reach those levels of velocity and pressure with lead bullets, though, I see no real advantage to this "burnishing" process. You can essentially shoot those low velocity, low pressure wadcutter loads forever from your "virgin" barrel with no worries regarding leading. Just shoot it and have fun. Some guys like to shoot a jacketed bullet or two at the end of the day just to scrape the lead out, thereby conserving those jacketed bullet loads, and it does work. I don't think it's entirely necessary with those target wadcutters, though.

Thanks Jeff.

[sc_rufctr]

For self defence you should get "the best gun" there is because it has to be reliable and dependable.
So for a self defence gun my pick would be a 357 revolver.

Or you could find a girls with skills.

[Jeff Higgins]

Paul Harrell always offers a good perspective:

[onewhippedpuppy]

A 686+ is my “nightstand” piece. For what would be a terrifying and chaotic situation, you need to minimize the number of variables like fumbling with an external safety or having to chamber a round. I’ve read stories from decorated war vets stating that a home invasion was the most terrifying experience of their life.

[911 Rod]

I did a lot of small game hunting when I was younger.
Always with my single shot Cooey.
I could actually load it pretty fast. Even when running.

[red-beard]

Uh, no.

I agree with something like a 686, although my GP100 works just fine. That is what is left available for Mrs. Beard, when Mr. Beard is out of town.

[Jeff Higgins]

My wife has very, very small hands. She simply cannot properly hold the grip on any double action revolver, or even single stack autoloader, and still reach the trigger. Even the little "Lady Smith" series from S&W are too big for her hands. She can, however, hold a standard single action (Colt or Ruger) properly and reach the trigger. Not ideal - definitely not ideal - but it's all she's got.

She doesn't carry (sometimes I wish she would, but hell, I don't carry often either), so it's really just down to a "nightstand gun" kind of a deal for her. And, if I'm not home, her plan is to simply lock herself and Ed in the bedroom in a defensive position and call 911. She won't "patrol" the house looking for intruders. Nothing we own is worth that.

So, for her, it's one answer. I suppose I could leave the Mini-14 in the closet with a 20 round magazine as a possibly "better" answer. That might be too much for her to remember under that kind of stress, though. She knows how to thumb a hammer and pull a trigger...

[RWebb]

58 cal pistol

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

My wife has very, very small hands. She simply cannot properly hold the grip on any double action revolver, or even single stack autoloader, and still reach the trigger. Even the little "Lady Smith" series from S&W are too big for her hands. She can, however, hold a standard single action (Colt or Ruger) properly and reach the trigger. Not ideal - definitely not ideal - but it's all she's got.

My wife and daughter are the same.

I bought my daughter a Ruger LCR in WMR years ago. The key to me is that I know a lot of Spec Ops guys from many years ago, Navy and Army. Their overriding advice to me was, "nobody wants to get shot".

Followed by, "Get her a weapon she likes and will learn how to use, shoot."

Lastly, concerning the LCR, "If a WMR round isn't enough, she has issues beyond the pistol..."

Quick Sea Story: When daughter lived in NYC, there was an attempted break in.

She had not told her roommate about her pistol, but said roommate was more than delighted to see it when the chips were in play.

It all worked out.

So my wife has one now as well, which we shot a lot a week ago. We are hosting a Woman's Shooting Class here on my farm in November led by a well know instructor.

[s_morrison57]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I did a lot of small game hunting when I was younger.
Always with my single shot Cooey.
I could actually load it pretty fast. Even when running.

Running?

Sounds like you missed.

[Seahawk]

My son is a lawyer in Norfolk and has qualified for CC.

He wants this for his birthday: https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-19-carry-comp

They are really hard to find. I think it is double action, but, still.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

For self defence you should get "the best gun" there is because it has to be reliable and dependable.
So for a self defence gun my pick would be a 357 revolver.

Or you could find a girls with skills.

She don't need n stinkin guns..All she has to do is shake those double "D's" and any intruder would be smitten senseless..

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

My son is a lawyer in Norfolk and has qualified for CC.

He wants this for his birthday: https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-19-carry-comp

They are really hard to find. I think it is double action, but, still.

Yup, double action. I have an older Model 19, but even with its smallest grips, she still cannot reach the trigger.

I did buy a little Charter Arms Bulldog Pug for her about 30 years ago. It's a very small five shot double action. She can actually hold this one properly and reach the trigger, which is great. What's not so great is that it only weighs about 20 ounces and is chambered in .44 Special. So, while she can hold it and shoot it, she cannot hold onto it when she shoots it.

The "solution" is to shoot the same .44 Special load in a much heavier revolver. Or to shoot an equivalent .45 Colt load in a much heavier revolver. Either or...

Here is that little Bulldog shown next to a Super Blackhawk. The Super Blackhawk weighs over twice as much. It's actually pretty pleasant to shoot with .44 Special loads, which is all that is needed for home defense. You can see that the relationship of grip to trigger is about the same. This is about the limit of her reach.