Single Action vs Double Action Handguns
BY PGF
1 year, 4 months ago
After you “just get a Glock,” what handgun do you use?
What’s the deal with single action vs double action handguns? Well, it’s all about the trigger and exactly what happens when it’s pressed. The only thing the trigger of a single action (SA) handgun does is release a cocked hammer to fire the gun. With a double action (DA) handgun, pressing the trigger cocks and releases the hammer. We could leave the explanation there, but as they say in calculus class, it gets complicated. It gets complicated because both revolvers and pistols come as either single or double action, and because within these two distinctions there are variations that require some explaining. So, here is a full breakdown of single action vs double action handguns.
I don’t care for DAO only pistols. The article covers double action, single action, and DAO pistols and revolvers. It’s good for understanding and teaching the basics; the rest is at the link.
On August 11, 2023 at 7:38 pm, The Ecstasy Of Gold said:
Single action is faster due to the lighter trigger pull.
Decock feature is the best to avoid double action after chambering.
Plastic fantastic guns don’t have this feature.
If it doesn’t have a hammer then it is an expensive paperweight.
On August 12, 2023 at 8:06 am, Latigo Morgan said:
A couple reasons I went to a DA/SA for EDC.
1) Long DA trigger pull allows you to back off the decision to use deadly force if something changes in that split second of decision. A light SA or striker-fired trigger means once it is pressed, you’re committed completely.
War story (not mine): Marines were in a firefight in Iraq. Things were getting pretty dicey and they were low on ammo. Marine notices movement on his flank where there aren’t supposed to be any friendlies, so draws his Beretta and is pulling the trigger when movement becomes clear that it is, indeed a friendly who came up to relieve them. He’s able to back off his trigger pull in that microsecond before he shot his own guy. If he had a SA he would not have been able to do that.
2) Safety. Again, the heavier DA trigger pull reduces the chances for an accidental discharge (something gets hung up in the trigger guard during holstering seems to be a common cause of accidental discharges).
Disadvantage of the DA trigger pull – it’s too heavy! It is heavier, almost double the follow up SA pull on my EDC. If you are diligent with your practice, to include dry fire practice, you’ll get to the point where that first shot with DA is just as accurate as the followup SA shots. Pro tip: If you are using the tip of your finger to pull the trigger, try moving your finger to where you are using the first joint to pull the trigger.
On August 12, 2023 at 10:32 am, Bob in NC said:
@Latigo – Agree with all you said. My Beretta is DA/SA and I would not have or
carry a SA only pistol for the reasons you cite.
I think DA/SA also decreases the chance of an accidental discharge while drawing the pistol if you carry with round chambered, which I always do.
This is one reason why my EDC is a Beretta 9mm- the design of the external safety makes it easy to flick it off when drawing the pistol and bingng it up for sighting.
On August 14, 2023 at 2:40 am, dave in pa. said:
used to carry a 1911 for years. but back in the late 1980’s got a Sig 220 in 45acp.
I have carried it even since. a lot of people call me old school because I want to see a hammer, but I know it very well and it works when I needed it too.
just don’t care for the plastic guns myself. last handgun I picked up was the Springfield SA-35 and like a good 1911, I love it. I may end up carrying it one day, who knows.