A handgun question

[Mel]

I know it might be more appropriate on a gun forum, but I don't belong to one.

 

I've not owned a handgun since (I'm guessing) 1960. It was a snub nosed hammerless .38.

I'm now considering .380 or 9MM or .357 SIG, or ? semiauto. I have a question about semiauto double action vs single action vs DA/SA guns. I understand that DA only means pull the trigger to both cock it and fire it. I think SA means it's always cocked ready to fire after the safety is released.

 

Question (finally)--- With DA/SA can it carry a round in the chamber, and then have the hammer manually cocked (like a single action revolver) and then fired, and then continue to fire, or does the trigger have to be pulled thereby cocking (Double Action) and firing it and then continuing to fire S/A? Does S/A only on a semiautomatic really mean the hammer is always cocked or can it be carried without a round in the chamber, then manually activate the slide to load and cock it making it ready to fire? I know some of them do not have a hammer showing, not sure why.

 

Maybe a simpler question would be what's the difference between the three in how the first round is fired? And also what about no exposed hammer?

 

Whew!!!

[painterman67]

ok here goes as best I know.

Da--- can be fired by pulling the trigger with out the hammer being cocked

Sa--- needs the hammer to be cocked before the trigger is pulled

Da/sa--- means its both and can be fired either by pulling the trigger or cocking the hammer then pulling the trigger.

Dao--double action only

Sao---single action only

 

As far as I know all can be caried safely with a live bullet in the chamber. not all weapons have a safety. Like my sp101 revolver in dao. Guess it all depends on what you want to do with it. My carry weapon( sp101) is a no spur hammer with out a safety in dao. Nothing to catch on draw and has a long heavy trigger pull so as to not acidentally discharge.

 

My ruger p95 dc has no safety and a decocker. Meaning a round can be chambered then the hammer can be dropped by using the decocker . After that it can be fired as da or you can cock the hammer back and fire as sa.

 

Most guns(like glock etc) that have no hammer are striker fired. As I understand it they fire from an internal firing pin setup. The safety is in the trigger itself. Sort of a spring load first section of the trigger and then its dao after you chamber. These can also be carried safely carried chamberd hot.

 

Lots of folks like me prefer the no external safety for speed in an emergency situation.

 

hope this helps more than confuses

 

David

[Sylvester]

Most modern revolvers are DA/SA, but not all. Many semi automatics come with the DA first fire and then cock themselves for subsequent fire. The older style semi automatics, Colt .45-Browning .40, need to be cocked to make the first fire. All of these models can be carried with a round in the chamber.

 

[reddevilmedic]

if you want all the bells check out the Sig Dark Elite. my bro in law has one. personally, the Ruger P93 in DAO works great!

[playboy]

S/A the hammer has to manually cocked for each shot only found in revolvers.

 

D/A S/A First shot will be a double action shot ( hammer cocked by trigger ) all following shots will be a single action trigger pull because the slide will have the hammer cocked. Typically in a 1911 style pistol. 1911 styles can be carried cocked and locked so first shot is a single action trigger pull.

 

D/A action only refers to hammer-less revolvers and striker fired Auto's or pistols. But striker fired pistols will have a single action trigger pull on all shots where as a hammer less revolver will have a double action trigger pull for all shots.

 

 

hope that didn't muddy the water to much

 

 

 

Oh and I luv my Ruger sp1o1 DAO

 

 

Others have mentioned Glocks and there only safety is on the trigger. Thats why I also have a sprinfield XD 40 that also has a grip safety.

Edited February 22, 2013 by playboy

[playboy]

The safety on a SP 101 and all new style Ruger revolvers is built into the gun by a transfer bar under the hammer. The bar raises up over the firing pin allowing the hammer to strike the bar when the trigger is pressed. If a finger were to slip off the hammer when cocking the weapon will not fire unless the trigger is pulled. Older models can be retro fitted with this free from Ruger there often referd to as three screw models. This transfer bar safety makes these revolvers very safe.

 

 

I'm sure what Painterman was refering to is that there is not a external safety switch or button.

[painterman67]

The safety on a SP 101 and all new style Ruger revolvers is built into the gun by a transfer bar under the hammer. The bar raises up over the firing pin allowing the hammer to strike the bar when the trigger is pressed. If a finger were to slip off the hammer when cocking the weapon will not fire unless the trigger is pulled. Older models can be retro fitted with this free from Ruger there often referd to as three screw models. This transfer bar safety makes these revolvers very safe.

 

 

I'm sure what Painterman was refering to is that there is not a external safety switch or button.

 

 

nope I actually didnt know this,but mines a dao and a spurless hammer so you physically cant cock the hammer back with your thumb. Thanks for the info

 

David

[playboy]

nope I actually didnt know this,but mines a dao and a spurless hammer so you physically cant cock the hammer back with your thumb. Thanks for the info

 

David

 

 

Yeah I know I have the same one. But you can pull the trigger and catch the hammer with your thumb and hold it and release trigger. It wont stay cocked but you can see how it works. Recommend unloading it first in case you get confused and leave your finger on the trigger.

[cabreco]

Mel

 

On the topic of SA/DA, the above basically have you covered.

Since you haven't owned a gun is a while, you have a lot of things to consider.

Main consideration is what your main use is. (daily carry, bike carry etc) and how you will carry. Although any gun is better than no gun, you're good wit anything over .380 cal.

Next to consider is ammo. (which seems to be scarce now)

I have several firearms in different calibers which I use for different uses.

My 357 revolver I use on the bike mostly, because of the way it conceals in the holster.

Buy My S&W 40 DAO is my daily carry.

My wife carries a Bersa .380 (looks like a James Bond Walther PPK) which is a GREAT sa/da auto. She carries it with one in the chamber safety off. Not too small like a Ruger LCP fits conforably even in my big paws.

 

SA/DA tend to have a lighter trigger pull than a DAO, especially on the 2nd shot. I had to mod my S&W from a 12lbs pull to just over 4lbs.

 

Most Autos today are SA/DA like the Bersa or DAO like the Glock.

[Hummingbird]

it has been mentioned but not emphasized - for me there are 3 important factors

#1 - is it comfortable your hand ?

#2 - how strong is the trigger pull ?

#3 - if it's for daily carry, can you conceal it comfortably ?

 

There are too many fine hand guns out there and that makes for some hard decisions. At any gun show or store you can handle anything on display ( just ask first ) and as well, you can dry fire to test trigger pull. That brings in the comfort portion, if it doesn't fit right and the trigger pull is too hard, you won't hit what you're aiming at anyway so why bother at all.

[wes0778]

Just my but in the adrenalin charged "NEED" moment, I don't think trigger pull weight is gonna matter.....

[cabreco]

Just my but in the adrenalin charged "NEED" moment, I don't think trigger pull weight is gonna matter.....

 

It's more of a consideration when buying...especially as we get older. Also if Mel hasn't owned a gun in 53 years, a heavy trigger pull affects aim unless you train diligently. My S&W with the 12lb trigger was a BEAR, and to compensate I would jerk the trigger pulling my shot up. once I modded it to 4lbs it was dead on.

[Mel]

Just to let you know, I'm not gun shy. Have fired a few pistols, owned 12 GA Browning and Winchester, Marlin and Mossberg .22's. No big game rifles or (as stated) no recent hand guns. I'm in the process of getting my license to carry here in Indiana, and I'm about to start visiting shops to get a feel for revolver vs semiauto. I understand revolver SA and DA and hammerless. Just curious about the different options on the semiautos. Thanks to all. Now, what about asking what caliber is best? :-) (Or----what oil is best?)

Edited February 22, 2013 by Mel

[Hummingbird]

Just my but in the adrenalin charged "NEED" moment, I don't think trigger pull weight is gonna matter.....

 

it means a lot if'n you don't hit what you're aimin at because it pulled hard.

[cabreco]

Now, what about asking what caliber is best? :-) (Or----what oil is best?)

 

Anything over .380 & you're good. Personally I like a knockdown punch so I use a either a 357 or a 40 cal.

 

But the .380 & 9mm are good as well. I have my wife practice double & triple taps center mass as insurance.

 

Good luck!

[dacheedah]

The most important thing is you buy a quality gun that will hit what you are aiming at. I have had guns that have had a warped or damaged barrel and no matter what you did you could not hit consistently with them. Replaced the barrel and it shoots as expected. There are some third world knock offs that don't shoot well down range with, even when you put them in a rest and shoot. I always suggest shooting before you buy. A little cleanup of the bearing surfaces and trigger work always help improve groups.