Retired Philadelphia sergeant here, went through the academy in 1967. We were trained in both DA crouch at seven yards, and SA out to 50 yards. There’s a time and place for both. Over 22 years I trained myself in proficiency (and speed) using both. My SA became so quick, that when I took the updated “live aggressor “ training in 1989, the instructor was sure I was shooting DA from the draw. I was not. As you continually mentioned, it’s all a matter of practice, which is what I did. If you have time to take the revolver out of your holster, you have time to cock it on the way up.

If I was the security guy in the recent church shooting and had a revolver, I would have most definitely gone single action for that 12-15 yard head shot.

The "accidental" (negligent) discharges were not then....or today caused by a shorter trigger pull. They are caused by having your finger on the trigger when it shouldn't be.

I enjoyed the video and the history lesson. Before I write anything, let me point out I was in law enforcement in the eighties and early nineties carrying a revolver, and then spent the nineties and the first half of the 2000 decade carrying semi-autos. I can shoot very well with either or, but my preference for my current citizen carry and home defense is a revolver. Now, as far as single action - once again - I am proficient with a revolver at close quarters and at ranges up to 25 yards with double action, and that includes snubbies. However, past 25 yards, or taking precise shots from behind cover - single action has it's place. It is helpful if you have a hard primer that fails to fire in double action. It also lends itself to one handed shooting from a distance. So, whereas I mostly train with double action - I still feel single action capability is an extra "ace in the hole," should you ever need it.

Here's a revolutionary concept. If you don't want to use single action, don't. It's like they say, "I'd rather have it, and not need it. Then to need it, and not have it."

I like having the option of a single action trigger pull.

I disagree. Having the extra option to use single action is very handy when you have time to aim and have a crisp trigger.

I forgot where it was but I remember hearing something about how there was an active shooter on a military base and a security guard on duty hit him with a head shot on his 3rd shot at 85 yards. While some guys might be able to hit in double action at that distance, when I have 6 rounds I would like a little more confidence when taking a long shot like that. I think double action is the way to go but I like having the option to rock out in single action

I'm still over here loving my colt SAA....

6:06 might have been solved by Cooper's rule #3: Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire (when the gun is pointed at the target).

Shot SA since I was old enough to have a hand gun I'm almost70 now never fired off a round when I didn't mean to

2:09: And cops killed far fewer bystanders back then because they didn't empty their guns every time a suspect sneezed.

I agree with most of what you're saying but I don't see why that makes DAO revolvers superior to DA/SA. Even if the option to use the gun in SA is of little value in a self defense situation, it also comes with very little drawbacks. You can train to draw a revolver with a hammer spur without snagging it just as you can train to shoot DA for self defense with a SA/DA gun. Having the OPTION to shoot the gun SA is always a plus, no matter how little use it has in a specific scenario. Plus...hammerless revolvers don't look as good :)

Tell Bob Munden's ghost that single-action-only is not fast and accurate. Jerry Michelek demonstrates that double action is also effective. Practice trumps action.

Having removed spurs on several revolvers over the years, I have encountered a problem that some police departments had as well: holster compatibility. Many types of retention holsters are designed to hold into the revolver via the spur. Cut it off, and you can go ahead and sell your fancy shoulder holster. Most duty holsters, which are still useful in places where open carry is a normal practice, will not properly secure a revolver without a hammerspur. You can convert them to DAO but polishing off the single action notch inside, but ultimately, I would rather have both options for most guns.

Paul harrell: My experiences, my training, you be the judge. This guy: GeT YoUR HaMmEr REmOved

This is the sort of fallacy you get when you have semi-automatic guys who have now "rediscovered" revolvers treating them like they are a low capacity Glock.

I respect your opinion but I disagree

We need some verifiable statistics to show that single action firing has caused accidental deaths over people who kept their hammers down. Just saying, empirical evidence is necessary when making an argument.

I served 33 years in federal law enforcement and even competed with our national pistol team firing double action only. However, now that I am retired I have converted my wheel guns to Single Action Only for several reasons. As an aside, my partner and I tested SA vs DA with the targets set for very rapid face times. We started from an aimed in position simulating a gun fight where the antagonist pops out from behind cover and snaps a quick a shot at the good guy and then ducks back behind cover quickly. We found quite quickly that engaging the target Single Action was significantly better than double action, like a lot lot better. And, with us both being full time firearms instructors we were able to do well double action since that was our stock in trade. That informal DA vs SA test was a real eye opener for us. (BTW - The turning targets were at 25 yards, which is one reason that Single Action was markedly better than Double Action.)

I disagree with your premise entirely. I can envision combat situations where one accurately placed shot could be a fight ender.

This is the first video this channel has put out that I've completely disagreed with. Why remove a feature that's an option to use?

Another thing is - if you've been in a foot pursuit, fight, climbing over things etc., your gun hand may actually feel sort of weak, and this may be a hindrance to double action-shooting. This has been shown in physical agility tests where the recruit has to dry-fire a revolver six times (DA) after the test. Often it will be somewhat difficult to pull the trigger quickly without being inaccurate, let alone all six times. LAPD's old test had applicants dry fire (at the end of an obstacle course) through a brass ring, and if the muzzle touched it, they failed.

If you only have 6 shots, at longer distances for a MORE accurate shot: youNEED single-action capability.

I guess the yankee marshal hasn't seen this video yet.

I have a 44 bull dog with shroud & nub .... love it , glad I have the nub . Also love the 629 3 in & 44 Redhawk 7.5 in just fine . I want my single action ALSO !

My first pistol was an old Smith and Wesson J frame 38 revolver. It was a very easy pistol to conceal. It has a hammer, and I read about the problems of drawing a gun like that and having the hammer snag. I wasn't willing to bob the hammer, so I simply trained myself to place my thumb over the hammer when drawing, and I never had a problem with it snagging on the draw.

I'm keeping the hammer spur on my Model 19, just in case I need to revoke some diplomatic immunity. It would be hard to shoot half the length of a freighter in double-action, no matter how much you roll your neck. Couldn't resist!

My snubbies are all shrouded-hammer models, but I would not own a full-size revolver without single-action capabilities, nor would 99.999 percent of wheel gun buyers, no matter what some snot-nose says on the Internet in an attempt to get attention by riling people up.

For me, I love SA revolvers primarily because avoiding a negligent discharge is of utmost importance to me. In everyday life, there will be a moment where you are focusing on something more than your gun, that's unavoidable. It's very, very difficult to unintentionally fire a SA unless you set the hammer right as you draw and have poor trigger discipline. If I was a cop, I would use something else, but I'm not, I'm just an electrician that might find himself in a situation where a gun is needed.

So much good information on this channel! Thanks for this, I recently learned from an instructor I highly respect exactly what you are saying here. He is also a gunsmith and so seeing a spur-less revolver in his shop kicked off the conversation. I enjoyed the history lesson you recapped as to how we got here. My wife is a good shot and does well in the all day pistol classes we take together but she often struggles with manipulating the slide on our semi-autos so we might be adding our first revolver to family to give her something that she can perform all the necessary tasks on. Funny side note, we went to look at some revolvers in the store the other day and when I handed her one with a thumb spur she immediately started thumbing it back and firing single action. Her having never held or fired one before I can only assume it is human instinct or picked up from movies!

I humbly disagree (no disrespect whatsoever). I personally am much more accurate/confident in my shot placement with a single action.

Back in 1980, I fired a Sturm-Ruger .357 revolver that was equipped with a combat action trigger mechanism. It was buttery smooth and would make DA firing a cinch and very accurate with proper recoil management. I don't understand why the term 'combat action trigger' has disappeared from the contemporary scene. Such consideration is very relevant to the topic of this video.

Chris, on a side note, could you do a video on how to shoot a short barrel revolver better, like you did with small pocket pistols. I have no problems shooting fist size holes at 10 yards with any good CC pistol, but double action j frames it looks like buckshot.

Excellent video. I practice ignoring the hammer spur on my revolvers. I shoot 99% in double action, but I like the option of single action in the 1% of my shooting. Thanks for your good work and advice.

Very good video. I have a S&W Model 10 SA/DA and a 64 SA/DA, as well as a snub nose, hammerless. I practice DA only with all of them. Your points are right-on.

All very logical and intelligently justified ... but shooting SA is just so dang fun!

Any 4" or especially 6" revolver could also be useful as a hunting gun. Keeping the ability to shoot a hunting revolver as single-action makes that gun much more useful in that dual capacity. While I've rarely practiced with any of my revolvers in single-action, I like to practice a little bit that way in case I ever wanted to use the gun for hunting. Another point is that if one were injured during a gunfight and could only use one hand, particularly the non-dominant hand, having the ability to use a defensive revolver in single-action would be a tremendous benefit. At that point, there's no question of not shooting if the opportunity arises, and the lighter, shorter trigger pull would make shooting in self-defense easier. In terms of concealed carry, I love the Smith & Wesson 642 with an internal-only hammer. I like the look of the gun, and I like not having a hammer snagging on things. I hope that I would never have to hunt with this gun, so single-action for hunting wouldn't be an issue. If an injury forced me to shoot one-handed with my left hand, I'd be angry that I didn't have single-action as an option, but I still like the Model 642 enough that I choose this gun for concealed carry. I realize that you get more clicks by making absolutist statements that will outrage some people, and those clicks may bring money or maybe just advertising for your store. However, I disagree with the absolutist approach of this video. I appreciate the research that you've done and the history that you've presented here.

Great video! This has been my favorite video so far. I found the history very interesting and appreciated seeing how it applied to the different designs and schools of thought over the years of the revolver universe.

This is a great example of why I like Lucky gunner videos. There's so much useful information packed into this video. Having never owned or even fired a revolver I can't say whether I agree or disagree on not having single action capability, but it's videos like this that allow me to learn about topics I know nothing about. I'm planning on buying a revolver just to get familiar with shooting one.

Just gonna say pre-viewing that the pun in the title made this revolver guy laugh.

I think a single-action capability extends the practical range of a revolver if you are caught in a longer range situation, especially if using magnum rounds. A double action only design can make it a bit more difficult to land shots on a more far away assailant. However, it is indeed opinion. I just prefer to have more control over when the hammer falls.

I've been in a active gun scenario and single action saved a life. an individual was hopped up on speed broke a man's door down and attacked him. a fight insued and I was able to grab a gun as they separated. I drew and demanded the offender to stop. he had been knocked to his knees and I watched his eyes as he decided to go for it. as he began to tense his legs intending to spring for me and the pistol, which was already pointed squarely at him, I cocked the hammer letting him know I was resolute in my action. without single action capability, I had three options: 1. shoot him, something I'd rather not do unless I must. 2. fire a round near him, which is still dangerous as this was in a neighborhood and I don't like stray bullets. 3. allow him to attack me. if I hadn't single action, that man would be dead. single action saved his life. whether you want it or not is opinion, but it ABSOLUTELY has its place, even in personal protection.

I was ready to defend this to the hilt (or pommel) as I am a pretty ingrained SA shooter with my Chiappa Rhino, but your points were concise, informative, and well investigated. I will be reviewing my technique and probably taking a revolver class going forward.

It's why I like my Sig P250. It's basically a "higher capacity", fast loading, DAO revolver.

Precise shot placement in a hostage type situation at more than 15 feet away? Single action all day if I had ample time to cock the hammer. I like options and I really like S&W's single action.

Great video, very informative. Tom Givens once fired my model 65 upside down with his pinky double action and shot the q dead center that is in the top corner on the q target.

I love how educational & fun Lucky Gunner videos are!

I elected for the lcrx with hammer. I almost always practice double action only but I do like having a single action option. Here is why. Let's say I am shopping in a mall and an active shooter situation occurs. I may want to make a plus 7 yard shot and out of a short barrel it's difficult in DA

Tell it to Wyatt Earp or Bob Munden...Lots of folks found out the hard way how well a SAA worked...It's all about knowing how to use the tool.

Great video. Makes the point I have stood by for many years. I carry a J frame most often with the hammer spur removed with my Dremmel. That spur was like a fish hook, easy to get caught up on things

Excellent video, and excellent advice. My edc is a DOA snub nose 38 revolver, and at up to 15 yards, either the Smith and Wesson 442 or the Rock Island Armory (bobbed hammer) are spot on accurate.

I always thought the shot, not the draw was the most important part of the armed response.

I can fire my single action very effectively and with more accuracy. Than most Who are shooting double action or semiautomatic handguns.

Excellent historical research and study. Must have taken quite a bit of time. Thanks for sharing !

As a recruit cop in 1968 I had an FBI firearms instructor who carried a "Fitz Special" Colt detective special (Google it) and he could keep all of his shots in a 10" circle, one handed, at 50 yards. Despite being awed by his skill I always shot 50 yards single action and anything closer double action. I still do today. Its all about how you train.

HIGHLY disagree. I'm a gigantic revolver fanatic, and starting off with single action, I find myself using it better than double action revolvers. I still use double action models, and I love them, but to limit one's way of self defense is a little odd

I disagree. The S&W 638 Airweight I carried daily for the last several years (until recently) was DA/SA with an extremely nice trigger in either facet. I practiced mostly DA at close range, however what was so nice about that beautiful, short, crisp SA trigger pull was my ability to take shots accurately easily at greater distances. With that little revolver and the nice SA trigger I could put 4/5 rounds on a 12" round at 100yds consistently. So, if I needed that extended range potential, I had it. However I can attest to having 2 different NDs while trying to safely drop the "hammer" one that revolver while on the range. While neither was dangerous to anyone around it definitely shows the weakness of the extremely small covered hammer design.

bro love your shows. one of the most professional shows out there very knowledgeable

I like the idea of a single action option because for one I take my 4" magnum camping as a brush gun as well as my daily carry.

If you can't safely handle a revolver with the hammer cocked, then you shouldn't even carry a gun in the first place. Trigger discipline is key.

These old pictures that show the evolution of the technique are so cool.

Hi. Thanks for the video. this was helpful. I tended to do SA shooting with revolvers because I learned how to shoot when I was a teenager with an M1911 which is SA only. After watching this I'm now trying to learn how to get used to DA shooting more.

I respect your decision but fully disagree. While I by no means think that you have to be thumbing the hammer in 99.9% of defensive shooting scenarios. There is almost no downside to having the ability to thumb back your hammer. Maybe because you can catch the hammer on your clothing. Not a significant concern if you train the way you carry. The reason I will never buy a DAO revolver in my life is one if economics. When I purchase a firearm it's for self-defense and fun at the range. I really don't want a gun that can't be fired single action. I like making a jagged hole in paper. And I can't afford to pick and choose which guns are for fun and which are for defense.

As a general rule in the firearms industry: Having options is better than having none. Modularity is important to a lot of people, like having piccatiny rails on semi auto pistols. SA is FAR easier to use if you are using your pistol for literally anything other than self defense, which (contrary to the tone of this video) is going to be the vast majority of the time you pull the trigger on one of these pistols. You’re either going to use it to shoot paper, steel, soda cans (or other fun mediums) or game before you’re ever going to use it on a human being within rule of law. If you don’t like SA, don’t use it, even train to ignore it - but to say removing the option entirely is better than keeping it so you won’t trick your brain into using it detrimentally makes absolutely no sense to me. SA/DA makes a pistol able to be used for target shooting and/or hunting purposes as well as self defense. Removing SA just stripped the gun of its viability for other, more realistic uses.

Good video and GREAT discussion! I carry an M49, and practice DA almost exclusively; occasionally taking some SA shots for fun and long-range practice. Staging the trigger to cylinder lockup, pausing to adjust aim then releasing the shot can be even trickier than cocking the hammer first. Another advantage of a hammer spur is when doing a rotation check. Pulling the hammer back until the cylinder can be rotated to ensure free rotation is MUCH safer than pulling the trigger back to unlock the cylinder, for obvious reasons. Even if a revolver is rendered DAO, a minimal spur can still be left on the hammer for this reason. Lastly, when lowering the hammer of a 'modern' rebounding hammer or transfer-bar revolver, if you let go of the trigger after releasing the hammer, the safety mechanism will keep the gun from firing even if the hammer slips--I just tried this with my M49.

Is it possible to turn a duel of 2 single action revolvers that look exactly the same into double action revolvers

As long as you’re a Fast shot You won’t need a double action

I really appreciate that you always take the time and effort to do proper research on the issue and actually educate people. It means a lot, and it goes even further considering you're only an ammo retailer and nobody asked you to go to all this trouble. Thank you.

Question. If you have a bobbed hammer revolver, can't you use it in single action by squeezing the trigger half way then pulling the bobbed hammer back the rest of the way with your thumb? This way you have a revolver that you'll probably practice double action because single action is a pain to engage, but still have the ability to use it if the situation legitimately calls for it.

Very well put together and informative presentation. I don't necessarily agree with all of the opinions but I very much appreciate the thoughtful and straightforward video.

As a long time handgun hunter I sure realize the benefit of SA accuracy of a revolver at 50+ yds that you could never do shooting DA so while a cop may never need to shoot that far why remove that option in the slim chance he may need it firing at someone behind cover.For a cop I'm sure the bad guy isn't always at 15 ft in the open.

however a single action trigger pull would be great for longer distance hunting revolvers. like some of the big frame revolvers with Scopes and magnified sights. but that's a completely different subject altogether

I’m all about options. I bought a .357 magnum revolver for a wide range of caliber choices, and I bought a double/single action for the trigger pull choice.

Very interesting and well-rearched video. Please keep doing what you are doing.

How about just follow the rules of firearm safety. 1.All guns are always loaded 2.Dont point the gun at anything/anyone you dont want to destroy 3. Finger off the Trigger until your sights are on target/threat 4. Be sure of what you are shooting and beyond. Seems like if you follow those and use common sense you should not have a problem. As a LEO instructor I love showing shooters the potential of a revolver in Single Action mode at the rifle range. Not much difference between my cocked S&W 66 and my M&P 40 or most striker fired autos. If your booger hook is on the bang switch its gonna go off.

I am joining those who disagree with you. Some of your points are of course correct. But all of us cannot be Jerry Miculek and be as accurate DA as SA at 20 yards. For sure, most CCW defensive situations will be at very small distances, and DA is great...but when a terrorist or crazy person comes into the theater while I am watching a movie and he starts shooting people, my gut tells me I will have the chance for one perfectly placed 357 shot...well aimed. Single Action. How about practicing both until proficient? If someone goes to the range only once every year or two, DA or SA are equally ineffective.

I’ve been told that cycling the cylinder using the hammer after loading is better for timing than just using your hand to make sure the cylinder locks. Is this true?

I agree with the argument put forth in this video. I own a number of SA/DA revolvers, but when I started CCW, I got an LCR to carry- leaving me no choice but to become competent shooting DA.

Pay a gunsmith to make your gun crappier. Yeah, no.

well some of us like to shoot guns for fun to and on your larger wheel guns hunting is a factor as well. I get the argument for DAO, but i think theres enough argument to have the option even in self defense/defense of others. Its a personal preference thing more than anything I think. There are no absolutes in self defense theres to many variables. Kind of a straw man argument I think really. You assuming most revolvers sold are used defensively. Most guns are sold are for fun or hunting or just because some one wants it. If you want a defensive revolver without a external hammer than your gonna buy one. If your gonna buy a range toy than you might not.

I value your insight. With this new angle for me to look at my revolver purchase, what can you tell me about the mechanical failure rates of single action only over single / double? I've never owned a revolver and will not own another striker fire semi auto. After one of your other videos and a trip to the range, I have fallen in love with the River SP 101. Any info you have on revolver reliability in any form is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Superb and very thorough overview on the use of DA revolvers.

I’ve got the S&W Bodyguard. Best of both worlds.

If I know Im about to use my revolver.... I'm cocking the hammer. More accurate first shot.

Interesting perspective on the history of revolver use. I’m curious about how this informs your choice of semi automatic self defense pistols. I personally choose to carry a DA/SA semi auto pistol for added of the long DA trigger pull as well as thumbing the hammer while bolstering.

i got a new 686 that i have yet to fire, i'd like to see if accuracy changes from single to double action. i have loaded semi-autos all over the house.

Don't know that there's any valid reason to permanently modify the hammer on a DA/SA revolver, but practicing in DA only with a revolver is certainly prudent. If you're so inclined to only shoot a revolver DA only, just buy one that doesn't have a hammer spur. As for me, I'll keep my hammer stock.

You did not take into account older people with arthritis, women with weaker grip strength, and those with physical limitations. In those cases a long, heavy, double action pull could cost them their lives in a defensive situation. I generally like your videos but in this case, your opinion is highly subjective and I do not agree with you.

Some amazing amount of research you have done.

Good points. In law enforcement, we are taught to use double action only, so I am trained that way. But I still prefer having the single action feature. I often carry a Smith model 638, which has a shrouded hammer, but retains the single action ability. I practice double action in combat shooting, bur still like having the single action option for woods and fishing carry.

Or buy a SCCY. 10 rds, DAO, $200 used, fast reloads. Hides like a 38 with double the firepower.

Although admittedly very unlikely, in a 3rd party defense situation a precise, aimed, single-action shot could prove a life-saver. Yes, lawyers love that garbage hair-trigger nonsense they present to ragingly ignorant jurors when describing single-action mode. Easy solution, don't use that mode unless the circumstances, though again unlikely, warrant it. An S&W 638 is every bit as capable as a 642. But with a single-action mode that stays out of the way unless needed.

No need to remove a feature unless it is directly impeding upon a better one, and so far for revolvers, no real new feature is available that is required to remove single action. So keep both. Better flexibility for the shooter overall

Is there a significant difference in the DA trigger pull in early revolvers compared to newer guns?

About the only reason I see for shooting a good revolver single-action might be hunting. Possible other reasons could be function testing and bullseye competition. The test for me will always be action shooting competition such as USPSA and IDPA. Time pressure is a central element. Punching holes in bullseye targets with tight aiming points is of no consequence. Any results obtained that way are nearly meaningless, apart from function testing. I run a lot of USPSA and IDPA matches and watch many hundreds of shooters shooting at full speed with time pressure. Not many revos are seen anymore in USPSA since they screwed up the division rules. IDPA still sees some, but the number has fallen off recently there as well. I shot Revo in USPSA for several years in the past and made "B" class. The targets I was shooting at were from eight feet to 35 yards. I also shot Stock Service Revolver in IDPA for about ten years, first with a battered old Python and then a Smith 586. I made near-Expert there but didn't shoot enough classifiers to quite make it. The target distances were generally shorter but still extending past 20 yards from time to time. I never, ever thumbcocked my revolvers while competing. To do so would be to lose. I did observe more than a few shooters try alternating between single- and double-action. The actual results on paper, timer, and scoresheet were never good. One of the best IDPA revo shooters I knew used to use both methods for a few years, but finally came to his senses and has run his 625 straight DA ever since. His scores improved. Inside of 20 yards, for any revolver shooter who practices and stays even slightly proficient, double-action is vastly superior in terms of hits with time. My shooting buddy Mike, who is a Grand Master in two USPSA divisions (which means he's inhumanly fast and accurate- watching a GM run a stage is to be stunned if you haven't seen how well a pistol can be shot) doesn't compete with revolvers, but does hunt with a GP100 stoked with some unpublishable handloads. The deer he's taken with it were shot double-action. The longest shot so far was about 35 yards. He hit it in the heart and it went down instantly. Furthermore, on the rare occasion he goes out with a revolver instead of his beloved .38 Super, he uses his DA-only LCR, with which he can clean a five-plate plate rack at ten yards in about two seconds out of the holster. In other words, shoot DA. Leave the hammer spur at home and shoot better, faster.

As in most things in life, it's better to have more options.

Great video, loved the historical information and pictures!

Do you have a source for that opening photograph of the three policeman? That's really cool

In a home defense situation when I can take a surprising first shot from a hiding place, I would prefer to do it with Magnum and single action.