I find that I actually shoot smaller groups double action, even at 50 or longer yards. Many years of only double action shooting during LEO quals have ruined me shooting SA. Too used to that long, heavy trigger pull. I'm training myself to shoot SA at 100 yards for hunting.
I'm switching to double action
- Thread starter AL45
- Start date
Mike_Fontenot
New member
Load all dummies except for one live round. Randomly rotate the cylinder after each "click". You'll learn MUCH more from the clicks than from the bangs. When you flinch on a click, it is SO obvious and SO embarrassing that eventually you'll get your flinch "at bay" (which is the most you can hope for). This works with any power-level ammo ... I do it with full-spec Underwood .357mag in my S&W686, because when I tried practicing with mild stuff, my carry rounds started to seem harsh, and I didn't want that.
And shoot SA ... that way, there's no excuse for the sights moving during the release.
And shoot SA ... that way, there's no excuse for the sights moving during the release.
marines6433
New member
I prefer a slightly heavy trigger pull on any handgun. I shoot better too. I took the S&W 642 out last Thursday morning, and at 7-10 yards, I can fairly quickly pound out fist size groups with regularity.
Kilibreaux
New member
Sometimes the rolling take-up of a DA pull helps overcome the tendency to "flinch" by either pushing or pulling with a SA let-off! The continuous pressure of a DA pull can be adapted too.
I rarely shoot my S&W X-frame .460 and .500's by cocking and SA let off, instead I find it quite easy and more natural to pull through the DA .
I rarely shoot my S&W X-frame .460 and .500's by cocking and SA let off, instead I find it quite easy and more natural to pull through the DA .
Yup, that ball and dummy with a spin of the cylinder will tell the tale every time. I don't know how some of you guys find the heavy triggers and long pull of double action shoots better though but as they say, "find what works for you and do that".
The big thing I liked about double actions was when I was on the other side of a car pulling some puke out while being across from another officer pointing a Glock in my direction never was appreciated by me
. Double that sentiment when it was someone who was excitable holding it......... When the agency issued Glocks I wasn't happy even though I had carried one for years on the job.
On the same thought I wouldn't want one of the tiny Glocks for a pocket carry gun. My Ruger LCP fills that role nicely with a loaded chamber and no worries whatsoever. I guess its like comparing a ball peen to a claw hammer. They will both do the same basic thing but each one is more specialized at certain tasks . At least a standard revolver gives you the best of both worlds at your choosing.
The big thing I liked about double actions was when I was on the other side of a car pulling some puke out while being across from another officer pointing a Glock in my direction never was appreciated by me
. Double that sentiment when it was someone who was excitable holding it......... When the agency issued Glocks I wasn't happy even though I had carried one for years on the job. On the same thought I wouldn't want one of the tiny Glocks for a pocket carry gun. My Ruger LCP fills that role nicely with a loaded chamber and no worries whatsoever. I guess its like comparing a ball peen to a claw hammer. They will both do the same basic thing but each one is more specialized at certain tasks . At least a standard revolver gives you the best of both worlds at your choosing.
longfellow
New member
Don't switch
Wrong approach to addressing the problem. Enough years of competitive Bullseye shooting with one of the most difficult guns to master, the 45 acp, has taught us that there are no shortcuts. Start out with a 22, and then a 38 with wadcutters. Train yourself to attain the discipline to focus with laser intensity on the front sight KNOWING that there will be a kick. In a thousand rounds of REAL, practice (not just getting in the trigger time), you will START to experience real marksmanship and command over your weapon. Good luck.
Wrong approach to addressing the problem. Enough years of competitive Bullseye shooting with one of the most difficult guns to master, the 45 acp, has taught us that there are no shortcuts. Start out with a 22, and then a 38 with wadcutters. Train yourself to attain the discipline to focus with laser intensity on the front sight KNOWING that there will be a kick. In a thousand rounds of REAL, practice (not just getting in the trigger time), you will START to experience real marksmanship and command over your weapon. Good luck.
Mike_Fontenot
New member
"Relish Recoil"! It's a mind game.
Master Blaster
New member
Yes on some days I shoot better in Double Action also. It definitely has to do with the flinch reflex. Concentrating on the DA pull and steadying the front sight distracts that part of your brain that controls the recoil anticipation reflex or the flinch.
It works better on some days than others though. If I am spot on in my Single action shooting I shoot better in SA. If I am flinching a lot then I will shoot better in DA.
It works better on some days than others though. If I am spot on in my Single action shooting I shoot better in SA. If I am flinching a lot then I will shoot better in DA.
Darker Loaf
New member
I started shooting double-action with my 986 S&W because I figured it was how I'd shoot it if I needed to quickly. I almost never shoot it single-action, because I want to get used to the trigger. However, I have to admit the few times I shoot it single-action, my groups improve.
I started shooting double-action, partly out of the challenge of doing it. That and my usual carry piece is a Kahr K9 semi-auto that is very DAO-like (though it is striker fired). I can shoot my K9 well, but it is certainly easier for me to fire my Springfield XD with a custom very single-action like trigger, and I can group better with it. However, the same goes for a full-sized CZ 75 with once again a better trigger than a Kahr.
If double-action is working well for you, shoot it. I shoot what is fun to shoot, my groups be damned. I bought an LCR in 9mm for the challenge of shooting a DAO snub-nosed revolver, and I love shooting it now. The LCR has a really excellent DA trigger. I say shooting DA will only improve your trigger control. Just do it lots. I bet whenever you switch back to SA, your groups will tighten from all the practice in DA.
I started shooting double-action, partly out of the challenge of doing it. That and my usual carry piece is a Kahr K9 semi-auto that is very DAO-like (though it is striker fired). I can shoot my K9 well, but it is certainly easier for me to fire my Springfield XD with a custom very single-action like trigger, and I can group better with it. However, the same goes for a full-sized CZ 75 with once again a better trigger than a Kahr.
If double-action is working well for you, shoot it. I shoot what is fun to shoot, my groups be damned. I bought an LCR in 9mm for the challenge of shooting a DAO snub-nosed revolver, and I love shooting it now. The LCR has a really excellent DA trigger. I say shooting DA will only improve your trigger control. Just do it lots. I bet whenever you switch back to SA, your groups will tighten from all the practice in DA.
Don't cover up the symptoms, fix the problem.
Get a cheap laser pointer, a sponge and some rubber bands affix the pointer to the gun using the sponge(to not scratch it) and rubber bands then practice pulling the trigger without the laser moving off target.
After a while it won't matter what the trigger feels like you'll be able to stroke the trigger without moving the rest of your hand (and the gun).
Get a cheap laser pointer, a sponge and some rubber bands affix the pointer to the gun using the sponge(to not scratch it) and rubber bands then practice pulling the trigger without the laser moving off target.
After a while it won't matter what the trigger feels like you'll be able to stroke the trigger without moving the rest of your hand (and the gun).
Mike_Fontenot
New member
The problem is, you can often keep the sights perfectly steady during the pull when dryfiring, but move them a lot during the pull when you know the gun may go bang. Trying mixing some dummies in with live ammo, and you'll see.
A live-fire-induced flinch can certainly be an issue, and one that needs to be addressed if present.
But if you're not able to execute good DA trigger control to begin with, you're sure to have trouble with your DA shooting, bang-induced flinch or not.
Ideally, you'd practice your DA trigger control through lots of dry and live fire.
But if you're not able to execute good DA trigger control to begin with, you're sure to have trouble with your DA shooting, bang-induced flinch or not.
Ideally, you'd practice your DA trigger control through lots of dry and live fire.
QUOTE: "...I never understood why someone would want SA vs. DA. DA for me is just the only way to go. Sometimes you just don't have that extra 1/2 second or so to cock the hammer and shoot especially with game. I'm not a hunter..."
Back in the day, when Bullseye shooting was the only game in town and revolvers were in their heyday, almost all serious shooters competing in Bullseye matches fired their da revolvers in the sa mode, even during the timed and rapid fire stages. They shot sa because most shooters could shoot a revolver more accurately in sa mode than they could in da mode. And, in Bullseye, accuracy is everything.
Back in the day, when Bullseye shooting was the only game in town and revolvers were in their heyday, almost all serious shooters competing in Bullseye matches fired their da revolvers in the sa mode, even during the timed and rapid fire stages. They shot sa because most shooters could shoot a revolver more accurately in sa mode than they could in da mode. And, in Bullseye, accuracy is everything.
Mike_Fontenot
New member
My .44mag Model 69 is my EDC ... 5 shots before a fairly slow reload. So for me, accuracy is also everything. That's why I only shoot it SA (besides the fact that I HATE shooting DA).
If you're going to shoot a DA/SA revolver, you really ought to be reasonably proficient in both modes, lest you have a big hole in your revolver skills repertoire.
When it comes to the revolver, being a good "all-arounder" isn't just silly ideology or romance - cocking the hammer in a stressful SD situation because it's habit or because you're not comfortable with the DA trigger is very bad mojo, IMO, as it can easily lead to a ND that'll put you and/or others in a world of trouble and hurt.
Likewise, there are times when a slow and very precise shot is more appropriate (e.g. hunting, target shooting), and the good all-arounder will have no problem releasing a good SA shot when it's called for.
When it comes to the revolver, being a good "all-arounder" isn't just silly ideology or romance - cocking the hammer in a stressful SD situation because it's habit or because you're not comfortable with the DA trigger is very bad mojo, IMO, as it can easily lead to a ND that'll put you and/or others in a world of trouble and hurt.
Likewise, there are times when a slow and very precise shot is more appropriate (e.g. hunting, target shooting), and the good all-arounder will have no problem releasing a good SA shot when it's called for.