Single action for self defense???

Jmaxx · December 13, 2007, 01:33 PM

Would a man be absolutely crazy to get a single action revolver mainly for self defense??? Not a carry weapon, but a sit in the nightstand gun???

TexasSeaRay · December 13, 2007, 01:42 PM

What's crazier--having a single-action for defense or having no weapon at all?

My father-in-law, ex-WWII Marine, kept a Ruger Blackhawk loaded with .357 at his cabin up in northern Maine. I strapped that gun on more than once when the wife and I would go hiking in the woods. The single-action aspect never bothered me.

The key is to always know your weapon and remain proficient and confident.

Jeff

The Tourist · December 13, 2007, 01:42 PM

Why not? The Border Patrol carried them for many of our more "modern" years. I would be surprised if someone answers your thread with the news that he still carries one on duty.

Right now I looking for a .45 Colt Ruger Bisley Vaquero in stainless.

I would not hesitate to put it on the nightstand.

AJD21 · December 13, 2007, 01:47 PM

Here's a good article by well known sixgun auther John Taffin called: Single-Action Sixguns For Self-Defense

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...24/ai_64565409

OSUCowboy · December 13, 2007, 01:49 PM

For home defense or defense in the woods or other rugged wilderness conditions, I would say that there aren't many guns that can beat a single action's power and reliability (assuming it's chambered in .45 colt, .357/.44 magnum, etc.). I wouldn't carry them for personal protection walking around town, for the simple reason that they're usually too big to conceal and they don't have the magazine capacity I like (especially because some still have to be carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber). However, somebody who has practiced enough can get them into action very quickly, and fire just as fast as a double-action revolver.

Wildalaska · December 13, 2007, 01:52 PM

I need a 3" Ivory Nickel Birdshead Colt SAA with fire blued screws and a black powder frame for my everyday carry gun.

I need that.

WildalthoiwouldnevershootitAlaska TM

The Tourist · December 13, 2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildalaska

3" Ivory Nickel Birdshead Colt SAA with fire blued screws

Do you have a pic? I'd like to see that.

darko · December 13, 2007, 01:58 PM

For self defense on the streets I'd have to say no way. For the house, absolutely. I have been keeping my Beretta Stampede loaded as my house gun. For one handed point and shoot within the confines of a residence it should do well at hitting it's mark. I also like the heavy 45colt round for it's knock down. As you can see in my signature line I have various models to choose from but have elected to use the SA for its simplicity and natural pointablility. Firing it at the range at 15 yards, simply pointing and shooting without use of sights proved to be within the kill zone on most shots. That's good enough for me.

CraigC · December 13, 2007, 02:12 PM

I carry one all the time. A custom Ruger flat-top .44Spl by Jim Stroh, carried in a Mernickle PS6.

Elephant_Man · December 13, 2007, 02:42 PM

I have a Ruger Blackhawk in my room for self defense

Charles S · December 13, 2007, 02:54 PM

Craig,

That is a great looking gun.

I am not personally comfortable with the manual of arms of a single action in a self defense situation.

However if an individual is willing to practice to get comfortable I see no reason it cannot be utilized effectively in a self defense situation.

3-fitty-7 · December 13, 2007, 03:15 PM

i keep my loaded ruger nm flattop in the bedroom while my unloaded colt 1911 and colt AR15 sit in the basement locked in cases. the AR used to sit next to my bed but i put a scope on it recently which wouldn't be very practical in the dark unless i put a flashlight on it and the .45 always has the possibility of jamming, plus if i miss w/ .357 the flame that comes out will most likely be enough to scare someone off. i would prefer a shotgun especially for the pump sound (very effective in the silence of the night) maybe for x-mas i'll treat myself.

Majic · December 13, 2007, 04:04 PM

In the hands of one who really knows how to use one the SA is good for any kind of protection be it home, street, or anywhere.

YukonKid · December 13, 2007, 04:21 PM

If you can hit something with it then go for it. At our police training center here one of the men behind the armory counter carries a ruger single action. He looks far more cabable with it then any of the new cops do with their glocks. I would say if your confertable with it and you can shoot well then there is no reason why not.

YukonKid

as far as carrying i dont believe they make a kydex holster for SAA's

Mosin44az · December 14, 2007, 12:21 AM

While it's better than nothing, given any choice, why choose an SA revolver for defense?

There is no advantage. There are at least a couple of significant disadvantages, handling and firepower among them.

Maybe you wouldn't be absolutely crazy, but you would be heading in that direction. Certainly irrational.

CraigC · December 14, 2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

While it's better than nothing, given any choice, why choose an SA revolver for defense?

There is no advantage. There are at least a couple of significant disadvantages, handling and firepower among them.

Maybe you wouldn't be absolutely crazy, but you would be heading in that direction. Certainly irrational.

What makes more sense, carrying the type of handgun you pack and shoot every day, or one that you shoot only occasionally because they simply do not interest you? I'd rather carry what I'm more familiar, comfortable and proficient with, than to satisfy some 'perceived' need of others to have 15rds, a 20lb trigger and night sights. Familiarity, confidence and proficiency are all very distinct advantages. Crazy or irrational, not hardly.

**JohnKSa** · December 14, 2007, 12:59 AM

An SA revolver is a suitable defense gun, especially in the hands of someone who is familiar and skilled with it.

If you're ALREADY familiar and comfortable with the platform, that's one thing, but if you're not an SA revolver shooter and you're just looking around for something that will serve the purpose of a nightstand gun, you can make better choices.

Socrates · December 14, 2007, 01:24 AM

Ross Seyfried got off 5 shots in under 2 seconds, using a modified Seville, to kill a charging cape buffalo he pissed off.

On top of that, the gun had to be aligned on each shot, by hand(finger), as the buffalo charged.

Been shooting a similar gun since 1980. Given the fantastic trigger, tremendous firepower, pretty hard to beat. In particular if you have two...

One thing that everyone says is if you know you are going to a rifle fight, bring a rifle. If you can't, SA heavy guns come closest to rifle effect. Better to have two, rather then one...

SAWBONES · December 14, 2007, 01:55 AM

There's a lot of blather posted about this topic.

If you can cock and accurately shoot a single action revolver nearly as quickly as, say, Elmer Keith or John Wesley Hardin, or if you're willing to put in the practice to learn to do so, then sure, consider yourself well armed with a SA.

If you're like most of us, though, and you need a gun for sudden unforseen defense of self and loved ones, you're not going to find the circumstances conducive to reliably and quickly thumb-cocking that gun, and will likely be better served by a traditional DA revolver (or DAO semiauto) which will allow a simpler "point & pull" means of actuation.

CraigC · December 14, 2007, 02:19 AM

Quote:

If you're ALREADY familiar and comfortable with the platform, that's one thing, but if you're not an SA revolver shooter and you're just looking around for something that will serve the purpose of a nightstand gun, you can make better choices.

Agreed, I did not intend to imply otherwise.

Billy Sparks · December 14, 2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

need a 3" Ivory Nickel Birdshead Colt SAA with fire blued screws and a black powder frame for my everyday carry gun.

I need that.

WildalthoiwouldnevershootitAlaska TM

Why? Need to see where it prints with your self defense load....you need to run at least 200 rounds through it to make sure it is reliable.

BillypickingonKenSparks

Jamie C. · December 14, 2007, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Would a man be absolutely crazy to get a single action revolver mainly for self defense?

Only if he didn't know how to use it and wasn't going to bother to learn.

But then, the same can be said of any other type of weapon.

J.C.

shoots awe lots · December 14, 2007, 09:13 AM

You should watch some of SASS shooters and your question would be answered.

CoRoMo · December 14, 2007, 09:37 AM

My Ruger Blackhawk Convertible .357 is sitting loaded in my nightstand right now.

I purchased it for self defense, but I don't actually carry it anymore unless I'm hiking in the back-country. I don't hike with any less than .357 anymore.

I now carry a smaller piece, Kel Tec P11 is in my jacket pocket as I type.

BikerRN · December 14, 2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

You should watch some of SASS shooters and your question would be answered.

I was thinking this as I read through the post.

For the first five rounds, with a "practiced" Single Action shooter, you give up nothing to a D.A. Revolver, S.A. Pistol or "Uber Pistol shooter. I have carried a Colt SAA off duty a few times, just for "grins and giggles".

Biker

December 13, 2007, 01:33 PM	#1
Jmaxx Member Join Date: November 1, 2007 Posts: 22	Single action for self defense??? Would a man be absolutely crazy to get a single action revolver mainly for self defense??? Not a carry weapon, but a sit in the nightstand gun???

December 13, 2007, 01:42 PM	#2
TexasSeaRay Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 810	What's crazier--having a single-action for defense or having no weapon at all? My father-in-law, ex-WWII Marine, kept a Ruger Blackhawk loaded with .357 at his cabin up in northern Maine. I strapped that gun on more than once when the wife and I would go hiking in the woods. The single-action aspect never bothered me. The key is to always know your weapon and remain proficient and confident. Jeff __________________ If every single gun owner belonged to the NRA as well as their respective state rifle/gun association, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today. So to those of you who are members of neither, thanks for nothing.

December 13, 2007, 01:49 PM	#5
OSUCowboy Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: OKC Posts: 43	For home defense or defense in the woods or other rugged wilderness conditions, I would say that there aren't many guns that can beat a single action's power and reliability (assuming it's chambered in .45 colt, .357/.44 magnum, etc.). I wouldn't carry them for personal protection walking around town, for the simple reason that they're usually too big to conceal and they don't have the magazine capacity I like (especially because some still have to be carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber). However, somebody who has practiced enough can get them into action very quickly, and fire just as fast as a double-action revolver. __________________ If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns "I'd rather have a pocket full of rocks than an empty gun" -Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton

December 13, 2007, 01:58 PM	#8
darko Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Posts: 499	For self defense on the streets I'd have to say no way. For the house, absolutely. I have been keeping my Beretta Stampede loaded as my house gun. For one handed point and shoot within the confines of a residence it should do well at hitting it's mark. I also like the heavy 45colt round for it's knock down. As you can see in my signature line I have various models to choose from but have elected to use the SA for its simplicity and natural pointablility. Firing it at the range at 15 yards, simply pointing and shooting without use of sights proved to be within the kill zone on most shots. That's good enough for me. __________________ ___________________________________________ 28:06:42:12

December 13, 2007, 02:42 PM	#10
Elephant_Man Registration in progress Join Date: December 10, 2007 Location: The Sticks, Colorado Posts: 45	I have a Ruger Blackhawk in my room for self defense __________________ Blam

December 13, 2007, 01:42 PM	#3
The Tourist Junior member Join Date: June 20, 2005 Posts: 2,348	Why not? The Border Patrol carried them for many of our more "modern" years. I would be surprised if someone answers your thread with the news that he still carries one on duty. Right now I looking for a .45 Colt Ruger Bisley Vaquero in stainless. I would not hesitate to put it on the nightstand.

December 13, 2007, 01:47 PM	#4
AJD21 Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2007 Posts: 153	Here's a good article by well known sixgun auther John Taffin called: Single-Action Sixguns For Self-Defense http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...24/ai_64565409

December 13, 2007, 01:52 PM	#6
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	I need a 3" Ivory Nickel Birdshead Colt SAA with fire blued screws and a black powder frame for my everyday carry gun. I need that. WildalthoiwouldnevershootitAlaska TM

December 13, 2007, 02:12 PM	#9
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	I carry one all the time. A custom Ruger flat-top .44Spl by Jim Stroh, carried in a Mernickle PS6.

December 13, 2007, 02:54 PM	#11
Charles S Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2002 Location: North East Texas Posts: 950	Craig, That is a great looking gun. I am not personally comfortable with the manual of arms of a single action in a self defense situation. However if an individual is willing to practice to get comfortable I see no reason it cannot be utilized effectively in a self defense situation. __________________ "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

December 13, 2007, 03:15 PM	#12
3-fitty-7 Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2006 Location: philadelphia Posts: 276	i keep my loaded ruger nm flattop in the bedroom while my unloaded colt 1911 and colt AR15 sit in the basement locked in cases. the AR used to sit next to my bed but i put a scope on it recently which wouldn't be very practical in the dark unless i put a flashlight on it and the .45 always has the possibility of jamming, plus if i miss w/ .357 the flame that comes out will most likely be enough to scare someone off. i would prefer a shotgun especially for the pump sound (very effective in the silence of the night) maybe for x-mas i'll treat myself.

December 13, 2007, 04:04 PM	#13
Majic Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Posts: 3,888	In the hands of one who really knows how to use one the SA is good for any kind of protection be it home, street, or anywhere.

December 13, 2007, 04:21 PM	#14
YukonKid Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: NW Posts: 744	If you can hit something... If you can hit something with it then go for it. At our police training center here one of the men behind the armory counter carries a ruger single action. He looks far more cabable with it then any of the new cops do with their glocks. I would say if your confertable with it and you can shoot well then there is no reason why not. YukonKid as far as carrying i dont believe they make a kydex holster for SAA's __________________ This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill Fifteen percent concentrated power of will Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!

December 14, 2007, 12:21 AM	#15
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	While it's better than nothing, given any choice, why choose an SA revolver for defense? There is no advantage. There are at least a couple of significant disadvantages, handling and firepower among them. Maybe you wouldn't be absolutely crazy, but you would be heading in that direction. Certainly irrational.

December 14, 2007, 12:59 AM	#17
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,975	An SA revolver is a suitable defense gun, especially in the hands of someone who is familiar and skilled with it. If you're ALREADY familiar and comfortable with the platform, that's one thing, but if you're not an SA revolver shooter and you're just looking around for something that will serve the purpose of a nightstand gun, you can make better choices. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 14, 2007, 01:24 AM	#18
Socrates Junior member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: East Bay NorCal, People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 5,866	Ross Seyfried got off 5 shots in under 2 seconds, using a modified Seville, to kill a charging cape buffalo he pissed off. On top of that, the gun had to be aligned on each shot, by hand(finger), as the buffalo charged. Been shooting a similar gun since 1980. Given the fantastic trigger, tremendous firepower, pretty hard to beat. In particular if you have two... One thing that everyone says is if you know you are going to a rifle fight, bring a rifle. If you can't, SA heavy guns come closest to rifle effect. Better to have two, rather then one...

December 14, 2007, 01:55 AM	#19
SAWBONES Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 1999 Location: The third dimension Posts: 670	There's a lot of blather posted about this topic. If you can cock and accurately shoot a single action revolver nearly as quickly as, say, Elmer Keith or John Wesley Hardin, or if you're willing to put in the practice to learn to do so, then sure, consider yourself well armed with a SA. If you're like most of us, though, and you need a gun for sudden unforseen defense of self and loved ones, you're not going to find the circumstances conducive to reliably and quickly thumb-cocking that gun, and will likely be better served by a traditional DA revolver (or DAO semiauto) which will allow a simpler "point & pull" means of actuation. __________________ "Humani nihil alienum"

December 14, 2007, 09:13 AM	#23
shoots awe lots Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2005 Posts: 240	You should watch some of SASS shooters and your question would be answered.

December 14, 2007, 09:37 AM	#24
CoRoMo Member Join Date: October 26, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 38	Call me crazy! My Ruger Blackhawk Convertible .357 is sitting loaded in my nightstand right now. I purchased it for self defense, but I don't actually carry it anymore unless I'm hiking in the back-country. I don't hike with any less than .357 anymore. I now carry a smaller piece, Kel Tec P11 is in my jacket pocket as I type. __________________ "The 2nd Amendment of our Bill of Rights is my concealed weapons permit, period!" Ted Nugent