Single action semi-automatic .45. Im drooling just looking at it!!!
Posted on 08/04/2006 9:29:09 AM PDT by 7thson
Alright, I am going to set myself up here for flaming and such - especially by certain @$$wipes who enjoy making themselves feel superior - by I have a couple questions concerning firearms.
Basic question one - what is the difference between a pistol and a revolver?
Basic question two - what is the difference between single action and double action?
Basic question three - which should a beginner go with - revolver, pistol, SA, or DA?
What is best? Whatever the owner is comfortable with that will do the job.
Single-action is when the trigger only releases the hammer.
Double-action is when the trigger cocks and releases the hammer so you don't have to cock the hammer manually.
All revolvers are pistols but not all pistols are revolvers. A .45 colt magazine-fed pistol is not a revolver, as you probably know. A single-action is cocked by the thumb on the hammer. A double action can be fired repeatedly by squeezing the trigger. I think a four-inch double action .357 would be best and shoot .38's in it until you're ready for the heavier kick.
If you're looking for a gun for a child, get them a rifle first. Raise a kid on a handgun and he'll become a thug. The handgun can even come a month after the rifle, but get the rifle first.
Revolvers (the ones with cylinders) are probably better to start with ... easier to maintain, easier to shoot, simple all the way around.
A revolver has the drum loaded with rounds (like in the old west movies). A pistol has a magazine (like a 9mm). As for which to start with, I'd say go to a gun range and rent their weapons and see which one suits you best.
Be sure you can hit your target. That's what gun control is all about.
That's a great way to seek advise and make friends.
You're going to get at least 134 different opinions here.
Check this out and it will answer many of your questions.
http://www.all-about-handguns.com/Pistol/BUYING%20A%20HANDGUN%20FOR%20THE%20FIRST%20TIME.html
1. Revolvers are pistols. Pistols generally include revolvers and automatic pistols
2. With a single action pistol you have to manually pull the hammer back to be able to pull the trigger and fire the pistol. With a double action you can maunnaully pull the hammer back like a singel action but you can also pull the trigger to draw back the hammer and fire the weapon.
3. Get a revolver and an auto. You can never have too many guns.
Can't flame someone with an honest question IMO, and FR is a great place to ask them.
Pistol: Any handgun.
Revolver: A hadgun that uses a revolving cylinder to hold the ammo.
Single action: The shooter has to cock the hammer (pull it back) before pulling the trigger.
Double action: Just point and shoot.
If your questions are this basic, take a training course before you even think of buying a gun. It will give you the info you need for your purchasing decision.
A revolver is a revolver, a pistol is a usually a semi-automatic (not quite sure where single shots, etc fall in this defiintion)
Single action (revolver) hammer must be maually cocked before firing.
Double action (revolver) pulling trigger will fire firearm.
Single action (pistol/semi-auto) Hammer is cocked by manual manipulation of slide for first shot. Cycling of action cocks each shot thereafter.
Double action (pistol/semi-auto) pulling trigger fires firearm for first shot, each shot thereafter can either be double action, or single action depending on design. (There's a lot of grey area in some definitions with the newer striker fired guns such as Glock, Springfield XD...)
FWIW I'm a big fan of Smith & Wesson (DA) revolvers, followed by 1911 type (SA) autos. Slim don't do plastic guns.
For the beginner, most likely take the Double Action (DA) revolver versus the semi-automatic handgun. It's easier...
You are an 18-year retired vet of the Navy and you don't know the answer to these questions?
I'm very dissappointed in the US Navy training.
Here goes what I think:
A pistol is a hand held short barrel weapon.
A revolver is a type of pistol.
A semi-automatic would be another type.
(fully automatic another type, but I'll leave that one out of this)
A revolver has a cylindrical 'magazine' which houses the ammunition to be fired. The cartridge to be fired is the one lined up to the barrel. A single action revolver would require you to physically cock the hammer back by hand which would rotate the cylinder at the same time, then pull the trigger to discharge the weapon.
A double action revolver would function as above, but also, you can just keep pulling the trigger and the mechanism inside will do the hammer cocking and cylinder rotating all at once.
A semi-auto would be similar, but no cylinder.
It would have a magazine loaded with cartridges. A single action (such as Colt 1911 style) would recuire you to rack the slide to load cartride and cock the hammer. Once thats done, you can keep pulling the trigger until the ammo's gone. The blowback will automatically chamber another round and cock the hammer. But, if the hammer isn't cocked, and you pull the trigger nothing will happen. Even if there is a round in the chamber. If the hammer isn't cocked, a trigger pull won't cock it.
A double action semi-auto would do that. A trigger pull would cause the hammer to cock and discharge the weapon. But, a trigger pull alone won't rack the slide and load the weapon. A round would already have to be in the chamber.
In my opinion a revolver is not the best choice for a beginner, as most don't have a safety and also when loaded there is always a round under the firing pin as every round has it's own firing chamber.
With a semi auto pistol you can choose to not cock it (not put one in the pipe) so there is no round in the chamber this makes it safer to carry.
So, with a SA, you have to pull the hammer back first, and then fire?
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