Gun help please, single action, dbl action, semi's etc.?

Question

I'm a little confused about single action, dbl action. I thought semi-automatics were semi-automatic because they didn't need to be cocked, and yet some are single action. Also, wondering why some double actions have exposed hammers (that look like you can **** them) - I know some can be used as single action. Please excuse my gun ignorance, I've read the books, watched videos but have little hands-on experience (& have to write an exam tonight). Thanks!

Answer 1

Single and Double action mean somewhat different things in Revolvers and in Pistols. This was always my main confusion in my younger days too!



Remember, the "action" in single or double has to do with the TRIGGER FUNCTION.....ask yourself "what does the trigger do?"



A Single-action revolver must have the hammer c0cked manually, then the trigger only releases the hammer (hence, the "single" action)



A Double-action revolver, the trigger serves a 'double' function of c0cking the hammer and releasing it. Two functions of the trigger.



Pistols are different and more confusing.



In a Single-action pistol only the first shot must be manually c0cked, then the trigger performs the single function of releasing the hammer. THEN....the semi-auto action automatically c0cks the hammer again, then only a single action by the trigger, etc.



In a Double-action pistol, the trigger can c0ck the hammer and release it. However from the second shot, the hammer has already been cocked by the action, so it's really single-action from that point forward. So it's really "Double-action, Single-action" or DA/SA.



Now, some untrained and inexperienced police officers had a problem with that, in that the trigger pull changed from first shot to second shot (DA/SA) and they shot a second and third shot without realizing it. So the "Double-Action Only" (DAO) semi-auto pistol was developed, which requires a full double action trigger action and pull with every round.

Answer 2

It's not a silly question first of all. OK, a basic single action pistol would be, lets say John Waynes cowboy style gun, it has a hammer that needs to be cocked or pulled back to shoot 1 bullet at a time. A double action is the more modern pistol, Dirty Harrys 44 magnum style pistol. Today, most pistols, cowboy style or modern style are both single and double action meaning if you want to pull the trigger, it will go off. Double action normally is a harder trigger pull than single action as the hammer is already back in the single action mode. Therefore, if you want a more accurate shot, use the single action hammer aready back as it is not as hard to pull resulting in your front sight staying on the target easier. Now, some revolvers do have the hammer hidden in the frame of the pistol making them double action only. Off duty officers sometimes use this thinking the hammer will not get caught on clothing on a fast draw. There are not a lot of "Hammerless" revolvers produced today. Semi-autos are like revolvers also. Some have a hammer you can pull back or **** for single action mode or you can just pull the trigger in the double action mode. Again, as a general rule, the double action mode is a harder trigger pull than cocking or pulling the hammer back for single action mode. Semi-autos without an exposed hammer fire double action first, then once the first round has been shot, it is single action thereafter as the "hammer" that is internal is cocked when the slide goes back on the first shot. Most pistols whether revolvers or semi-autos have a hammer permitting the shooter to shoot a fast first shot or take his time and **** it for a more accurate first shot. Hope you get an "A".

Answer 3

Any handgun which has to be c-o-c-k-e-d for each shot is a single action. Most notable are the "cowboy guns". Double action guns are exemplified by the modern revolvers which can be fired either by c*cking the hammer or by simply pulling tthe trigger. A person may decide to thumb back the hammer on a double action revolver because the trigger pull is significantly reduced when it is cocked first. Or he may simply decide to pull the trigger which will cauase the hammer to come back and then drop to fire the gun. Semi-auto hjandguns are exemplified by such guns as the Colt 1911 .45 acp. it is the one that many people call the military pistol. It was carried by military troops from 1911 until into the 1980s when it was replaced by the less powerful 9mm. I consider this to be a foolish mistake but they didn't ask my opinion before making the change. When one uses the term "double action" in conjunction with a semi-auto handgun, it means that one can **** the gun by simply pulling the trigger. A semi-auto handgun that is not double action will have to have the hammer cocked before firing the first shot. After that, it will continue to fire each time the trigger is pulled until the magazine becomes empty.



I hope this clears up any questions that you may have. If not, post another question and one of us will take another cut at it.

Answer 4

Check for yourself; here are the steps. 1. Check that the gun is not loaded 2. Pull the trigger 3. If the cylinder rotates, the hammer goes back and then falls, it means that you can fire it w/o c0cking the hammer first and it is a double action. 4. If it does not rotate, c0ck and drop at thepull of the trigger it is a single action and must be c0cked first. You will find the 686 is a double action revolver. FYI. You can shoot double action revolvers like a single action by c0cking the hammer first and then pulling the trigger. The gun is more accurate to shoot this way because the triger pull is lighter and covers less distance.

Answer 5

Quoted from Wikipedia



"Each trigger mechanism has its own merits. Historically, the first type of trigger was the single action. This is the simplest mechanism and generally the shortest, lightest, and smoothest pull available. The pull is also consistent from shot to shot so no adjustments in technique are needed for proper accuracy. On a revolver, the hammer must be manually c0cked prior to firing, an added level of safety is present. On a semi-automatic, the hammer will be c0cked and ready to fire by the process of chambering a round, and as a result an external safety is required.



Double action triggers provide the ability to fire the gun no matter whether the hammer is c0cked or unc0cked. This feature is desirable for military, police, or self-defense pistols. The primary disadvantage of any double-action trigger is the extra length the trigger must be pulled and the extra weight required to overcome the spring tension of the hammer or striker.



DAO firearms attempt to solve the problems with DA/SA mechanisms by making each and every shot a double-action shot. Because there is no difference in pull weights, training and practice are simplified. Additionally, accidental discharges are reduced because of the heavier trigger pulls. This is a particular advantage for a police pistol. These weapons also generally lack any type of external safety. DAO is common among police agencies and for small, personal protection firearms. The primary deficiency is that accurate fire is difficult due to the additional trigger weight and travel required for each shot."

Answer 6

A single action, means that you have to manually (that word LOL) the hammer each time before you fire it.

Double action means that you pull the trigger and it (that word) the hammer back and then drops it each time you pull the trigger.

Semi auto means that everytime you pull the trigger, it fires and re(that word) the hammer for you. You then pull the trigger again, and it repeats the process until you are out of ammo.

The confusing part is that there are single action and double action pistols as well as revolvers. For example, a browning hi power. You must manually (that word) the hammer to fire the first round, and after that it is semi auto. Others, like the Beretta 92 fs, you simply pull the trigger and it self(that word) and fires for each pull of the trigger. Of course with a pistol you have to manually chamber the first round by cycling the slide back and letting it slam forward, picking up the first round. At that point, even the browning hi power is ready to fire, because cycling the slide also (that word) the hammer. You can then either set the safety and carry it ready to fire, or let the hammer down carefully and manually re (that word) it to fire. On the double action revolvers, they have exposed hammers because you can also manually (that word) the hammer so that it becomes single action, which is more accurate than firing double action. Are you completely confused yet??? It gets worse....some pistols are double action only, as are certain revolvers.!!!!

If you are around them for a while, it all makes sese.

sorry for the playful way of answering, I just could not resist.

Shoot safe

Answer 7

Single action revolvers: Must pull the hammer back manually for each shot; Single action automatics (also known as single-action-first-shot): The slide must be racked to feed a bullet and c-o-c-k the hammer, or, if a shell is already in the chamber, you need pull back the hammer to initiate the firing process. The returning slide will c-o-c-k the hammer after that after every shot.



Semi automatic: A weapon that will fire only after squeezing the trigger. It requires squeezing the trigger for each shot vs. holding the trigger back in a fully automatic weapon which will then fire so long as the trigger is held back and it has ammo.



Hope that helped.



H

Answer 8

(these are for revolvers)



Single action means that the only way to fire the pistol is to c ock the hammer first.



Double action means the pistol can fir just by pulling the trigger without c ocking it first, or you can c ock it then fire.



Now for semi-autos, some have exposed hammers and some have internal hammers. For either one, once thay are fired they will not need to manually c ocked before being able to fire again. Now some semi-autos are single action (meaning they have to be c ocked before they can be shot) but this is usually accomplished when you move the slide and again, you don't need to rec ock them after firing a shot.



Hope that helps, If I confused you on any of that just let me know what part and I will try to clarify further.

Answer 9

The above answers are correct. There are howerver double and single action autoloaders. The John Browning designs, i.e. the 1911 family and the Browning Hi-Power are examples of single action autoloaders. The hammers need to be c ocked by racking the slide or manualy with the thumb before the pistol can fire. Many more "modern" designs are double action, that is thier hammers/strikers can be down or at rest and then be c ocked by a long trigger pull like a double action revolver.

Answer 10

LOL, you can say that word when it

applies to guns.



Single action- squeeze the trigger once

it fires



Double action- squeeze the trigger half way,

then squeeze all the way and it fires.

Double action gives you the chance to

not shoot. I've shot with double action alot.

C**king of the weapon, it's going to be a

sure, fast shoot.



I've never shot a semi,

but I can shoot a Shot Gun.

Answer 11

Single action means that pulling the trigger ONLY releases the hammer. These guns you need to pull back the hammer manually.



Double action means that pulling the trigger both pulls back the hammer and fires the shot in one motion. Most modern pistols can be used either single or double action depending on the preference of the user. Since firing double-action requires a longer and more forceful pull on the trigger it can affect accuracy, so many competition shooters will fire single action, cocking the gun in between shots.



Semi-automatic refers to a gun that can be fired multiple times without having to manually c-o-c-k the hammer or cycle the bolt.

Answer 12

All firearms need to be 'c ocked' in order to operate.



Single action means you need to pull the hammer back with each shot you wish to take.



Double action means you can operate the firearm in single-action mode, or just pull the trigger; hence, 'double action.'



Semi-auto means you need to '****' the firearm by working the slide to get a round into the chamber, then with each pulling of the trigger the firearm loads another round. It is called 'semi-auto' because you need to pull the trigger to fire each round, as opposed to 'full auto,' which means the firearm will continue firing as long as you hold the trigger ( see Thompson Sub-Machine Gun).



Hope this helps and have fun shooting!

Answer 13

Single action - you will have to **** the hammer in order to fire the weapon every time.



Double action - you can **** the hammer or simply pull the trigger, hence the name double action.



semi-auto - operating the slide to chamber a round will automatically **** the hammer for you, but you will need to pull the trigger again to fire another round.



full auto - weapon will fire continuously until the trigger is released or ammo is spent.

Answer 14

i know my answer is an old cliche ..-

but in my opinion , the best Gun has no action at all ...-

so sorry ,