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View Poll Results: Do you think a SA revolver makes a good self-defense handgun?

Voters
971. You may not vote on this poll
  • Yes.

    335 34.50%
  • No. The fact that they are SA, have slow reloads, bulky hammers, etc… makes them a poor choice.

    119 12.26%
  • If that is what you feel comfortable with then go for it.

    517 53.24%
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Results 521 to 531 of 531

Thread: Single Action revolvers for self-defense?

  1. #521
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    lazs - there was a gent who worked for HK, who had an AC-556 (NFA Mini 14 variant) as a sample to show clients, at work; Some motorcycle gang members decided to pick a fight with him, that's "the exception that proves the rule"; He had a fair bit of ammo & I suspect he wanted about 5x more by the time that was over. Plus I suspect he'd have liked some backup! Let me look for it... Found it, look up the "Gary Fadden incident", with some Outlaws motorcycle gang members. He was tried for second-degree murder, but he was found innocent on grounds of self-defense. That'd be a high stress day... That one DEFINITELY lasted more than 5 rounds, and even included a NFA firearm.

    For myself - I carry 1911 family in city and often revolver in the boonies, bears are better picked on with a revolver with heavier loads being the idea. I picked the 3rd option because, if the shooter does their part, the handgun will too.

  2. #522
    Boolit Master





    Idaho45guy's Avatar
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    I carry my avatar gun when in grizzly territory and the Glock G29 10mm when in wolf and stupid redneck territory. I prefer the capacity and faster shooting and size/weight of the G29. But hard to argue with 300gr hardcast boolits for bigger critters...
    "Luck don't live out here. Wolves don't kill the unlucky deer; they kill the weak ones..." Jeremy Renner in Wind River

  3. #523
    Boolit Master
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    Check out Sept. 27, 1989 the Rangers from JBLM had a ‘lil dust up with the Hilltop Crips. I know some of the people who were there and we all talked about this one for a while afterwards.

    I carry a Colt’s SAA for daily wear.

  4. #524
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    40
    Unequivocal Facts = SA Revolvers in cf cals , typically hold 5 or 6 rounds . Reloading during a shooting encounter unlikely, to the point of being discounted .

    My observations & opinions = I don't obsess over the number of rounds in the gun . I like revolvers, and my prefered 9mm and .45acp are single stacks . I DO feel strongly about combined round count on person , both additional ammo and/ or additional guns . ( I may be statistical freak , but I knew people who reloaded mid gun , and who ran out of ammo before the fight ended .)

    I do not obsess over teeny tiny guns . Think K frames , and +/- 4in bbl full size autos. While I may be a big guy , it is more a matter my customary apparel lends to dressing around the gun(s).

    In that light , a 3.5 inch Vaquero in an El Paso pancake is similar to conceal.

    A SAA or Blackhawk points very naturally. I am outspoken in favor of almost always visually indexing if not aiming ( semantics alert ) , but even then , the better the gun naturally indexes, the quicker to a solid hit .

    A SA Rev is at least as fast, usually faster to solid first shot HIT , than DA revolver equipped with grips well fitting my hand.

    A DA revolver is faster for doing a "cylinder dump" into a single stationary large target , but for an at least moderately skilled shooter, a SA is still reasonably quick for follow up . And transitioning targets , or shooting at longer distances the difference narrows to disappears.

    But what about that inescapable issue I mentioned at start of this Post ?
    Johnson1942 brought it up in post #463 . I already mentioned I frequently carry two . If my * Sequentially First * gun is a SA , the other will use either speedloaders or magazines .

    Power or Effectiveness can be debated endlessly. But even if they believe other rounds are also highly effective, few people would ever claim ( non- CAS "mouse fart") .45 Colt was ineffective . Both for general 2 legged purposes , or suitable hard cast for when hiking or 4x4'ing where I regularly make acquaintance of black bears .

  5. #525
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
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    I carry my 5.5" Lipsey .44 special in a pancake holster if the mood strikes me. I also carry a 36 and Kahr CM40 at times too and do not feel undergunned, underpowered or limited capacity. I may be in denial but do not anticipate facing more than 5 baddies at one time.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

  6. #526
    Boolit Man
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    I guess I’m guilty. NAA pug in 22 mag in my front pocket. Hornaday critical defense ammo. Used it to dispatch a chicken killer in the coop.

  7. #527
    Boolit Buddy heelerau's Avatar
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    Gidgegannup Western Australia
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    We do not have conceal and carry permits down under, but I did shoot cowboy action for awhile with my cap and balls, both a London Navy and a 3rd model dragoon. I also shot service pistol with a S&W mod 66 for donkeys years. You get pretty slick even with one of these old timers. Personally a Remington New Mod army would be a good reliable carry. Get your first shot into your target, as has been said 1 good hit is better than 8 or 9 misses.
    Keep yor hoss well shod an' yo powda dry !

  8. #528
    Boolit Bub aws1963's Avatar
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    Depends on the shooter. I have witnessed $4K 45ACP shooters who could not hit the broadside of a barn with the doors closed and inside. All the speed and power means nothing if you miss. For home defense or in an open carry state, it would be fine I guess, but I'm skeptical on size for CCW. I'll stick with the 642.

  9. #529
    Boolit Buddy wildcatter's Avatar
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    they would not be my choice only because of the size and bulk to easily conceal, I prefer a 4.5" 1911 as it is flat and easy to conceal, along with being more comfortable than the J frame or the sp-101 I carried over a decade ago, not to mention the 45 acp cartridge,, I am kinda partial to it. But by all means a single action in experienced hands is every bit as lethal!

  10. #530
    If you ever see an old man carrying a SAA, with the bluing worn off, I suggest you leave him the hell alone!

  11. #531
    Boolit Master
    JoeJames's Avatar
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    For true CCW away from home I carry a Glock 43. But for carry when walking around my woods with my dog; I normally carry my SA Lipsey Ruger Blackhawk 4 1/2" 44 Special in a M3 shoulder holster. For feral dogs and hogs I might run across around my place I like the edge I get with a 240 grain lead swc bullet.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check