Single action -or- Double action; which is it?

[Lmo80]

I was reviewing material in preparation of renewing my Firearms Safety Certificate, and came across a question that asked, "The type of the pictured weapon is a:"



The "correct" answer was, "Single action".

How does one determine single action, from double action, at a glance?

 

[EM2...]

With the hammer dropped the trigger appears farther to the rear than one would expect for a double action, which would need more travel to rotate the cylinder and pull back the hammer.

 

[boltstop]

The loading gate perhaps.

 

[9mmContagion]

Stupid question that pertains to nothing in the actual test… walk in with common sense and walk out with FSC!

 

[SteamedHams]

One would have to know that revolver is a Ruger Blackhawk, which would mean it's SA only.

Seems totally reasonable that all firearm owners should be able to visually identify the specific model of every gun and know what type of action it is. /s

 

[BigBossman]

One would have to know that revolver is a Ruger Blackhawk, which would mean it's SA only.

Seems totally reasonable that all firearm owners should be able to visually identify the specific model of every gun and know what type of action it is. /s

The loading gate is a giveaway.

 

[BobGBA]

Not that this justifies it in the least, but I think they include it because it's covered in the FSC Study Guide.

Double action revolver safe handling pictures/text start on page 13.

Single action revolver safe handling pictures/text start on page 15.

https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/hscsg.pdf

 

[Lmo80]

The loading gate is a giveaway.

Explain, please. I'm not that familiar with wheel guns.

 

[Lmo80]

Grainy enlargement (Ruger emblem is almost decernable (if you know what it looks like)).

 

[OpusX]

This is the loading gate. It flips open and allows you to load the cylinder 1 round at a time. It also needs to be opened as part of the takedown/cylinder removal process.

I'd like to add that these aren't the kinds of technical questions you need to worry about on the FSC test. It's mostly all basic, common sense stuff regarding handling, storage and overall safety that practically anyone can pass, even first timers that don't know anything. You're allowed to miss up to 7 questions anyway so unless you're totally clueless I really wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Lmo80]

I'd like to add that these aren't the kinds of questions you need to worry about on the FSC test.

Got it. Apologies for the topic-drift. I'm renewing my FSC (scored 100% previously) and was just curious as to how to recognize a SA from a DA just by looking at it.

Do double-action revolvers not have a loading gate (cylinder rotates to load) ?

Thanks.

My experience with revolvers is limited to the Colt Cobra .38 Special that I inherited my from uncle.

 

[OpusX]

Got it. Apologies for the topic-drift.

No need to apologize. I just mentioned that as reassurance in case you were concerned it was something you'd have to know for the test.

Do double-action revolvers not have a loading gate (cylinder rotates to load) ?

No, they have a cylinder release button like the Colt above that you slide back, or forward on other models like S&W, and the whole cylinder will swing open on what's called a cylinder crane. This allows you to load/unload the gun much more quickly and efficiently. DA revolvers also usually have larger trigger guards to accommodate the longer pull required to prime the hammer.

 

[The Gleam]

I'd like to add that these aren't the kinds of technical questions you need to worry about on the FSC test. It's mostly all basic, common sense stuff regarding handling, storage and overall safety that practically anyone can pass, even first timers that don't know anything.....

Anyone except Alec Baldwin.

---

 

[Malibu]

No need to apologize. I just mentioned that as reassurance in case you were concerned it was something you'd have to know for the test.



No, they have a cylinder release button like the Colt above that you slide back, or forward on other models like S&W, and the whole cylinder will swing open on what's called a cylinder crane. This allows you to load/unload the gun much more quickly and efficiently. DA revolvers also usually have larger trigger guards to accommodate the longer pull required to prime the hammer.

That is not exactly correct. Colt produced the 1877 model that was a DA/SA that had retained the loading gate and push-rod ejector of the model 1873.

Colt’s First Double Actions: The 1877 Lightning & Thunderer - Forgotten Weapons

https://youtu.be/pSiglSBArRY Samuel Colt disliked the idea of a double action revolver, considering the idea to be wasteful of ammunition and likely to be fragile. However, he passed away in 1862, and by 1873 double action Webley (and other British make) pocket revolvers were starting to become...

www.forgottenweapons.com

 

[Nardo1895]

I recently sold a Rohm M63 in 38 special. Its a dead ringer for a single action cowboy gun, but its actually SA/DA. Only way I could tell was pulling the trigger with the hammer down. Picture isn't mine, but that is what they look like.

 

[Malibu]

I recently sold a Rohm M63 in 38 special. Its a dead ringer for a single action cowboy gun, but its actually SA/DA. Only way I could tell was pulling the trigger with the hammer down. Picture isn't mine, but that is what they look like.

View attachment 18547

That looks to be a takeoff on the 1877 concept. How well did your modern version work, and what was the quality like?

 

[Nardo1895]

Could be but to me it doesn't look like the frame of an 1877 so I don't know how they would get that type of action to fit. I had a High Standard Double -9 revolver when I was a kid. I wonder if it used a similar action. However, that High Standard did have a swing out cylinder.

Rohms are not top shelf. I think they were West German imports, but not to typical current German quality standards. It was a consignment firearm so I never shot it. It seemed to function fine.

 

[OpusX]

That is not exactly correct. Colt produced the 1877 model that was a DA/SA that had retained the loading gate and push-rod ejector of the model 1873.

Colt’s First Double Actions: The 1877 Lightning & Thunderer - Forgotten Weapons

https://youtu.be/pSiglSBArRY Samuel Colt disliked the idea of a double action revolver, considering the idea to be wasteful of ammunition and likely to be fragile. However, he passed away in 1862, and by 1873 double action Webley (and other British make) pocket revolvers were starting to become...

www.forgottenweapons.com

I’m not worried about individual exceptions to the rule. OP specifically stated he isn’t the most experienced with revolvers and just needs a quick easy way to discern between SA and DA/SA guns.

 

[EM2...]

I have an H&R 686, just like this one, comes with both a .22 and .22mag cylinders.
The loading gate is on the right, cylinder does not swing out, you have to pull out the cylinder pin.
Shoots in both SA & DA.