A Curious SA Shooter...

[KK4AXX]

Yeah, I know you'll think I'm nuts. Most do.

When I was 14 my Dad let me strap on a single action revolver for the first time, (Still have it!), and save for my time in the Navy, that has been my choice for a carry gun. Period. My current revolver is a Ruger "New Vaquero", 4 5/8", .45 Colt. It is smooth, tough, and shoot darned straight. That last bit is what is most important to me. Thankfully, I've never had to pull the trigger on a human in civilian life and the only times I've had to draw and fire have been on charging dogs, (Poorly handled & abused Pits...) When I practice I shoot distances from a few feet to 200 yards and plink at iron targets even further.

Hey, it's what I grew up with and shoot the best.

So, am I a singular nut-job, or are there others totin' single-action wheel guns out there?

 

[macmanjim]

We don't carry firearms for protection in our country but as you can see from my profile picture I own and use a couple of single action guns. I can shoot them pretty competitively against people with double action revolvers. Shooting groups at 10 metres I can usually get the holes to join up. The 44/40 and 45 long Colt pack a bit of power in my estimation. I don't think that you are nuts. (If you were using a cap and ball for a carry gun I might have my suspicions... ;-) )

My condolences. NZ is such a lovely place too.

Yes, the .45LC is pretty damn good from a performance perspective. It's everything the .45acp is and more.

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[oldwindways]

Apparently you are not alone...

So, am I a singular nut-job, or are there others totin' single-action wheel guns out there?

I remember Michael Bane talking about a defensive firearms class focused on carrying single action revolvers that he took (it may have ended up in an episode of one of his shows), I believe at Gun Site. It makes a lot of sense for people like cowboy action shooters, if you spend that much time practicing and competing with a gun, it may be your most sensible choice for carry.

Here's a clip on that class.
And here are some of his comments on the class from his blog.

 

[macmanjim]

Yeah, I know you'll think I'm nuts. Most do.

When I was 14 my Dad let me strap on a single action revolver for the first time, (Still have it!), and save for my time in the Navy, that has been my choice for a carry gun. Period. My current revolver is a Ruger "New Vaquero", 4 5/8", .45 Colt. It is smooth, tough, and shoot darned straight. That last bit is what is most important to me. Thankfully, I've never had to pull the trigger on a human in civilian life and the only times I've had to draw and fire have been on charging dogs, (Poorly handled & abused Pits...) When I practice I shoot distances from a few feet to 200 yards and plink at iron targets even further.

Hey, it's what I grew up with and shoot the best.

So, am I a singular nut-job, or are there others totin' single-action wheel guns out there?

I've owned a few single actions, like a Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC, a Virginian Dragoon and a Blackhawk in .41 mag. All had 7.5" barrels. Shooting a load with a 250 grain bullet @ 900-1000fps isn't difficult and is quite effective.

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[jtg452]

I don't carry a single action revolver. There are better options in my safe. I wouldn't feel under armed if that's all I had- I've been a CAS shooter since the late '90's, so I know I run one quickly and accurately- but I'm not going to intentionally carry one for self defense. Heck, even the pistol I carry in the woods is a swing out cylinder DA wheelgun.