Six Things To Think About Before Carrying a Single-Action Revolver.
This is an interesting and contentious topic and there are strong opinions both for and against it. I would caution people that like any revolver, carrying a single-action pistol requires a higher level of proficiency and mental readiness than other pistols. If you are willing to put the time in, they are certainly capable of it. Single-action revolvers can be built to handle some of the largest handgun cartridges in the world and can deliver stellar accuracy in the right hands.
1) Many single-action guns have poor sights. The sight radius might be quite long but not all SA guns come with good rear and front sights. The traditional cowboy-style ‘notch and post’ makes it difficult to align your sights easily. You need high-contrast front and rear sights that provide a clear sight picture. A good fiber optic front sight post from Novak is a good place to start. Because of the robust frame design and barrel profile, many single-action revolvers are considered tack drivers and have very forgiving single-stage triggers.
2) Training to run the action. Many people cannot operate a single-action revolver with just one hand, which is a crucial skill for any self-defender. Imagine training hard to fan the hammer, cowboy-style, only to find yourself in a situation where you’re holding off a mountain lion with your free hand and trying to work the gun one-handed. Or having to shoot from horseback. Or with a broken arm. These are scenarios that we train for with other fighting weapons, so they are scenarios we must be ready for with SA guns as well. I recommend a Bisley-style hammer that moves the spur down to a more natural position for one-handed shooting. That said, one needs only to look at the legendary Bob Munden to see what these guns are capable of in skilled hands.
3) Revolvers are reliable, until they aren’t. SA guns tend to set off rounds better than other guns because of the heavy hammer, long swing arc, and strong springs. Revolvers are more tolerant of inconsistencies in terms of powder load and projectile seating. The downside is that revolvers tend to be more sensitive to buildup and debris. The action can get packed with lead, powder and dust, and grind to a halt. A little unexpected rust in the cylinder rod can seize the gun up to the point you need a special tool to disassemble it (and you should keep one of these handy if you do). You need to keep it well oiled and clean it every opportunity you get. Modern designs like the Ruger Blackhawk have a transfer bar that makes it safe to carry with all chambers loaded, but older guns may not have this feature. Under no circumstances should you carry a SA revolver cocked-and-locked as many of them are not drop-safe.
4) Reduced capacity. There is no ‘quick reloading’ with a SA gun. Once you need to reload, it can take 5-6 seconds per chamber to clear the empty brass and drop in a new one. That is an eternity in a fight. For people hunting with SAA guns, it may be prudent to bring a compact backup pistol. Having a gunsmith polish and hone your cylinder can go a long way towards making this process less burdensome.
5) Access to revolversmiths. Working on SA guns is a specialty among gunsmiths. It is not something to leave to the armorer at the local gun shop or a friend who likes to tinker with pistols. Find a gunsmith who has customers who compete in CMSA, SASS, Fastdraw, or other sports. This will be an instant indicator of the quality of their work. We are one of only a few shops in the country that specializes in doing Cowboy Mounted Shooting work, and a lot of our business is fixing problems caused by less-specialized gunsmiths.
6) Selecting your ammunition. There are plenty of serviceable revolver loads for SA guns that work for self-defense. Quality JHPs from proven brands like Federal, Hornandy, or Speer, will do the trick. However, most people who want to carry a single-action gun want protection while in the back country. If you are going to be dealing with hostile wildlife, we have seen that using hardcast bullets are the most effective option. Buffalo Bore make a very good bullet for a number of different calibers and options. The bullet is hardened with antimony or other metals that reduce deformation and are more effective at punching through hide and muscle. The versatility of your ammo is a big selling point for a revolver.
The gun pictured here would be the platform I would choose if I were to commit to a SA revolver for carrying out. A Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Magnum with a long barrel, ramped front sight, low hammer spur, and adjustable rear sight. These are well regarded as being very durable and long-lasting guns. It is accurate, hard-hitting, and the extra weight and larger grip tames the recoil of the .44 Magnum. Defensive ammo and hunting ammo is easy to get almost anywhere. In my ideal world I would have it modified to use a red dot or small scope.
To summarize, an SAA gun makes some extra demands of you as a shooter that other firearms do not. If you are willing to put in the time and effort to diligently train yourself, they can still make serviceable tools for hunting and operating in the country. In the city, where the threat is mostly two-legged predators, you may be better off with a dedicated fighting handgun.
