Single Action/ Double Action - what does it mean?

[naklipakli]

***Post deleted for use of "text speak" - please form coherent sentences with proper words NOT sms lingo***

[diskaon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_act ... n_.28SA.29

please use full words and sentences from now onwards. the above link should answer your query.

take care..

diskaon.

[Goldfinger]

Dear Naklipakli,

If you mean air guns then double action guns are those in which a single pull of the trigger cocks the action,loads the next pellet and then fires akin to revolvers. The advantage of such an action being rapid shots without having to take your eyes off the target. The disadvantage being the understandably heavier pull because of the multiple tasks performed. This is best demonstrated by the Evanix Renegade air rifle which though refined has yet to gain popularity. Ah yes! the single action. Here the trigger only fires the pellet (actually discharges in the case of air guns) and the cocking loading is done by withdrawing a bolt as in the BSA Super Ten, or a side lever as in the HW100, or withdrawing a bolt and operating a micro plunger as in the BSA Ultra.The best being the side lever on the HW 100 which does not permit double loading.

All others,

Or 'am I wrong ?

All the best

Goldfinger

[sdiversp]

Most guns are fired when a hammer drops on the striker of a bullet thereby igniting the load and firing. The cocking of the hammer can be done in 2 ways - single action or double action. In single action you have to physically pull the hammer back and cock it, the trigger pull then drops the hammer. In double action pulling the trigger actually pulls the hammer back and locks it and then drops the hammer.

[raj]

ok,.,i deleted my post.,.,

[cottage cheese]

i will try to explain that with the help of .22lr bolt action....
when you pull the bolt and then push it again into position,it takes one cart. from magzine into the chamber.at the same time,the weapon is also cocked and ready to shoot.that is,the trigger is also activated..this is called double action.

Wrong.

[lazybones]

I agree with CC:
This eternal confusion results from the fact that the terms mean two different things in two different contexts.

In revolvers single single action refers to the fact that the revolver has to be cocked each time it is fired - the hammer must be pulled back for each shot (like in the Westerns). Double action, in revolvers means that one can fire each time by merely squeezing the trigger. One can also cock the hammer - it's an "also". It merely lightens trigger pull.

In pistols the terms mean the reverse. Double action means that you have to pull back the slide and cock the hammer for the first shot. After that you can merely squeeze the trigger for all other shots in the clip.

In pistols single action means that you merely have to pull back the slide once and then keep squeezing the trigger each time. You can "also" pull back the slide and cock the hammer. The added hammer cocking only serves to lighten the trigger pull.

Whew !

CC: Feel free to stomp all over me with combat boots if I've got it wrong

Ashok

[nagarifle]

as for me a double action is far better for practical reason, as once upon a time when i had a cz75 which is double action, i had a misfire and pulled the trigger again and it fired, this action is a little difficult to perform in single action hand guns.

[Anand]

Hello,
Lazy bones:"In pistols the terms mean the reverse. Double action means that you have to pull back the slide and cock the hammer for the first shot. After that you can merely squeeze the trigger for all other shots in the clip".

Forgive me if I misunderstood you but here is my explanation.
For semi-auto pistols:
A single action mechanism will allow firing of an already chambered cartridge in a pistol that has been de-cocked, only by separately cocking the hammer for the first shot. examples: Browning Hi Power, Colt 1911.

A double action mechanism will allow firing of an already chambered cartridge with just a pull of a trigger. In addition, it can also be fired by pulling the hammer back and then squeezing the trigger (as in single action) for the first shot. Since it has both features it is called Double Action. examples: CZ75, Beretta 92FS, Walther PPK.

A Double Action Only (DAO), type mechanism is unique in that, it does not have the single action aspect,which means after chambering the round and squeezing the trigger the hammer( if any) will hit the firing pin, thus firing the cartridge which works the action, however the hammer will not stay cocked, as is the case for normal single and double action pistols. The hammer in this case follows the slide back and stays there ready for the next shot and only on pulling the trigger again will it move all the way back and then move forward. examples:ParaOrdnance Tac 5.

Regards,
Anand

[badshah0522]

Single Action : Every time you have to pull the hammer to fire.

Double action : the gun can be fired by just pulling the trigger ,no need to pull the hammer first,OR it can be used as single action also to reduce the trigger pull.

Some pistols are also availble in double action,we have to pull the slide and load the ammo in the chamber.the hammer can be dropped down by holding the hammer and slowly bringing it down by pulling the trigger.later if you have to fired just pull the trigger like revolver it will fire,,no need to pull the slide again.

All the pistols are not double action even if they have external hammer..