Hi all,

Was wondering if anybody had any opinions or experiance to share regarding the pros/cons of a single action over a double action for dangerous game back-up. Presumably the DA will have faster repeat shots to hand and be easier to operate if the strong hand became injured (like if a lion chews on it!).

Any thoughts?

For hunting the SA is just fine. For protection the DA is the only way to go.

I carry a sidearm every day for protection. When I carry revovlers they are double action. When I brought my first bigger bore it was a ruger redhawk.

Single actions are slow to fire and slow to reload. Not to say that there are many fine SA out there. But for self defense go DA.

If I had to make a choice Id probably go with the double action simply because it would be quicker. Accuracy wouldnt be much of a factor at such short range but speed would be vital. Unless you hunt with a single shot rifle though, I cant really see the need for a handgun at all.

I personally prefer DA, and not just for backup, but as my primary hunting handgun. If you practice shooting DA, and not rapid fire, but controlled DA, you'll likely find that it it can be more accurate than shooting SA offhand. This is due to the strain your hand is under while holding the hammer back just prior to the release, which makes your hold on the gun more solid.

Practice it and see for yourself.

That said, there are some chamberings that belong in an SA frame, if one wants maximum power in a revolver of reasonable size and weight with no muzzlebrake.

I like both SA and DA revolvers, but have been gravitating towards the SA for most of my duties. I do not feel the least bit undergunned with a SA on my hip or in my hand.

Honestly a handgun of any kind as a "backup" for a dangerous game rifle never made much to me. If your rifle is reliable and it must be if you even think of using it on dangerous game why would you need the handgun? If the big gun can't get the job done it is highly unlikely the handgun will either. As a primary weapon I would not prefer one action type over the other. If you are going after dangerous game with it the caliber had better be big and you had better know how to use it.

Some interesting thoughts posted, food for thought.

I am planning on doing my PH licence in Zimbabwe next year and believe there is a place for a backup handgun. Specifically when following up wounded dangerous game. There have been numerous instances of hunters losing their rifles in the thick jesse where charges can come from almost point blank range (from both buffalo and the cats). In this instance a highly manouuverable handgun can save the day and, in my opinion, is worthwhile carrying.

Of course a rifle is the first option but Murphy is always at play and having a handgun as a last ditch defense is useful.

Somehting to consider, every year John Linebaugh ( the .475/.500Linbaugh ) gunslith has a big bore handgunweek in Wyoming. he has a very neat charging animal setup ( bear,lion whatever you want to believe) and it is a practical demo of how fast a charging animal can cover 35 feet and how hard it is with a handgun to hit the 8" target. Most of the real big guns can not come back out of recoil fast enough ( doesn't matter sa/da, really good sa folks recock as they come out of recoil) typically a good shooter can have multiply hits with a full power .357 3-6 but only 1-2 with a .44mag and usually only 1 to none with the really big bores. He does it prove a point about the only a handgun stops a really large angry animal is through many hits and sever recoil doesn't allow you to get in the multiple hits. Practice with any handgun is really critical especially if going to a .44 mag or larger. Food for thought. I went to seminar with the intent of having him or Hamilton bowen build me super gun and they talked me into keeping at the .44/.45 level.and recently the .480 level.

For your purposes a pistol you can conveniently draw and operate quickly with either hand is indicated (both hands may not be available to you if your problem is really close). There may be SA revolvers suited to this purpose but a DA revolver along the lines of the S&W Mtn Gun in 44 magnum would seem to be about just right - if the trigger reach is not too long for you. Another option - if legal in your neighborhood - might be a selfloading pistol set up for ambidextrous use and chambered for the 10mm (loaded with full power 200 @ 1200 ammo), 45 Super, or 460 Rowland. All that said if you need to turn anything larger than a leopard wouldn't you really rather be using a serious rifle? Good hunting!

quote:

Originally posted by JBD:
Honestly a handgun of any kind as a "backup" for a dangerous game rifle never made much to me. If your rifle is reliable and it must be if you even think of using it on dangerous game why would you need the handgun? If the big gun can't get the job done it is highly unlikely the handgun will either. As a primary weapon I would not prefer one action type over the other. If you are going after dangerous game with it the caliber had better be big and you had better know how to use it.

Good points but for me a back up handgun is for when my primary weapon fails. Fortunately it has never happened and I rarely ever carry a rifle and a handgun. But I occassionly do carry my S&W 329 in my backpack. Not to protect me from dangerous game per say but as a comfort factor I will have something that works if my rifle breaks. To answer your original question I would carry a double action over a single. And that double action would be a S&W 500 4in model.