Monday, August 8, 2011

Single Action. Double Standard II

Grant Cunningham responded to my question about this in another forum.
First, I would argue that a 1911 is a spectacularly bad platform for a self defense arm (for many reason), and making the comparison isn't terribly useful.

Second, the single action on a typical revolver is significantly shorter and lighter than even a well-tuned 1911. It's not unusual to find revolvers with single actions in the 2lb to 2-1/2lb range, with absolutely zero travel. Even the most rabid 1911 apologist would be uncomfortable with that kind of trigger for self defense use.

The difference between a double action and single action on a revolver is far greater than that of a DA/SA auto: a revolver DA is usually in excess of 10lbs, many times 12 lbs, and single actions are usually under 3lbs with no creep. Compare that to a really good DA/SA auto, where the DA is usually less than 10 lbs and the SA perhaps half of that, with tons of creep.

Out of curiosity I checked the DA and SA triggers on some of my firearms:
  • Ruger P95
  • Sig P220
  • S&W Mod 15
  • S&W 686+

Model P95 P220 Model 15 686+
Action DA SA DA SA DA SA DA SA
Pull
Weight
in pounds
>12 5.3 10.1 5.9 11.7 3.8 8.6 3.6
>12 5.7 10.1 5.4 11.1 3.7 8.6 3.6
>12 6.0 10.1 5.8 11.7 3.6 8.9 3.6
11.7 3.5 8.6 3.9
11.6 3.7 8.8 3.5
11.1 3.6 8.6 3.6
8.8 3.5
Average >12 5.7 10.1 5.7 11.5 3.6 8.7 3.6
My trigger gauge only goes up to 12 pounds which the Ruger exceeded. The 686+ is not stock. It has had action work done on it.

Next I took the autoloaders above to the range along with a Kimber 1911. I paid close attention to the action and Mr. Cunningham is right -- the triggers really are pretty creepy.

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