Single Action? Double Action? What does it all mean? - Part 1

[2fresh2clean100]

Now I know!

[27aaron80]

so the only difference really is the the action of firing pulls the hammer back in single action

[renegade410]

@27aaron80 In a single action firearm such as the 1911 the slide moving back cocks the hammer for the next shot.In a double action firearm the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer to fire the weapon.

[nickarry]

did i spell it right? are you a cop in brooklyn?

[renegade410]

@nickarry No, I'm not.

[nickarry]

@renegade410 aww damn well i live in england so i'm not sure but sure that's a brooklyn accent! (judging by movies i watch haha.) i don't have real guns just CO2 to shoot in the garden etc, it's too strict getting a gun over here and i'd never use it anywhere too dangerous lol CO2 does me fine :) awesome vids though!

[nickarry]

brooklin?

[renegade410]

@fouckyoubob The 1911 is a single action firearm. The hammer is cocked by the motion of the slide, not by the pull of the trigger. A modern double action revolver with a hammer would explain DA/SA, but I don't think that is the best choice, however, seeing that semi automatic pistols (of all actions) are extremely popular and prevelant today. Automatic refers to a firearm that fires more than one round for every pull of the trigger. Please know what you are talking about before you comment.

[GothChristianPatriot]

Get yourself a cz 75. It's the only 9mm worth having. :D

[renegade410]

@GothChristianPatriot No. I don't think its worth having, that's why I don't own one. If you are going to make a statement like that I would think you would have something backing it up. I'm not that big of a fan of the 9mm,m the only reason I have any is because I am required to carry that caliber for work.

[esh325]

@renegade410 As for the Christrianpatriot, I disagree with him. There are lots of 9mm's worth having. As for reasons to have a CZ 75, they have excellent ergonomics,very attractive lines,decent trigger, and they are very reliable.The 9mm is fine in my opinion. I think the reason people don't like them is more emotional then rational. A modern 9mm hollow point will perform very closely to a .45 acp hollow point.

[phrikaphrak40k]

is there a bolt action pistol? lol random thought

[renegade410]

@phrikaphrak40k Yes, there is such a thing. They are usually single shot hunting guns.

[20bball10]

whats the ruger lcp .380

[renegade410]

@20bball10 The Ruger LCP is double action only.

[20bball10]

@renegade410 thanks man

[charlestonbum]

Great Job on the Video! Thanks for spending the time to make it!

[renegade410]

@charlestonbum Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[aceface1968]

Great explanation - thank you! If you put a single action pistol in the cocked and locked position and then want to unload the weapon how do you decock it and unload it? Can you hold the hammer back with your thumb and pull the trigger slowly? Is that the safest way? Thanks again for sharing, great information for a beginner like me.

[renegade410]

@aceface1968 Thank you. The best way to unload a SA would be to disengage any manual safety and then rack the slide to eject the round in the chamber. That is the safest way, especially for someone that does not have a lot of experience with Single Action semi autos.

[davebo1324mi]

Well this helped a lot! Now when you said duty, I take it you meant pso. I'm actually getting into the academy in Aug. The firearm that my city issues is the Sig p226. How much training will I have to do before I get comfortable with this do you think because I also shoot the 1911 on a regular basis at action pistol IDPA tournaments.

[esh325]

@davebo1324mi Not an expert, but I suppose the amount is different for all people. The Sig p226 has two types of trigger pulls to master.

[ThePoet011]

Great Video. Thank you. Question: Do you have to cycle the slide back and forth every first time ? Is that only for single action ? or also for double ?

[renegade410]

@ThePoet011 Thank you. Yes to chamber a round you have to cycle the action on all semi autos after the magazine is in place. You can also manually place a round in the chamber if you want, and then insert the magazine.

[justaxell]

Best explanation ever!

thanks!

[renegade410]

@justaxell Thank you very much. I'm glad the vide was informative. Thank you for watching.

[manolito537]

Excellent explanation!

[renegade410]

@manolito537 Thank you.

[TeetoPlastic]

Thank you for this video as I was unaware of the meaning of single action/double action, but do you call yourself a "law enforcement officer" because it's different from a police officer/cop or is it semantics?

[renegade410]

@TeetoPlastic I'm glad that the video was informative. Law Enforcement Officer refers to all those in law enforcement. Police Officer is a tilte/rank, just as deputy, sergeant or agent. The term "cop" is slang and I prefer not to use that term with the public.

[831CALI138]

@renegade410 thanks I'm going to try to get one

[831CALI138]

Where did you purchase the 1911

[renegade410]

@831CALI138 I bought it @ Gander Mountain.

[iamirshadhussain]

Can you please tell what kind of handgun is best for close range?

[renegade410]

@iamirshadhussain Unfortunately there is no "best" firearm for any particular situation. The "best" firearm is one that you can shoot well and that you will be able to hit your target with.

[Hoschi0913]

@renegade410

i almost agree with you ,the best firearm is one that you dont have to use,but in case

you have to,it would be the one that you be able with to hit the target

[warzer0]

@iamirshadhussain

The best hand gun for close range is the one that you have with you when the zombies come knocking. :D

In all seriousness though, go to a range and play with different guns. Any of the big name maker pistols (glock, sig, beretta, CZ, S&W, etc) will have very reliable pistols. There's no universal best pistol, just a pistol that best fits your particular set of needs.

[renegade410]

@puk1able I am a Law Enforcement Officer.

[elbeardedpapi]

cool accent mate!very pro video!great info!

[renegade410]

@elbeardedpapi Thank you. I'm glad you found the video informative.

[SPYK3O]

very in formative

[renegade410]

@SPYK3O Thank you. Thanks for watching.

[hahaland74]

With a single action can you pull the trigger while letting the hammer down slowly without the gun firing?

[renegade410]

@hahaland74 Yes you can, BUT you have to be EXTREMELY careful, if the hammer slips from your fingers it WILL land on the firing pin and fire. I would not suggest letting the hammer down like that with the firearm loaded. If you want to carry a firearm (like a 1911) in that condition (called Condition 2) I would suggest being very familiar with your firearm and having a great deal of practice with putting it in that condidtion and carrying it as such.

[tyu30]

renegade410, So you are a Cop right, what do you think of the 2nd amendment ?

[renegade410]

@tyu30 The RIGHT to keep and bear arms is the only reason that we have all the other rights and liberties that we have in the USA. I am an avid supporter of anyone who wants to excercise that right. I wish that even more people would excercise their unalienable right to keep and bear arms.

[kirador218]

@renegade410 i like that attitude. ever heard of oathkeepers?

[renegade410]

@kirador218 Thank you. No I have not.

[ILoveAirsoft247]

So in essance, if you put a magazine in a double action pistol WITHOUT cocking the hammer or the slide, can it fire or not?

[renegade410]

@ILoveAirsoft247 If you don't place a round in the chamber of any pistol it will not fire since there is noothing in the chamber. Just placing the magazine in the firearm does not mean it will shoot.

[tyu30]

@ILoveAirsoft247 , @renegade410-A Single/double-action semi-auto pistol like the Beretta PX4 Storm could fire by just one pull of the trigger right after putting the magazine on it.

All Single/double-action has that capability, some comes with a decocking lever which in some pistol can obviously decock the pistol and disable the trigger.

[renegade410]

@tyu30 That is true as long as you have put a round in the chamber. Just inserting the magazine does not cycle the action to load the chamber.

[allthingsclassicrock]

I really enjoy your videos, it's good to see someone who deals with firearms on a daily basis and knows how to respect them unlike alot of the idiots on youtube.

[renegade410]

@allthingsclassicrock Thank you very much.

[theeb191145]

Like his accent :D

[MISTERDMV]

Good job. You explain the difference in a easy going style that's also easy to understand.

[renegade410]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[horseluvrxox]

I think the harder trigger pull is a great feature because of the panic that some officers have in certain situations, they unconsciously put their finger in the trigger guard and with a light trigger pull...You know what would happen. The harder trigger would stop some officers from pulling the trigger accidentally, I would think.

Love your videos! They're so helpful.

[renegade410]

Thank you for watching.

[aivilik]

Nice clear and concise explanation of single action, double action and double action/single action sidearm configurations.

[renegade410]

Thank you very much. I'm glad that the videos are easy to understand and that I get across some good information.

[MarcusAurelius82]

What do you think about the CZ 85 Combat is it a good self defense handgun or is it just for sport activities? This handgun has an SA/DA mechanism.

[renegade410]

I do not have any experience with the CZ 85 Combat, so I cannot really make any comments on that.

If you refer to my "What gun is right for me?" series of videos you can use the information in those videos to descide if it would be a good defensive firearm for you.

I hope that helps out.

[MarcusAurelius82]

Thanks, the videos are really clear on what SA/DA mean. I own a CZ Combat 85 and I´m a left handed shooter but the problem is that gun get´s rust most of the time I try to clean it up again and again and still gets alot of rust what can I do to remove it because I´ve tried a liquid solution and oil specially for guns and still no improvement.

The gun is only a year old.

[renegade410]

Thank you.

If you have an excessive rust problem, and its not due to the climate in your area (and you are properly maintaining the firearm), I would contact the manufactuer and see if they know of any defects in whatever coating is on the weapon.

The only other option I can suggest is going to a reputable gunsmith in your area and letting him take a look at it. He may be able to tell you what the problem is.

[MarcusAurelius82]

ok i will talk to a gunsmith. I am from Honduras and the climate does not help either its very humid. The magazine coating is not to good either they rust a lot. Thank you very much for the advice and your time.

[renegade410]

No problem. Glad I could help.

[Abington586]

This video really helped thanks....4:44 "otherwise you just have a tomahawk" lmao

[renegade410]

I'm glad the video helped.

[tnc07232008]

toddallenhooper,in other words practice on the flinching,not trying to be sarcastic or insulting,just saying that the more you practice at it,the more likely you will stop anticipating the recoil.

[toddallenhooper]

Well praise the Lord, I finally get it! I've been tryin' and tryin' to understand single vs. double, I have a Glock 19 and now i see why I hate that loooonnnnggg trigger pull, it's DA right? I love the pistol, but it seems that i tend to pull low and left, is that the trigger pull, or just inexperience? Can't wait to see your other videos, very informative!

[renegade410]

I'm glad I could help. The Glock is striker fired, but it is a double action pistol. Low and left sounds like it could be both trigger control and that you are anticipating the recoil. Practice will help with the issue.

[SnipersLaww]

Indeed. When I first bought my Glock 23 I was hitting low and left aswell. Just takes some practice with the gun to start learning how to fire that particular weapon and hitting where you want...just like with any weapon. I actually found that when I went into rapid-fire a little that my aim would correct itself and I was able to do minor adjustments just as I squeezed the trigger again to correct from where I saw my last shot go. Like renegade410 said, it will just take practice with it.

[Ramos2905]

why didnt you get a traditional DA/SA p226? Are police officers required to have DA only?

[renegade410]

That is the version my department issues.

[xraidedlok]

thats so badass

[edwinmichaelquiboloy]

are all assault rifles single action (AR15, G3, AK)?

[renegade410]

First off the terms "assault rifle" and "assault weapon" are made up terms by those who oppose the right to keep and bear arms in an attempt to scare peope into agreeing with restrictions and bans. Rifles such as the AR15 are direct gas systems. They are different from the shown firearms, because rifles operate differently. You could say that the AR15 is closest to a single action though. I'm not a gunsmith so I'm not an expert on all the inner working of the other rifles.

[roffelskates]

Um, I think your being a little knee-jerk there. Assault rifle is a valid term for saying a weapon that fire's an intermediate round with select fire capabilities. Assault Weapon is the terms that news media and politicians use for basically any weapon that looks scary. To me, that term is too close to Assault Rifle and even people that know guns tend to say Assault Rifle=Assault Weapon. A semi-auto AR15 is not an assault rifle, but to uninformed, is an assault weapon.

[renegade410]

"Assault rifle" or "assault weapon" is not really a valid term because "assault" is a verb, an action. To use it as an adjective to try to describe something or make it sound scary does not make it valid. If I was to use a slingshot on an "assault" the slingshot is then an "assault weapon". A rifle such as an AR-15, or AK-47 is simply that, a rifle, regardless of its firing capabilities. In my experience those that really know guns simply call them rifles or refer to them by their designation.

[roffelskates]

Assault Rifle came from the STG44 which translated directly as assault rifle, which then spun as a term on any gun that was able to fire intermediate rounds on fully automatic. Its designation was a gun that had similar accuracy of a rifle, but with the fully automatic/"assault" capabilities of a submachinegun. Which means, it can be fired fully automatic on the assault. Hence Assault Rifle. There is a technical definition of an assault rifle, there is none for assault weapon.

[renegade410]

The "Sturmgewehr 44 " is actually directly translated as "storm rifle". As I mentioned refering to such a rifle by its designation (i.e. Sturmgewehr 44) is common, as is reffering to the AR-15, M4, AK-47, etc. Definitions are easy to come by because in modern society evrything gets "defined", just look at a new printing of Webster's and you will find all kinds of "words" with definitions. My issue is with the modern conception, or spin as you put it, of the meaning, not the actual terms so much.

[roffelskates]

Storm Rifle. Assault Rifle they basically mean the same thing. The thing is, the term Assault Rifle has a technical definition to it. In military terms an assault weapon is a weapon that you use to breach and destroy buildings or obstacles like barbwire. On the political agenda, an Assault Weapon is a gun that idiots that don't know a thing about guns find "scary" with "military" features like pistol grips and folding stock.

[renegade410]

I think that we are basically on the same page, even though we may differ slightly in our opinions. I agree with your statement about the political agenda. Again a technical definition can be found for anything, and many times those definitions are created in response to the "main stream" idea of what the term means. Again I say just call it what it is, whether it be by its name or just call it a rifle. I personally just refer to the weapon by its designation.

[roffelskates]

Yea, but i'm just telling you that there is an official definition for an Assault Rifle that has a very clear and specific criteria of categorization. Pistol, sub-machine gun, PDW, assault rifle, battle rifle, to sniper rifle all have specific military terminology definitions to it, before the "main stream" idea ever took hold. An AK-47 is an assault rifle because it's fully automatic capable and fires an intermediate round. That's all an assault rifle is full auto+intermediate rounds.

[renegade410]

I have never heard any military personel that I know use the term "assault rifle", even if it is an official military definition. I'm not debating the other terms. I am simply speaking from my own knowlegde and experience as well as the knowledge and experience of those that I have learned from and with. P.S. This debate has gone well beyond my intent for this video. I also don't feel that this is the best place or means for this kind of debate. Thank you for the comments.

[SGardner11]

haha, did u make these videos for me? =] lol

[renegade410]

You did give me the idea. Hope its helpful to you and everyone else with some questions.