Three Basic Handgun Types

A basic look at the three most common types of handguns: single action, double action, and semi-automatic. The firearms are a 2nd Generation Colt SAA in .45 Colt, a beautiful .44 magnum 629 in 3" barrel, and a Colt Series '80 Model 1991 in 45 ACP. This is mostly for the novice shooter, the beginner. Based on questions I get, I know I assume more knowledge than some of our newest shooters possess yet. I'll try to do more videos of this nature and even create a PLAYLIST for BASICS. I think we do a lot to help out new shooters, but I realize that I assume a certain level of knowledge in most of my videos and likely talk over some people's heads. Of course, when one is 6'8", he's always talking over people's heads. :-)
By the way, I think people totally new to guns get a pretty good idea about what these three main action types are about. If you want to get more complex, add your own approach, or expand upon it, please help yourself to doing a video on it yourself.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Colt
• SAA.
• .45
• Smith
• Wesson
• Model
• 629
• S&W
• double
• action
• 1911
• Series
• '80
• 1991
• firearms
• safety
• single
• semi-automatic
• semiautomatic
• automatic

[raptisadam7]

Can you please do a video with the Glock 26 because that is the standard issue for Boston Police and I really want them to make a change with that my friend said that his father who is the commander said it's cheap and very weak. Please do one because I really want them to change and your video would be proof.

[hickok45]

@raptisadam7, It's neither "cheap" nor "weak."

[bigbmf1210]

Why wouldn't someone carrying a double action revolver not want to cock the hammer other than for time and speed reasons ?

[hickok45]

@bigbmf1210, I think I address this is various videos. Study self defense with revolvers and legal aspects of it. Read Ayoob.

[mrkiky]

There's also single action and double action semi-autos. I'm referring to the fact that the 1911 has to be cocked for it to fire the first shot, even though it basically cocks itself after that. While others don't have to be(and I heard people use de-cock them as an extra safety measure...longer trigger pull and heavier but still ready to fire)

[hickok45]

@mrkiky , That's not what this video is about.

[yoyoman1981]

The last one (Colt Model 1991) is semiautomatic but also a single action gun.

It is to different categories how we divide modern guns.

Great video, please keep coming with new…

Thanks old man!

[blueking35]

what a powerful video.

[bryanFskates69]

During the beginning, you said that the double and single action revolvers are probably the only types of revolvers, but you actually forgot about the auto-revolver. Dunno if you know about those, but the Mateba Autorevolvers are really some nice pieces of work. You should definitely check them out some time.

[RedBrickStudios1011]

im new to guns and still learning about them, and i dont understand why automatics arent considered double action sense they can shoot by just pulling the trigger or cocking it, can a gun expert help me here?

[AwokenDemon]

Hello Hickok, just wanted to say that the term "Double Action" actually refers to the way that the revolver, when the hammer is pulled, that it performs two actions at the same time- that is, the hammer comming back and the cylinder rotating. Single Action means it just releases the hammer. Just wanted to point that out as it was just a small discrepancy. I love your videos though, you always have great stuff in them. I have almost as much fun watching you shoot as actually shooting!

[ZeptoWithaGun]

Hickok, Do you have an opinion on the durability and reliability on Break-open reload revolvers? I've heard that the durability over time for break-opens is in the air, such as the possibility of the hinge distorting or breaking. I don't really know how to feel about them and I feel that a .357 break-open would fit me well. What do you think?

[ShyRobot]

Handgun types are revolvers and pistols. Isn't this a little misleading between subtypes of handguns and the actions of handguns? You could have revolvers and pistols in either single action or double action, or SA/DA, DAO, and if you have a SIG pistol, then DAK...

[raptisadam7]

@hickok45 Shouldn't they be using something more intimidating though? I mean the Glock 26 is really small and is used a concealed weapon, shouldn't they use a bigger gun nothing like the Desert Eagle but something with more of a scary look than the Glock 26?

[mobieus7]

at 6:53 you get to hear Hickok make the bang sound as he pulls the trigger.