What is the difference between a single and double action revolver...?

Question

and what do they do?

Answer 1

With a single-action revolver (think cowboy guns), you have to pull back the hammer with your thumb tocock the gun before firing. You do this each time you fire a round. With a double-action revolver, you only have to pull the trigger in order to fire the gun. With most models, you still have the option of pulling back the hammer manually for more accurate shooting.

Generally speaking, double-action models have a cylinder (where the bullets are loaded) that swings out for easy loading and unloading. With most single-action revolvers, there is a 'loading gate' on the side of the cylinder that only allows one round to be loaded or unloaded at a time, so that you have to rotate they cylinder to load each chamber.

Hope this answered your question.

Answer 2

Single action (SA)
A single-action trigger performs the single action of releasing the hammer or striker. Examples of the SA trigger operated firearms are the Colt Peacemaker revolver and Mauser 98 rifle. Single-action semi-automatic pistols require that the hammer be ****** before the first round is fired. Once the first round is fired the automatic movement of the slide cocks the hammer for each subsequent shot. The pistol, once ******, can be fired by pulling the trigger once for each shot until the magazine is empty. The M1911 is a single-action pistol that functions in this manner.

[edit] Double action (DA)
Invented by Robert Adams, a double-action trigger performs the two functions of cocking and then releasing the hammer or striker. When this term is applied to revolvers, the trigger also rotates the cylinder. Though this is technically a third action, it is correct to refer to the mechanism as double-action. More confusingly, revolvers with a double-action trigger mechanism almost always retain the single action functionality. The hammer may be ****** and the trigger pulled. A typical DA revolver is the Smith and Wesson model 19 revolver.

Answer 3

As far as what they do, both are handguns. They are revolvers, which means the bullets are manually chambered by the action of a revolving cylinder, the as opposed to semi-auto, which uses the energy of the exploding shell to chamber a new round from a flat magazine. Unlike a semi-auto, revolvers are not prone to jam and are simple to operate. For many years police officers were restricted to revolvers.

The terms are confusing because a single action revolver actually requires two separate actions, you must manually pull back the hammer and then squeeze the trigger. A double action requires nothing more than squeezing the trigger, which both pulls back the hammer and then fires the pistol.

Answer 4

A single action is what I call the "Cowboy" style, you pull the hammer back before you can squeeze the trigger to fire a round. A double action works the same way or you can just pull the trigger and in that case the hammer will go rearward then fall foreword on the round.

Answer 5

All the answers above are correct. The advantage of a double action is obvious. Shooting from a single action is usually more accurate. The reason is, it is easier to pull the trigger and it is a shorter trigger pull. You get the same advantage using a double action as a single action

Answer 6

A single action revolver you have to pull the hammer back begore you can fire it. A double action will fire just by pulling the trigger.

Answer 7

single action is you have to cock hammer yourself and depress trigger to fire. cocking hammer rotates cylinder.

double action you pull trigger to cock hammer and rotate cylinder or you can usually fire a DA revolver single action