Single Action vs. Double Action Guns : Handgun Target Shooting

Part of the Video Series How to Shoot a Semi-Automatic Handgun

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Learn the difference between single action and double action handguns in this free video featuring a Marine Corps marksman.

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Single Action vs. Double Action Guns : Handgun Target Shooting
Hi! This is John from Expert Village. Our next segment is going to be on single action and double action. The difference between a single action is basically the action is two parts. When the hammer is down embedded in the gun, you pull it back and that’s one action. It’s released, is two. Just like those old videos, the old westerns. The cops will cock the gun and then pull the trigger. Double action, you pull the trigger, it automatically cocks it and that’s a go. We have a semiautomatic that’s double action, but we’re going to try and show single action as well as double. Pick up the gun, check, make sure it’s empty. Put the slide on and keep the magazine out. In this position here, this is ready for single action. Pull the trigger, it’s released. Now, in single action gun, you would not be able to do this, which is double action. Hammer comes back, goes forward, double action. Again, single action, you’re only able to pull the trigger back. You’re only able to shoot from this position. So double action, pull the trigger, hammer comes back, cocks, releases, fire the round. This is John with Expert Village.

About the Expert

Expert: John Ritenour has been target shooting for the past nine years. He qualified as a double expert in the U.S. Marine Corps with the Beretta M92 pistol and the M16 rifle, and he teaches handgun classes. Read More