Primer on various types of handguns

Handgun Types often get confused and misinterpreted so here's a refresher...

SINGLE ACTION FIREARMS:
There are what are called “traditional” single action firearms. They are in two categories;
REVOLVERS & SEMI-AUTOMATICS (HANDGUNS)

SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS: Typically, these are the “cowboy” guns we grew up with watching on T.V. westerns and in the Western movies of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood and others.

The Colt Peacemaker (1873) is the accepted icon of those types and without doubt the most plentiful and popular. Replicas abound nowadays because of cowboy action shooting and the newer Western movies like Appaloosa, Unforgiven and Broken Trail. They are my personal “fun” guns. I love Westerns. They are also extremely effective defensive firearms. BIG BULLET! MOVIN SLOW! LEAVES A MARK!

Ruger and Freedom Arms have modern variants as do others with safety enhancements so that you can safely carry and leave them loaded with six rounds.

SINGLE ACTIONS = YOU HAVE TO COCK THE HAMMER EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO FIRE THE WEAPON!

SINGLE ACTION SEMI AUTOMATICS: Typically those are the 1911 and the Browning P-35.
 
1911s are made by many manufacturers. Kimber, Colt, Springfield Armoury, Para Ordnance, Taurus, Sig Sauer (Sig), Smith & Wesson (S&W) and on and on they’re all good, and yes I know about ALL the others.  Folks a 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911.….. Get what makes you happy. It’s still a 1911 and it works only one way when it is a true 1911 of the original John Moses Browning pattern. You have to cock the hammer (or rack the slide to chamber a round) but one single action of the trigger, fires the weapon and the slide recocks the hammer NOT THE TRIGGER!

Browning Hi Power (P35) is the same way and yes the same guy invented both along with other innovative weapons for civilian and military worlds.

DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVERS: S&W, Taurus, Ruger, Rossi, Colt, etc. carry five to eight rounds of larger ammo and up to ten rounds of 22 caliber ammo. Once you load the cylinder they are the original “point & click” device. Pulling the trigger cycles the entire action and the good thing is if it doesn’t go BANG you just keep on pullin till it does. Easiest handgun to use and the best choice for beginner.

DOUBLE ACTION SEMI AUTOMATICS: S&W, Sig, Beretta, Taurus, Ruger etc. simply the trigger WILL both cock the hammer and fire the weapon (you still have to rack the slide to load them), hence “double action”.

THE STRIKER FIRED SYSTEM: Glock, Springfield XD, S&W MP, Taurus 24/7. Don’t have a hammer, and a short movement of the side or trigger sets the striker mechanism.

Your Instructor, Eddie