In the world of firearms, there is a lot of jargon that gets thrown around. If you’re new to guns, it can all be pretty overwhelming. One term you might have heard is “double action.” But what does that mean? In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about double action pistols so you can make an informed purchasing decision.
Double Action Only Pistols or “DAO”
A double action pistol is a type of handgun that uses two separate actions to fire the gun. The first action is cocking the hammer. The second action is releasing the hammer, which fires the gun. This contrasts with a single action pistol, which only releases the hammer when the trigger is pulled.
The DAO pistol is designed so that the hammer is enclosed within the frame, commonly seen in concealed carry revolvers, or the single-action function is eliminated altogether, as seen in semi-automatics. This means that each pull of the trigger will always perform both actions: cocking and releasing.
Advantages of a Double Action Pistol
One of the main advantages of a double action pistol is that it can be fired much faster than a single action pistol, if you take the time it takes to cock the gun into consideration. This makes them ideal for self-defense situations where every second counts. You don’t want to have to think about whether your gun is cocked in a high-pressure situation.
Since the firing mechanism is the same each time with Double Action pistols, you will also have a consistent trigger pull throughout each shot, which helps in terms of accuracy and muscle memory. Additionally, DAO pistols have no external hammer exposure, reducing snag or obstruction risk.
Disadvantages of a Double Action Pistol
However, there are also some disadvantages to double action pistols. One downside is that they tend to have heavier triggers, which can make them more difficult to shoot accurately.
Conclusion
Double action pistols are a type of handgun that uses two separate actions to fire the gun. The main advantages of double action pistols are that they can be fired much faster than a single action pistol and there is less chance of an accidental discharge. However, double action pistols also have some disadvantages, such as heavier triggers. Ultimately, whether or not a double action pistol is right for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.One of the main advantages of a double action pistol is that it can be fired much faster than a single action pistol, if you take the time it takes to cock the gun into consideration. This makes them ideal for self-defense situations where every second counts. You don’t want to have to think about whether your gun is cocked in a high-pressure situation.