DA/SA operation

sickpuppyz · Feb 11, 2021

I recently bought my first DA/SA handgun. Then shortly after bought my second. So now I have 2 Jericho 941 in 9 mm and 45 ACP. Both versions have the frame safety, so no decocker.
Whenever i rack the slide without magazine, or with magazine and snap caps, or at the range with live ammo, the hammer becomes cocked, so I have never had to shoot it DA. Unless I manually decock the hammer (half way) then I don't see why I should ever worry about the long pull of DA.

Is this normal for all DA/SA guns without a decocker? I have seen a lot of youtube videos where they spend considerable time discussing the DA pull. So again, why is there focus on it since cocking is automatic when you rack the slide and a bullet enters the chamber?

Just curious / trying to understand the reasoning behind the DA talk. Again, my guns do not have a decocker safety.

Blaster229 · Feb 11, 2021

So you can carry it hot without the hammer cocked. Some people consider the long first DA trigger press is a safety thing. For most, shooting first shot DA is easier than learning how to shoot the first draw/shot single action by practicing dropping the safety before shooting.

Biggfoot44 · Feb 11, 2021

It's not necessarily a design either/ or . 2nd Gen Tangfolio CZ clones ( multiple retail brand names) and 2nd Gen Taurus M92 descendants notably allow both cocked & locked and decocker .

Observation #1 - Most modern- ish DA/ SA the DA isn't terrible , and learning the DA and the resulting transition isn't onerous .

Observation #2 - If you really prefer to use SA 100% , most SA only pistols have better triggers than the SA of an DA/ SA . In the OP's case if he really wants an SA pistol with similar balance and grip shape , a Hi Power ( including the Argentine licensed copies ) would be his Huckleberry .

John from MD · Feb 11, 2021

Learn the DA/SA transition. It is not a big deal and, God forbid, you ever have to draw your weapon, it is less likely that you will accidentally pull the trigger if in DA mode than in SA mode. Adrenalin and stress tends to make your body clench. If you do that with a single action, and your finger is on the trigger, chances are someone is going to get shot.

So I don't get stoned, this does not apply to those who have trained and carry a single action pistol. I did for a long time, my brother still carries a Kimber.

Uncle Duke · Feb 11, 2021

John from MD said:
Learn the DA/SA transition. It is not a big deal and, God forbid, you ever have to draw your weapon, it is less likely that you will accidentally pull the trigger if in DA mode than in SA mode. Adrenalin and stress tends to make your body clench. If you do that with a single action, and your finger is on the trigger, chances are someone is going to get shot.

So I don't get stoned, this does not apply to those who have trained and carry a single action pistol. I did for a long time, my brother still carries a Kimber.

Yep! The same "why" or "logic" behind DAO pistols sometimes being issued.

alucard0822 · Feb 11, 2021

IMO if it is a SA/DA and has a decocker, then chamber a round, decock, and carry off-safe in condition 2. Draw the pistol, fire the first shot with the long DA pull, then the other shots in SA, when done, decock, and reholster.

IF it's a SA/DA with a safety only, and no decocker, load it, engage the safety, carry in condition 1. Draw the pistol, sweep the safety off, fire, then when done sweep the safety on and reholster. it's kinda dangerous to try to manually decock by holding the hammer and pulling the trigger, even though that is the only way to use the DA function designed in the pistol. Without a decocker, it's basically a SAO with re-strike capability.

The whole purpose to "prevent an AD" is kinda overblown IMO. Has been proven there isn't a huge safety margin between a 1/4" 5lb pull and a good DA 1/2" 7# pull, and the reason "finger on the frame" is a much better safety, transitioning to "finger on the trigger" when facing a deadly threat. Seems people forgetting to disengage the safety is the main issue with SAO, where no real difference between the "safety" of a DA and DA/SA or striker fired "2 stage" pull.

sickpuppyz · Feb 11, 2021

Maybe I wasn't clear. I don't have an issue with first shot in DA. The issue is that once I rack the slide to chamber a round the hammer is cocked. There is no going back to DA unless I manually decock to half cock. So I either do that or carry cocked and locked with safety on. I have practiced manually decocking at the range but I don't care for it. I'd rather be cindition 1. This is all kind of a moot point since I don't have a carry permit in the Soviet State of Maryland. But if I were to get a carry permit I was just wodering if I am missing something. Besides I am not sure I would carry the Jericho 9 or 45. I don't mind the weight, just haven't decided what I would carry.

gwchem · Feb 11, 2021

sickpuppyz said:
Maybe I wasn't clear. I don't have an issue with first shot in DA. The issue is that once I rack the slide to chamber a round the hammer is cocked. There is no going back to DA unless I manually decock to half cock. So I either do that or carry cocked and locked with safety on. I have practiced manually decocking at the range but I don't care for it. I'd rather be cindition 1. This is all kind of a moot point since I don't have a carry permit in the Soviet State of Maryland. But if I were to get a carry permit I was just wodering if I am missing something. Besides I am not sure I would carry the Jericho 9 or 45. I don't mind the weight, just haven't decided what I would carry.

What you described is totally normal for many DA/SA guns. I shoot two different CZs in competition, and after loading the pistol on each stage, I have to manually decock them.

Techniques for decocking include pinching the hammer between thumb and finger before you pull the trigger, or putting your thumb in the way before rolling it out. There are a few youtube videos on each. It's not hard, and idpa/uspsa shooters do it many, many times a year. NDs are rare. Practice it with an empty gun for a while.

Edit to say:. Don't bother trying to decock halfway. Decock it all the way.

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