Printable View
Let's say you're right handed. You're shooting a revolver. Do you
(1) reach your right thumb up to cock, or
(2) reach your left thumb around?
I'm just now getting into shooting revolver (after 40 years of 1911) and I'm inclined to keep my right hand grip firm, and reach with the left thumb.
What do y'all do?
I am right handed shooter. I reach my left thumb up to pull the hammer. My left thumb rides over my right thumb.
Doing this i find that i am faster and stay on target better than when i try to use my right thumb.
^^Yes.
Using support hand thumb to cock hammer is most efficient.
You maintain a firing grip on weapon with "strong hand" this way- enabling quicker follow up shots, with greater accuracy.
Are you talking single action or double action revolver? IMO thumb cocking a double action is a bad habit to get into unless it is a hunting handgun.
I use my support side thumb to cock the hammer, preserving my firing grip.
Cocking the hammer of a DA semi or revolver is a viable tactic in certain conditions.
Support hand thumb.
This question is kinda ....... well just for sports, i used my big thumb and that it. while shooting with a stance with both hands, i use my left thumb.
Kinda what?Quote:
Originally Posted by 100
I use my strong hand thumb to cock the hammer either while settling in for the first shot or while bringing the gun down out of recoil. If I need to shoot one handed there is no real change in motor skills. Most of the time I shoot D/A revolvers D/A but I also own S/A revolvers.
If you watch video of the top SASS shooters they are almost semi auto fast using their support side thumb.
I’ve been shooting my way for over 40 years and don’t feel like like there is enough difference to warrant re-training myself.
I have always eared the hammer back on a revolver with my right thumb. Balance sixgun on the second knuckle, and press down. Cocking the hammer brings the barrel back down.
Train like you fight. The support hand should be just that: support. Support hand cocking is inelegant at best, and clumsy and forced at worst.
Saw mention upthread of SASS gamers. I'm glad they can rip off rounds fast. If you want to see how they really did it when the targets shot back, though, there are plenty of Frederic Remington prints and John Wayne movies. The "advisors" when the Duke started were almost to a man retired gunfighters or lawmen. Two handed shooting was considered such an eccentricity that the fastest revolver shot that has yet lived, Ed McGivern, only devoted a few pages to it and Elmer Keith only used it for long range (150+ yds) work.
Saw mention upthread, too, of only shooting SA when hunting. I disagree completely; SA shooting is always more accurate. If you have time to aim, you have time to ear a hammer back.
Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk
My left thumb cocks the hammer
Support thumb is the better technique, but, old habits die hard.
Depends.
If holding the revolver one handed, I use that thumb to do that job (L or R handed).
Shooting two handed, I use the support side thumb.
I mostly shoot double-action revolvers exclusively double-action though.
I fired 100 rounds in the 686 this afternoon. Support hand thumb cocking it was.
As a kid, watching movie, hunting with my dad, trapshooting and being a general fan of the shooting sport. i figure "which thumb used for use for cocking the a gun/revolver" its like like being right/left eyed dominant...it all depends on what works for you and what you are comfortable with using.Quote:
Originally Posted by ST911
"Are you talking single action or double action revolver? IMO thumb cocking a double action is a bad habit to get into unless it is a hunting handgun."
Here it is. I knew it when I read the thread title. It only took 4 responses. That's even quicker than I thought.
Right, I almost didn't respond because I don't thumb cock my DA revos but after thinking about I do sometimes when sighting in with different ammo along with bench resting the pistol. But that's where it ends for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by jbourneidentity
What is a re-vol-ver? And also, what is a hammer? :sarcastic:
One handed shooting I use that hands thumb. Two handed I use the thumb of the hand not holding the pistol.
This is the only logical answer.Quote:
Originally Posted by CRAMBONE
Andy
I was always trained to never cock hammer to shoot a DA revolver.
When I find it necessary or preferable to manually cock the hammer of a revolver I typically use the thumb of my firing hand.
Not because it's the best choice, as it is more logical to use the off-hand when possible, but it's just what I grew up doing. I have longer-than-average fingers and thumbs, so I don't have to shift my firing grip to a large degree.
I can use either thumb
I don't cock them. DA for me. If I was going to cock them I'd use support hand too.
If I cock the hammer back on a revolver (DA or SA), I use the support hand thumb and maintain a good firing grip.
Unless the revolver you're talking about is single action, the answer is "never cock"Quote:
Originally Posted by Uni-Vibe
Learn how to shoot a double action revolver properly.
There are situations where cocking the hammer of a DA revolver is quite proper. It isn’t the “right” way...until it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Quijote
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frailer
When Harry Callahan's supper of a foot-long hot dog is interrupted by a bank holdup across the street, he walks out of the eatery and out onto the street. Slipping his Smith M-29 out of its shoulder holster, and chewing on his last bite of hot dog, he holds it down at his right side inconspicuously (as inconspicuously as one can carry a six and a half inch M-29). Among all the sounds of the unfolding chaos, you can quite clearly hear him cock the big piece in single-action mode.
Most appropriate.
Most of the time it is not advisable to cock a double action. There are not many valid reasons. It is less accurate, slower, more prone to negligent discharge. Train as you would fight. Most serious wheelgunners are more accurate using double action than single. Gamers usually have the hammer shaved. Knowledgeable concealed carry and backup gun users rarely have hammers in their guns. If you need to cock due to infirmity or utilization of a single action then support hand thumb allows you to maintain your grip orientation. Learn to shoot double action, proper use is with the indentation of the first knuckle solidly in the trigger. Do not use the middle of the pad of your finger. You will later find this method is best for all types of triggers and ends all issues of push, pull, and over travel. Show me a proficient double action shooter and I will show you a superior marksman with any trigger type.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
I think that particular dead horse has been well and throughly beaten. Nobody would disagree with this.Quote:
Originally Posted by SOL-INVICTUS
I don't know what "serious" means in this context, but if handgun hunters and bullseye shooters are included in the category this claim is patently false.Quote:
Most serious wheelgunners are more accurate using double action than single.
More than many would think. It's been an instructed method in places at one time or another, when a precision shot is needed and time, distance, and cover allows.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frailer
I guess the only question is whether those particular circumstances comprise "most of the time" or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by ST911
I'm sure it's not as tactical / practical but after 40 years of ingrained muscle memory and habit (1) reach your right thumb up to cock.
Trying to do otherwise would probably take 20 years to get to the skill level I currently possess doing it the "old way" and in a stress situation would more likely result in an unintended discharge than anything else.
Support hand to cock the revolver if shooting with two hands otherwise the right hand.
In theory I would agree. But since my only revolver is DA, I just cannot imagine a reason to be cocking the hammer AND shooting one handed at the same time.Quote:
Originally Posted by alcante262
You're down to your last two rounds; the man trying to rob you is pinning you down behind a gas pump; if you expose your entire head and shoulders, you're dead. So you poke one eye out, and hold your revolver with one hand, and cock it to make sure your shot counts.Quote:
Originally Posted by n4aof
I rarely thumb-cock my revolvers, but if I do, I use the same hand I am holding the gun with.
If you are practicing defensive shooting or in a actual defensive shooting then neither...there is no reason to cock it
It you are just target shooting or hunting then who cares...how it gets cocked is irrelevant
The real issue(s) with cocking a revolver are both related to stress; the light single action break may give you an ND, or, worse, if you cock the gun, you may have to uncock it. In the middle of an adrenaline dump, bad idea.
We used to advise our rookie handgun students to think about a Centennial so they couldn't cock it, but they also had trouble hitting things. We do encourage double action for defense.
Handgun hunting, I cock with the weak hand, but that is for longer shots.
Moon
I just read through this again.
Like someone said, one hand, I use that hand, two hands, I use support hand thumb.
But I've been spending so much effort on the DA I think I need to transfer some focus on the SA.
Were I to be carrying my revolver, need it, and the distance between myself and bad people is extended and / or available target is small due to cover I'm probably going to SA.
What's extended? I guess in this case I'm talking just 25 yds and out.