Would you cock the hammer back in a defensive situation?

[knifezoid]

If you had the time in a defensive situation (ie you hear a noise
and grab your nightstand gun) and you had a DA/SA gun or revolver
would you cock the hammer back so your first shot was in single action?

Or would you leave it as double action?

[Komitadjie]

Yes, both for the cleaner trigger pull on the first shot (and consequent higher hit probability) and for consistency between shots.

Would only matter on my revolvers, though, given that all of my semis are either striker-fired, or 1911s.

[IWantThatKnife]

NO. I would not; until I have positively identified a real threat.

[El Gringo]

NO. I would not; until I have positively identified a real threat.

Yes I would; but my finger dont go on the trigger till I'm ready to shoot.

[Worker]

I would never leave double action for the first shot. Never. Going to single action is a very poor idea for to many reasons to list in that sort of a situation.

[apdb90]

NO. I would not; until I have positively identified a real threat.

THIS. That is absolutely positively NOT a habit you want to get into or something you even want to think about doing.

Keep in mind that in an armed encounter/life and death situation, one of the first things to go are your fine motor skills. You are not going to have the control to efficiently and more importantly safely manage a SA trigger. The ONLY way I would have a cocked pistol in hand in an armed encounter is if it was a SA only Pistol or Revolver.

Trust me. If you ever find yourself in that situation, you will not feel the double action trigger, trigger control will, in all probability go right out the window, and you will be amongst the minority if you even see your sights or hear the gun go off (anything resembling a gunshot).

[waterdogs]

If I have a 1911 in my hand, Condition One is a given. With a revolver, if the perp even *hinted* at going squirrelly, I would transition to single action immediately, with proper trigger discipline.

[bigbob68]

Never.

[Worker]

Double action is faster than single action. I seriously don't get the cock a DA revolver thing.

[apdb90]

I seriously don't get the cock a DA revolver thing.

It's nothing but compensating for poor trigger control/management. If you feel you need to go to SA to ensure a first round hit, you need to get your ass out to the range more often.

There are very few SA firearms that are viable defensive arms. As others have mentioned, a 1911. A Browning Hi Power comes to mind. Both have a manual safety. A SA revolver, or a DA revolver shot SA is a poor choice.

[waterdogs]

Just let me preface this by saying that I would never point a loaded gun at someone unless I felt justified to shoot the motherfucker right there....

[50calmike]

If they make it through the mine field and concertina, then I arm the mini. If they get through that, then I hit the clacker 3 times.

[Winter]

I carry a 1911 when I carry, so it's hammer is cocked already.

[CDR_Glock]

Lawrence,

A single action trigger may be just 2-2.5 lbs. that is a HUGE liability. Learn to shoot double action.

In a 1911, I'd release the safety only when ready to fire.

Single action is exceedingly slow when it comes to revolvers. You can shoot in double action much faster in SA/DA guns like Sig, Beretta and HK, by a split second faster and keeping on target than trying to cock a gun.

[pepe]

Never. As others have said it works with a 1911 because the safety is on until you acquire the target.