Single-Action Definition

• A single-action revolverrevolver image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  To fire a single-action revolver you must first manually pull back the hammer; this also rotates the cylinder. When the revolver's trigger is pulled, the single "action" is the hammer falling and firing a bullet.
  
  

Double-Action Definition

• A double-action revolvermagnum 357 image by Luc MARTIN from Fotolia.com
  
  When pulling the trigger of a double-action revolver, two actions occur: the cylinder rotates to line up the next bullet, immediately followed by the action of the hammer falling.
  
  

Similarities

• A double-action fired as a single-actionshot image by Hunta from Fotolia.com
  
  The majority of double-action revolvers can be manually cocked and fired the same as a single-action revolver.
  
  

Target Shooting and Hunting Preference

• For accuracy, go single-action.Cible image by maxime prunet from Fotolia.com
  
  Single-action revolvers (or double-action revolvers fired as a single-action) give the shooter more stability (since there is less pull on the trigger) and tend to be more accurate.
  
  

Self-Defense Preference

• For self-defense go with a double-action.revolver image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
  
  Firing a double-action revolver requires a heavier and more deliberate trigger pull, which is preferable (for safety reasons) in a typical self-defense scenario.