Double Action Revolver
Many Americans who carry concealed prefer a Double Action (D/A) Revolver. D/A Revolvers are probably the handgun most often carried for predator defense. Outdoorsmen and handgun hunters often prefer a powerful D/A Revolver in .44 Magnum or .454 Casull. The D/A revolver is commonly kept for home defense due to the simple manual of arms. People who travel through states where semi auto pistols are highly regulated may select a D/A revolver for protection. Revolvers can be fired in muzzle contact during a struggle without inducing a malfunction. I carried a D/A on and off duty for 17 years. I used D/A Revolvers in Combat Shooting Competition. I taught D/A revolver at the LAPD Academy and at the Gunsite Academy. Having completed the prerequisite Marksmanship Matters Defensive Pistol 1-4 course, we are able to teach you how to manipulate and fight with a D/A revolver in this one day course.
The practical (defensive) use of the Double Action Revolver
The presentation
One hand and two hand shooting and manipulation techniques
Flash Site Picture
Mastering the double action trigger (trigger cocking)
Compressed Surprise Trigger Break
Tactical reloading
Speed reloading
D/A Revolver skip loading techniques
Multiple target drills
Close contact shooting
Rapid fire techniques
Successful completion of the Marksmanship Matters Defensive Pistol Course is the prerequisite for this course.
Please read this information carefully as there are some significant changes from the Defensive Pistol Equipment list.
Handgun– Bring a safe, reliable, accurate double action revolver. If you have a spare D/A revolver and the accessories and ammunition, bring them. If your revolver breaks you will be glad you did.
Ammunition- Approximately 150 rounds of reliable, accurate, factory ammunition. No tracer ammunition or steel core bullets. Reloads are generally not permitted. (Waivers on an individual basis). As specific ammunition can be hard to acquire you should not delay in putting your kit together. Commercial CAS ammunition should work well for this class.
Belt- A wide thick belt that will fit and fill your belt loops and accommodate your holster and or ammunition will be required.
Holster-Belt holster carried on the primary side, revolver butt to the rear, leather or kydex, made specifically for the revolver being used. No generic and no nylon holsters. We prefer a vertical and not a canted holster. If the package states that the holster will work for “the following long list of firearms,” the holster may not fit or secure your revolver correctly. No shoulder holsters, cross draw holsters or inside the waistband holsters for range safety reasons. Blade Tech and Galco holsters generally work well. Liberty Fox Holsters in Saratoga Springs makes quality custom holsters at a reasonable price. If Liberty Fox does not make the holster that you want, try Joe Cardon Holsters.
Dummy Rounds- “A-Zoom” brand in the appropriate caliber. A minimum of 12 dummy rounds are required for a 6-shot revolver. If your revolver is a 7-shot, you will need at least 14 dummy cartridges. If you are using a
5-shot revolver you will need at least 10 dummy cartridges. We have witnessed accidental discharges which occurred because other dummy rounds being used could not be easily distinguished from live rounds when observed in the firearm during a condition check.
Eye Protection- Clear and shaded shooting glasses.
Trousers with wide belt loops- such as cargo trousers or jeans.
Revolver Cartridge Loops– Belt loop cartridge carrier in the appropriate caliber. A minimum of 6 cartridge loops. These will be used for conducting tactical reloads with 1 or 2 cartridges. Strip loaders are also approved. A minimum of 2 speed loaders will be required. If your revolver is designed for moon clips you may use those as well.
Writing Implement- for note taking on the range
Small Pocket Note Book- for taking notes on the range.
Dress in Layers- so that you can adapt to changing temperatures
Boots- or sturdy shoes with high tops providing ankle protection are preferred. We are off the concrete. There are rocks and occasionally snakes.
Hearing protection- Rubber (not foam) ear plugs on a string and a muff type head set
Note: Foam ear plugs must be squeezed and compacted with your fingers in order to get them into your ear canal. Your fingers will be contaminated with airborne lead and Mercury. The time required to compact your ear plugs perhaps 20 times a day adds up. Often shooters will have difficulty compressing their foam ear plugs and cannot get them to properly enter the ear canal while the class stands ready and waits. The soft rubber tapered ear plugs (with multiple flanges) are easy and quick to insert. They do not require you to touch them with your contaminated fingers. If the use of foam ear plugs had not been a constant hindrance in the past, we would not insist on a specific type of plug. You may buy these at Walmart or most any sporting goods or gun store. If you can hear the range command while using both plugs and muffs, then you are advised to wear both. If not, then you may wear only muffs. You will not be allowed to wear only ear plugs. We are serious about protecting your hearing.
Baseball Cap- A cap or hat, not a visor and make sure it is compatible with your head set and your shooting glasses.
Sun Block- Strongly suggested
Optional Item-Fire Extinguisher- If you have a fire extinguisher or two please bring them. The possibility of starting a fire with the type of ammunition and targets that we use is almost none but due to the recent wild fires we wish to err on the side of caution. If we have 8 or 10 fire extinguishers shovels and water, we should be able to stop a problem as soon as it starts. Fires can start from a hot exhaust pipe.
Chair– Folding or Camping chair
Sun Shade- Umbrella or Awning optional– Beware of wind gusts.
Lunch- Bring a lunch. You will not have time to leave the range for lunch. We usually debrief the mornings training during the lunch break.
Water- We suggest a gallon of drinking water plus sports drinks for Electrolytes
Note: Many people insist that a revolver is not a pistol. Be advised that Sam Colt named his invention a “Revolving Pistol.” To refer to a revolver as a pistol is correct despite modern definitions to the contrary. We tend to side with Sam Colt on this issue. At times we will use the terms pistol and revolver interchangeably. Revolver is more specific. Pistol is not incorrect, at least according to the inventor who named them.
Other specific Items may be added to the equipment list which will be described in other follow up emails.
Note: Any questions regarding equipment please call us at 801-669-1886
Larry and Stacey Mudgett
“Marksmanship Matters”
See schedule for pricing.