Hmmm, a single shot revolver? Probably the same place you'd find a .99 caliber Rutger.

yup, exactly -- in my gun cabinet... right next to my 45mm bowie assault multi-tool.

I actually saw one once on GunBroker and can't remember who made it or why. I seem to remember it being one of those 1920s or so manufacturers who has since gone out of business. It was a 22 (LR I think) but the cylinder seriously only had one chamber. Seemed totally ridiculous.

Wasn't there a 19th century revolver where you had to manually advance the cylinder? That could be classified as a single shot revolver ... maybe.

You can also buy a single shot auto. And the weird thing is ... it has a double stack magazine!

I hope Robertson was not saying that a single ACTION revolver was safer for self defence. I have seen more negligante discharges with single action revolvers than all the automatic and semi-automatics combined. What do you do after you cock a single six if you decide not to shot it?

I'd say that the reporter was exceptionally knowledgeable.

From WikiAnswers:

"The Savage 101 was an interesting gun made from 1960-1968. It is made to resemble a single-action revolver but is actually a single-shot; the barrel and cylinder swing out to load the shell and there is no cylinder rotation on firing (there's only one chamber). Not a terribly popular collectible, but does have a place in a comprehensive Savage collection OR makes a good addition to any collection of oddball handguns."

"We see these offered for sale fairly often at $150-$195 but they sit and sit and sit... Actual buying prices seem to be in the $100-$125 range. I would certainly pay no more for one."

"What do you do after you cock a single six if you decide not to shot it?"

Generally, the same as de-cocking a double action. Open or empty the cylinder, place thumb on hammer, depress trigger, and gently lower the hammer back into place.

How many single action revolvers out there (in the US) have fixed cylinders? Having to poke each round out through the loading gate would not only be annoying, but dangerous with the hammer cocked and the trigger just waiting to be accidently hit....

If I get a revolver for self-defense, it'll be a shrouded hammer DAO.

- Harold

"What do you do after you cock a single six if you decide not to shot it?"

Either don't cock it until you're absolutely committed to shoot, or, using your thumb to hold the hammer up, squeeze the trigger then lower the hammer *carefully* all the way down, then pull it back out to half-cock (which will advance the cylinder again) so you can open the gate and then turn the cylinder forward 2 clicks (hammer sitting over the last round at half-cock) until, when you finally pull it back to full cock and then lower the hammer again, it will rest on the empty chamber again like you started with (assuming you're keeping one chamber empty for safe carry purposes). Wouldn't try this fumbling in the dark with the lights off, though.

In any case, neither a single action revolver, nor a single shot anything (well, 'cept maybe a double-barreled coach gun in 12 ga) make ideal defensive platforms. I guess the writer actually meant to say "double action revolver", but had an epic double fail at the keyboard that his editor missed.

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If I have cocked a revolver, single or double action, and then want to lower the hammer without shooting, I first point the muzzle in a safe direction, then put my thumb securely on the hammer, pull the trigger, and gently lower the hammer. As I'm lowering the hammer, I let the trigger reset. This takes practice, something that every firearm requires. Check the revolver for loaded chambers, check again, check every chamber, then (pointing in a safe direction) cock the hammer, and try the procedure.

I don't know of any revolver that can have its cylinder swung out or its loading gate opened when the hammer is cocked, so unloading a cocked revolver isn't possible. (Well, it can be done with a cap and ball revolver, but it's easier just to lower the hammer as above.) That being said, cocking the hammer is something that ought to be done only when there is good cause to fire a cartridge.

Many modern revolvers have a transfer bar that must be raised by squeezing the trigger for the hammer to strike the firing pin. This means that all six chambers can be loaded safely, as dropping the revolver on its hammer will not make it fire. That was not true of the older single action revolvers. While practicing lowering the hammer safely (check it again--it is loaded until you confirm otherwise), look at the space into which the hammer drops. The transfer bar is a strip of metal (at least on a Ruger Super Blackhawk) that is pushed up by the trigger. Other modern revolvers use different mechanisms to prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin until the trigger is pulled.

As to using a single action revolver for self defense, the key is knowing the weapon. The easiest weapon to operate will be less than useless in the hands of someone with no training. The weapon that I learn thoroughly is the weapon that will be my effective tool for defense.