[gstiegeljr]

A co-worker and I were discussing using revolvers for hunting and he said that in his HTE class (which he took over 10 years ago), the WCO told them that double-action revolvers were not legal for hunting. I have always been of the understanding that any revolver (single or double action) was legal. Am I correct, or have I been hunting with an illegal S&W 629 Classic for the past three years?

 

[Woods walker]

Of course double action revolvers are legal for hunting. I would bet he is confusing double action with semi auto which are illegal to hunt with.

 

[gstiegeljr]

Good...now I don't have to buy a new handgun (but I probably will anyway). His argument was that the act of pulling the trigger cycles the action/magazine (if you want to call it that), so it is considered auto-loading. Thanks!

 

[Larry]

This really is an interesting question. While I agree that double action revolvers are legal, the fact that they do "auto-load" makes it seem odd. Is there a clear definition of what semi-automatic means? Note: I don't say this to be a wiseguy, I am genuinely interested in the answer.

 

[Woods walker]

An autoloader fires, ejects the empty cartridge and puts another round in the chamber each time the trigger is pulled by the action of recoil or captured gas. A revolver has no chamber, it has a cylinder which has a round in each hole. When you pull the trigger on a revolver it rotates bringing a fresh round into battery and fires. The revolution of the cylinder is a manual operation caused by the shooters trigger finger. It in no way can be considered a semi-automatic firearm. The below revolver however is indeed semi auto and would not be legal to hunt with.

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg184-e.htm

 

[Larry]

The revolution of the cylinder is a manual operation caused by the shooters trigger finger.

That makes perfect sense. Thanks for educating me. (Again, I'm not being a wiseguy, John, I really mean it!)

 

[Woods walker]

I knew that Larry didn't think you were cracking wise.

 

[bobcat]

oh so on a double action every time you pull the trigger it goes bang but on a semi every time you pull the trigger it goes bang.

clear as mud. i know the law and not arguing whats legal just never really understood the logic. still don't.
same with the semi shotty. can't use a 10/22 for tree rats but i can use a mag 10 if i want.

 

[BCozhunter]

Great explanation, John

 

[wis bang]

oh so on a double action every time you pull the trigger it goes bang but on a semi every time you pull the trigger it goes bang.

clear as mud. i know the law and not arguing whats legal just never really understood the logic. still don't.
same with the semi shotty. can't use a 10/22 for tree rats but i can use a mag 10 if i want.

A DA revolver uses the mechanical(s) connected to the trigger to bring the next round in battery and cock and fire.

A semi-auto uses inertia, captured gas, or some kind of voodoo instead...

 

[bobcat]

oh so on a double action every time you pull the trigger it goes bang but on a semi every time you pull the trigger it goes bang.

clear as mud. i know the law and not arguing whats legal just never really understood the logic. still don't.
same with the semi shotty. can't use a 10/22 for tree rats but i can use a mag 10 if i want.

A DA revolver uses the mechanical(s) connected to the trigger to bring the next round in battery and cock and fire.

A semi-auto uses inertia, captured gas, or some kind of voodoo instead...

yep end result 1 sqeeze = 1 bang.