Henry Rifle Forums

While handling a couple of both I wondered why the loading gate was placed on the right side of the Single Action revolver for typical right hand shooter but in DA form the cylinder swings out on the left side? Left side for DA is correct for right hand shooter.
Being mostly a left hand pistol/revolver shooter I can quickly manage a SA reload with my left hand... thumb pops open the gate and index finger rotates the cylinder with right hand working the ejector and handling reload. My shooting hand,the left never leaves grip position.
With my DA revolvers I have to do some hand switching so I find I can load a SA revolver quicker even though designed for a right hander.

in thinking about it, both seem to be designed to insert the bullets with a right hand .... I doubt there were any long term efficiency studies back when it all started .... since then, "its always been done that way"

JEBar wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:29 am

in thinking about it, both seem to be designed to insert the bullets with a right hand .... I doubt there were any long term efficiency studies back when it all started .... since then, "its always been done that way"

Could be in the SA case the first originator of the side gate design was a Lefty???

Never really thought about it. IMO, I'm not going to be able to reload either one quick enough to save my life. Even with a DA speed loader. That is why my EDC is a semi auto.
Interesting question though.

Being right-handed, I get along with either design. Never has bothered me with having to load from the left on double actions, since the cylinder swings out for easy access. Plenty of room to work with when loading. On single actions, though, I would find loading on the left to be awkward. I would guess that lefties might find it awkward loading single actions.

I agree with JEBar. It's probably something that's been done the same way for all these years out of tradition.

When the mass produced cap & ball revolver was developed (colt) the cylinder rotated clockwise so the cutout was on the right to dispense caps, later came (conversion) guns so the cutout was left on the right and so on.The 1873 Single action just carried over with loading gate on the right. Being a lefty I just adapted to wheel guns like everything else in life. I handled a charter arms southpaw (left-hand) revolver once, it felt completely foreign I didn't like it. No need for rapid reloads as I'm not in the Army anymore. The only real self defense weapon is between your ears a firearm is just a tool

Having shot revolvers in competition for years, I can tell you that with practice, skilled revolver competitors can speed load nearly as fast and as smoothly as semiauto competitors.

I know I could speedload the revolver faster than the average officer could reload their semiauto, since most don't get enough practice.

BrokenolMarine wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:31 pm

since most don't get enough practice.

therein lies the key ....

And don't forget that Charter Arms makes a truly "left hand" revolver.

Oldbrass wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:11 pm

When the mass produced cap & ball revolver was developed (colt) the cylinder rotated clockwise so the cutout was on the right to dispense caps, later came (conversion) guns so the cutout was left on the right and so on.The 1873 Single action just carried over with loading gate on the right. Being a lefty I just adapted to wheel guns like everything else in life. I handled a charter arms southpaw (left-hand) revolver once, it felt completely foreign I didn't like it. No need for rapid reloads as I'm not in the Army anymore. The only real self defense weapon is between your ears a firearm is just a tool

Well that makes sense and thanks for that info!

BrokenolMarine wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:31 pm

Having shot revolvers in competition for years, I can tell you that with practice, skilled revolver competitors can speed load nearly as fast and as smoothly as semiauto competitors.

I know I could speedload the revolver faster than the average officer could reload their semiauto, since most don't get enough practice.

With moon clips and if you're Jerry Miculek possibly even faster than a well-practiced semi-auto shooter.

0:50 and 3:30 for slowmo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FbUMqoyjDw&t

Yeah... I was quick, but not THAT quick. Then again, who is? Lol

He is pretty incredible. Have you seen his 1000yd 9mm pistol shot? Even he was surprised when he hit the balloon on his second shot, said the bullet dropped 150ft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ3XwizTqDw&t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFoxfjORvh8

I'd have to call relays .... make that big time relays on that shot ..

Sam Colt was left handed ,

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:48 pm

Oldbrass wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:11 pm

When the mass produced cap & ball revolver was developed (colt) the cylinder rotated clockwise so the cutout was on the right to dispense caps, later came (conversion) guns so the cutout was left on the right and so on.The 1873 Single action just carried over with loading gate on the right. Being a lefty I just adapted to wheel guns like everything else in life. I handled a charter arms southpaw (left-hand) revolver once, it felt completely foreign I didn't like it. No need for rapid reloads as I'm not in the Army anymore. The only real self defense weapon is between your ears a firearm is just a tool

Well that makes sense and thanks for that info!

Top break revolver works for both lefty's and righty's.

Those top break revolters are cool to

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:51 pm

Those top break revolters are cool to

Yep I had one but couldn't shoot it well. Guess that design grip didn't work well with my hand.

When they designed guns with swing out cylinders they put them on the left so right handed shooters can load quickly and not have to change the gun from hand to hand.
Of the two types I prefer single actions, as I'm a lefty. I have to switch DAs to the right hand to load. Maybe Col Colt was a southpaw. His guns certainly were.