DA, DAO - Help me understand

seb1999

I have a Ruger KP89, manual safety, not the decocker model.

When the pistol is loaded/cocked and the safety is applied the hammer drops and the fist round is a long trigger pull to cock the hammer after that it is single action just like my MKll .22.

What does a decocker do and how does it differ from my pistol.

Lastly I assume DAO is double action only - a long trigger pull every shot?? Why would you want this feature in a semi auto - after all isn't the purpose of a semi auto to get your shots off faster? Wouldn't DAO be a contradiction? If you want DAO why not stick with a revolver other than for ammo capacity?

Please expand my knowledge.

HiCap

Seb1999;

Regardless of what Ruger calls it, it sounds like (from your description) that you have a decocker model. I have the Ruger KP95 and it works exactly as you describe your KP89.

When the slide is racked (or after a shot has been fired and another round is in the chamber ready to go), if you apply the safety the hammer drops and the weapon is decocked. It takes a longer trigger pull to fire it. Then, subsequent shots are single action.

Don't feel bad about the confusion. There was confusion at my local shop when I talked to them about the KP95 before I purchased it. None of us could tell the difference between the safety model and what they referred to as the decocker model. I think they are one and the same.

You are correct about the DAO. It is double action only. Doesn't necessarily have to be a long trigger pull every time (Para Ordnance has a very sweet action DAO), but the hammer is as rest before every shot and has to travel back to cock the weapon.

As far as why one would want a DAO, I guess you can just chalk it up to different wants, styles, and needs. Some people just like to have a consistant feeling trigger pull each and every shot. DAOs provide that rather well.

Hope this helps.

competentone

seb1999 and HiCap,

The "decocker" models of Ruger's pistols (and the designation applies to most all semi-auto pistols) ONLY decock the pistol.

When you activate the safety lever on a "manual safety" model; it BOTH decocks the pistol AND applies a safety disconnecting the trigger. The "safety lever" remains in the downward position; and if you pull the trigger while the safety is applied, the weapon will not fire.

On the "decocker" model, when you activate the "lever on the slide"--in the same place as the manual safety model--the hammer drops, but the lever springs back up.

If you pull the trigger on the decocker model after decocking, the weapon will fire--there is no "safety" to "deactivate" the trigger on either the "decocker" or "double action only" models.

The "decocker" can be thought of as "decocker ONLY" when being compared to a manual safety model.

HiCap

Competentone;

I see how you got your name. GREAT answer!

Thanks.

Nighthawk

I think I can answer that question,ingeneral the DAO is safer you have to pull the trigger at a higher pound pull than single action. Therefor you still have a semi auto with higher capacity than with a Revolver.In the Police world its a bit controversial, Police Chiefs nation wide are choosing the side arms the officer may carry,not the officers who carry them.Its a matter of liability in a shooting the officer that was justified in what he done may face a civial suit or even a criminal charge.The DAO looks better in court due to the fact it has a heavier trigger pull.The adrenaline begins to start when you have to draw your side arm,but you must learn to control it,and after you have done it several yearsit still doesnt go away and if it does you need to find a different line of work, before you get your self or a fellow Officer killed.We are allowed to carry tradional double action side arms.And we train very hard to remember never cock your weapon at a subject the first shot must be pulled double action. Alot of Officers have been involved in shootings and forgot to decock their weapon and holstered a cocked weapon,and worse shot them selfs when re holstering.Even just cocked their weapon and forgot to decock it. Its easy to do especially if you have a subject at gun point your weapon is cocked and he decides to run, you have to remember to decock your weapon before giving chase or tackling your suspect.There are advantages and disadvantages to both.Here our Side Arm is the SigP229 .357 sig in tradional DA. And we train hard,very hard on firearms safety.As for me I would not want to be the person to decide if Officers should carry SA or DAO I will leave that job to the Mayors,orPolice Chiefs or the Governors.But what ever gun L.E. or civilian become familiar with your weapon.Rehearse over and over any situation that could arise.And stay safe.

Rugster