How do single-action and double-action triggers differ?

How do single-action and double-action triggers differ?

• A. Single-action is when the trigger automatically cocked the hammer on each shot; double-action requires manual cocking.
• B. Single-action requires the hammer to be cocked manually (or via cycling) before firing; double-action cocks and releases on a single trigger pull.
• C. Single-action uses a striker; double-action uses a hammer.
• D. Single-action is safer than double-action in all cases.

Answer: (B)

The idea is about what the trigger does to the hammer or striker. In a single-action system, you must cock the hammer before firing—the trigger then only releases the already-cocked hammer (or striker) to fire. That’s why the trigger pull is typically light and short. In a double-action system, a single trigger pull both cocks the hammer (or striker) and releases it in one motion, so the pull is longer and usually heavier because it has to perform two actions at once. Some guns can be cocked by cycling the action for subsequent shots, making those shots effectively single-action, but the main difference is whether the trigger only releases after pre-cocking, or also performs the cocking on that pull. The other descriptions don’t fit because they misstate how cocking works across designs or falsely claim universal safety advantages.

The idea is about what the trigger does to the hammer or striker. In a single-action system, you must cock the hammer before firing—the trigger then only releases the already-cocked hammer (or striker) to fire. That’s why the trigger pull is typically light and short. In a double-action system, a single trigger pull both cocks the hammer (or striker) and releases it in one motion, so the pull is longer and usually heavier because it has to perform two actions at once. Some guns can be cocked by cycling the action for subsequent shots, making those shots effectively single-action, but the main difference is whether the trigger only releases after pre-cocking, or also performs the cocking on that pull. The other descriptions don’t fit because they misstate how cocking works across designs or falsely claim universal safety advantages.