Velocity Works, Guns, Firearms, Ammo, Gunsmith, FFL Transfers, Westerville, Ohio

275-P Old County Line Rd.
Westerville, Ohio 43081
firearms@velocityworks.net
614-891-4545

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Choosing A Carry Pistol – Part IV – The Single Action Only (SAO) Pistol

January 9, 2019 By Velocity Works

Choosing A Carry Pistol Part IV — The Single Action Only (SAO) Pistol

The single action only pistol is a classic and still very relevant carry option.

Colt 1911 Officer — An excellent carry sized variant of the 1911 platform

The single action only (SAO) pistol implies that the trigger performs one single action: releasing the hammer.  Because the trigger is not required to both cock and release the hammer,  SAO pistols are beloved for their short, light and crisp trigger pulls with an excellent reset.  Every time I teach our concealed carry class, I bring my Ruger 1911 (the 1911 platform is one of the most popular SAO designs) along for students to try, and they always fall in love with it.

Benefits of SAO pistols include:

  • Every pull of the trigger is the same
  • The typically light and crisp trigger pull aids in accuracy and speed
  • Short trigger reset aids in quick follow-up shots

Have you ever heard the term “cocked and locked”?  That phrase came from the 1911 style pistol, implying how the gun was designed to be carried:  A round in the chamber, hammer cocked, and “locked”, meaning the thumb safety is engaged.  This applies to almost all SAO pistols.

So since the gun is single action, meaning the trigger only releases the hammer, does that mean you have to manually cock the hammer each shot?  The answer is no.  The act of chambering the first round will naturally cock the hammer, and the rearward motion of the slide when firing will re-cock the hammer for each subsequent shot.  Put simply:  Insert your magazine, chamber a round, engage the thumb safety, and holster your firearm until ready to fire.

A common misconception is that carrying an SAO pistol is dangerous because the hammer is cocked and ready to go.  This is false as long as you practice good trigger finger discipline and keep the safety engaged until you are on target and ready to shoot.

SAO pistols aren’t for everyone.  Despite the preaching from many about the safety of the design, some people will never be comfortable putting a chambered and cocked firearm on their waistband.  Also, because the firearm has a thumb safety, it is imperative that you practice your holster draw and train to build the muscle memory of disengaging the thumb safety as you draw.

Try out an SAO pistol to see why they’re so popular.  You might get hooked!  As always, check out our Gun Genie to see their vast offering of single action firearms.  They are available in a variety of sizes and calibers.  Stay tuned for our next newsletter where we’ll feature a few of the more popular SAO pistols

Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Filed Under: News

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  • Available in 6 and 12 month terms, with monthly payment available for added flexibility!

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The Old Gun Blog

Choosing A Carry Pistol – Part V – The Double Action Only (DAO) Pistol

Choosing A Carry Pistol – Part V – The Double Action Only (DAO) Pistol The Double Action Only pistol offers simplicity and reliability to your carry setup The double action only (DAO) pistol implies that the trigger performs only two tasks: cocking and releasing the hammer.  Unlike the traditional double action pistol the DAO pistol […]

Choosing A Carry Pistol – Part IV – The Single Action Only (SAO) Pistol

Choosing A Carry Pistol Part IV — The Single Action Only (SAO) Pistol The single action only pistol is a classic and still very relevant carry option. The single action only (SAO) pistol implies that the trigger performs one single action: releasing the hammer.  Because the trigger is not required to both cock and release […]

Velocity Works
Velocity Works
4.8
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Buffalo Buff
Buffalo Buff
21:08 22 Oct 19
Great service! Very knowledgeable and had my repair done expertly and promptly. Highly recommended
Vincent Ciola
Vincent Ciola
22:40 17 Oct 19
Just had some outstanding service from Velocity Works. The gunsmith there had my gun repaired and back to me the next week. The called to check the details and called right away to let me know it was done. Couldn’t be happier with the quality... work and service. Thanks!read more
Ethan Mathess
Ethan Mathess
17:32 16 Oct 19
Extremely nice and professional staff that made my transfer a breeze. Will definitely be back in the future.
J.V A
J.V A
15:55 15 Sep 19
Gunsmith is ok when it comes to Ar15 work. I had him pin and weld a muzzle brake on my 14.5 upper. While functionally the work was fine. cosmetically a tig welder should have been used so he didn't have to grind on my very expensive barrel. They... also charged more than 2 times what everyone else charges for the same work. The price would be fine if they did a perfect job. One good thing is if someone ever wants to check to make sure my muzzle brake is welded on, they will have no problem seeing that it is.read more
Grayson Horn
Grayson Horn
21:55 13 Jun 19
Great local shop that does great work. I had them put my Geissele rail on my rifle as well as level some scopes out for me. Always friendly and quick with work.
Willis PIERRE Peltier
Willis PIERRE Peltier
15:24 03 Jun 19
Great team who stands behind their service. Very knowledgeable
Chuck Pfeiffer
Chuck Pfeiffer
16:34 30 May 19
I had a problem with my Covert Carrier Grip for my Walther PPKS. The gentleman at the counter said he could fix the grip and get it to attach correctly. He said he would charge me 1/2 hour of labor. He working the gun for about 30 minutes and... successfully attached the new grip. I pulled out my wallet to pay. He said no charge , just give us a good write-up on Google. I have purchased a handgun from this shop and they have solved several problems I have had in the past as well as today. Give them a try for a new gun purchase or gunsmithing services. They are great to work with. I would strongly recommend them. Chuck Pfeiffer Westerville, Ohioread more
jesse neve
jesse neve
00:43 23 May 19
GREAT EXPERIENCE! I found a gun I had been searching all over the US for ... These guys jumped on it and it was off to my FFL for a GREAT price... ask for Joe he will take care of you.
Craig Bucher
Craig Bucher
22:46 14 May 19
Great customer service....Had an issue with my ar-15 and took it in for repairs. They took a quick look and figured out the issue with in a minute or two and fixed immediately for no charge. Will definitely be back for all my needs. Hard to find... people this helpful and friendly. Most places barely give you the time of the day but the two gentlemen exceeded my expectations and were a pleasure to talk with. Made my day!!! Thank you!!!read more
Jonathon Johnson
Jonathon Johnson
16:47 12 Apr 19
Amazing service. I had a couple issues with guns I had recently purchased and these guys fixed the problems fast and professionally. I will be bringing them all of my stuff!!
Ryan Hepburn
Ryan Hepburn
22:25 20 Feb 19
Walked in to have some work done on my AR-15, walked out in minutes, free of charge. Prices looked competitive and workers were extremely nice. I will continue to do business there
Shawn Moran
Shawn Moran
13:15 06 Feb 19
Joe assessed my issue and gave me a very fair quote. Was told it would probably take a week to get resolved. I had it back in three days. I’ll definitely do business with them again.
Coach Nguyen
Coach Nguyen
13:43 26 Jan 19
I am very happy with the professional and friendly service at Velocity Works. They evaluated and appraised a large batch of firearms for me. I have also sold consignment through them and had FFL shipping through them. Highly recommended.
Eric Collet
Eric Collet
00:36 05 Jan 19
I had a transfer shipped to Velocity Works with little expectation other than the required transaction. Joe noticed that I was eligible for a promotion from the manufacturer and went to the effort to not only obtain the required paperwork, but fill... it out for me and address and stamp the envelope. Above and beyond in my book and much appreciated.read more
Edaw Ttibsen
Edaw Ttibsen
20:01 10 Oct 18
I went in to have a barrel nut removed as I did not have a vice block. I expected to pay at least what a block would cost if I ordered it. These guys had it off in one minute and didn’t charge me. Nice people. Ill be back to return the favor with... a sale. They have a nice collection of collectible firearms! If I could give 6 stars I would, these guys get it.read more
Alexis Vinson
Alexis Vinson
12:58 01 Aug 17
Great experience for both buying andthe class! I purchased a handgun through the store and Joe was great at assisting me with figuring out exactly what I wanted. There's a small inventory in the store but they have access to ordering in a lot more.I... ended up taking their Conceal Carry class as well which was great. It was super informative for someone with limited experience using guns and Joe is super patient with newer gun owners and learners. I plan on taking their advanced class at some point awell. Highly recommended!!read more
Corey Edwards
Corey Edwards
02:51 02 Jul 17
Love this place. The gun work is top notch and the staff is amazing! Even when I move, I'm still staying loyal to this business!
Larry Wilkes
Larry Wilkes
14:25 30 Jun 17
Great to deal with. Joe and Larry are professional and easy with whom to deal. Pricing is realistic and fair. Service is A+.
Nik Demeis
Nik Demeis
00:41 04 Jun 17
Awesome. Simply put these guys (Joe especially) are great to deal with. I've been doing transfers mostly with them for the last two years since moving to Ohio. Every time I need their FFL sent they usually send it within hours and 24 hours max. ... They promptly call when guns arrive and every time I go in there I find myself talking with Joe for a bit. Just all around nice people offering great service. They do not carry a lot of inventory but what they do have is priced right. They are always able to get guns for you and operate more on a special order basis.read more
Michelle Thomas
Michelle Thomas
12:54 19 May 17
My girlfriend and I attended the concealed hand gun license (CHL) class at Velocity Works. My friend and I entered the class a little apprehensive as we both had limited exposure to hand guns. The instructor was great! He provided a lot of... information in a way that everyone of all levels could understand. The class was very informative and by the time we went to the range we both felt comfortable with handling a hand gun. I would highly recommend this class.read more
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