Clarifying Double Action Only (DAO)

by
posted on April 23, 2015
wiley-clapp.jpg (1)

I recently had the pleasure of writing up the new SIG Sauer P320 for American Rifleman. Somehow or another, I left a number of readers a little confused about the pistol's trigger action, and we can't have that. So let's take a quick second look at the gun and see if we can get things straightened out. 320s are striker-fired pistols, a first for SIG Sauer. The striker is spring loaded and becomes fully cocked when the slide comes all the way to the rear, either manually or when the act of firing drives it back. To fire, the shooter presses the trigger, an act that clears safeties and releases the striker. This initial trigger pull does feel a great deal like several other guns (Glock, S&W M&P) that partially pre-cock the striker and are called DAOs (for double-action-only). undefined

But the correct technical definition of DAO is a system where trigger pressure performs the twin functions of cocking and firing. Since the P320 is already cocked, the trigger can only release the striker. It would have to be more like an SAO (single-action-only) trigger. It would probably be better to say that DA and SA are terms that define trigger action as it relates to the pistol's lockwork. Leave the clearing of passive safeties out of the equation, even though they make some of these trigger systems feel very DA-like. Somehow, the term DAO has come to be associated with greater safety in handling, so it is unlikely that the makers will cease using it on guns that are clearly fully cocked. undefined

It is also interesting to note that proper use of the reset point in the trigger can be so very useful. For the first shot in a series, the shooter has to sweep the trigger through a longer arc to get it in position to make that important release of the striker and fire. With practice, after firing the shot, he learns to allow the trigger to return only the short distance to where it resets the striker for firing. If he needs a second shot, he now moves the trigger back the same distance and it fires again. Like the old joke, repeat if necessary. There is usually a major difference in the length of trigger travel from all the way down to trigger travel from reset.

I hope this helps, but I am betting we haven't heard the end of the subject.

Latest

RETAILBI Q1 2025 QUARTERLY REPORT 4 18 25 11
RETAILBI Q1 2025 QUARTERLY REPORT 4 18 25 11

Report Shows Inventory, Prices Have Dropped At Firearm Retailers

Nearly all gun and related gear inventories at retailers dropped in the last 12 months. So have most prices paid at the counter, according to the year-over-year comparison detailed in the latest RetailBI report.

Preview: Fix It Sticks Model 700 Quick Action Brush

For owners of Remington 700-pattern rifles, Fix It Sticks now offers one such specialty tool designed to clean those hard-to-reach recesses of the Remington receiver.

The Return Of The Taurus 58

Taurus has re-introduced its Model 58 semi-automatic handgun in 2025, bringing in a larger, easier-to-shoot defensive handgun chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge.

Preview: Timney Lever Action Trigger

Timney has now brought its trigger-tuning prowess to the resurgent lever gun platform.

Gun Of The Week: Taurus USA GX2

We’re taking a closer look at the budget-priced Taurus GX2, which offers some premium features while giving new or price-conscious gun owners an easy-to-shoot, entry-level, defensive handgun.

The Armed Citizen® May 16, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.