What is the difference between Single and Double Action in Autoloaders?

[Sicksea]

I know the difference between them for Revolvers, but I don't know how the differ for automatics handguns. Whats the difference between an single action automatic and and double action one? Which is better?

[Sparkchaser]

It's pretty much the same thing. A single action needs the hammer manually pulled back to prime it, and a double action is primed by simply pulling the trigger.
But that only applies to autoloaders with a dropable hammer.

[txinvestigator1]

Correct.

Typically single-action, when referring to Autoloaders, describes a weapon where the hammer must be cocked before the gun can be fired. The trigger typically takes a light, short pull to fire the gun. All subsequent shots are also fired single-action.

Double Action typically refers to an autoloader where the hammer is down for the first shot. It takes a longer pull, and usually heavier pull to fire the gun. After the first shot the weapon is fired from the cocked position. This means these guns have two distinct trigger pulls and actions.

Double Action only guns are similar to DA's, but after the first shot the hammer returns to the uncocked position. These have a uniform trigger pull as the hammer must move from the uncocked position for every trigger pull.

Then you have striker fired guns such as the glocks. The have no hammer at all, and have a uniform pull for each trigger pull.

[Sicksea]

Ok thanks for the info txinvestigator1 and Sparkchaser. In Single Action Autos, do you have to **** the gun after every shot or can you continue to shoot till you decock it?

[Sicksea]

Ok ignore my last question, I didn't see that it was already answered in txinvestigator1 reply.