[Bob79]

I just don't have very much faith in any auto-loaders due to my personal experience with them, and their poor reliability. Before I get told/asked what I was doing wrong, I have been shooting handguns for approx 7 years, and know how to properly maintain a handgun. Some malfunctioned more than others, especially the smaller or "pocket autos". I've fired or owned: Beretta 92F, Cougar, Tomcat: H&K USP: Sig P220: Kahr PM9: Seecamp: Kel-Tec P-3AT, P-32. The worst of the above was the Sig, Kahr, and Kel-Tecs. I do currently have a new Glock 23, which has approx 200-250 malfunction free rounds through it (knock on wood), and I have to own a auto-loader for work.

I currently own many more revolvers, and have owned others that I have sold. A good guess would be that I have fired some 3,000-4,000 rounds from autoloaders, and about 2,500 rounds from revolvers. I have only had one misfire from a revolver and that time the round was bad, so I just squeezed the trigger again, and it went bang. The SIG alone probably had about 10+ jams, the Cougar was at least 15+, and the Kel-Tecs I had lost count. The misfires in the other guns were much less, but each and every autoloader I've tried had at least 2 or 3 jams, and I usually put at least 200-300 rounds through every gun I've owned.

I know other people have had great success with autoloaders, but I just can't warm up to them. I've even had range personnel watch me several times, and I've never been told I'm doing something wrong like limp-wristing. I have had great success with S&W revolvers (and some Ruger too) and will only buy revolvers from now on. Its funny because semi-autos are more popular with almost everyone I know, even though I'm under 30, I just prefer the "outdated" wheelgun, especially 5-shot J-frames.

[scbair]

As an avid wheelgunner, "Nope!" I have NOT given up on semis. I think each has its place. As a pocket gun, I'm happiest with a snubnosed revolver. My 642 laughs at lint (and so does my NAA mini .22 WMR)!!

While I was once restricted to a revolver as a duty sidearm (and still have the slickest li'l Model 19 Combat Magnum ya ever saw!), I prefer either a 1911 or a BHP for "serious" carry. I can hit faster with either of these than with any revolver; If firing in very low light, I find .45 ACP and 9x19 ammo has lower muzzle flash, and these two pistols point more consistently and better (in my hands) than any revolver I've yet tried.

[mec]

What you are lacking is:
1. Blind Luck;
2. The gift that many autopistol users have for instantly, totally forgetting malfunctions right after they occur.
Ive given up on autopistols many times but currently have several colts in the various full sized 1911 varities. Once you get the extractor tensioned right, they have a strong tendency to be reliable with ball ammunition and carefully done reloads. I stick with those types of ammunition and stay with magazines from Colt, Metalform and The Wilson combats with the detachable floor plates.

[torpid]

I also got spooked a while back by a bad run of luck with semiautos and pump shotguns, and went with a nice straightforward wheelgun and a SxS shotgun for awhile.

But in my case, it was using a large variety of range pistols that were always pretty dirty that was the issue (the pump shotgun issue is all my fault, but it's a loading error that can totally jam up the action which occasionally occurs during hurried stress loading that still inspires me to rely on the simplicity of the coach gun).

Long story short, I prefer as many shots available as I can get, and though I like my snubby, I always feel like "I'm out?!!!" when I shoot it empty. So I got another semiauto and since I am very clean with my guns, and like to keep them well lubed where they like it (and dry where they don't) and it's not had a single jam and is pushing 1k rounds (a Taurus Mil Pro .45 to boot).

Since then I've had a range Kimber and Sig jam on me like crazy the last time I tried new range guns (dirty again). But my pal's Sig 229 runs like clockwork.

So cleanliness was the key issue in my personal "spooky semiautos" experiences. I'm not sure why you kept having a run of bad luck, but hey- revolvers are great! (I just like more capacity.) :)

.

[C-grunt]

Sometimes you will get a lemon gun, whether it be an auto or a wheelgun. My friend bought a Springfield XD that couldnt hit the broad side of a barn from inside, but instead of sending it back, he gave up on it and sold it for half the price he bought it for. Just because you have had some bad pistols, doesnt mean you should give up on all pistols.

[Vern Humphrey]

Cruise this site long enough and you'll see hundreds of revolver stoppages discussed -- "The transfer bar broke on my XXXX," "I fired two rounds from my ZZZZ and it locked up tight."

Quality guns well-maintained are reliable, regardless of method of operation. Small autopistols are, in my opinion, to be avoided because of the geometry issue -- the shorter the barrel, the steeper angle for a locked breech auto to unlock. Personally, I've carried and used both autos and revolvers and my preference is the M1911.

[wally]

No revolver will go half the number of rounds an autoloader will before needing a cleaning to repair fouling induced failures. In the field, it takes very little mud to stop a revolver which is a large reason why the worlds militaries have switched many years ago.

Add to the fact revolvers are generally harder to clean than an autoloader and I've pretty much given up on revolvers, although I do carry my SC-360 .357 J-Frame probably 45% of the time because it hides the best for a lot of the clothes I wear.

--wally.

[Ala Dan]

Surprised too see SIG's, Springfield XD's, and Kahr's on this list~!:eek:

In the early days of Seecamp's operations, I can understand them being
there; but improvements have been made. Kel-Tec's on the other hand,
or a "Hit or Miss" on QC; more so with the .32 caliber weapons than the
.380's.:uhoh: :D

BTW, No I haven't given up on auto loaders either. My Les Baer Thunder
Ranch 1911, Springer 1911's, Springer XD .45ACP, and 2x SIG's (P220A
and P228), and Seecamp LWS-32 have been 100% reliable; with all
types of ammo, including JHP's.

[PX15]

Nope..

Guess I'm just "lucky" but I have a couple of pistols that "so far" have been 100% reliable.

My Sig P239 (purchased new approximately 10+ years ago) has never burped.. It is always reliable and exceedingly accurate.. (More so than my old fart eyes, which is why it sports a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips).
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_4765.jpg

My S&W 3913 was purchased just before the Sig, and while it has not had the numbers and variety of ammo run thur it at this point it is still 100% reliable.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_5170.jpg


I'll admit I've had a pile of pistols that were not aways 100% reliable, but the two above have been perfect so far.

I would trust either one of them without reservation when it comes to reliability or accuracy..

Maybe I got the only 2 good ones? :D

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

[Red Tornado]

Don't give up on all autoloaders completely until you've tried a Makarov. These modern things may fail, :scrutiny: but when you get a Mak to fail, let us know how. ;)
RT

[AJAX22]

revolvers are nice and they are fun to shoot,

but I still like my autos for putting alot of firepower downrange. I can get 100 rounds off on target with my 1911 in 38 super in the same time I can get maby 36 off with my s&w 10.

I think youre problem with autos may be from straying from J.M. Browning Designs.

colt .32 or .380 pocket pistols just flat out work, never had a jam, NEVER and I've had two of them a 1943 and a 1903.

cheap ammo, shoebox ammo from garage sales, you name it I've shot it and they just don't FTF.

larger autos can be a little pickey about what they eat, some hollow points will stove pipe 1 in 100 or so in my 1911, but thats because of the feed ramp that I use, and with mild hollowpoints, winchester silvertips, or ball ammo it just works great.
And stovepipes can be cleared by racking the slide.

get an old browning design in good shape (not some high tech copy, but the real deal) try it out and then get back to us. Wheel guns are great, but don't write off a class of guns without trying the best of em.

[sm]

Nope.

Then again I feel NO firearm is a magic talisman. Be it revolver, semi-auto, single shot handgun...extends to rifles and shotguns no matter the make, model platform, caliber, guage.

For CCW, and serious:

I personally made MY preferences based on testing and gun fit too many years ago. These include OLDER 1911s, K frames for the most part.

I really mean it when I suggest folks buy the new offerings and trade in old stuff...I and others like me are selfish and want the older guns.

I hear the XD in a 9 works...get one of them...less money than a Sig, and you don't get dragged into Glock bashing.

P series always seemed to work...in both 9 and 45.

I don't do .40cal never have - never will.

Then again I would just as soon tote a 12 ga pump with slugs - if'n I could find a IWB that would work out...

[Backfired]

Well, I haven't sold any of my pistols but I don't have confidence in their reliability. It seems there are two types of pistol owners - those who have unreliable pistols and those who lie about their pistol's reliability. My S&Ws and Ruger revolvers are waaay more dependable than my Colt & Ruger pistols.

[Car Knocker]

It seems there are two types of pistol owners - those who have unreliable pistols and those who lie about their pistol's reliability.

The pistol I carry is utterly unreliable. I guess that makes me a liar according to you.

Your thought processes are faulty and deficient.

[Bob79]

What are the "Browning" designed pistols that you recommend?

Thanks.

[mec]

One of the things I do from time to time is qualify with both revolver and auto pistol. I show up with one revolver and two autos just in case.

[torpid]

It seems there are two types of pistol owners - those who have unreliable pistols and those who lie about their pistol's reliability.

It seems like this is an incredible overgeneralization.
:rolleyes:

[MCgunner]

I'm quite sorry, but no lies, the autos I've kept for defense are of the flawless function category. I do keep 'em clean and lubed and I do rotate magazines with regularity. They do require more attention in my experience. I have owned jammamatics. I was able to make all, but one function eventually. The one was a Beretta .22 short jetfire. I gave up on that one and sold it. I have a Kel Tec and two P series Rugers, that haven't jammed on anything I've tried in them. I have a Grendel P12 .380 ACP that is flawless with what it likes. The only ammo that's burped in it is Winchester's white box flat nose TMJ with the exposed lead flat tip. It will hang once in a while on the feed ramp and require a bump at the back of the slide. With carry ammo, no problems at all. .22 rimfire is very iffy and I would never carry .22 for anything serious and especially in an autoloader.

I love my revolvers, but I have to admit MY autos are just as reliable. Revolvers have advantages, of course. They don't have to worry about feeding, so can shoot any profile bullet. If you get a dud primer, you just pull the trigger and a fresh round is under the hammer, no tap/rack/bang. But, how often does that happen with good ammo, like never?

I own more revolvers than autos because I like revolvers, but I can't say I prefer 'em for defense. I like that little Kel Tec P11 in my pocket, thousands and thousands of trouble free rounds through that thing, not a problem. And, when I need a reload, if I need a reload (11 rounds), I don't have to fumble with speed loaders.

I've owned two 1911s, one of which would NOT function with any, but ball. The other would function with round nose 220 grain lead bullets or a 200 grain SWC I cast, but some short hollow points of the 180 to 200 grain variety were a no go. 1911s seem to be more choosy about ammo than my Rugers. My P90 will feed anything, even an empty case, I've tried it! It is so reliable it's scary. I trust it like I do a good .357 K frame. Weird thing, too, that P90 shoots about any bullet I've fed it acceptably. Some are down right target accurate, all are combat accurate. And, all the loads I've fired in it seem to shoot very close to, if not at POA. It is the most un-picky handgun far as load goes that I've ever seen. A soft ball load will jam it with the spring I've got in it, but I don't have it set up for bullseye. I shoot standard to combat power loads in it.

Autos take more attention and more understanding of the workings of the gun than do revolvers. I do think revolvers are best for the non-gun person or new shooter.

[George Hill]

Well, I guess it's true... you can't limp wrist a Revolver.




:neener:
Teasing ya.

[Vern Humphrey]

Well, I guess it's true... you can't limp wrist a Revolver.

Well, you can. But if you do it with one of my .45 Colt loads, you'll wind up with the front sight embedded in your skull.:D

[critrxdoc]

I too like revolvers, but 6 just is not enough for me. I had a S&W 9mm that was pretty reliable, but I may have forgotten some of the stoves as you alluded too. I noticed there were no glocks in your list, and that is why I have abonded auto except for glocks. I was fortunate to like the glocks, and be able to shoot them exceedingly well. I know that there are auto's that are reliable but you are taking your chances. I know guys and have heard about a lot of folks that spend $1500 on a Kimber only to send it back, and back, and back.

I have a G-17 that I have about 3000 rounds with no hiccups, and a G-20 with about 500 rounds flawlessly. The only time I have got the G-20 to jam is when I am cheating and using it to shoot 40s that are too short. I certainly cannot blame you for wanting to resort the wheelie.:)

[10-Ring]

To each his own...
I was primarily a semi auto guy for A LONG time. When I finally learned to shoot DA properly, I developed an appreciation for a nice wheelgun. I'm still heavy semi autos but if a good deal on a nice wheelgun pops up, I'm more than interested.
PS...I have a USP 45, USP 9, & a Beretta 92fs with 5000 rounds plus through each...the USP 45 w/ many many many more than that w/o a hiccup....and a relatively new Glock 19 w/ 2000 rounds through it. To bad you have found so many poor performers :( :o

[Andrew S]

Have you had anyone else shoot these guns that you have had problems with?

Have you tried different ammo?

What is your cleaning/lubing procedure?

I gaurantee there is either something wrong on your end or with the ammo you are using. 200-300 rounds isnt really a lot of break in time either. I wouldnt give up on a gun until I put at least 5 different types of ammo through it and at least 500 rounds to give it a good break in.

[AJAX22]

Browning designed most of the successfull pistols that were available at the turn of the century,

Colt Woodsman
Colt Model 1897
FN Browning M1899/M1900
Colt Model 1900
Colt Model 1902
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer (.38 ACP)
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless (.32 ACP)
Colt Model 1905 (1st .45 ACP)
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket (.25 ACP)
Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless (.380 ACP)
FN Model 1910
The Browning Hi-Power, the last firearm Browning developed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Browning#Firearms


I've been suprised to note that browning had a hand in designing just about every long gun I've fallen in love with.
Ithaca 37
Stevens 520
Winchester 1897
Auto 5 shotgun
Winchester Model 1887 lever-action repeating shotgun

and all manner of other rifle designs.

he even invented some of the cartridges that we take for granted today

.25 ACP
.32 ACP
.38 ACP
9mm Browning Long
.380 ACP
.45 ACP
.50 BMG

we owe mauser and browning for most of the well made firearms that we enjoy today. most of the rest are poorly imitated variations on the themes they came up with. (not trying to pick a fight with new gun guys, everything has its place, but we all have to pay hommage to the greats)

If you want to feel a solid reliable gun in your hands, buy an older browning design take care of it and it will take care of you. you will NOT be disappointed.

[MCgunner]

To each his own...
I was primarily a semi auto guy for A LONG time. When I finally learned to shoot DA properly, I developed an appreciation for a nice wheelgun. I'm still heavy semi autos but if a good deal on a nice wheelgun pops up, I'm more than interested.

Oh, hey, don't miss-understand me. I love revolvers, own more of 'em than autos. The DA pulls on my two taurus revolvers are delightfully smooth and my M10 is almost as good. The Rossis are a bit of a chore, but hey, if you train DA on a Rossi, a Smith or Taurus is a piece of cake, LOL! I carry revolvers a lot, but mostly when I'm outdoors. If I'm going to the big city, I want lots of 9mm firepower. :D Around here, no problems at all carrying a J frame size five shot gun. Ultimately, I'd be packing my .45 with spare mags, but it's a bit bulky and heavy for summer or all day wear. I would NOT be particularly worried about my firearm choice carrying a K frame .357 magnum 4" barrel, either. :evil: Just all depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing as to my carry choice. The one thing they all have in common is DA, at least for the first shot. That makes cross training easier for me.

[gryphon]

I've given up on revolvers from the standpoint that I cannot shoot them worth a darn.

I have a few "trust my life" autoloaders and I shoot them like nobodys business. A revolver that goes bang every time and I miss the target does me no good.

[Surefire]

I've never experienced a malfunction with a Sig or Beretta. And I've only had a few malfunctions with Glocks. I feel very safe with a Sig or Beretta. I feel reasonably safe with a Glock.

The king of malfunctions has been the Colt 1911s and S&W double-action autoloaders that I've owned. These pistols seem to fail more than they actually work, which is why I'm not going back to them anytime soon.


OTOH, I've had ZERO malfunctions with revolvers. While some of my revolvers have had severe out-of-box problems, none have actually failed me in the field.

I think semi-autos are more likely to have malfunctions from user error and underloaded ammo (or bullet shape), but are easy to clear.

Revolvers have fewer malfunctions, but the kind they do have are hard to fix in the field.

Personally, I prefer revolvers, but I use and respect both types of handguns.

[CZF]

I've actually given up on DA revolvers, too. when I was a young cop I wanted to carry a .45 auto. years later I did then we went to SIGs. I was 'satisfied' until I shot my first CZ75. Numerous 9mm/40/45s and 10mms of most brands have followed.

The DA revolvers have been very few after my bad experience(s) and with
my Fianc'e having some interest in a Snubby. We bought a NIB Sp-101.
She carried it around for a few days, and went back to her Glock 19.

Basically, an unfired Sp-101 38+P with trigger job, tritium sight and Bianchi holster. A dandy setup for the Revolver guy and CCW.


However, my 9mm RAMI is about the same size and holds twice as many PowRballs, than the Ruger does.


For me; Revolvers are simple and durable. Also heavy and slow to reload.
I also shoot autos far better than any revolver.

I'll stick with my .45 Colt old model Vaquero for my revolver needs:)

http://www.hunt101.com/img/401268.JPG

[Croyance]

Having a variety of semi-autos go through my hands, including ones Bob79 listed, I can say that I have never had a problem with a centerfire semi-auto.
Rather than having a total of 4000 rounds through them as a group, some have had that many through them individually.
There was only one semi-auto I had a problem with - the .22LR Buckmark. I gather when there is a deep indentation on the rim of a round and it doesn't go off, it is a primer problem. Those worked when I re-chambered though.

[JohnKSa]

Here is my complete list of malfunctions with centerfire autopistols I have owned.

Several failures to chamber with S&B 9mm ammunition in a Ruger KP89DC. The rounds appeared to be oversized (or perhaps the chamber undersized although the gun never malfunctioned with any other ammunition.) and wouldn't fit into the chamber. About one in five rounds from that box of ammuntion wouldn't chamber. No other failures with this gun or the other two KP89DC pistols I have owned. (I no longer own this pistol.)

Two failures to extract using WWB 9mm in a H&K USP. Both failures happened with ammunition from the same box. Both cases were stuck in the chamber but easily extracted when the slide was dropped on the empties in the chamber and pulled back. This happened during a match and another shooter was using the gun. I didn't get to inspect the cases closely to see if they were defective. No other failures of any kind with this gun before or since. (I still own this pistol.)

Before we got married, my wife bought a Mustang +II Colt .380. She reports that she had 5 or less stovepipes with the pistol and feels that the problems may have been due to health issues she was having at the time that resulted in extremely low hand strength. (Still own this pistol.)

Two stovepipes with a Beretta PX4 using Blazer 9mm ammunition. Both failures happened with ammunition from the same box and in the first 30-50 rounds fired with the gun. Both happened with the second to last round out of the magazine. The shooter admitted to having a very loose grip. I took this gun directly from the store to the range without doing any sort maintenance--normally I clean a gun before shooting it. No failures since. I plan to shoot it again this weekend and will report. (Still own this pistol.)

A few malfunctions with an EAA Witness in .45ACP. I don't recall the ammunition--it may have been Fiocchi. The malfunctions began when I went to a heavier recoil spring and stopped when I switched back to factory weight. (Traded this pistol for...)

...a Ruger P97DC came from the factory with a defective part resulting in misfires. After that was fixed, I had some stovepipes. With any sort of a loose grip the gun would stovepipe occasionally and tended to throw empties straight back now and then. With a firm grip it was perfectly reliable and threw the empties to the side. (I no longer own this pistol.)

I currently own 18 semi-autos including the following makes: Ruger, Beretta, Colt, Walther, CZ, Lahti, Glock, H&K, Kel-Tec. I have owned probably another 30 or so semi-autos in my lifetime and these are the only malfunctions I (or anyone shooting my guns) have had using guns I own.

As you can see, of the 18 semi-autos I currently own, only three have ever malfunctioned and the total number of malfunctions between the three pistols is that have had jams is less than 10.

And here's the kicker. All of the jams in guns I still own were with shooters other than me. I don't currently own a centerfire pistol that has malfunctioned while I was shooting it.

[denfoote]

I have not given up on bottom feeders. However, I have a tendency to vacillate between them and wheelguns!!! :eek:

[9mmluger]

I gave up on automatics for a while. I had a bad experience wit a springfield 1911. got a Ss&W 620. i like it a lot. but i still wanted an auto so I got a sig 226 40S&W. very reliable and acurate. I like both, but i still prefer the revolver.

[usp9]

I like my automatics...mostly. Some are better than others, but the only gun that ever broke on me was a revolver. A Charter Arms 38 special. It was fat, heavy, hard to conceal, and beat the crap out of my hand. No thanks. I can put 200-300 rounds through my USP easily...something I'd never do with a wheel gun.

[Nail Shooter]

I've had good luck with my semi's--ESPECIALLY THE SIGS, Glocks a close second. My P228 is flawless so far, thousands of rounds--reliable as the atomic clock.
Well, I DID have one semi (Colt) that jammed a little too often, it's gone--only gun I ever sold. Sure was a good lookin' piece, but I won't keep a gun that I wouldn't stake my life on in a dicey situation.
Thru all the years I've been shooting, there have been a couple of times revo's have tightened up on me from crud or spit lead. They are by no means immune to "failure", but I never had a revo break.

NS

[Rob1035]

since I shoot glock 9mm, no, I haven't lost faith in autos. I like my 642 and M10, but the 26 is on my hip as opposed to something else.

[baz]

I've only been shooting since the beginning of this year. I bought a revolver (Taurus 605) and a autoloader (Taurus PT24/7 in 9mm) at the same time. Three weeks out of four, I get to the range, where I shoot 30-50 rounds through the revolver, and 120-150 rounds through the autoloader. Except for two FTF's out of the first 30 rounds in the autoloader, I've not had a single misfeed in what is now probably approaching 1500 rounds.

The revolver is my carry weapon, simply because it carries and conceals better, and I'm comfortable with it. But I have no complaints about the reliability of the autoloader ("knock on wood").

[dmallind]

Nope - I gave up on wheelguns. Don't like the long DAO triggers or manual cocking each time. Don't like the ergonomics of hanging off the back of the gun. Don't like the sextupled cleaning time. Like the looks. Like the idea, just don't do well enough with them (and DO do well enough with semi's) to be tempted again. All subjective of course, but valid for me of course.

And of my list below the only guns that have ever malfunctioned in any way are the Dan Wesson which needed a couple trips to get extraction issues fixed and is now 100%, and one FTF in a speed-fire drill on the SW which was doubtless my fault. EB, RIA (hardball only though) both Glocks and the Kahr have been 100%. For Glocks especially I think most people will agree that's the norm not the exception. Probably for the Ed Brown too.

[johnyoung]

I own autoloaders in all the common calibers. With the exception of one of my .45s I've had pretty good luck with the pistols. The .45 with the problems is the one that cost the most. I had to shim the magazines to keep them from falling out while shooting. I had to grind the indent in the slide stop deeper to stop it from engaging at the wrong times. Failures to feed are few and far between but they do occur. Here's the best one. It actually stovepiped a live round, bullet end up! How is this even possible? The stovepipe happened six rounds into a 12 round mag. Have any of you readers ever experienced this? I will not disclose the manufacturer of this pistol but will say that it is not American made.

[mec]

This one functions with hard ball and the soft ball load I used today. Most other things hang up but that's ok with me. I'm not a gifted autopistol shot but this is what happened today- luck involved:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=40317&stc=1&d=1148407542

[GunFixer]

I have had really good luck with my autos. I used to reload all the time till I sold all of my reloading equipment. Even when I was reloading I had really good luck with them. The only exception was a .45 that I made. I built it on a Norinco (when they were still available) That had some feeding issues until I throated the chamber.

[Juna]

I've fired or owned: Beretta 92F, Cougar, Tomcat: H&K USP: Sig P220: Kahr PM9: Seecamp: Kel-Tec P-3AT, P-32.

Bob97-

Easy solution--SEND THESE 'problem pistols' TO ME! I'd be happy to take that bothersome USP or Sig P220 off your hands. :D Or even your unreliable KelTecs. Heck, I'd take any of them. Since they're just paperweights in your collection, you wouldn't mind, would ya? ;) :D

Perhaps you should get yourself a CZ 75. :)

[orionengnr]

I only owned one autoloader that was junk, a real Colt 1911 (not A1, don't know how old it was but probably older than me) that would only feed ball ammo. Sold it, 20 years ago.

since then. I've owned quite a few semi-autos. The only problems have been:
--a P7 that didn't like reloads but would function fine with any factory ammo.
--a Para C6 (3" barrel) that needed a trip back to TN (if I'd known how to tune an extractor, could have saved myself about $50)
--A Charles Daly 1911 (3 1/2" barrel) that taught me how to tune extractors, no big deal

and a whole bunch of others (including at least two more 3 or 3 1/2" 1911s and a Kahr PM9) that work flawlessly. If I sell it, it's probably because I want something else...not because it doesn't work.

BTW, since I bought the Kahr, my revolvers sit in the safe.

"Anyone else given up on revolvers?"

Not exactly, but I shoot my Kahr with 6+1 of 127 gr 9mm+p+ Ranger SXT better than my five-rounds of 357 in my 340PD. Follow-up shots are quicker and better, reload is a bunch quicker...and my Kahr has no Integral Lock to fail and lock-up the action :)

[Black Majik]

All my current semi-auto's have been perfectly reliable. So, nope... I haven't given up on autoloaders yet. And I never will.

I've given up on wheel guns though, mainly cuz I can't shoot them for beans. :D

[dakota1911]

Nope.

Have both. Shoot both. Enjoy shooting both. Have single action and double action in both.

It depends on what I feel like shooting. One day my wonderful S&W 625 and the next day my equally excellent S&W 945. Another day my lovely Colt Python or one of my trusty Gold Cups.

I still have a Colt Gov. I bought new in 1974, carried for years, and have put about 21 thousand rounds through. I have had target pistols and revolvers that I have put many thousands of rounds through. With enough rounds I have never had a gun that is 100% but mine generally go bang 99.9+% of the time.

More recently I carried a Defender-90. I replaced that with a S&W 1911Sc (Commander size). When I get more rounds through my Colt Commander XSE LW I will probably carry it.

I am sorry to hear about your luck. Have you looked up to be sure there isn't a little black cloud over your head?

[..]

It's either you are you've just had a string of bad luck. I've yet to own a semi that wasn't reliable. I'll never give up on semis. Some revolvers are cool to look at, but I just don't care to shoot them nor like their low capacity.

[ball3006]

work on your wrist strength. Sounds like you are "limp wristing" your shots. I have shot most of the guns you list with ZERO malfunctions.........chris3

[sgt127]

I think I have figured out why its seems Autos jam more frequently than revolvers. This has been rather a revelation for me. We'll see if other agree. I have been shooting for well over 20 years now. Both autos and revolvers and its eems to me that revolvers are more reliable than auto's.

The odds are that if you pick up a revolver, load it and pull the trigger six times, it will go bang six times. All well and good. Think back on how many times you have been loading a revolver and a case didn't look quite right. Bulged a little, primer was in crooked, whatever. You didn't load that round.
On the last round of a string of fire, you noticed that the trigger was getting a little heavy. Stopped what you were doing, scrubbed the face of the cylinder and went about shooting. Trigger pull got heavy, cleaned out under the extractor star. A round of .357 wouldn't chamber, you scrubbed out the ring of crud from the 300 .38's you had just fired and, you're back in business.
In other words, you were one or two rounds away from a "jam" but, you corrected it and kept shooting.

On an auto, every time there is a prioblem, its right in the middle of a string of fire. It stands out in your mind. You remember going Bang..Bang...Bang..Jam. And THEN you dealt with the problem, but, all you remember is that the gun jammed while you were shooting it. That slightly oversized round went into the magazine without a problem, but wouldn't chamber when you were shooting and you had a stoppage. With the revolver, you loaded that round by hand, felt that it wouldn't seat and discarded it. The revolver, loaded with six perfect rounds, went bang six times. The auto, jammed in the middle of a string.

So, I think perhaps more often, we remember the auto jams because the gun quit working while we were actually shooting it as opposed to the revolver that we corrected the jam just before it actually occured, but, it too would have jammed had we not fixed the problem when we did.

Does that make any sense? I think a quality gun, with proper maintanance and good ammo is about as reliable as anything manufactured by man..

[C-grunt]

I think sgt127 has a good point.

I have a Glock23 and I had a G22. My father has a G22 and has a G17. My best friend has a G22 and a G27. his friend has a G27. another friend has a G17. Thats eight pistols by different owners and a couple....the G27s...are very small pistols. Total ammo consumed.........:confused: I dont know.........at least 30,000 rounds. Malfunctions...........0! By the way, we're Glock fans.:D

I did have a Springfield 1911 jam on me once. A friend of mine put a .40 through it and the case split and had to be pulled out with a Gerber tool. The round hit the target 25 yards away too.

[Pietro Beretta]

Out of all my firearms, the only one that has never faild me for any reason, EVER is my CZ.

Thats right my: HK USP Compact,Colt 1911,Springfield Armory XD40 Sub-C, Beretta, Hi-Point(lol) Have all faild, more than once. Sure it could have been a limp wrist shot.... still all have had some kind of malfunction.

However my CZ 75 Compact, has never had a single problem, EVER.

[Supertac45]

Why spend $1500 on a Kimber that's MIM and made all over when you get get a Les Baer for that.

[Big Gay Al]

Well, I've always liked auto-loaders. Probably always will. And I've been shooting handguns for over 30 years. I've had auto loaders that were problems. I've also had a few revolvers that had problems. I remember one S&W that had a bad timing problem. Led to spalling which was not good.

For me, if I can't fix it, or get it fixed, it's gone. Of the 8 handguns I currently own, 2 are revolvers, the rest are auto-loaders. And one of the revolvers is a cap & ball replica!

[Chuck R.]

Nope, I haven’t given up on autos either, although I do stray from time to time. Right now I’ve got 6 revolvers and 5 autos.

I went through a period when I was shooting CAS that all I shot was my two Colt SAAs. I don’t have any idea how many 1000s of rounds I’ve put through them. I also have a 6” Python that’s hit about the 20K mark in the 19 years I’ve owned it, gun is still as tight as when I bought it. It’s now my wife’s range gun, but I still shoot it regularly, especially on days when I don’t feel like picking up brass, so much for fragile Colt lockwork.

My SIG 220ST has proven reliable so far with both Golden Sabers and 200 grain SWCs. My Les Baer is fast approaching the 7K mark on a steady diet of SWCs and since swapping out my Wilsons for Tripp mags 6000 rounds ago hasn’t so much as hiccuped. This gun has led me back to the 1911 design and makes me feel sorry for the guys that have never owned a good one. I finally detail cleaned it on Wednesday for the first time since picking it up last July. Not too bad for a pistol that some think was built too tight.

I think both revolvers and autos have their place. I’d hate to think it could happen, but IF I could only have one, it’s would probably be the Python. I’d hate to spend the rest of my life picking up brass.

Chuck

[wheelgunslinger]

Well, kinda.
After my fandango with an early production p345 ruger, I went back to revolvers only. but, after some personal evolution, I have realized that I really need to learn how to make a pistol work for me since I don't wish to be an anachronism.
So, I'm hunting for a polymer pistol that shoots a big round, like the XD .45.

[bowfin]

Torpid,

I have a question about this comment:

/*the pump shotgun issue is all my fault, but it's a loading error that can totally jam up the action*/

I have had something like this happen twice while using a Remington 870. The shell somehow ended up behind the bolt. What make and model of shotgun were you using?

Sorry to jump offtopic.:o

[jaycee]

Anyone else give up on autoloaders?

Probably some people who haven't used a CZ .. :)

[Grunt]

Odd, I have several Glocks, HKs, Sigs, and a host of other semi-autos that have been trouble free. However, I've had an old Model 10 that had timing problems and still have the 586 that has had the cylinder stick a time or two that necessitated tapping the cylinder open with a mallet. The Model 10 went down the road and while I still have the 586, it's NOT a defensive firearm.

[Black Snowman]

I have a Glock 24P I bought new when I turned 21 and have never had a malf that I couldn't directly attribute to operator error or bad ammo (mostly testing new reloads). I lost track of how much I shot through it around 7000 rounds. That was a few years ago, but I don't shoot it as much as I used to.

I wish I could say all my autos were that trustworthy but they've all had their ups and downs. My Colt Delta Elite was the worst gun I've ever owned when I first got it. Fortunately I bought it as a project and planned to do a lot of work on it. After correcting Colt's engineering mistakes and getting the tolerances in spec it's now a really nice shooter and reliable with good ammo.

I have fewer problems with revolvers than I do autos. They seem to do a better job of digesting slightly out of spec ammo. I used to own nothing but autos for a long time. But got hooked on the moon clip concept a while back and like not having to pick up brass when just target shooting. So my revolver collection has been growing of late.

I'd say revolvers are definately more of a sure thing but they also have a number of drawbacks. In civilian CCW, I think a revolver is a better bet if you can conceal it. But I'd rather have my Kel-Tec P3AT with me than nothing dispite it's occasional feed issues. There's something to be said for a thin light gun for pocket carry.

[Overman]

Five or six (or seven) out of a revolver is more than enough for 99% of defensive situations. If I was SWAT or something, I'd want double columns and stuff. As it stands, I'm just a citizen, I just want it to go 'bang' without thinking, "is the safety on? is one in the chamber?"

Semi's are great for cops and military. For offensive uses. I like them at the range. I have my share. But when I go to conceal carry in my humble life, it's a wheel gun I pack. "Six for sure", as they say.

[DHart]

I've had a couple of auto loaders (Kimber & Springfield 1911's) that have been exasperating to try to make reliable... but my experience with over 20 new Colt 1911's in the last few years has shown me that Colt 1911's are typically stone reliable. I have a lot of S&W revos that would make very nice defense guns, but I still keep coming back to my Glock 29 and my Colt 1911's, which have been solid performers and much better shooters compared to revos.

[SAWBONES]

Anybody who "gives up on autoloaders" must not have owned any reliable examples. I too like revolvers, but not because my semiautos are less reliable.

I've had a bunch that were actually MORE reliable than good revolvers.
No man made machine is perfect, and most semiautomatic pistols DO operate within a narrower range of mechanical constraints than some (at least double action) revolvers, but within those constraints, which include cartridge characteristics and spring powers, they can be thoroughly reliable.

[longeyes]

I have a couple of J-frames I wouldn't part with but in general I much prefer semi-autos, for the simple reason that I just shoot much better with them. Of course you are well-advised to buy good brands known for reliability. It's my view, also, that in today's world you are better off in terms of self-defense with a high-capacity weapon that can be quickly reloaded.

[kbheiner7]

I've never understood this sentiment. :confused:

I like wheel guns fine and have owned my share, but I think it's silly for anyone to dismiss the qualities of an auto in terms of self defense.

I'm not sure where the unreliability ghosts come from. I keep my guns clean and shoot factory ammo vs. hand loads and have no problems with any of my autos of various makes and configurations.

[PX15]

Baseball bats are 100% reliable..

But if a guy came at me with a baseball bat I would just shoot him with one of my autoloaders...

I'm willing to gamble his 100% reliable baseball bat against my Sig P239 which has NEVER failed in any respect in over 10 years..

But that's just me. :rolleyes:

JMOFO

JP

[jaycee]

I keep my guns clean and shoot factory ammo
Ditto..!

I have a fairly well established routine with any gun I shoot ...
If I shoot it... I clean it.

After a typical trip to the range where I might put a couple dozen rounds through the rifles and a couple of hundred through the Handgun. I come home and I will probably make a coffee , but after that the guns get cleaned and put away.. Then I can wash up and eat. But not before .

I was brought up to do it like that and see no good cause to change .
I have yet to have a problem with any of my guns.

(Actually , to be correct .. I did buy a s/h U and O shotgun that was a lemon , the guy I bought it from took it back a couple of weeks later ..I bought a new one of the same make ..ever since ..no probs. )

[Johnny Guest]

And, I note, 9mmluger, the thread starter, hasn't even been back to look at the replies since the day after made the second of his whole two posts.

Perhaps we just don't interest him. :rolleyes:

Johnny