[kmrcstintn]

I'm caught in a bit of a pickle...I am a wheelie fan & own several (see list below) and I am really trying to see the other side of life (aka: semiautomaticville); I keep hearing from friend and stranger alike that to be 'balanced' I need to have a wheelie and a semiauto to 'cover my bases'

wheelie list:

Ruger GP100; stainless; 6" barrel; .357 magnum; woods, hunting, range, occasional home defense

Ruger SP101; stainless; 3" barrel; .357 magnum; woods, car defense, home defense, range

Smith & Wesson 642; stainless; 1 7/8" barrel; .38 spl +p; ccw, secondary home defense

***magnums get loaded with decent .38 spl +p hollowpoints for home defense

semiauto list:

Beretta 92D Centurion; 4.3" barrel; 9mm parabellum; range, occasional home defense, occasional car defense

what I seek:

Ruger Redhawk; stainless; 4" barrel; .44 magnum; woods, home defense, range

***Redhawk would get loaded with decent .44 spl hollowpoints for home defense

I like the Beretta, but I sell/trade the semiatuos more often than the wheelies; the Beretta would be traded on the Redhawk due to limited funding...

can I buck advice and be 'balanced' with just wheelies in the handgun portion of the collection?!?

[RevolvingCylinder]

can I buck advice and be 'balanced' with just wheelies in the handgun portion of the collection?!?
Certainly. You don't need an automatic. The DA revolver works as well as it ever has. Go with what you like. Don't be afraid to be an individual.

[velojym]

Someone who can shoot well with a revolver is much better equipped than a guy who merely 'owns' a high-zoot semiauto.
I'd not feel undergunned if I were out in the world carrying my wife's GP100, though I am quite fond of my XD45.

[ArchAngelCD]

I see no reason for you to feel poorly equipped when carrying your S&W M642 loaded with Speer Gold Dot 135 gr Short Barrel ammo.

My carry gun is a S&W M638. Sometimes I carry a Kel-Tec P-32 (in 7.65mm Browning)

[Nematocyst]

Can I buck advice and be 'balanced' with just wheelies in the handgun portion of the collection?!?IMO, unequivocally yes.

The key, IMO, is to get to know those wheels better than the back of your hand.
(I mean, really, how many here know the back of your hand?)

I sold my only semi-auto recently -
a very sweet Kahr k-9 -
so that I could buy more wheels.

My next wheel? Undecided,
but most like either
a SW 60 3" or 683 2.5".

Levers, pumps & wheels.

And don't forget the 'hawks (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=31).

Nem

[G95]

i see no real advantage to an auto-pistol over a revolver for a private citizen, even an autos extra capacity is in my opinion a double edged sword, we are all preparing for what we envision as the most likely self defense scenario and what i fear the most is an encounter that happens so close and so fast that i wont be able to draw, aim, and get off all five rounds i have in a snub-nose revolver, let alone a 16+ round auto-pistol which in the second weapon would just leave the possibility of losing control of 10+ rounds

basically if i cant stop the threat with five i would rather my weapon be empty

which is why i usually carry 1 or 2 442's, with my hands in my pockets so if need be i dont even have to draw, i feel very well equipped

[tbtrout]

If you are competant with what you have, then you are more well balanced then a lot of folks already. If you want a semi than buy one, there is nothing wrong with expanding your horizons.

[hagar]

Wheelgun in the car, and an AR15 in the trunk, and you will do fine!:D

[Trebor]

Own what you like. Don't worry about what other's think. If you like revolvers, shoot revolvers.

[Vern Humphrey]

What you're missing is a good .22 revolver. I'm a Colt man, and if you shop Gunsamerica.com and other sites you can often find a Colt Officers Model Target (which is what I have) or comparabe revolver at a good price.

I understand there is a company called "Smith and Something-or-other" than makes revolvers, too.:p

[ACP230]

Revolvers are good to have around.
I have both round and square guns but most often depend on a couple of J-frame Bodyguards for personal protection.

After spraining my left wrist recently in the middle of the auto stage of a PPC type match I found revolvers much easier to manage.
The injury lasted about two weeks and working auto pistol slides was difficult and painful the whole time.

[Zundfolge]

IIRC Col Cooper said; "Beware the man with only one gun for he will know how to use it!" (or something like that).


I prefer autos for carry because of thinness and capacity, but I would feel "more armed" with a .357mag, .45colt, .44spl or .44mag than I do with my Kahr MK9.


Wheelgun in the car, and an AR15 in the trunk, and you will do fine!
Good point, handguns are just handguns. You ever find you need your CCW piece and you're going to wish it was a 12ga no mattter what caliber it is.





Seriously though, one of the most important aspects of self defense shooting is that you have confidence in your abilities and equipment. If you're not comfortable with an auto than you're not likely to perform as well with it. If you're confident in your ability to use the wheelgun, don't let someone talk you out of it.

The only time your revolver becomes a major liability is if you're engaging multiple targets, but honestly even if you had a Glock 20 loaded 15+1 with real hot 10mm, you're still at a major disadvantage engaging multiple targets.

[Nematocyst]

You ever find you need your CCW piece and
you're going to wish it was a 12ga no matter what caliber it is.Amen.

[mavracer]

you can do just about anything you would want to do with a handgun with a 4" 357 revolver. your collection is fine. adding a redhawk 44 would round off the big end, if you added a 617 22lr you would have all bases covered.:D

[Nematocyst]

Not to hijack the thread :uhoh: but I'm wondering ...

if you added a 617 22lr you would have all bases covered.What do you think about the 317 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=14742&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=)?

I definitely want a .22 LR revolver (though it won't be soon unfortunately),
and the 617 is on my consideration list. But it seems so heavy for a .22.

The 317 is an airweight. Yes, 3" instead of 4", but still ...

[mavracer]

do they make a 317 with 4" and no hivis sights. wife has 60 with hivis they're great for social work but not for precision. which IMO is what a 22 is for.

[crebralfix]

The problem with revolvers is capacity, reload speed, and the difficulty in mastering gun manipulation skills. Manipulation skills include reloading, clearing jams, one handed reloads, and so forth. You must be able to perform these actions while moving quickly. Jerry Miculek can shoot and reload fast...but can he do it on the run under incoming fire? Can you? If you decide to go with a revolver, practice ALL your reloads while moving (start slow and work up to full speed). It's very difficult and I can barely do it *reliably* at walking speed.

In terms of fighting, the lack of external safety is an advantage in a close range fight (three yards or less). You will need to move with alacrity in order to dodge your enemy's aim ("get off the X"). However, five, six, seven, or eight shots go VERY quickly. In these close range situations, you will have little time to aim and you may find yourself in contact with your enemy. Misses or peripheral hits will happen. You will probably shoot 'til "the click" and you'd better be able reload while running, getting punched or kicked, and so forth.

One way to practice is to work with a partner. Manipulate your gun...dry fire, reload, etc while moving and while your practice partner does things to you...like shake you, grab your arm, strike at your face, etc. Believe me, life is 100% more difficult under these circumstances.

I also recommend that you try force on force scenarios using Airsoft. I believe revolvers are available.

[skeeter1]

I am a wheelie fan & own several (see list below) and I am really trying to see the other side of life (aka: semiautomaticville)

I'm a wheelgunner for the most part myself. I have one semi-auto which is great fun at the farm or the range, but when things get serious, I'd rather have one of the revolvers.

[Feanaro]

A revolver won't take you as far as an auto-chucker in IPSC or the like. Otherwise, you can cover all the bases with revolvers. Though I don't know why you'd want to deprive yourself in such a manner. :D

[tinygnat219]

There's nothing wrong with pullin' a wheelie! Great reliable guns. Notice that the J-Frame is a favorite among Concealed Carry purchases?

[glockman19]

good list, I'd add:

Revolver:
686+ I like the trigger more than the Rugers you list but like them both. I would only get Ruger or S&W revolvers.

Semi-Auto:

1911's Kimber all the way. You can't go wrong. Want to pay more get a Ed Browh or Les Baer. Want a little less expensive go Colt or Springfield

otherwise ANY glock. They're completeley reilable and can be abused and still shoot straight. Any caliber is great. IMO The best Glocks are the 9mm 26, 19, 17. But I'd get any of them as a matter of fact I have. and will get more in each caliber & size.

Don't forget to round out your collection with good HD shotgun I like Remington 870's many here do also.

Rifles:

A-Bolt, Remington in 7mm mag, 30-06 or .308.

Semi-Auto, AK if you can, If not M1A Springfield or Fulton. If you have to get an AR get a Rock River or armilite, maybe a bushmaster.

[DrLaw]

If you can hit with it, then you are probably well off.

If you can't, then you need to practice.

If you can hit with a semi-auto, then you are probably well off.

If you can't, then you need to practice.

Otherwise, if a bullet comes out the dangerous end when you shoot it, you are going to be well off no matter what the gun, and there is no real reason whatsoever to feel that you have to have a 'balanced' collection.

Bottom line. You use what you are comfortable and good at using and don't listen to anybody that tells you what you need.

The Doc is out now. :cool:

(PS. And very comfortable with his revolvers that he learned how to draw fast and shoot faster, and not shoot when he did not have to, and which stopped a shotgun-wielding man who saw the revolver pointed at his belly, no shooting needed. ;) )

[Dienekes]

I like them. I sort of reversed the process somewhat when I carried a .45 auto plainclothes back in the late 70s. An aspiring management weenie took it to legal and "the powers" decided that it was a bad idea (from their perspective). So I went to a 4" DA .357 for the rest of my career, with the notion that if that was my duty piece I was going to get good with it. As an instructor I had both the opportunity and the obligation to do so.

Fifteen years later when Glocks and SIGs were authorized I had no real desire or need to switch and stayed with what I knew and liked. Owned and used both but never found them to suit me as well. And in spite of all the claims, never found either as stone reliable either. Both went down the road.

Cut my teeth on the 1911 and still like them better than any other semiautos out there--but it's not an issue. I suppose if I were doing high speed, low drag stuff I would opt for a good 1911, but it would be secondary to a proper long gun anyway.

So don't feel like you have to own a bunch of those, too. There really is such a thing as "too many guns" if you want to get really good.

[GunNut]

Either or both are great.

Most of us have a good selection of both wheel guns and semi-auto handguns.

Steve

[ezypikns]

Own what you like. Don't worry about what other's think. If you like revolvers, shoot revolvers.

I love and trust my revolvers. But everyone should own and shoot just one good 1911.

[10-Ring]

You will be perfectly fine w/ your wheelguns -- if that is what works best for you, why fix what ain't broke??? ;)

[RandomMan]

I own some revolvers, I own some semi-autos.

Can you be well equipped with just revolvers? You bet! I feel equipped just fine with a wheel gun on my hip!

-Rob

[Nematocyst]

And very comfortable with his revolvers that he learned how to draw fast and shoot faster, and not shoot when he did not have to, and which stopped a shotgun-wielding man who saw the revolver pointed at his belly, no shooting needed. ;) Now there's an interesting story. :scrutiny:

DrL, would you please:

1) tell more of that story;

2) offer suggestions about which revolvers (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=263134), holsters, and training routines
that you use "to draw fast and shoot faster"?

Thanks,

Nem, revolver guy in training

[arthurcw]

What in blue blazes are you people telling this man all these lies for!? My goodness, everyone knows that wheel guns went on strike when Standard Capacity Simi-autos became all the rage. I mean, they worked for all those decades and then saw the writing on the wall and just gave up. Why would the cops get rid of those relics in droves if they had not just quite working all of sudden one day? You don’t have to be a brain doctor type person to figure that out.

Sorry pal. If you’re not carrying 18 rounds hot and another 34 rounds in reloads you are just gonna die out there. Just paint a target on your head and be done with it.

Besides… how are you gonna look cool without plastic and matte black in your holster? :neener: :p

Sorry... that wasn't for you. That was for the Mall Ninja Types reading this thread.

In all seriousness, I think that revolvers are great guns and those who shoot them exclusively are generally better shooters than those of us who started on semi-autos, shoot semi-autos exclusively, or go back and forth.

Edited to add: Your hand gun is supposed to be the stop gap in getting to your long guns (in the best of worlds) so WHAT you shoot is not as important as HOW you shoot it and HOW close your long arms are. I'd much rather have 6 + 6 .357 rounds while headed to my trunk/gun closet for the Shotgun, than have 50 rounds of 9mm.

[Nematocyst]

...revolvers are great guns and those who shoot them exclusively are generally better shooters...Exhibit A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giSaNiQ-Wb4).

:cool:

[arthurcw]

Exhibit A.

That man is not human.

I love that video.

[Nematocyst]

He's gotta be from some other planet.

Even photon torpedoes couldn't compete.

[tasco 74]

the only handgun i have for defense or anything else is a SMITH&WESSON model 27 6" and i'm VERY well armed thank you............ i know the gun,what the ammo can do, and my own limitations... (as HARRY said.... a man's got to know his limitations..........) :cool:

[TimboKhan]

Why do you need to be balanced? If you like wheelies, stay with with wheelies. You don't have to buy any guns that don't fit your personal ethos, man.

[kmrcstintn]

thank you all for your input; seems I posted this a bit prematurely due to school and residential taxes where I live...due in full...no payment plans unless income is below a certain level...me no meet criteria

long story short...no extra mula to pay difference between trade-in amount and total on new wheelie; the Beretta stays (there is an interesting sidebar project here that I may want to try...I just discovered that CDNN has Beretta 96G Centurion upper assemlies for sale as 'conversion kits' for Beretta 92 bottoms...especially the Centurion frames; asking is $169.99 + shipping); I could change out the 9mm for .40 S&W from time to time for a change up

hopefully, CDNN will still have them in a few weeks and I'll still have 3 wheelies to boot!

[STORMIN29]

I carry a revolver because I can shoot it better than autos, always have. It usually takes a bit more planning for CCW due to the cylinder, but I believe in carrying what I shoot better with.

[357wheelgunner]

I got rid of my Glock for a 3" K-frame a few years ago when I was 21.....Now I have no semi autos and a trio of 4" K-frames backed up by a pair of J-frames.

I practiced a lot with snap caps, the nice double action pull helped me get over the bad flinch I developed shooting the crappy glock trigger and lots of .357sig boom. Now I can't stand anything but single or smooth double action.

I can shoot my revolvers very well and very quickly now. Here's a target I shot from 15 yards practicing "failure drills" as quickly as I could fire:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c138/357wheelgunner/IMG_0308.jpg

I've also decided not to buy any guns that take detachable magazines for a while (one more thing to go wrong and I hate stocking up on the things). Next on my shopping list are:

1. a 4" model 10, old and blued
2. an 18" ghost ring and surefire equpped Remington 870 (I already have a pair of 870s)
3. A Remington Model 7 in .308 setup like a scout rifle
4. A Marlin 1894C in .357

[TonyB]

Are you crazy....only old guys and cowboys use revolvers anymore..if you don't have a hi-cap ,polymer,black-tactical,hi speed ,auto w/ a flashlight and lazer beam on it,you may as well use a sharp stick.......:uhoh:








Only kidding...the best shooters I know are those old guys using a mod 10.They actually AIM.....just practice with whatever you choose and you're good to go........I carry a snubby 38 everyday..very seldom do I carry one of my autos(of course I drive an 89 Buick too,they both have never failed to deliver)

[Guy B. Meredith]

Go with whatever suits your fancy, not the fancy of others. There is no established "need" or "balance". Others are just pushing another religion or opinion and you know the saying about the latter.

If you have a specific purpose or need like wanting to keep up with IPSC race guns that is then your consideration. Personally, that doesn't ring my chimes. I am a less than mediocre shooter with no real interest in besting anything but my own performance and even first time out I was outshooting 25% of the local semi shooting competitors.

I traded in my only semi handgun for a Mossberg 500. The only semi in house since is the M1 Garand, which is welcome due to historical value. I might pick up another Ruger MK512 to replace the one I traded for the same reason.

[Ichiro]

I think wheelguns are preferable.

Just have more of them to make up for the low capacity.

[KINGMAX]

I quess it's what we are used to. I feel as if I have a balance on things, i.e.,,, I own a GLOCK 21 in .45 acp for my serious carry in my truck. On the wheel side I have a S&W 686 in .357. I consider that a balance.

As would be considered a Walther P22 and a Tarus PT22 along side a Ruger Single Six in a .22 LR and .22 mag.

[Brassman]

I started out with a Colt Commander, still have it. But I very much prefer and feel more comfortable and safer with my revolvers. The .45 makes a bigger hole than the GP .357mag, but I can't shoot the Commander as accurately either. Revolvers always go bang when you want them to and will get me to my 870 if I need it.

[Nematocyst]

Revolvers always go bang when you want them to and will get me to my 870 if I need it.Somebody's been reading the same strategy manual that I read.

;)

[Sean85746]

Hell no, you aren't undergunned carrying a wheelgun!

If you have developed a good deal of skill with a wheelgun (which is harder to do than with a semiauto)...by all means carry it, and carry it proudly.

I still carry a Smith Model 19 snubby on occaision....it's like visiting an old friend.

Don't let some "Tactical Teddy" all bedecked in his 5.11 gear and 'goyle shooting glasses, carrying his tactical light, folder, and everything else he can buy with the name "tactical" on it, and stuff into his "tactical concealment vest" (remember when they were just called "vests"?), who just left his job as a "Tactical Bookeeper" look down his nose at you.

Wheelguns are still a damned viable option for self defense.

[Guy B. Meredith]

When I am standing at the line with a stovepiped semi and digging into my toolbox for Lubriplate or otherwise going through the jam clearance drill I have a hard time accepting that semis are less complicated. Then there are all the damned safeties, slide release, decocker and mag release buttons. Worse than setting time on a VCR (old joke).

Then there is cleaning.

I wouldn't worry about the semi's finicky feeding habits as I reload all my ammo, but if I were stuck in post Katrina New Orleans I would be feeling reassured by the revolver's ability to use just about anything that comes to hand.

For the revolver drop in a moonclip or speedloader with 6, 7 or 8 and pull the trigger. What is complex about that?

I took a neighbor to the range to let him rent and shoot some semis as I am just not into those things. When it came time to load the mag on the firearms it was painful. He has arthritis and I just could not get them topped off. So what is the problem with moonclips or speed loaders? Neither busts my thumb and I can load two to three in the time it takes to sweat over a semi mag.

But again, these are all personal things: arthritis, being in a SHTF situation, spending time shooting vs unjamming, etc., and have nothing to do with "balance" or "covering the bases".

[Nematocyst]

Well said.

:cool:

[sgt127]

Go take a decent auto and try this, weak hand only, hold the gun as loose as you can with your elbow and wrist bent. See how many rounds you get off before it jams. All steel guns are more forgiving than polymer. I can jam most Glock 40's on the first couple of shots. Take the same gun and shove it into an old matress and pull the trigger, gun get pushed out of battery?

Now, what do you see as a real defensive use of your handgun? Standing properly with a good stance wrists firmly locked shooting at a stationary target 20 feet away or, rolling around in an alley, fighting for your life, on your back, fighting to get the gun out and stuff it in the bad guys ribs and shooting him off you?

Both are outstanding tools. Depending upon what YOUR needs are, a revolver may have some serious advantages.

[fastbolt]

Depends on the person and the anticipated circumstances, as with many things in life.

As a personal defensive weapon? As long as the owner/user is capable of being safe, accurate and reasonably proficient with a DA revolver ... why not?

I've always liked revolvers.

I like Single Action, traditional Double Action and Double Action Only revolvers for different reasons and perceived needs.

I'd be comfortable carrying a revolver again as an issued service weapon. Matter of fact, today I could choose one that has a 7 or 8 round capacity. It wasn't that long ago that a 7+1 capacity Colt Model O Pistol was considered perfectly acceptable by folks who carried weapons both professionally and as lawfully armed private citizens. I'd be fine with an 8-round 627 for uniform or a 686+ short-barreled 7-shot revolver for plainclothes use.;)

Of course, I spent my formative years in LE as a revolver carrier/user, and only grudgingly accepted TDA semiatuo pistols when the wave finally arrived at my agency.:scrutiny:

Sure, I've got a safe full of semiauto pistols nowadays, and I've been through a bunch of armorer classes for various makes & models. They're fine for their intended purpose.

I've returned to carrying revolvers more often off-duty in recent years, though, if only because many of the small 5-shot models are much easier to carry in a variety of circumstances on my own time. I own 4 different 5-shot revolvers, with another one on the way. That will make 3 of them chambered in .38 Spl and 2 of them chambered in .357 Magnum.

I haven't taken my remaining 4" service size revolver out of the safe for other than range use in the last several years, but I can remember when I carried it, or one or another medium or large framed revolver as a frequent off-duty weapon. I just prefer a bit more comfort and convenience nowadays.

I could easily envision myself carrying a 3" medium (K or L-frame size) revolver as a standard defensive weapon for the rest of my life, if needed. I've come to prefer some of the different 5-shot short-barreled wheelguns for everyday activities, though. Pocket holsters and secure pocket carry is somewhat more comfortable and convenient for me when it comes to many of my common activities. For those times when a belt gun is going to be considered preferable, then something a bit larger is likely preferable.

Belt guns in respectable calibers for lawful backwoods activities where dangerous/predatory animals may be encountered are another subject.

I like the versatility of revolvers. I don't happen to think they're obsolete, any more than a lever action or bolt action rifle is obsolete. Depends on the circumstances in which its use is anticipated and envisoned, right?

General issue infantry/military weapons issued for military conflicts and peace keeping are one thing, but my 'non-military' needs for any anticipated personal defense needs are examined from another perspective.

Then, there's always the sheer, and safe, enjoyment of recreationally shooting revolvers of different types, as well.

There are still advantages to be considered when it comes to revolvers.

Just my thoughts.

[Mark8252]

Its pretty well known that the odds of your solving any problem with just a revolver are much better than you not having a jam with an automatic.
Most all gun fights are finished with 2-3 shots fired. Better to have a gun that will positively absolutely not jam.
That one time (if ever) you need it......it will not fail. And your girlfriend/family can use it who have no idea how to shoot an automatic. Maybe even save your life as well as their own.
Gets no easier than point and pull.

:) :) :) :)

[obxned]

I like mine in semi-auto. However, I've seen what can be done by a good man with a revolver!

[1911Tuner]

No secret about my affiliations...but most folks on the forums don't know that my first love is revolvers. My favorite carry revolver is a 3-inch/round butt M-13 Smith & Wesson, and although I don't carry it as often as I once did, I do on occasion, and don't feel undergunned at all. The key is more in your confidence with the weapon than with any preconceived notions of capacity or split times. If you can shoot well with it, it'll serve the purpose. If you can't...a 30-round Wondernine won't be of much help. In most self-defense situations involving a private citizen, even a SA revolver will do the trick, and it beats throwin' rocks and prayin' in any event.

Don't let the Kool-Aid Crowd cause ya to sell a good DA revolver short. Two of the deadliest pistoleros in recent history preferred'em. (Bill Jordan and Jelly Bryce.)

[kmrcstintn]

guess I'll find out the hard way...I traded the semiauto Beretta and a Remington 7600 rifle today on a heavy barreled Winchester 70 Coyote in .243 Winchester now that I finally narrowed down which caliber and platform for my bolt action rifle; in other words...only wheelies...no bottom feeders!