Shooting Revolvers vs Autos

[PawDaddy]

Is there a major difference in the sight picture of the two handguns?

Which is easier to learn to shoot well?

[jgo296]

people will argue it both ways
but i think more people find autos easier

[rcmodel]

Sights is sights!
You use the same sight picture regardless of what they are mounted on.

A target sighted 4" - 6" revolver is more accurate then the run-of-the-mill service grade autos now flooding the market from every maker.
Target grade autos rule competition.

4" - 6" barrel revolvers shoot better groups for almost everyone due to tighter tolerances, much better & lighter SA trigger pull, etc.

rcmodel

[MrBorland]

Which is easier to learn to shoot well?


A target sighted 4" - 6" revolver is more accurate then the run-of-the-mill service grade autos now flooding the market from every maker.
Target grade autos rule competition.

4" - 6" barrel revolvers shoot better groups for almost everyone due to tighter tolerances, much better & lighter SA trigger pull, etc.

Here's my $0.02:

I agree with rcmodel, but since a DA revolver can, of course, also be shot in DA and a revolver shooter is well-advised to become proficient shooting this way if it's a defensive gun, I offer a caveat: If, by "well", the OP means a good balance of accuracy and speed, I think semi-autos are generally easier to shoot well.

A good DA trigger pull takes a lot of practice. I shoot this way almost exclusively, and am reasonably accurate. When I get an itch to shoot a semi-auto, though, I'll rent something, and with this new platform I've had zero hands-on time with, I'm able to pick it up and be as accurate (or more) as I am with my revolvers. Doesn't matter if it's a .380, 9mm or a .45acp, or a Glock, Sig, or a 1911. Kinda steams me, sometimes, given the amount of time I spend learning to shoot revolvers "well". I still love revolvers, so at this point, I tell myself that the reverse may not be true if I were primarily a semi-auto shooter. ;)

[sniper5]

I like to think of a revolver as a good "teaching" handgun for someone who doesn't know what they like yet.

Here's why:

1. Choice of double action or single action trigger pull at shooter's discretion.

2. Variability in loads/recoil to find comfort zone.

3. Ability to change grips over a wider range of sizes/styles.

4. No external safeties to confuse the newbie.

5. Easier to mount/dismount scopes/optical sights. Although this is not nearly the problem it used to be.

6. For the new shooter-easier for the instructor to see status of weapon-easier to see a cylinder swung out from a distance than whether a mag is inserted. Also for the rank amateur/1st timer-they can carry it around by the frame with their finger NO WHERE near the trigger.

7. Even auto shooters should learn how to handle a revolver efficiently and safely at some point. You never know what you may run into.

8. Easier to do "bang/click" drills to check for and cure flinching.


Having said all that in my long winded post, my preferred big bore sidearm is a 1911. I still like to start people I know on revolvers because it gives more choices when you don't know what you like. I then encourage them to take what they've learned about themselves with them when they make their first auto purchase.

[CWL]

Is there a major difference in the sight picture of the two handguns?

IMO, I think that semis are easier to naturally aim than revolvers. The barrel of a semi is lower & closer to where your forefinger will naturally point, this helps in keeping on target. The barrel of a revolver tends to sit higher and this may also create higher perceived recoil in larger calibers.

[Cosmoline]

Speaking for the stubby finger/small hands community I find most semis have too much grip for comfort. There are exceptions, such as the P225, Walther PP and other single stack moderate size pistols. But the trend is towards packing more and more rounds inside the grip frame, which makes the grips bigger and fatter. While I can certainly shoot them, it takes additional time to adjust my aim and stance. In comparison, my presentation with the Colt DS or Speed Six is virtually instantaneous. There is no need to adjust the grip or second guess--I'm THERE every time I bring it up. In the end I decided that mattered a lot more than a few extra rounds of capacity.

But as far as shooting at the range, or learning to shoot, either will work fine. Just remember to warn them not to rest their thumb on the back of the slide. I did that once with a Glock!

[AJD]

In short, I find that the auto pistol usually has a better feel or more comfortable grip but revolver being fired in SA usually has a much better trigger(which often leads to better accuracy).

[Confederate]

I've always done better with a revolver, especially out at a hundred yards, even with a snubby. But I have a benign tremor I've had since I was a child, so I find it very difficult to shoot a 6-inch revolver or a heavy-barrel revolver of any type.

If combat shooting then of course keeping your eye on the front sight is the primary thing, but I have a Smith 5906 that has that three dot system where you line 'em up, and I like that one a lot!

I also installed some Millett sights on some of my revolvers and having that blazing orange hanging out in front of you also is very nice.

Oh, and I had a friend with a laser sight and he could group his autoloader into one ragged hole all day long. So sighting systems also have a lot to do with it. Just black iron sights are the pits.

[Feanaro]

I shoot more revolvers than I shoot autos and I still shoot an auto better. Learning the DA revolver has made be a better auto shooter though.

[KodeFore]

Both are good, I think it really depends on the user. I recently switched from a Glock 22 to a Ruger GP100 because i noticed I had a tendency to turn in better scores with rented never before shot Revolvers than with my own personal Glock. ( not much a lot but enough to get my attention ) I do find the Grips on a revolver more comfortable than an auto. My thoughts are this is purely subjective. I believe any quality handgun will serve equally well if you practice with it. Of course since you need to figure out what really works best for you what more excuse do you need to get another gun?

[Timthinker]

Most of the revolvers I have owned tended to possess larger front and rear sights than my semi-pistols. Again, this is my experience. It is a situation that is easily correctable though. But I must say that I loved the sights on my old S&W Model 29 more than the fixed sights on an old Colt Mark IV Series 70.


Timthinker

[Deanimator]

Is there a major difference in the sight picture of the two handguns?
Not with the same KIND of sights.

At one time it was common to install S&W revolver sights on M1911s. How could the sight picture of an M1911 with S&W revolver sights be different from that of a S&W Model 19 with the SAME sights?