[greyhound]

I'll eat my hat if this hasn't been posted before but....

How many of us own both revolvers and semi-autos but eschew(SP?) the higher capacity of the auto for their trusted revolver?

I've told my story before, got my revolver after the sniper shootings 'cause it was simpler. Got good with it, but from reading these boards and other stuff got caught up in "tactical this, tactical that" and bought a Ruger P97 in April.

All was good, 375 rounds through the Ruger and was feeling pretty good about 9 rounds of .45 ammo, but then...

BAM, had some FTF, FTE with the auto (at this point I had well over 1,000 rounds through the revolver with no problems).

Twice quick, the Ruger went back in the box and the .38 S&W 64 became the HD gun once again. Now, it might be the ammo or my own fault that the Ruger had some problems, but methinks I made a major shift in my self defense philosophy (like a lot of speed loader practice in my future?:D ).

Anyone else have a similar story?

[Arub]

If you ever have to engage in your home, it probably won't be a scenario such as a combat fire fight or the battle of the Alamo (although it might seem like it). Remember, in most states, must believe you are in certain jeopardy of serious harm in order to use deadly force on an intruder.

The first shot fired, even if in the dirt (house have crawl space?) through the floor and 99.9% of the bgs are on the lam. You won. You don't shoot someone running down the hall, back to you, making tracks for the door or window.

Most cases, you will have two or three perps, at the most, to contend with and the first hint that you are aware of their presence or are armed and they will most likely cut out. The probability of the need for 15+1 is practically non-existent, the need for a magazine change is probably non-existent (home defense). Six in a revolver is, most likely, at least three more rounds than anyone will ever need (rule of threes - most gun fights are over in three shots, three seconds and take place within three yards).

I think you are well armed with a revolver.

[greyhound]

Remember, in most states, must believe you are in certain jeopardy of serious harm in order to use deadly force on an intruder.
Arub- Welcome.

Yup, that pretty much describes it here in MD.

BTW, my GF's parents (from Greene County, AL) were just up here visiting. Her Pa was telling about how he sold a couple hunting rifles at a local yard sale. I remarked, "XXX, if you tried to do that up here, I'd take a stop watch and time how long it took a "concerned citizen" to call the cops."

His jaw hit the floor. I love the man, first thing we did when I landed in Birmingham last year was go trap shooting. :D

[Shane]

I'm in the same boat. Have both semi-autos and revolvers. My backup defense gun is a revolver, my primary a 12 gauge shotgun. I just prefer the simpler action of a revolver in a stressful situation. If 5-7 shots (depending on which revolver I use) can't get it done, then I'm in over my head anyway.

[Standing Wolf]

If somebody makes a .44 magnum semi-automatic pistol that's as reliable and accurate as my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 629, I'll think about it.

[campergeek]

While shopping in a gun shop recently I was asking the owner for his advice on semi-auto vs. revolver for my own (first handgun) purchase. He told me that every single "grab gun" in his shop is a revolver. He said if the need should arise he wants to have the least doubt that his weapon is going to work, every time.

[MikeJ]

My home defense gun is a 2 1/2" S&W 66. Even with a dozen high quality autos to choose from I put my faith in the revolver. An auto may be 100% reliable at the range when you are in a shooting stance with proper technique but will you limp wrist it or something else when you are scrambling around trying to avoid getting shot, stabbed or clubbed? I feel that my heightened state of anxiety during a lethal confrontation requires the most reliable and less subject to proper technique gun available.

[C.R.Sam]

Had both wheels n bottom feeders for over 50 years.
Shotgun primary.
"Go to" backup always a wheel gun.

Sam

[schapman43]

Well lets see
#1
HK USP45
Springfield Target Stainless 1911
Walther P-22
Springfield Operator 1911
Springfield Mil-Spec 1911
Beretta 96
Glock 27
EAA Witness
Ruger .22 Governtment Target

#2
Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag
Ruger GP100 .357 Mag

The first list is of the guns that I used to have. All of which had some kind of failure unrelated to Ammo or limp wristing. List 2 are the handguns that I have now. List 2 is what I put my life and my families lives on. I have plans of buying many MANY more revolvers.

[SnWnMe]

I only have two autos. I won't have a 1911 for HD. It, uh, does not lend itself well for holding perps at gunpoint (3# trigger, very crisp), at least in my hands. My other auto is a Mak. Why would I depend on a hot 380 when I can have a 45? Thus my 625 stands the watch. Ably backed by my little 442. I might put the big Smith away for awhile and keep my new F Comp on duty instead.

Actually, my Win 1300 would be the go to piece if I get advance notice.

[Logistar]

I have 3 autos and 1 revolver. My revolver stays loaded with .38 +Ps. The revolver has always been my HD gun. I KNOW it will go bang. Although my autos have been very reliable, I prefer the wheelgun for HD.

Having said that, I "carry" only autos due to their slimmer profile.

FWIW

Logistar

[Mike Irwin]

My nightstand gun normally depends on what I've recently had to the range.

If the gun I want to take to the range is in my nightstand, I pull it and replace it with one that I'm not going to take to the range.

My Model 19 2.5" .357 is in there right now, but at various times it's also been a 4" Model 19, a 4" Model 28, a Model 1917 in .45 ACP, a Kahr K9, a Browning High Power, or a Beretta 92.

[cslinger]

Every handgun we own I am comfortable with as a defensive weapon. Revolvers and Semi Autos.

Typically I will use one of my SIGs for HD duty. Typically the P220 in .45. I have never had a malfunction with a SIG....period.

Capacity is not that big of a concern to me. I like single stack autos so most of my guns are 6-9 shot guns in 9mm, .40 or .45. I don't feel uneasy about using any of them.

I also own a few .357 revolvers. I use them for HD also from time to time and I feel just as well armed with them as well.

I shoot them all well but I seem to be able to shoot my autos faster than my revolvers but depending on the day of the week and how the mood catches me I could be using either. I like to keep proficient and comfortable with all of my guns and I practice regularly with them all.

As for caliber, I like .357 and .45 for sentimental reasons but 9mm and .40 are just as good on a practical level. I only use quality defensive ammo so when it all comes down to it, my guess is the difference in power between calibers is negligable at best.

I like the revolver from the standpoint of every bad buy in the world knows what it looks like and can plainly see those hollowpoint rounds stairing back at him. Kinda brings an immediate pucker factor bonus to the table like a good 12 gauge pump.

To be honest I don't think it matters what you use as long as you can hit what you are aiming at and you know that it will work everytime. 99% of my guns fall into this category for me. I have a .32 Walther PP that I don't consider a serious defense gun and my Colt 1911 is more of a toy for me as I don't care for external safeties but everything else will work just fine for me and they are all very instinctive for me to use.

Sometimes you feel like a nut sometime you don't. Sometimes I feel like a revo, sometimes I don't.

Heck, the handguns are only so I can fight my way back to the shottys anyway. :D

[Jim March]

Take a look at this story:

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=29ADBF4B-3952-4766-B6D6-5DC7A7CF1198

Now ask yourself the following:

You're wounded, so is your son, a bad guy is holding a gun to your son's head, and you've got a gun.

So do you want a semiauto handgun, a revolver, or a shotgun?

My answer would ALWAYS be the wheelgun. I can trust it's power and accuracy, I won't limp-wrist it despite my injuries, I can fire it one-handed (no word yet on where the winner of the fight was hit) and I don't have the scattergun's problem of potentially nailing a hostage.

Now, he might have won with a slidegun. No word yet on those details, I just checked the Modesto Bee site, no reporting yet.

But I'd want a wheelgun. A 4" K-Frame/L-Frame or Ruger equivelent with a 4" barrel and good 38+Ps would be perfect, any number of others would do just fine.

[fallingblock]

A revolver, once loaded, is a more sure-fire prospect than an autoloader, especially so if one has hand injuries or an awkward or quickly acquired grip.

"limp-wristing" and/or improper grip is too easy in an adrenalin-charged situation.:uhoh:

[tbeb]

I think a good semi-auto is as reliable as a good revolver. I've had malfunctions with both. I carried a high capacity .380 for 9 1/2 years, and never had a malfunction. Recently I experienced occasional failures to feed. A new magazine remedied that problem. Still, I lost confidence and now once again carry a revolver. I have two home defense guns. One is a medium frame .357 and the other is a full size .45 pistol.

[greyhound]

"limp-wristing" and/or improper grip is too easy in an adrenalin-charged situation

Exactly. I'm about 75% sure that my problems with the Ruger semi-auto came from limp-wristing due to my arm being tired. Now, though I won't be tired in a HD situation, there will be adrenaline and stress, though good training can probably overcome some of this.

[stans]

I have both semi-auto's and revolvers. I usually rely on revolvers for defense. They are reliable, not prone to malfunction if you happen to limp wrist it, if you happen to get a dud round, another pull of the trigger gets a live one down the barrel, easy to operate, no safety to disengage, and, if it ever came up in court, a double action revolver might be easier to defend than a "hair triggered automatic pistol".

[WheelMan]

I think this comes down to what someone (maybe someones) around here likes to say.

Automatics for Offense
Revolvers for Defense

It makes good sense, with automatics you're trading some (maybe even a very small amount of) reliabilty and ease of operation for an increased ability to deliever fire. You're taking a risk, and being part of an offensive operation is a series of calculated risks, the autoloading pistol is one of them.

In a defensive situation you're worried about elimiating risks, it's not a time tp gamble, and that's where the revolver shines.

Now could a swat team, armed with SAA's clear a house? Probably, and can you defend your home with a tec-9? Most likey, it's just a matter of picking the optimal tool for the job.

[Blueduck]

To me the biggest factor is mag springs. Maybe I'm unlucky but from Glocks to 1911's most of my semi-auto troubles have been traced eventually to a weak mag spring.

House guns likely going to be setting around loaded for long periods of time. The doesn't phase a revolver a bit, but is hard on an auto.

Would you want to depend on a fire extinguisher that got less reliable every day you left it loaded??? ;)

[Rob96]

My HD handgun is a Ruger 4" GP-100 loaded with Speer 125gr +P Gold Dots.

[C.R.Sam]

Automatics for Offense Revolvers for Defense
Don't know if I coined or stole that but have said it for maby 50 years. Including here and on TFL. :D

Sam

[greyhound]

Automatics for Offense Revolvers for Defense

Dang, that makes such perfect sense, and I've never heard it before. Methinks I'll be spending more time in the "Revolver" forum...:D

[bountyhunter]

Under the stress of imminent death, those who believe that their brains will be able to function at a more complex level than "point and pull" are optimists (or fools). Can't count the number of store videos I've seen where the store owner was yanking away on an auto which had the safety on while the robber shot him.

[wunderkind]

My 'nightstand' gun is a Taurus Model 82 4-inch .38 blue steel/walnut grips loaded with a Federal .38 hollowpoint.

Barney Fife looks, modern JHP performance.

Almost attack-proof should a bad guy sue...I can't imagine a jury thinking someone's an overzealous "gun nut" for defending him/herself with a classic police-style revolver.

[DDGator]

Aftter having learned on and competedwith revolvers, I got seduced by the high-cap 9mm "wondernines." Who could beat 16-18 rounds of 9mm?

After competing with my 9s, I discovered that semi-autos are a lot harder to work under stress. After a couple of failures to swipe the safety off (single action 9mm) and a couple times of failing to get a mag properly seated on a reload -- I switched back to the wheelgun for competition and defense. Keep in mind -- these were not gun problems, but human problems.

Semis are great if you train enough and practice enough I suppose. The average person is better off with a wheelgun, IMHO.

[WheelMan]

Sorry Sam,

I couldnt't remember where I'd heard that. Made enough sense for me to remember it though :)

[dude]

my revolvers are for serious things like HD and woods carry

-my P7 is for fun and showing off
-my 1911 is for frustration/disapointment

[355sigfan]

I would not feel ill armed with my Smith 610, Colt Python or Ruger Redhawk 5 shot conversion in a HD situation considering the right ammo was loaded. However if I can't get to a long gun I would prefer my Kimber or one of my other autos for this duty. For me revolvers are fun guns that are only shot when one wants to live in the past. They are also good for outdoor activities when camping in bear country. But for protection against 2 legged critters I will stick with an auto.
Pat

[Spieler]

I have always had semi-autos for HD and CCW and am now contemplating my first wheelgun purchase. This is due to several factors, perhaps I am maturing a bit or just hanging out way too much in the Revolver forum on THR.:D However, another factor for me is my wife and her aversion to handguns in general, but the moving slide and flying brass of a semi-auto pistol in particular. She also has difficulty in retracting the slide of most of my full size service autos. Since I would love to have her be my range buddy more often if only she enjoyed shooting a gun that she wasn't afraid of and one that gave her a sense of confidence, we are going to try a revolver for her. This is especially important to me since I work many nights and she is at home with the kids and would have to hold her own in case of an emergency. The simpler manual of arms of a revolver also seems to make sense to us both. Besides, it's an excuse to go gun shopping.:)

[Atticus]

I'll jump aboard and go with a revolver as well...at least with the bump in the night scenario. One thing going for revolvers is the K.I.S.S. principle.
Nearly anyone (my wife in particular) could pick up a revolver and defend herself, or me, if I was unable to do so. That would not happen with my 1911 or BHP.

[ChristopherG]

IMLE, Bill Jordan was right when he said a revolver is better/easier for fast hip shooting, or for unsighted shooting--as in, shooting fast and close in the dark.
CG

[Dave Markowitz]

I have two semiautos that would be suitable for home defense: a Browning High Power Practical and a Bulgarian Makarov. So what do I have in my Minivault, ready to go?

A Smith & Wesson Model 28, 4" barrel, stoked with FBI loads.

If TSHTF I want my gun to work, no ifs ands or buts.

[Penforhire]

Sure this thread may not be original but it is still one of life's great mysteries and worth continued discussion. Like many of you, I know my Remi 870 is best when you need to defend yourself. But I refuse to get my shotgun to investigate every noise. A handgun is much more flexible and can be held hidden so as not to scare a neighbor or UPS guy knocking at the door.

I have your same classic dilemma. My 4" 686+ is a perfect HD revolver with zero malfunctions in about 1,000 rounds. I also have a P99 with an even better record (I figure close to 2,500 rounds). The P99 has a suitable manual of arms -- kept loaded, no safety, long double-action 1st pull. My fundamental accuracy with my P99 exceeds my 686+ double-action shooting, but not in any meaningful way for home defense (a few inches more spread at 10 yards). The P99 gives me 10+1 shots and a faster reload versus 7 for the 686+, probably not a big deal for home defense. Of course any difference that becomes meaningful will become critical by definition, say a FTF/FTE or needing a fast reload.

Maybe it is just a case of too many choices but my logical self says one of these implements should be better than the other for a given job. Too bad REALLY short shot guns aren't legal...

[makarov]

The only guns that I keep loaded ready to go in the safe are my CZ-85 Combat and my 870 Wingmaster wearing its short barrel. The CZ has one in the chamber - hammer down. That is how I shot it most in IDPA. It is VERY accurate and so far has had ZERO failures of any kind. The shotgun has 4 in the tube, ready to be racked. I keep an SKS handy but unloaded. There are a couple of stripper clips stashed up high. It might actually be the first thing I grab if there was trouble outside. In all likelyhood, there is unlikely to be any trouble as far out as I live. Still good for armchair hypotheticals though...

- Makarov


I should have mentioned that I could also have chosen either a 27-2 or a Dan Wesson 15, so I guess I have decided on the CZ rather than either revolver. I do take the DW camping though. It is kind of a beater, but shoots like crazy.

[Ankeny]

I love revolvers and I have shot them for many years. In fact, I am one of only five earned USPSA (IPSC) revolver masters in the country. I don't feel underarmed with a wheel gun and my ability to shoot one fast and accurately isn't an issue.

Still, my HD pistol is a 1911 (Baer) that I have a ton of confidence in. The pistol is scary reliable and I think it will wear out before it ever malfunctions. My carry gun is also a 1911 style pistol (Kimber Pro Carry). I practice shooting my autos strong hand, weak hand, and freestyle. In general, I can shoot a 1911 faster and as accurately at CQB distances than I can shoot a wheel gun. I am not going to buy into the issue of failing to operate external controls under stress because I dry fire daily, live fire weekly, and I shoot 3-5 matches a month. A quality (reliable) auto in the hands of an accomplished shooter (like a B class or higher IPSC shooter) is perhaps the ultimate fighting handgun.

On the flip side. The average consumer who is not willing to become intimately familiar with an auto is much better off with a revolver or a semi-auto with no controls. If you aren't going to practice, get a wheel gun or a Glock and toss it in the drawer and forget about it.

[longeyes]

My first handgun was a Colt Lawman Mk III (2.5" barrel) some 25 years ago. I still have it and it is still at the ready for HD, loaded with the anointed .38spl 158g +P hollow-points (six of 'em). I have a Glock 30 with night sights I like to have available too--something very cool about those night sights glowing in the dark!--for its firepower (10 Powr'Ball, .45acp), but although the G30 has been ultra-reliable I will always have a revolver available as either a primary or back-up self-defense weapon.