First Handgun - Revolver vs Semi

[zb338]

You are probably skipping over the gun you should be buying.
You should get a good accurate .22 Auto something like a Smith
or a Ruger with adjustable sights. Go buy a brick of 500 cartridges
and have at it. You won't be poor forever after a while you go out
and buy a nice centerfire gun that you won't shoot because you
can't afford to buy the ammo.

 

[Theohazard]

In my experience, a revolver is more likely to fail than a semi. Sure, you're more likely to get a stoppage in a semi, but that stoppage is almost always easy and quick to clear. But often when a revolver has a stoppage it's a mechanical failure of some type and the gun needs to be serviced to get it running properly again.

I'm sorry but that is so far fetched... The stoppage failures, like failure to eject, or failure to load, or failure to fire, are FAR more common than an actual mechanical failure in a revolver. I've personally never even seen it happen. And usually with a revolver, you have a sort of "on the fritz" period when you can feel something isn't right. Not instantaneous mechanical failure.

No, it's not far-fetched at all, you obviously either didn't read or didn't understand my post. I never once said that a mechanical failure in a revolver is more common than a stoppage in a semi-auto. I simply said that a mechanical failure -- an event where the gun completely stops working -- is more common in a revolver.

I'll try saying the same thing in slightly different way:

In general, modern revolvers have more parts and are less durable than modern semi-autos. Sure, a semi is more likely to have a stoppage, but that stoppage is almost always cleared easily. Yes, revolvers are less likely to have a stoppage, but they're more likely to have a mechanical failure than a revolver is.

Put another way, a revolver is more reliable than a semi-auto, but in the rare cases when a revolver does have a stoppage, it's more likely to be a mechanical failure that puts the gun out of operation. I've seen it happen many times.

 

[rcmodel]

I've seen it happen many times.

Wow you must have seen a lot more revolvers then I have in my 60 years of shooting them, and very rarely repairing them!!!

rc

 

[Theohazard]

I've watched a few revolvers lock up at the various ranges where I worked, one lock up that was a friend's wife's, and several more that were brought in for our gunsmiths. Is it common? No, it's not, but it seems to be more common than on a semi-auto.

 

[Theohazard]

Rc: Don't get me wrong, I really like revolvers. I've even got one in my EDC rotation. But I'm just relating both my observations and those of people more experienced than I.

If you think what I wrote in post #27 is incorrect, let me know. You have a huge amount of experience and I always appreciate learning from you.

 

[jmace57]

eocoolj - FWIW, I can tell you I have over 60 handguns...and by far, my favorites are my post-war and pre-war Heavy Dutys. I shoot them better than any other guns I own.

 

[Squeaky Wheel]

Some random thoughts:

• A gun can be a high-quality and just not feel 'right' for some people (for many reasons)
• Some people feel more comfortable with a revolver, others with pistol, some just as comfortable with either
• In case you're still considering an N-frame revolver for concealed carry - DON'T (yes, there are some who probably do, but it's hardly a good first gun for someone with intentions of carrying concealed)
• Consider how much (or little) you plan to shoot at the range (this greatly affects your ammo costs and your familiarity with the gun)
• Consider how much (or little) training you plan to get (some is better than none)
• If you don't already know the basic rules of gun safety, plan to take a class
• As others have noted, it's best to try out as many types of handguns as you can before you make a decision
• If you decide your new handgun doesn't suit you, you can always sell it and get a different one
• What's comfortable to hold in your hand in a gun store and what's comfortable to shoot may be very different
• In concealed carry, it's a set of tradeoffs (find what works for you)
• Always wear eye and ear protection at the range

 

[jrmiddleton425]

I was strongly leaning towards a 1911, but I have recently come to the realization that if I am ever able to carry a gun in the future, I would not be comfortable with the "cocked and locked" mode of carry. My other favorite is S&W N-frame revolvers, either a 27-2 or an older .38/44 Heavy Duty. These are too big though for concealed carry.

Where I am at right now is the S&W Model 13 revolver and the S&W 439 semi-auto. What I am looking for is an "all-around" first handgun, for range use, possible future concealed carry, etc.

A couple of points.

Buy a 1911. Carry it every day for a year, cocked and locked, with a chambered round. If you fire an unintentional shot, and the pistol is still cocked and locked, I have a $20 with your name on it.

N-frame Smiths are outstanding revolvers. They absolutely can be carried concealed. It takes a good holster and belt or shoulder holster.

I wouldn't use either of the aforementioned S&W guns for carry, not because they wouldn't work, but because they aren't made anymore.

If you do have to use it, you should prepare for the possibility that the police will take the gun for evidence. You may not get it back, and you may not be able to replace it.

With all of that said, my first handgun WAS a 1911, and I wouldn't buy another. I find them to be a bear to re-assemble. Had I bought a CZ-75 first, I may not have bought a second handgun.

 

[rcmodel]

I find them to be a bear to re-assemble.

Say what now???

I just showed a friend how to field strip one and put it back together three days ago.

And it took all of two minutes, explaining each step of the way.

In the Army, we had to be able to do it blindfolded, down to the last part inside, to get out of basic training.

I just don't understand that 'bear to reassemble' comment??

rc

 

[kvtcomdo]

I always recommend revolvers for new shooters. A medium framed 357 (or maybe 38 special) with a 4" barrel is a great all-around range and home defense handgun. It is kind of large for concealed carry, but is a terrific first centerfire handgun for new shooters. Unfortunately, the handguns that are small enough to conceal easily are often difficult to shoot well, especially for beginners.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[eocoolj]

Thanks for all the replies. I may have given the wrong impression here, this is my first handgun, not my first gun. Handguns are kind of a pain to get in new jersey so i went with long guns first. Very familiar with gun safety, etc.

I am not really considering a .38/44 for concealed carry, but i have to say i saw one at Cabela's in their used case and it was calling out to me like a beacon. It had alot of wear and scratches on it but it wore then well. Without the rib on top of the barrel like most N frames it seems a tiny bit more compact. When i held it, it just felt right. If i had had the ability to buy it then i would have. I've been stalking them on gunbroker ever since, but i don't want to end up buying a gun that is way too heavy and regret it. I would not be carrying full time though, maybe it's workable?

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

No, it's not far-fetched at all, you obviously either didn't read or didn't understand my post. I never once said that a mechanical failure in a revolver is more common than a stoppage in a semi-auto. I simply said that a mechanical failure -- an event where the gun completely stops working -- is more common in a revolver.

I'll try saying the same thing in slightly different way:

In general, modern revolvers have more parts and are less durable than modern semi-autos. Sure, a semi is more likely to have a stoppage, but that stoppage is almost always cleared easily. Yes, revolvers are less likely to have a stoppage, but they're more likely to have a mechanical failure than a revolver is.

Put another way, a revolver is more reliable than a semi-auto, but in the rare cases when a revolver does have a stoppage, it's more likely to be a mechanical failure that puts the gun out of operation. I've seen it happen many times.

I understood your initial sentiment. I still believe it to be false. I have literally never seen a revolver just break, and render itself useless. (I'm sure it happens, but to the extent that it would be more so than an auto? I don't think so.) I've had jams with semi autos countless amounts of times, some for obvious reasons and user error, some not. So while I hear you talking about how a true failure with a revolver would certainly render that gun useless. I simply don't think it happens enough to even consider it happening at all.

 

[swopjan]

I find that when I'm shooting at the range, it's easier to get into a rhythm and focus on my shooting with a revolver (in my case usually a Model 10 .38 Special) than most of my semi-autos. I only have one to three magazines for most of my semi-autos, the time spent reloading magazines is much longer and more disruptive to my range time than reloading 6 rounds by hand in a revolver so for a first gun that will primarily see range use since you're in NJ, I would give the nod to the revolver.

All bets are off when I take my Beretta 92fs and fifteen extra magazines though

 

[rcmodel]

I agree.

Did you know
That the old Colt single-action revolver could still be made to fire if every single spring and lock-work part in it were to all break at the same time?

You can rotate the cylinder by hand.
And hit the hammer with a stick to make it fire.

Myself?
I can't count the broken auto-pistols I have repaired in the last 50 years.

And I can't remember a revolver that broke down and became totally inoperable with no advance warning something was going south with it first.

rc

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

I agree.

Did you know
That the old Colt single-action revolver could still be made to fire if every single spring and lock-work part in it were to all break at the same time?

You can rotate the cylinder by hand.
And hit the hammer with a stick to make it fire.

Myself?
I can't count the broken auto-pistols I have repaired in the last 50 years.

And I can't remember a revolver that broke down and became totally inoperable with no advance warning something was going south with it first.

rc

As I sit here fondling my newest short barrel security six that I got yesterday for 350 bucks, I wonder if I threw this thing off the empire state building if it would still fire. I'm inclined to think it would.. lol. These things are so heavy, and so well built. I don't see it ever breaking.. Not with normal use.


And for that reason the OP should get the revolver!

 

[lechiffre]

S&W Model 13 revolver VS. the S&W 439 semi-auto.

My answer today is the same as it would have been in 1985 :

Model 13.

 

[BCRider]

eocoolj, my own feeling for you to ponder is that a range gun that you like can also work well as a home defense gun.

But a good carry gun is generally going to be a small gun that for many of us tends to be a little shocky to our hands. So a good carry gun is one which you'll practice with for a few rounds per range visit but likely not one you want to shoot a LOT simply because it IS small and light enough to be a good carry gun.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Just remember, your first gun is probably the one you will hang on to the longest. Sentimental stuff like that.



My first was a revolver but back in the 70's most folks started on a revolver and this was a good general compromise. I have had it ever since. Its a Diamondback 38 from Colt by the way and i have fired it somewhere around 47,000 times.

Today, I would say a good medium framed revolver is a wise starter gun. Get a good one. Pay for some quality steel because you will likely have it a very long time.

I can make a case for a semi but a revolver is easier and safer to learn on.

 

[Kookla]

I went through the revolver vs auto many times over the years. I discovered a couple of things- while revolvers will always hold a special appeal to me (especially reading stuff by Keith and Taffin amongst many others) it's easier for me to shoot better with an auto.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

I went through the revolver vs auto many times over the years. I discovered a couple of things- while revolvers will always hold a special appeal to me (especially reading stuff by Keith and Taffin amongst many others) it's easier for me to shoot better with an auto.

Just a curious question kookla, Have you ever shot a revolver with a really really nice trigger?...

I thought I had, Until I really had. The first REALLY nice trigger I pulled was on a 19-3. I could hit quarters at 10 yards consistantly with it... (The trigger was worked, and very well I might add)

 

[Kookla]

To add to what was written- if I were to just have one handgun, I'd just get a ruger mk 2 or 3 and call it a day.

 

[I6turbo]

I expect to purchase my first handgun soon so maybe I'm not qualified to answer, but I'll share my thought process so far -- and if that inspires anyone to give me advice also, I'm all ears.

1. I want a revolver because they are more straightforwardly mechanical and easy to understand, AND I will only have to do ONE thing to shoot it, i.e. no slide to worry about racking.

2. I tried holding different ones at a gun store and I found the S&W fit my hand better than the Ruger, and it felt somehow more "solid" to me than the Taurus. YMMV.

3. I am leaning to the 686P because I like the idea of having 7 shots rather than only 6.

4. All the gun owners I know have multiple guns but I am on a limited budget so I am trying to settle on one that will meet my needs now and hopefully also in the future.

5. The 686 shoots both .357 magnum and .38 spl. At the class I attended, which was the first time I ever shot *anything*, I was almost as accurate with a .38 revolver as with a .22 -- my shots just went a tiny bit further left than I was aiming, which I since found out is typically from not getting enough finger on the trigger... completely logical in that they didn't tell us that with a revolver you have to press with the first joint, not the pad at the tip. So I feel I can already be competent shooting .38. However, looking at a chart of stopping power of various calibers that I found, I can see that a .357 magnum pretty much beats everything else... so I'm hoping that with time, training and practice I would be able to shoot .357 magnum with it. We did not try that in the class, but I was ok although not great with .45.

6. Here in Los Angeles County, currently nobody is granted a concealed carry permit, so this is going to be a home defense weapon, with concealability less of a concern... however I plan to spend some range time and have a private lesson and try the 6" and 4" -- if I could be equally accurate with the 4" I would go with that because if we do get concealed carry here that would obviously be a lot easier.

I think you've done very well in your research and there's nothing wrong with your thinking or plan. And the 686 is an awesome handgun. Carry on!

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'd go with a revolver. Why? To learn to master that DA trigger pull. Once you master that, 1911s are easy.

Peter - that nickel Diamondback is sweet. Mine is blue.

 

[MikeJackmin]

I can offer two good arguments for the M13.

1) Unlike pistols, revolvers can be fitted with a wide variety of grips. Fit is important and often overlooked.

(I know of two ways to test fit: first, hold your (unloaded) gun in your dominant hand, pointed at the floor. Pick a spot on the wall, close your eyes, and bring the gun up to aim at where you know the spot to be. Open your eyes. If the gun fits, the sights will be very close. If not, the gun will be canted to the side or pointed too high to too low. Second, aim at your spot again, one handed grip, eyes open, and tighten your grip. Does the gun shift around? That's bad. A little tremble is OK but the gun should not move in your hands).

2) Nearly every handgun shooter has to deal with overcoming flinch. There is an easy and effective way to do this, which is much easier with revolvers than pistols. Load a few live rounds and one or two empty cases, close your eyes, give the cylinder a bit of a spin, stop the spin, and close the cylinder into the frame. You'll get a few bangs, and a few clicks at unexpected times. If the gun moves during a click, you have isolated the problem, and when it doesn't, you've got the problem solved. You can do it with a pistol, too, but it only works well if you have somebody else load a snap cap or two in your magazine for you.

The M13 also has a superb trigger, and will function happily with anything from gentle target wadcutters and full-bore, no nonsense magnum loads. With a pistol you have much less versatility.

 

[ku4hx]

Shoot many; buy one. Guns are like shoes, don't buy until you've tried them on. Find a range that rents and try a few; it'll be money well spent. What you'll likely find is your first gun will not be the perfect gun for you but you can narrow the field somewhat.

If you have friends that shoot, maybe they can let you try some of theirs.