Why would anyone choose a revolver over semi auto?

[mavracer]

Is there a good reason to choose a revolver over semi auto? Whenever I see people with one as their only gun I think "what is this the Great Train Robbery? Get with the 21st Century!"

I have a Smith 65-2 (former Texas Dept of corrections gun) thats just magic buttery smooth Draw her from the holster and stroke the trigger holes appear one after another COM,gives me a warm fuzzy fealing to carry her or have her stand guard in the nightstand.

 

[Cosmoline]

They did well getting rid of a number of screws but woe on those that bust up the trigger unit.

It's solid state, you don't have to "bust up" the trigger unit. That's the whole point of it. The only reason to unpack it is to swap springs, and as smithing goes that's still a very elementary project. You squirt some CLP on the springs, wipe them down, and stick them back in. Frankly you don't even need to do that.

Again more to do with questionable previous owner's custodianship, but I've found Pythons to be particularly grim in this regard.

?? Then GIVE ME THAT PYTHON, boyo. They're old fashioned and really you don't want one. Never mind all this talk of the "finest handgun ever made." Clearly that's just old timers with some brain problems.

 

[WinchesterAA]

SKU: item_163687

Model: 386
Caliber: .357MAG/.38+P
Capacity: 7 Rounds
Barrel Length: 3 1/8"
Front Sight: "Light Gathering" HIVIZ®

Rear Sight: Adjustable V-Notch
Grip: Rubber Grips
Frame: Medium
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 8 1/8"
Material: Alloy
Weight Empty: 18.5 oz.





My dad always comes home laughing after his PD makes him qualify. He's an old fashioned old guy who still uses a revolver when no one else does. Outshoots them for speed and accuracy habitually. Gets em on the reloads too with full moon clips.

When it comes down to it, a guy well versed in autos will stomp on just about anybody period for all of the above, but as a consequence of most autos looking so cool.. dumb people get them thinking they're better and don't know how to use them.

Autos vs revolvers? Skill, experience, practice. There's your pistol. I can pop singles out of a bolt gun faster than an idiot can work the controls of whatever he's shooting. Sad as that may be.

 

[Hawk]

Then GIVE ME THAT PYTHON, boyo. They're old fashioned and really you don't want one. Never mind all this talk of the "finest handgun ever made." Clearly that's just old timers with some brain problems.

I wish you were around a couple months ago.

My quote from another thread:

Nobody that manages to spend 2,500.00 on two Pythons to recover only 1,300.00 several weeks later after discovering they barked at the moon should be bidding on something with a "good luck with that" condition of sale. I've managed to lose more money, faster, with revolvers than I was able to ever do previously outside a casino or gentlemen's club. And, the memories from both the casino and gentlemen's club are more pleasant than those provided by the Pythons.

Nevertheless, you may be misinterpreting my remarks. Revolver are fine. Revolvers are a better choice for some folks. In fact, they're so fine there's less than no reason to make up stuff about advantages they don't, in fact, possess. The real ones should suffice.

The thread is about revolvers. If we want to make it "Rugers vs all semis" I'd guess that would be a new thread.

The Pythons rather hammered home the "reliability" thing for me. Ever try to find someone to work on one? (that hasn't closed his waiting list)?

 

[azimuth]

I like to shoot revolvers because I don't have to bend at the waist to recover my brass...

 

[btg3]

Pretty much unarguable revolver advantage: easier to keep your brass.

I don't think folks who CC and have speed-loaders are conerned with keeping their brass. Perhaps there's an opportunity for a creative person to invent speed-unloaders to do this?

 

[Ash]

I have an EAA Witness, 45ACP, which I have traditionally used in the woods and often times at home (especially after Katrina). But, I have also used a Trooper Mk III (my first handgun was a Trooper Mk III given to me by my grandfather). 357 is always comfortable in the woods, and is becoming more and more of something I use at home.

Ash

 

[Dismantler]

The original poster states that "Semi autos are just as reliable nowadays."

If that is true...why do I keep seeing magazine articles instructing people on how to "Get out of a jam and get back into the fight." or other such titles on clearing jams. There are two of these on the news stands right now. One is in Guns and Ammo Handguns, the other in Guns and Weapons for Law Enforcement.

When the local PD went from Ruger revolvers to whatever auto they chose, the training included clearing jams and handling malfunctions. So I ask you...is that a step in the right direction? Personally, I don't think so.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

You gonna tell Clint he shouldn't be shooting a revolver because it's archaic and outdated?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVWwOahGf8

Eventually, I'll be headed to Thunder Ranch to get a revolver and auto class in, myself. I carry both, and shoot reasonably well with both. Were I headed to South Africa or another similar dangerous spot, I'd be sporting my Glock 17 and all the ammo I could get on my bat-belt. Much more rarely does one have to deal with packs of more than 3-4 dirtbags, domestically, so I'm more comfortable with six rounds and several reloads.

 

[Mad Magyar]

failures I've had when shooting have been with autos and that is always in the back of my mind.

I think that lurks in every auto owners mind....With my K-frames, I use my revolver in a shoulder rig...

 

[El Tejon]

newbie, because it is carried for self-defense.

Understand that use of a firearm will not be done on a square range on a bright sunny day. When you use the weapon, especially a bug, it will likely be done in a position of duress.

You may find yourself on the ground, rolling about in an impromtu jiujitsu match. The prospect of a self-loading pistol unlocking because of lack of resistance and inducing a Type III malf can transpire down there.

You may find yourself at body to body range. The pistol may be pressed up against the threat which will unlock a self-loader.

Understand that there are pros and cons of all weapons. However, those are the reasons trained people carry revolvers (still).

 

[bakert]

Is there a good reason to choose a revolver over semi auto? Whenever I see people with one as their only gun I think "what is this the Great Train Robbery? Get with the 21st Century!"

I Do carry an auto most days but also at times carry this old well worn model 10, probably made before he was born, and feel pretty well protected.

 

[1911 guy]

I'm a big believer in using what you shoot best.

Anybody care to tell Jerry Miculek that his S&W wheelgun isn't good enough? That man can fire and reload a revolver faster than I can an autoloader. He's accurate, to boot.

 

[DawgFvr]

nothing wrong with auto pistols...but I usually carry a 642 in my pocket for all the reasons posted daily, monthly and yearly on the THR forum and others...which a simple "search" expand upon. This will then lead you to the question, "Why is a revolver preferable to carry in the pocket instead of an auto? Again, I would say search...this has been gone over and over.

 

[bigmike45]

tipoc somewhat gave a good reason......there are calibers that are available in revolvers that are not easily found in a semi-auto, or found at all in a semi-auto. I carry both and feel equally protected with either the revolver or semi-auto I am carrying.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I think my wife give a real good reason, They don't make a 357mag compact auto.

Also, with her hammerless snubby you can shoot 5 rounds without ever taking it from the pocket. Trust me, I've done it.

 

[tipoc]

I carry both and feel equally protected with either the revolver or semi-auto I am carrying.

I agree.

We could debate for a long time which is more reliable and both sides would be right, mostly.

We could debate the strengths and weaknesses one over the other and both sides would have made points.

But it comes down to the shooter and the task. Your needs, preferences and skills play the deciding role. You match the gun and caliber to the task.

I also think, if we're honest with ourselves, that Doug Dubyas on spot. I like a gun that strikes my fancy, that looks and feels good to me. That I enjoy shooting and that is fun, yep fun. If we didn't like 'em we wouldn't have as many as most of us do. More choices.

tipoc

 

[Glockman17366]

I pocket carry most the time. I've found those small snubbies are more reliable and can carry a better round (.38 +P) the pocket semi-autos. I do have a Beretta Tomcat...pretty reliable too. But I very rarely carry this little gun. Maybe that's a bad thing.

So, when I go out, my little Taurus always goes with me. I may carry another gun too (on the belt).

When I do carry a semi-auto, it's a glock 19. That's on a belt slide holster.

But pocket carry is so convenient, so that's my preference.

 

[lee n. field]

They don't have as many parts on them that can mess up like on a semi auto.

Ever had one open?

Suggest you read over Kuhnhausen's S&W Revolver, A Shop Manual.

 

[CountGlockula]

I'm a semi auto fan...but you should always have the other platform in your collection.

 

[jdc1244]

To me it’s not a matter of choosing one over the other – all handguns are great and one should own both.

 

[19-3Ben]

I shoot revolvers better than semi-autos. A compact revolver is more comfortable for me to carry. Therefore, my SP101 is the primary carry.
Now, if I KNEW i was headed into a gun battle, would I carry a wheelgun? no. It would be my M&P. nothing like 18 rounds of 9mm HP on tap. But then again, as someone once said, a wheelgun has enough ammo to get you into trouble, or out of trouble, but not both.
I don't plan on getting myself into trouble. If 5 rounds of well placed .357mag are not enough to stop the threat I need to:
A) call in for close air support, or
B) learn not to piss the target off in the first place!!!

 

[Sato Ord]

Opinions are like... and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.

This whole debate has been done to death. Use what you are comfortable with.

 

[bdjansen]

The only problem I've had with a revolver is weak primer strikes on my 637. As for autos I've had failures with them all at some time. Glock, M&P, XD, 1911. It was probably ammo issues but it was still a failure.

That's why I use revolvers. Doesn't mean I have a problem with autos. They both have their limitations.

 

[Average Joe]

Because they are so "pretty"