Revolver or Modern Hi-cap Pistol?

Kleanbore said:

No one in his right mind will base an important risk mitigation decision on averages

How "comfortable" one may "feel" does not reduce risk.

I would recommend a six shot model over a five shot revolver.

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And a 9-shot* M1911 over a six-shot revolver,


* 8-round magazine, plus one up the spout.

The reality is that there are handguns all over the country---mostly old and some even inoperable---sitting in dresser drawers, seldom if ever shot. They are there, believe it or not, for security.
Is it safe? No.
Is it adequate? Probably not.
Is it prudent? Perhaps.
Is it useful? Psychologically they serve a purpose.
Should it be discouraged? It is a Constitutional Right, dammit!
Let's pray he doesn't do anything truly stupid and hurt himself or somebody else.
If the OP can get his friend out to the range and take Home Defense seriously, that will likely be the best scenario available.

The issue I see is the new gun owner isn't going to want to spend money on expensive ammo, if he can even find any.
And that's a legit excuse.
Heck, most pistoleros I know are cutting back during this shortage---even handloading components are getting scarce!
$30 or $40 bucks for a box of .38s or 9mm range ammo is quite a hit after spending a bucket of bucks on a good handgun and you expect him to part with that every week or two?

If he can come up with the scratch to buy a brick of .22lrs take him to the range and rent or loan him a .22. Teach him basic safety and marksmanship first. That way, when he buys a handgun at least he's got a clue and less likely to end up as a statistic..
He might even find it enjoyable.

Charlie Martinez said:

Ive known him for nearly 50 years & some of you have pegged him pretty well. His wife knows about his intentions but neither one, especially the wife, is going to train with the gun. He might take it once or twice to the range after he buys it and he may ask me to come along to help him but beyond that he's not the type to either train regularly nor do any type or scheduled maintenance. His wife will probably never touch it.

After reading some of these responses the answer to my question seems pretty clear. I was wrong, a revolver is definitely the best choice for these folks. I don't know if he has a safe but if not I serioulsy doubt he'll buy one just to store the gun. He is concerend about it falling into the wrong hands so he at least knows he has to store it where kids won't get to it

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I would suggest he get one of those inexpensive gun lock boxes that he can keep on or in his night stand to keep them away from the kids.

Charlie Martinez said:

Update on my friend's final decision.

He hasn't fired the revolver since he took the CC course because he can't find 38 Special ammo. I did warn him about that and one of the reasons why I advised him to consider at 9mm pistols.

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Do you have a box or two of .38s you could sell him?

One of my sister-in-laws got a new S&W Shield and a Texas LTC a few months ago, but due to the ammo shortage I ended up gifting her two boxes of 9mm JHP. She's been divorced for over a year, two college age daughters with her, etc. etc.

diverting comment removed at Moderator request.

chicharrones said:

Do you have a box or two of .38s you could sell him?

One of my sister-in-laws got a new S&W Shield and a Texas LTC a few months ago, but due to the ammo shortage I ended up gifting her two boxes of 9mm JHP. She's been divorced for over a year, two college age daughters with her, etc. etc.

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Vern Humphrey said:

If you don't handload, you ain't right.

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What's that got to do with giving or selling someone ammo?

chicharrones said:

What's that got to do with giving or selling someone ammo?

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If they handloaded, they wouldn't need you to give or sell it to them.

Give a man ammo and he can shoot for a day. Teach him to reload, and he can shoot for life.

Vern Humphrey said:

If they handloaded, they wouldn't need you to give or sell it to them.

Give a man ammo and he can shoot for a day. Teach him to reload, and he can shoot for life.

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Vern, The High Road isn't the rest of the world and folks in the rest of the world aren't necessarily forward thinking reloaders.

In both the OP's situation and my situation, the gun owners in question are new to firearms. I've yet to meet a new cartridge shooting firearm owner to take up reloading on their first gun purchase. Or second, or third, or . . .

In my sister-in-law's case, she grew up without firearms and her ex-husband didn't have firearms either. I can guarantee my sister-in-law doesn't have the inclination to learn reloading and she wouldn't want to pay for the equipment to do so.

Once ammo stocks replenish, both my sister-in-law and the OP's friend can simply order some ammo online or get it at the local gun range. Until then, a little help from friends and family during tight times isn't a bad thing.

Charlie Martinez said:

The guy at the gun shop told him not having an exposed hammer added a degree of safety should the gun fall into the wrong hands.

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Did this salesman have Brylcreem in his hair, wear a plaid jacket, and a white belt and shoes?

I’d rather a Colt’s 1911 above all else but between that and a tupperware gun like the Block I’d take a trusty wheelgun any day.

JCooperfan1911 said:

I’d rather a Colt’s 1911 above all else but between that and a tupperware gun like the Block I’d take a trusty wheelgun any day.

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Either a M1911 or a Colt New Service.

I haven't read the whole thread so if I am stepping on toes then sorry. But when someone post about helping a new shooter I point them to this article by C.E. Harris. He says it better than I can.

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/One Revolver.htm

ThomasT said:

I haven't read the whole thread so if I am stepping on toes then sorry. But when someone post about helping a new shooter I point them to this article by C.E. Harris. He says it better than I can.

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/One Revolver.htm

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Many things mentioned in that article are exactly why the first handgun I bought (over 25 years ago) was my Ruger GP100. For the life of me, I can't remember why I bought a 6" barrel over a 4" barrel, though.

Charlie Martinez said:

Thanks. Great article.

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It is. And if you get the chance look over that whole website. All of his articles are as good as that one. And if you reload 38 Special he has very good advive on that too.

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/backcreekdiary.htm

StrawHat said:

Might not be a “modern high capacity” 9mm but if it is something to be left at a strategic spot and still be safe, consider something like the Browning HiPower or 2nd Generation S&W 9mm. They can be left with one in the chamber. Removing the magazine renders them unfireable. Wear the magazine on your belt and if you can actually get to the pistol you are good to go.

I prefer a revolver on my belt.

Kevin

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Back in the 70s it was an empty 1911 in a strategic location with a mag or two in your pocket. This was called "Condition 4".

We considered the 1911 but because there was no magazine disconnect, it cannot be left with one up the spout.

I would have preferred the ACP cartridge to the Parabellum but hits count.

Kevin

I'd tell him to get a pitching wedge.

a revolver can be picked up and, for the most part, fired by simply pulling the trigger. the beretta 92 I keep in my desk next to me, requires that it be taken out of the holster, racked, and safety flipped ... neither is totally safe, but my estimation is the semi-auto, is vastly less likely for someone who doesn't know how to operate it, to find it and cause it to discharge (a child or young adult, who is not trained). a 4 year old can pick up a revolver and get it to go off.

The only safety is behind the eyes and between the ears and if there untrained adults and children around then he must be very careful in securing it.
I consider revolvers "safer" for the untrained and inexperienced until they develop proper gun handling habits.
Easier to ascertain if they are loaded and a DA revolver requires more attention when pulling the trigger in either mode.