Why do I like revolvers?

It's hard to break out of habits we acquire as kids. For you it was shooting your dad's guns. For me it's the thought of not having a well equipped workshop to tinker in. I grew up with my dad's shop and spent many of my formative years making stuff. It set me on a lifelong path that is still very central to my lifestyle. I'll often make something in a hour where others would happily go out and shop around for the same thing for an afternoon because they can't fathom the option of making what they need.

As for revolvers for me it was a case of going semi because I thought revolvers would be really odd to hold what with CLEARLY poor balance issues what with the grips being behind the center of mass. And then there was that odd shape to the grips. To me the semis just looked right and my first two handguns were semis.

But then one day I decided to try something different at the Rent-A-Gun range and took out a S&W 10 with a 4 inch barrel. Well by the time I was half way through the second cylinder I was hooked. How could I have known that anything so odd looking would work so well in the hands? I was easily outshooting the groups I was getting with my semis with a gun which I had just barely picked up!

I suspect this same "fits like a glove" works for you as well.

Why do I like revolvers?

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Because you have good taste?

As for me? Lessee...in no particular order:

1. Ammo versatility:
a. From my 686, I can shoot everything from full-house .357s to target wadcutters to standard Short Colt to Speer primer-only rubber bullets with no FTFs, FTEs or cycling issues.
b. I can experiment with powder charges, crimps, OALs, and bullet style with no FTFs, FTEs or cycling issues.
c. Due to the relatively low pressure, I can reload my brass a bunch of times.

2. Chasing brass: A non-issue.

3. The double action trigger:
a. It's tough to master (we never really master it), but there's a certain Zen to it.
b. It's not easy to shoot a DA revolver accurately in DA. It's not easy to shoot a DA revolver fast in DA. And it's definitely not easy to shoot a DA revolver fast and accurately in DA. I enjoy the challenge and feel a sense of accomplishment when I'm doing well. It's also not something a lot of people can do, which adds to the sense of accomplishment.

4. Reloads: Same as the double action trigger. See 3a and 3b.

5. Dry fire Revolvers are very amenable to dry fire and reloading practice.

6. Aesthetics: They just look right to me.

7. Grips: For at least popular models, there are plenty of grip options, so it's possible to fine-tune the gun to me, rather than the other way around.

1. It's what I started with.

2. It's the class of gun I have put the most rounds down range with and I am most familiar with.

3. They work reliably.

4. They are a lot of fun with a lot of ammo options.

5. Old Colts and vintage S&Ws are classic guns.

Wheel Guns!

I shoot IDPA with a 1911 or a Glock in .40, and can use them pretty well, but I carry a Smith & Wesson. My home defense guns are all revolvers, my wife can use them, and they are as reliable as a gun can be. In an emergency I would rather have 6 shots for sure than 15 maybes. If you like revolvers I would suggest a used model 10, if you are patient you can probably find one for around $300. They may not be glamorous, but they are hard to beat for a house/carry gun.

Revolver reliability

I love them for their reliability but sometimes they can screw up just as bad as autoloaders.

Pyro

What are we looking at? What happened in the pic? No primers and buggered brass?

PRM said:

Pyro

What are we looking at? What happened in the pic? No primers and buggered brass?

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Not my pic or gun but if I remember the story correctly those are firing pin strikes.
The unprimed brass was used just to show the problem.

Thunk... Thunk... Thunk... Thunk... Thunk.. Thunk... Latch... Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......Click...

For those who don't speak Morse-revolver... All reliability and self defense aside... It's an organic, pleasurable experience that in most cases requires that you take a small bit more time between shots.

I grew up learning on revolvers. I like my autos, and they make sense in that one of them may have the same number of rounds on tap as 3 revolvers, and I do carry one sometimes.

But. When I reach for a gun, it's usually a revolver. They fit, and they work. I'm not saying that I own an auto that doesn't fit, or doesn't work. It's just something in my mind that says, "if I want a powerful gun that will kill a mutant zombie bear, I want a revolver. if the biker gang horde is coming, I want my CZ." Wouldn't want to be without either type, but I doubt I'd sell my .357.

What you like is what you like, but while I have heard revolver users say "I could understand using a higher capacity weapon if I'm expecting to be doing LE/M duties", I've never heard autoloader users say they would rather use a revolver in certain situations, unless it is something involving a caliber too large to comfortably use in a semi-auto (like .357 magnum or .454 cassul).

What you like is what you like, but while I have heard revolver users say "I could understand using a higher capacity weapon if I'm expecting to be doing LE/M duties", I've never heard autoloader users say they would rather use a revolver in certain situations, unless it is something involving a caliber too large to comfortably use in a semi-auto (like .357 magnum or .454 cassul).

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Hum??? I've heard a lot of comments on the range about failure to feed, failure to eject, stove piping, mags that don't work, feed ramps that need polishing, certain ammo types not working, barrels that need throating, changing safeties, better slide releases, problems with recoil springs, and limp wristing ~ but not from revolver shooters.

Wow Pyro. Someone has some significant timing issues on that wheel gun.

Revolvers are classic. Nothing wrong with liking a classic, or four.

Dang, those are beauties!

Which girl do you take to the dance....??

Because they are like a fine watch instead of some cheap plastic tool like you buy at Walmart. And as someone else pointed out, very Zen once you learn how to operate one. And they come in serious calibers.

Thank you sir. I have an ex wife that I bought the 66-LS back from when we got divorced. I like the lady smith so much, I model all my stainless revolvers after them. The only two lady smiths in that picture are the 66LS and the 361LS. I hope to find a reasonably priced 65 Lady smith some day.

Depending on which dance I go to, will determine which lady goes with me! (And yes, like any Lady, they have many pairs of "shoes."

Revolvers have character! Autos are more efficient, but are stamped out. Maybe it's because of my age, but a nice revolver has way more appeal.
I have and love many autos, but it's the lines of a nice old smith that gets my attention.

great pictorial essay there WEG !

BC and MrB already said it all for me
(besides... good guys wear white cowboy hats and shoot sixguns)

I prefer revolvers for the following reasons:

1. Don't have to chase my brass at the range.
2. Straight-walled rimmed cartridges headspacing at the rim are very forgiving to handload for. The only OAL questions you have to be concerned for are "Does it fit in the cylinder?" and "Will the cylinder rotate?"
3. Wide ammo versatility without having the modify the gun. No messing with magazines, feed ramp polishing, or recoil springs to accomadate different ammo types.
4. For carry purposes, double action revolvers are the simplest pistols to operate under stress or while in awkward positions. You don't need to worry about limp-wristing and such, which may cause cycling issues in automatics.
5. Typically revolvers will be cheaper to own over the life of the gun, because - to add to points 1 through 3 - I will spend less money on brass (which is either lost or damaged easily over the lifespan of an automatic), and I won't be buying magazines, recoil springs, etc. Less money into the gun = more money for practicing (or to buy more guns).

As for personal, subjective reasons:

1. I find single action revolver grip frames to be natural-feeling in the hand, and very natural-pointing.
2. I enjoy the nostalgia of revolvers.

Mr. Borland pretty much covered all the bases (as far as my opinion) in post #3.

I would add "not being overkill".

Were I a member of a SWAT team I would carry a hi cap auto with many reloads. But as "just a guy" it is...hopefully...more than enough.

This is not to say that I don't love bottom-feeding brass-chuckers...but for my money...revolvers are getting worse each year. So I am spending all my money on old revolvers...and loving it.

Had a friend with a Wildey. We spent more time hunting for the $1.00 each cases than we did shooting. I hate loosing brass, esp. in snow. 100% recovery with a revolver. just preference. I like my semi's too.

revolvers have classic look and feel. something substantial that you know can be passed down generation to generation. revolvers give me a sense of "pride of ownership" i just dont feel with the autos. autos definitely have their place, but i am drawn to the wheels.