combat revolver?

Armored farmer · Sep 5, 2020

Last week I attended another combat pistol class. I brought along my s&w 66 mostly as a backup gun to my 9mm in case of a breakdown.
In conversation with the instructor before class, I mentioned that I had my 66 in the truck. He suggested that I use it. He said he had ever had anyone use a revolver in his combat classes.
The theme of the class was shooting from cover to neutralize a distant threat. Mostly controlled pairs. Combat accuracy(torso hits).
I decided that since my 66 is my current favorite handgun, and I shoot it well, I would go for it.
The gun worked great, I shot it well, and got alot of practice with reloading from speedloaders. I only had my iwb holster, so that was a bit of a pain reholstering so often. We crawled around and shot many positions. Quite a bit of weak side shooting (which I need to practice).
All in all, a great class that I enjoyed using my favorite handgun.

Who else still shoots old school revolvers in combat roles...or has the high cap 9mm completely taken over?

Dframe · Sep 5, 2020

Still carrying my Colt Cobra

stevekozak · Sep 5, 2020

I love my 66. Favorite revolver. Did you shoot full-power 357s in class with those grips? That looks to be painful, and a bit to control.

Armored farmer · Sep 5, 2020

stevekozak said:
I love my 66. Favorite revolver. Did you shoot full-power 357s in class with those grips? That looks to be painful, and a bit to control.

Nope, I shot my mild reloads.
158gr LNFPSWC over 6.4gr unique.

whughett · Sep 5, 2020

Dframe said:
Still carrying my Colt Cobra

Colt Cobra. In my brief beat cop days in the late 60’s I carried one of those as a back up. When I left in 67 I sold it to another cop on the same force. I do remember not doing too good with it at range quals.

stanley_white · Sep 5, 2020

For defensive purposes in a criminal context I prefer a revolver.

- Stan

kBob · Sep 5, 2020

Thanks for sharing with us. Some times the younger set can learn a thing or two from someone sitting in the west. It ain't all plastic fantastic three mags to the box of ammo guns!

-kBob

PI Rob · Sep 5, 2020

I've been on both sides of the auto vs revolver fence and about 20 yrs ago I decided revolvers floated my boat moreso than autos. I've shot pistol courses with both and found I'm slower with revolvers but just as accurate. I would go a little crazy with autos and accessories lol. New gun, new holster, extra mags, new mag holder, extra springs, night sites, etc. When I started carrying revolvers only it was just the gun, a holster that fit several different guns usually Smith K/L frames with a speed strip or speed loader and that makes me smile. Right now my EDC is my 586 with an unbelievably smooth trigger. Love the K/L frames!

Gordon · Sep 5, 2020

Congratulations on your success , and your wisdom of continued training !

GEM · Sep 5, 2020

I have taken revolver classes and shot them quiet a few times in IDPA matches. So I think it is a great idea to learn and test one's ability with them, Nice report. I know too many folks who stick a J frame-ish gun in their pocket and have done nothing but a few rounds at a square range, close up.

Of course, as I reported my favorite belt revolver is that odd ball SW 632, SS, 3 inch, hammer, comp'ed, fiber optic sights in 32 mag. Shot a class and quite a few matches with it. Fits my little old hands better than my SW M19, which was a fine gun.

If I had to EDC a revolver that would be it (separate from pocket snubbie days). However, normal EDC is a Glock for the usual reasons. I've won revolver class at matches (oh, was I the only one shooting? Came in second after a Jerry M. national champion - oh, were there only two revolver guys?

)

John Joseph · Sep 5, 2020

I carried revolvers in the SO, both a Python and an "N" frame.
I still have a revolver on my CCW.
It's a considerably smaller ("J" frame) revolver though.

ontarget · Sep 5, 2020

GEM said:
. I've won revolver class at matches (oh, was I the only one shooting? Came in second after a Jerry M. national champion - oh, were there only two revolver guys? )

I wish I could say I came in 2nd to JM.
Regardless of the number of competitors, 2nd is still 2nd. And how many of us can make that claim.

whughett · Sep 5, 2020

In Florida two years ago a neighbor invited me to one of his gun clubs speed matches. Target perhaps 15’ away draw or pick up on the buzzer and empty five into the target. Speed won the day, score was additional points.
Have shot pistol, revolvers by choice for many years I was appalled at just how poorly I did. Using a GP100 I kept short stroking the trigger, not fully releasing it I believed. I realized then punching paper for groups doesn’t teach one how to control the adrenaline rush. Next time up I switched to a 22 auto but still did poorly. Didn’t get another opportunity as one was allowed only two visits as a guest.

Armored farmer · Sep 5, 2020

The class concept was to take down a shooter at 25yds from cover by exposing as little possible to the shooter.
I was feeling guilty because I was thumb cocking the 66 and shooting tight groups on the target. I felt like and related to the instructor that I was cheating by shooting single action. He allowed that it was ok to cheat in a sd situation and you "run what you brung"!

.38 Special · Sep 5, 2020

I've never actually taken a semi-auto to a combat class - or a combat style competition, for that matter. I competed with L frames and train/carry with K frames. Kleanbore thinks it'll get me killed, but as far as I can tell that is a minority opinion!

Armored farmer · Sep 5, 2020

In my class, we witnessed a Canik hiccup, a Springfield XD hiccup, and a 1911 hiccup. I think they were all human error. Magazine/ reloading related iirc.
The Glocks and my s&w ran fine.
I certainly did more reloading than anyone there.

B_Li_Ber_Tar_Ian · Sep 5, 2020

If I'm out around the town closest to home I'll carry this 3" model 65. If I'm going to an area with more known criminal activity I'll be carrying the PCR

Mike OTDP · Sep 5, 2020

Armored farmer said:
I was feeling guilty because I was thumb cocking the 66 and shooting tight groups on the target.

This is a trick people forget. A good revolver has a SA trigger that will put anything short of an Olympic target pistol to shame.

troy fairweather · Sep 5, 2020

Congratulations,
My dad just picked up a nice s&w 64-5 for cheap, should be a fun range gun.

Stophel · Sep 5, 2020

That hammer spur is there for a reason. Use it.

SteadyD · Sep 5, 2020

I wish more classes were oriented towards revolvers. Did you run any drills DA?

WestKentucky · Sep 5, 2020

Self defense? That’s the point of my 2” rhino.

bearcreek · Sep 5, 2020

stanley_white said:
For defensive purposes in a criminal context I prefer a revolver.

- Stan

So you don't leave brass behind as evidence? :scrutiny:

DR505 · Sep 5, 2020

My first LE gun was a 4" Model 27-3. Still have it and shoot it well. I carry a revolver for SD more in the fall and winter; usually a 4" 625-7 MG in .45 Colt or a 3" 657 in .41 Magnum. I do like revolvers.

Stophel · Sep 6, 2020

I've never been able to take any training classes, but I can do better than the average schmo.

I used to carry a 5 shot Chief's Special in my pocket, but in the last few months I thought it might be prudent to carry more gun, so the 1911 has been on my hip. The lure of the revolver has been calling me back, though, and I'm thinking of leaving the 1911 at home and replace it with the big nickel .357....

(total concealment is not a huge concern for me)

No, it doesn't hold 7-8 shots (or 15 or 17...), and no I can't reload quite as fast, but by golly, it sure feels good. Fits my hand, and nothing is more natural or instinctive to point and shoot (and so glad I FINALLY discovered the Hogue Monogrip. I have to put them on everything now!). And no one can deny the .357's effectiveness. Plus, style has to count for something.

combat revolver?

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