Revolver for a duty weapon

I would carry a revolver as my main sidearm as long as a) I practice very often to keep up skills, and b) a SECOND revolver (that way I have a '12' shooter.)

The only trouble is according to Tom Givens of Rangemaster there are many more multiple attackers nowdays. That is more than one of them show up and they are armed.

Instead of being rare, they are now becoming common.

So think about that when you carry a six shooter. You have better be fast AND good with it (but then should you not be with any weapon you carry?)

Deaf

I would opt for a S&W 686 Plus (4" barrel) w/ Safariland speedloaders & Winchester 145gr Silvertip jhp's in .357 mag; secondary choice for a primary sidearm would be a Ruger GP100 (4" barrel) using same setup for speedloaders & ammo

hopefully I could sneak in a secondary gun like a S&W 642 or 442 w/ Bianchi Speed Strip(s) & Speer Gold Dot 135gr jhp's (short barrel load) in .38spl +p

I found it intriguing that the PA Game Commission relied on .357 mag revolvers til a few years ago when they switched to Glock semiautos in .357 Sig; salaried officers were issued S&W 686's (6-shot 4" barrel) with Safariland speedloaders and Winchester Silvertip 145gr jhp's in .357; voluntary deputies had the option of any .357 mag revolver that had a 4" barrel & 6 shot capacity with comparable speedloaders; undercover, secondary, and backup revolvers were optional (.357 mag & annual qualification was needed for approval)

How about both maybe your current S&W and a small frame glock, or maybe a J frame .357 to go with your current glock?

I'm not LEO but my friends father who is recently retired carried a glock 22, a S&W .357 mag, don't remember the model, It was a 6 shot stainless w/ around 4 inch barrel, and a beretta bobcat .25 acp in an ankle holster.

IMHO the third gun is a little unnecessary, but on one occasion he did have to use the .357 on a rabid raccoon that several shots with the glock 22 didn't stop. Thats just what his son told me, I find that a little hard to believe.

One may call him paranoid, but I shot his glock after he gave it to his son, and that was the most unreliable semi I have ever shot. It must have been an old model or something, it jammed every 3 shots at least, and thats with factory brass, same batch worked fine out of the glock I had at the time. It was freshly cleaned too and would still jam up all the time. To be fair it probably had massive amounts of ammo through it, but still malfunctions happen.

I'm not hating on glocks or semis, my first handgun was a glock 22 and I shot a couple thousand rounds out of it with only a few jams, most likely caused by limp wristing.

I think a revolver is very much the leading choice for civilian carry. What they lack in capacity is easily made up in reliability. The immediate action drill is also MUCH simpler and faster and I think that's key. I feel that it's unlikely that capacity would save my life, but possible that reliability or a quick follow up to a dud could.

Though not familiar with police work; I would think that, though you stand a greater chance of being in a shootout, you also stand a greater chance of having a partner to back you up. Thus, the capacity vs. reliability argument might have new implications.

Further, I think you might want to consider the affect that seeing the different guns might have on a perp. You might get one that views your revolver as impotent, though I doubt the reverse is likely.

Lastly, if the people you work with wouldn't trust a revolver, your choice to carry one might undermine their trust in you and that seems like a bad thing.

So tell me am I nuts for thinking of replacing the holy grail of sidearms (glock) with a "REVOLVER"!

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No problem. Your nuts

As a civilian, I prefer to carry a revolver because it is a part of my arm. I do not need to look at it, feel it... it is just there and it does what I ask.

But, I am only responsible for myself and getting myself to safety. I feel that 5 rounds are suitable for my needs. If I were LE, I would feel obliged to take any and all efforts to protect the public. And, doubling my capacity (Or more) would certainly be a good start.

That being said, get the ankle holster!

I would carry a revolver just to project the image of being a tough old f@rt who is no-nonsense and old school, is comfortable with old-world technology that works, and is one to be reckoned with.

I suppose that in the realm of semiautos, a 1911 would buy one similar creds...

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If the .357 cartridge you use is more powerful/penetrates better than the Glock cartridge, and you can shoot better with it, believe a case could be made for carrying that as primary weapon.
All my pistols are revolvers in .357, but then I'm not in law enforcement.

I would have been more than happy to have the soldiers on guard duty with a 6 shooter in .45 auto than a full auto FAL, this being back in the old country.

One of the men I did my shooting apprenticeship under was a cop. Twenty years with the DC Police, then moved up to Pennsylvania and worked there. An outstanding shot who could carry anything he pleased.

His carry gun was a S&W Performance Center K-comp. He figured that it doesn't matter how many rounds you have in the gun, it mattered how many hits you made - and where. Carry what you shoot best.

The police duty weapon is used the vast majority of the time as a tool of psychological intimidation. Its presence both holstered and drawn serves to remind the criminal element that we are capable of responding to their actions to the point of causing their deaths. When drawn it serves to immediately underscore the point that we are engaged in serious business. Criminals over the years have learned the majority of the situations when we are unlikely to shoot them and frequently make their observation of the situation known. "Don't do me like my boy [insert name of most recent gene pool cleaning subject]. I know all you pigs like to shoot [insert race and gender of suspect]." Conversely if the subject is of the belief that they may actually be shot, and have made the decision to not engage in any resistance their statements usually is much different: "Don’t kill me! Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"

The majority of the public, the criminal element included, gather their knowledge of firearms from movies and television shows. Reality television and the internet have to an extent given the public a slightly more accurate view of a hand guns effects on someone, but there are still hundreds of Hollywood shootings that show someone flying backwards through the air from a 9mm impact. Suspects frequently have perceptions of a weapons effectiveness based on what they have observed in the media. A 9mm will bounce off ones chest, where a .45 will blow your arm off. A shotgun will simply saw a man in half. Perhaps one of the single most recognizable handguns in the media is the .44 magnum revolver. Specifically the S&W model 29. The character of Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan immortalized it in several films, and the phrase: "it'll blow a man’s head clean off," and "do you feel lucky punk,” have been indelibly inked on several generations.

A 6” revolver invariably causes everyone (even cops) to quote Clint Eastwood. Most anyone who has a pistol pointed at them has a very distinct difficultly in accurately describing the bore. Comments of "as big as a cannon” or simply "huge" are common. The psychological shocking effect of a 6" nickel revolver is massive compared to that of say a Glock. The public, and the criminal element, have been socialized to believe that all large shiny revolvers are .44 magnums that "will blow a man’s head clean off." This psychological shocking affect is something that can not be overlooked when discussing police arms.

A modern 7 or 8 shot revolver shooting a service cartridge (.38 spl +P, .357 mag, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, even .41 and .44 magnum) is no less ballisticly efficient then their auto loading counterpoints. The decrease in ammo capacity is not as dramatic, when viewed against single stack magazine pistols. The 1911 is considered one of the holy grails of fighting pistols, and it has the same magazine capacity of an 8 shot revolver.

For the officer that is willing to devote the time and effort to master shooting a revolver they have few disadvantages even when compared to the modern service semi-auto pistol. Reloading a revolver, even with moon clips, is a more fine motor skill intensive issue then reloading a semi-auto pistol. The revolver is normally larger and heavier than a comparable semi-auto pistol; however none are so large as to preclude carrying on duty.

Personally I don't feel the least bit under gunned with my G34 in 9mm w/ 52 rounds available, and I wouldn't feel under gunned with a 686+ and 21 rounds of .357 mag.

-Jenrick

I think for CC or HD a revolver is sufficent. Given your profession I would feel remiss in suggesting that a revolver would be a good choice as a duty weapon. Unlike most of us that carry daily, the chances that you could be in a prolonged fire fight is much higher than mine. For that situation only I think you would be better served with a autoloader.

Even if you were to carry a 8 shot 357 which capacity wise is the same as a 1911. Your ability to reload a autoloader is much greater in a stress situation. If you want carry a revolver off duty and split the difference.

First averages and number don't mean a thing. You don't get do overs in life.

I carried revolvers during most of my LE career. I would not feel at a disadvantage to start doing it again. That said I doubt I would CHOOSE to go back to a revolver.

First, I always carried 4 reloads on my belt. I chose the Safariland comp 1 loaders. HKS loaders can be activated before all the rounds are set, thus you loose rounds. This isn't theory, I've seen it happen to several Ofc in real life shootings. Also if you have to top off you may be dumping live rounds out. You may have the presents of mind to pick them up, but I haven't seen anyone yet that has.

Second, the reload itself takes more time, and you will have to take your eyes off target to reload. It was the revolver days where the "New York" reload came into being. Even today it makes sense. (drawing a second gun is faster than a reload)

Third, revolvers can and do go down. When they go down it's usually requires a trip an armors bench, as compared to a "tap, rap, bang" drill for semi autos.

Then there is reality. This ain't Mayberry, and your not Andy Taylor. If you have been keep up, you should notice there is a war on LEO's. We have lost approx 3 a day since the first of the year. Encountering multiple BG's is common place. Reloading in a gun fight is a real drag. Reloading pump shotguns and revolvers during a gun fight makes it worst. Trust me on this.

IMHO stick with your Glock for duty work.

Wolfgang makes a lot of sense. I know we all like to think the past can go toe-to-toe with the future and win, but in most cases it ain't true. If it was, EVERY cop will still be packing a wheel gun, automatic transmissions would be in the minority, and cell phones wouldn't have GPS. But let's face it, in most cases the newer design will have the edge...your fuel injected car and microwave dinner agree with me on this.

When I first came on the job in 1968 I carried a Colt Offical Police 4" barrel .38 spl with 12 extra rounds of 158 gr. round nose lead in belt loops. Around 1970 the department I was with went to S&W Model 10's with 4" bull barrels and 12 extra rounds on the belt in dump pouches. I moved to Florida in 1972 and the department I went with allowed us to carry .357 mag but we could only use .38 spl. ammo. I bought a S&W Model 66 with 4" barrel and carried Supel Vel 110 gr. .38 spl. ammo. The next move was in the early 80's and the S&W Model 59 in 9mm was the step up with two extra 15 round mags on the belt. In the mid 90's the 5906 was the duty waepon and then in the late 90's the Glock 19 then the Glock 23 and now I carry a issued Glock 21 SF with two extra 13 round magazines. I suppose I've said all this to say I feel comfortable with the 40 rounds between the G-21 and the two extra magazines but if I had to I would feel well armed with a S&W 686 and a couple of speedloaders of 125 gr. 357 mag ammo. Do I like more rounds and a faster reload with the G-21 ? Absolutely. Carry what you feel will get you home at the end of the tour but do it for tactical reasons not sentimental ones. Just my $.02.

I don't have a dog in this fight. But that being said, my pops still carries a 6 inch 686 on duty. He is one of the last ones in his department still carrying a wheelgun. He loves it, and he's good with it sincew he's carried the same one since 1984. However, it's getting hard for him to get duty gear for it anymore that meets department standards. He's hoping his holster holds out until retirement.

While you would have a good firearm on your side if you switched, the availability of approved duty gear for your department could be a factor that comes into play.

I've seen a PPD officer whistling people out of pick up at PHL airport who was carrying was looked to be some sort of revolver with a 5-6" barrel. She couldn't have been taller than 4' 5", either. Almost looked like her sidearm was half her size!

But then again, she was whistling at people at the airport... probably not going to have to draw that sidearm as often as officers on patrol elsewhere.

Olde School.

You certainly have had a long career...My hat's off to you for your service.

I wouldn't allow nostalgia to overrule common sense.

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This is what the question boils down to IMHO.

Realistically, as a LEO you're looking at different scenario's than most defensive shootings a civilian would encounter. Multiple threats are not unlikely, and a prolonged fight is completely feasible as civilians are more than happy to let an attacker flee if they'll do so (it removes the threat) - you don't have that luxury.

A revolver isn't a useless weapon - and yes, officers made due with them for a long time, but those times are past. If it was all that was available for issue or that's all that you could reliably shoot then by all means, it beats a sharp stick, but realistically if you have other options and are perfectly capable of shooting a semi-auto, then I would do so. Semi-autos may be SLIGHTLY less reliable (very slightly), but realistically the vast majority of quality weapons will go thousands and thousands of rounds without so much as a hiccup. In the off chance of a FTE or FTF you're looking at about as much time as it would take to reload a revolver with a speedloader to clear the jam.

Save style for the range and let pragmatism come into play when choosing your duty weapon.

Sounds like a good if hard decision; I had to make a similar choice when I entered LE a few years back. The bulk of my prior shooting had been IDPA and IPSC with revolvers. I loved shooting revolvers and was pretty good at it. When S&W came out with the 627 Pro, the gun you've considered, I got one and enjoy shooting it.

My agency required that I start off with a Glock, but allowed me to qualify with another weapon of my choice after a probationary period. I initially thought I'd go back to my preferred wheelguns, since I never took any pleasure in shooting the G35; and who wouldn't prefer to carry a gun they enjoy shooting, right? But I ran timed drills and did a few IDPA matches (again, under stress and on the clock) with the Glock and found that I shot it faster and more accurately than a revolver, even when I had much less experience with it. The plain truth, as shown by the experience of a ton of trainees, competitors and others has been stated well above:

Wheel guns are real nice, but semi's are easier to shoot for most people.

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Eventually, I found another way to carry a highly effective semi which I enjoy shooting--I got into 1911's. But that's another story. If I didn't have that option, I'd still be carrying a Glock, because it's my duty to my family to use the tools that give me the best edge of safety I can achieve. For me and almost anyone else in LE, I think a semi has that edge over a revolver.

I still love my wheelguns, of course; and when the 1911 is on my hip, there's a lightweight j-frame in my pocket.

In the off chance of a FTE or FTF you're looking at about as much time as it would take to reload a revolver with a speedloader to clear the jam.

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Maybe, but I decide when and where to reload and don't have that luxury with jams.

I would not hesitate to tote a .38 or .357 good quality adj sight 4". and couple-3 speedloaders that I was well practiced with.
along with my .32acp Beretta hidey.