4 uses for handguns...what wins each

1. Collecting (both)
2. Hunting (revolvers)
3. Defense (autos)
4. recreation (autos)

Autos for me

1. Collecting revolvers especially snake named guns
2. Hunting/ Trail gun revolvers, I usually use a rifle
3. Defense Shoot what you can hit with best, for me thats a medium cal revo
4. recreation I usually punch paper or reactive targets and you cant beat a .22 for that so auto wins

1. Collecting = both
2. Hunting = revolvers
3. Defense = autos
4. Recreation = autos

Autos win by a vote of 2-1-1.

Shawn

I collect all types.

The best hunting pistols I have are single shot, either bolt action XP-100's or contenders.

Never had to use any for defence but my experience in gun games (5 gun master in IDPA, so I use both) tells me autos win.

I shoot them all for fun.

The best thing about revos can be seen when it comes time to collect brass after shooting.

1. Collecting (Revolvers)
2. Hunting (Revolvers)
3. Defense (Auto)
4. Recreation (Depends. Range=Revolver, Competition=Auto)

Revolvers win 2-1. I do have twice as many revolvers as I do autos, so that makes sense!

1. Collecting (both)
2. Hunting (revolvers)
3. Defense (both)
4. recreation (both)

How could one chose their favorite child I love all handguns. All other firearms as well.

but to answer your question I'd say

1. collecting = both, especially for me, my collection has a long way to go!

2. hunting = revolvers

3. defense = both/either, whatever you shoot best, for me its my .357 mag revolver but I usually depend on my 9mm auto because I shoot it well too, and I think follow up shots and capacity are important, as well as speedy reloading. Also I think 9mm is sufficient for defense (might switch to +p ammo after I practice with some) and the .357 has a little much kick and slower follow up shots (I prefer to shoot in single action, unless the BG was right up close.) and capacity and reload speed. If someone broke in now I would grab my 9mm w/ extra mag and my .357 mag in a clip on holster for backup.

4. Recreation = both. I wouldn't go to the range/ gravel pit without both!

For me its basically a tie. I do lean towards autos for defense, providing you have quality ammunition and keep it well maintained, and have plenty of practice with it. But its a tough decision for me. I have seen too many autos jam, but mostly due to poor ammo/ gun not being clean, and have yet to see any revolver malfunction. Overall revolvers and autos will always both be in my collection.

doc2rn said:

4. recreation I usually punch paper or reactive targets and you cant beat a .22 for that so auto wins

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22LR is no more an auto cartridge than it is a revolver cartridge.

If one were to get technical, it's a rifle cartridge. That kind of versatility is useful, and the reason a .22 revolver is on my list (only one left to complete the triangle)

I agree with beersleeper.

I love shooting .22lr, its cheap and low recoil. But I personally would rather shoot it in a revolver or rifle. That is a matter of opinion though, to be fair I haven't shot many .22 auto handguns.

.22 is a tough round to feed in an auto. My buckmark does a fantastic job, but I just got back in from some shooting, and my M22 positively ruined my day. Gonna have to get to the bottom of that one

3. Defense (can go either way...high cap. vs. less malfunction...i vote revolvers)

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Maybe your autos are subpar from limpwristing?

1. Collecting - both
2. Hunting - revolvers
3. Defense - auto
4. recreation - auto

Collecting: Revolvers. There are some great autos to collect, but only back to the beginning of the 20th century. Revolver collecting can go back much further.

Hunting: Revolvers, by a mile. But single-shots and bolt actions are even better! Think Thompson/Center, for example.

Defense: Revolvers, just because anyone can use them without jamming. Even a trained user might be better off with a revolver, because he/she might be groggy when he/she has to use it. No thinking about limp-wristing, safeties, round in the chamber, etc.

Recreation: Tie. Depends on what your recreation is. Cowboy = revolver. Target shooting, I prefer autos. Easier cleaning and quicker, more accurate shooting. Action sports, like IPSC=autos.

My choices, with specifics:

1. Collecting - Revolver, LeMat
2. Hunting - Revolver, S&W Model 629
3. Defense - Semi-auto, Glock 23
4. Recreation - Tie - Revolver, S&W Model 686/Semi-Auto, Browning Buck Mark

Collecting: I don't collect firearms. No "safe queens" here.

Hunting: I don't hunt with handguns. I prefer rifles, shotguns, and bows.

Defense: Autoloaders.

Recreation: Autoloaders, rifles, shotguns, and bows.

Collecting: I wouldn't know....
Hunting: Well for close up pigs I have a .45 ACP...so Auto's win here
Defense: Auto's every time
(I honestly don't see why so many people make the argument that auto's are unreliable, IME most auto's will go bang as long as the ammo is good, and the wrists don't flinch)
Recreation: Nothin' better than a .22 auto

Auto's win: 3-0 (and yes, I do shoot revolvers as well as auto's)

TennJed said:

3. Defense (can go either way...high cap. vs. less malfunction...i vote revolvers)

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Here's you a "high cap". . .



Any other usage is an antigunner buzzword (you know, such as incorrectly describing a standard magazine that holds more than 10 rounds)

Recreation - Shotguns in 12 and 20, rifles and pistols in .22
SD/HD - shotgun in 12, pistols in 9mm, 38/357/45
Hunting - rifles in .223 and 7mm
Collecting - only my Dad's two NYPD pistols

Collecting: Neither
Hunting: Neither really but technically I do carry an auto while hunting with a long gun.
Defense: Auto
Recreation: Auto

1. No clear "winner" personal taste matters most.
2. Auto's for small game, revolvers for large game.
3. Auto, unless you are of slight build and cannot rack a slide--then revolver.
4. No winner, a revolver guy won't concede the auto is more fun and vice versa. I like a variety, no need to unneccesarily take sides.

Collecting: Neither (but if I did it would be both)
Hunting: Revolvers
Defense: Semi-Auto
Recreation: Semi-Auto

Advantage Semi-Autos 2-1-1

It can be pared-down to only two; recreation and defense/offense

Collecting is 'recreation' (my preference is for semi-autos)
Hunting is 'recreation' (my preference is for semi-autos)
Defense is 'defense/offense' (my preference is for semi-autos)
Recreation is 'recreation' (my preference is for semi-autos)

Personally, my semi-auto handguns outnumber my revolvers by a factor of 11 (as I only own 8 revolvers).

The thing of it for me is I don't care about hunting or collecting, nor do I think most of the public does either.