Conclusion
The 30 day experiment has concluded. I have gone back to my evil Glock ways. I have a new appreciation for the old style steel and wood guns. This experiment was very good for me as an instructor, concerned citizen, and shooter. As an instructor, I am now very familiar with the techniques required to carry one or more revolvers. The problems surrounding revolver carry are now clear. For someone who frequently carries a gun, I now really appreciate my S&W Model 36 Airweight and I have some practice with pocket carry (something I never really considered useful). Finally, as a shooter, I've placed revolvers into the "self-defense" group of firearms and took them out of the "fun" category. Finally, I was able to build several useful devices to aid in carrying revolvers. The guns I used were: S&W 625 in 45 ACP, S&W Model 27 Registered Magnum in 357 Magnum, Ruger SP101 in 357 Magnum, and a S&W Model 36 Airweight in 38 Special.
This experiment was not about shooting or tactics. It was completely focused on finding ways to carry a revolver concealed. I am already proficient with revolver shooting. I have extensive training in tactics. In fact, I didn't fire a shot for the entire thirty days, though I did my dry fire, movement, and drawing practice drills. I did practice exclusively with revolvers for the entire thirty day period.
My primary concern with carrying a revolver was ammunition management. Carrying spare ammunition in an easily accessible way is somewhat difficult. The round shape of the moonclips and speedloaders make the items bulky and annoying. I thought it was essential that at least one full reload be available to me at all times. This reload I designated as "the emergency reload" and I expected to use it in the event of a fight. I categorized all other ammunition as "spare" ammunition to be rotated into the "emergency reload" position. I found that moonclips were best suited for this role. Moonclips are the revolver equivalent of the semi-automatic pistol magazine. They are easy to manipulate, and in a 45 ACP revolver, are easy to insert into the cylinder. I found that eight round moonclips are 357 Magnum can be problematic. The HKS Speed Loader is slow to access and tricky to load.
Movement adds a whole new dimension to reloading a revolver. Frankly, the choices are slow moonclips and slower "everything else." I can reload a semi-auto in two steps; reloading a revolver takes at least four. This is a real problem considering that, in a fight with multiple attackers, movement and tactics are my primary defensive assets. I don't wear armor and cannot carry a ballistic shield around all day. The main problem is that movement introduces variation in presentation of the rounds to the cylinder. I found it very easy to incorrectly align the rounds with the charge holes. This problem was exaggerated with the five shot revolvers.
Speed strips are anything but fast and their only redeeming value is convenience. They allow the user to carry six spare rounds in a flat package. Additionally, the shooter needs to adjust mentally from expecting a full reload to a two round reload. He or she also needs to know which way the cylinder turns during the firing sequence and rotate the cylinder in the opposite direction so the new rounds fall under the hammer. Add movement to the equation and this becomes a difficult task.
Carrying a revolver concealed is just as easy as carrying a semi-automatic pistol. My guns were carried behind the hip, in the appendix position, or in a pocket. I found there was no difference in carrying a revolver. All movements were the same. Drawing was the same. I could sit and avoid printing with a forward canted holster. The irregular shape of the J-Frame revolver makes it a great choice for pocket carry. 511 pants pockets are terrible for pocket carry because the opening is too small and the shape is wrong. Appendix carry still affords the fastest draw. However, the large shape of the revolver (especially N-Frames) can cause printing. I found that small adjustments in my wardrobe were required to accommodate the N-Frame revolvers for maximum concealability. However, this was not always required and a simple polo shirt was sufficient. I just had to make sure that the holster was positioned properly on the belt.
I now have a new appreciation for revolvers. I understand the attraction. There's something about their construction and function that is appealing. They are very pretty tools if the finish is done properly. I think a deeply blued Model 27 is perhaps one of the most beautiful handguns around. However, the K and L-Framed sized guns are probably a bit more practical for daily concealed carry than the N-Frame guns. I found that the J-Frames, while very concealable, are a bit light for shooting.
This experiment in concealed carry with revolvers was very useful in discovering the attraction of the system. I found there are several disadvantages that come with this type of firearm. Managing ammunition is the primary drawback. It can be mitigated somewhat by positioning one full reload on the belt and treating all other rounds as supplemental (for a longer fight). A backup gun offers the fastest reload, though moonclips are a viable option with practice. Carrying one or two revolvers is not unlike carrying semi-automatic handguns (except for possibly weight). In the end, if the user is proficient with the handgun and has at least one full reload available, he or she is adequately armed for most encounters.
