A good reason for revolver

[westernrover]

In the 1986 Miami Shootout, FBI Ed Mireles shot Platt and Matich with his revolver when wounded in the left arm and couldn't pump his shotgun.

This is true, but he was definitely not a revolver fan afterwards. He switched to a Glock in 45 ACP, and then in 40 when the FBI adopted that. He spent the rest of his career primarily as a firearms instructor, and switched back to a 45 Auto after he retired. I haven't read his opinion on revolvers in particular, but his writing indicates that he certainly bought into large calibers after that incident. Understandably, he would have been left trying to make sense of what had happened and why, and his agency and people like Martin Fackler were leading the narrative on how 115 grain Silvertips failed.

I can only imagine that the revolvers were already on their way toward being dismissed from law enforcement practice by 1989 and into the early 1990's, with the primary justification being the low capacity and perceived difficulty or slowness in reloading. Their weight and the heavy double-action trigger are also substantial issues that aren't mentioned as often, perhaps because they make the complainer look like a wimp.

While light 38 specials out of a snub nose might have similar deficiencies to the bullets that failed to stop Platt and Matix in time, it would be hard to argue that 357 Magnum would be any less effective than the best handgun ammo of any caliber or cartridge. On the other hand, we have the Newhall incident to exemplify how that can fail.

 

[Kleanbore]

I guess it depends on the glasses you view it through.

NO!

and was apparently planning to shoot many more.

"Was apparently planning" does not constitute an imminent threat.

 

[Smaug]

What type of auto is she limp wristing? Usually only the really small ones are capable of being limp wristed.

She managed to jam my full size HiPower in 9 mm and my P365.

When she decided to go revolver, I told her “feel free to limp wrist!”

 

[aaaaa]

5. Don't bluff. Don't say stupid things like "I have a gun" or rack the action.

So what if I choose to keep a gun at night not chambered, a shotgun maybe, because I could grab it in my sleep, so want to make sure there are enough steps required to ensure I am awake and know what I am doing before I grab a gun?

 

[aaaaa]

A little? If he fired after the threat of deadly force was no longer imminent, it is a very serious crime of violence.

Yep, we can understand why he did it, but also understand that likely he should not have done it. But I do think the story said he was concerned the perp might have another gun on him, so the concern of being shot in the back was real. However, it would be better to holler to his wife to see if she is okay while watching the guy, but these things happen fast and the best decisions are not always made in high stress situations. More reason to run scenarios through our mind now so that when these things come up we just might do it right..

 

[Rexster]

What type of auto is she limp wristing? Usually only the really small ones are capable of being limp wristed.

In my opinion, it is not just the wrist, but a combination of factors, so, “limp-wrist” may not be the best description. The thumb is an essential part of firmly supporting the frame of the pistol. The middle, ring, and little fingers are all important, in keeping the grip portion of the pistol from rotating, during muzzle flip. The ulnar nerve is, notably, very involved with controlling the thumb, and ring and little fingers. Improper tension in the arm(s) can allow the elbow and/or shoulder joints to “give,” during recoil.

A perfect storm combination of fatigue, arthritic thumb discomfort, a gimpy right shoulder, and/or the effects of ulnar nerve issue resulted in my (apparently) limp-grip-malf-ing a .40 SIG P229, several times, during all-day in-service duty pistol training class, in 2011, shortly before my 50th birthday. What works so well when relaxed, shooting on a square range, can fall apart when some stress is introduced. What works so well when one is young and immortal can start to fall apart, as one ages. The pistol was not being run too dry.

 

[JohnKSa]

So what if I choose to keep a gun at night not chambered, a shotgun maybe, because I could grab it in my sleep, so want to make sure there are enough steps required to ensure I am awake and know what I am doing before I grab a gun?

Decisions can provide benefits or generate disadvantages. Sometimes both at once.

Some advantages of your decision:
You will have extra steps to make your gun ready which could allow you to more fully wake up.
If an intruder gets hold of the gun, they will have extra steps to make the gun ready which could give you extra time to respond.

Some disadvantages of your decision:
It will take you longer to make your gun ready to use.
You will probably have trouble making your gun ready to use quietly which could be an issue depending on the circumstances.
You will probably need two hands to make your gun ready which could be a problem if you are wrestling with an intruder or if one hand/arm is injured.
Chambering a round almost always involves some probability of generating a malfunction. The chances of a malfunction vary considerably depending on circumstances and on the gun but are almost never zero. Increasing the probability of causing a malfunction immediately before you need a gun is a disadvantage.

 

[shafter]

So what if I choose to keep a gun at night not chambered, a shotgun maybe, because I could grab it in my sleep, so want to make sure there are enough steps required to ensure I am awake and know what I am doing before I grab a gun?

It might be better to make the intruder follow extra steps instead of you. What I mean by that is make your home hard enough so that difficulty of the intruder in making entry buys you the extra time to wake up instead of relying on a partially unloaded weapon.

 

[aaaaa]

It might be better to make the intruder follow extra steps instead of you. What I mean by that is make your home hard enough so that difficulty of the intruder in making entry buys you the extra time to wake up instead of relying on a partially unloaded weapon.

That is an excellent idea. Thanks.

 

[Beck]

I like revolvers as much as anyone who likes revolvers, but the moral of that story is how not to answer the door to a stranger. Has nothing to do with revolver vs semiauto. The "hero" of the story did everything wrong, and is lucky he and his wife are alive.

 

[Smaug]

I like revolvers as much as anyone who likes revolvers, but the moral of that story is how not to answer the door to a stranger. Has nothing to do with revolver vs semiauto. The "hero" of the story did everything wrong, and is lucky he and his wife are alive.

Agreed. ...however, putting aside that one lesson, what is the NEXT lesson?

1) Have a dog who is at least somewhat protective
2) Keep one in the pipe
3) Revolvers are superior to autos. ;-)

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I was raised when revolvers were used by police and nearly everyone else. I feel well armed with a revolver for most situations. There is a strong argument in favor of a reliable pistol that has more than double the round capacity and much faster reload capability but I feel this is more likely to make a difference with LE than with the average citizen.

As far as the dog, I never encourage anyone to buy or adopt a dog for reason of protection (alone). Dogs are not inanimate objects like guns and alarm systems. They are incredibly loving, loyal, sensitive and intelligent creatures that need companionship, care, affection AND training. It is a grave injustice to get a dog simply because they will (might) protect you in a home invasion scenario. We have had both breeds mentioned by the OP and now a German Shepherd and a Chihuahua. Any of them would give their life for me or any member of my family but that's not why we bring them into our home. They are valuable members of our family and we would never intentionally put them in harms way. The role of a dog is to warn and possibly discourage an intruder. Our job in a protection situation is to pay attention to their superior senses and instincts so we can prepare and be ready to defend ourselves.

 

[Blue Jays]

My gosh…the biggest and brightest lesson shared was…do not open door for random strangers!

 

[Rexster]

I was raised when revolvers were used by police and nearly everyone else. I feel well armed with a revolver for most situations. There is a strong argument in favor of a reliable pistol that has more than double the round capacity and much faster reload capability but I feel this is more likely to make a difference with LE than with the average citizen.

As far as the dog, I never encourage anyone to buy or adopt a dog for reason of protection (alone). Dogs are not inanimate objects like guns and alarm systems. They are incredibly loving, loyal, sensitive and intelligent creatures that need companionship, care, affection AND training. It is a grave injustice to get a dog simply because they will (might) protect you in a home invasion scenario. We have had both breeds mentioned by the OP and now a German Shepherd and a Chihuahua. Any of them would give their life for me or any member of my family but that's not why we bring them into our home. They are valuable members of our family and we would never intentionally put them in harms way. The role of a dog is to warn and possibly discourage an intruder. Our job in a protection situation is to pay attention to their superior senses and instincts so we can prepare and be ready to defend ourselves.

Well-said, regarding our canid family members. Our dogs are not cannon fodder, to be sacrificed to attackers. Even if we disregard the emotional connection, a loyal dog is too important an asset to be casually squandered. As I see it, a dog’s “job” is to make it difficult for anyone to sneak-up on us. I will continue to need that service, after a defensive incident has occurred.

 

[Kleanbore]

Well-said, regarding our canid family members. Our dogs are not cannon fodder, to be sacrificed to attackers. Even if we disregard the emotional connection, a loyal dog is too important an asset to be casually squandered. As I see it, a dog’s “job” is to make it difficult for anyone to sneak-up on us. I will continue to need that service, after a defensive incident has occurred.

I could not agree more!

 

[Smaug]

Well, the family dog is certainly not cannon fodder, (no one ever said it was) but its life is a lot less important than any human member of the family too.

 

[aaaaa]

Well, the family dog is certainly not cannon fodder, (no one ever said it was) but its life is a lot less important than any human member of the family too.

The dog is a tricky situation because if it gets in the way and you don't shoot the perp for fear of hitting the dog, and then the perp has more chance to shoot you.

 

[W.E.G.]

Speed strip for a reload.

And always carry a knife.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

its life is a lot less important than any human member of the family too.

It's obvious that you don't know people or dogs very well.

 

[Cacas ex Fortuna]

We use revolvers for the same reason the Army does. They can be operated with one hand.
All pilots get a model 10 and 18 rounds. Well they did in 90s when I retired.

 

[Smaug]

It's obvious that you don't know people or dogs very well.

…or maybe I have a better family than you do.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

or maybe I have a better family than you do.

It has nothing to do with our families. It is about you having the courage to take care of your family instead of hiding behind a helpless dog to do it for you.

 

[AlexanderA]

My thoughts are this is isn't a good reason to have a revolver.

This is a good reason to
1)DON'T OPEN THE DAMN DOOR FOR STRANGERS!

As nice and friendly and helpful to others you may want to be, opening the door to strangers and accompanying them outside is not a good idea, at least not alone. Through the door, "Oh, hey man that's rough, out of gas. I'll be happy to call you a tow truck, or AAA."

The OP really is not about Revolvers vs Semiautomatics but about stupid tactical blunders.

This, exactly! The issue was not about gun selection, but about attitude. Too "helpful." And I believe that the fact that the homeowner was armed gave him false confidence.

 

[Smaug]

It has nothing to do with our families. It is about you having the courage to take care of your family instead of hiding behind a helpless dog to do it for you.

Well first of all, I wasn't referring to helpless dogs, but helpful ones. At the very least, one that would awaken easier than I do and sound the alarm. Would you consider police K9 officers to be "hiding behind helpless dogs" or just using dogs' particular skillset to supplement their own?

Man has used dogs for hundreds of years because of their particular skillset; just like we've used horses, oxen even pigeons. Are we hiding behind them too? C'mon man.

You suggested that the dog is just as valuable to you as the rest of your family, and it struck me a bit off-center.

 

[trackskippy]

That doesnt strike me as off-center at all. We feel the same way, and I dont want to see the dogs hurt any more than any other family member, as they are one.

The dogs have a job here just like anyone else, and that job is to alert us, and if need be, fight with us, and they will fight. Id rather things havent gotten to the point that they have to lead off, and the way things usually go, that wont be an issue, as they have already done their part by alerting, long before anyone is at the door or near you if in the yard. But, if need be, we have about 375 pounds of Rottweiler that are always at the ready, and very protective of "their" family.