A good reason for revolver

[Thomasss]

It all boils down to what you can efficiently handle in a time of crisis. As I mention before, I sold a relative my 4" .357 Trooper because she is developing arthritis can't pull the slide on a Sig 320c. Now she is now comfortable with leaving the hammer on an empty chamber, even though that doesn't do anything, but it makes HER happy. And please don't piss her off, she knows how to handle that revolver.

 

[FL-NC]

hard to shoot yourself with a revolver.

It should be nearly impossible for someone properly trained in the use and carry of any modern firearm in proper working condition to accidentally shoot themself in any scenario. I can think of 1 realistic scenario drill where part of the shooter's body is forward of the muzzle- this drill addresses grappling with an opponent and firing the handgun. Risk to shooting yourself is mitigated by the angle the handgun is held at.

Although youre usually told you should only need 3 rounds for the whole scenario, whatever that is

Statistics only apply until they don't. I don't see any market demand for guns with a 3 shot capacity, unless you are complying with regs hunting ducks.

people who are so afraid of guns

These people should commit to who they are and how they are going to live. If they aren't going to get the training to address these fears and possess something that they are afraid of or untrained in the use of, they will not rise to the occasion when the time comes- they will fall to the level of their training.

In a contact situation a revolver is unlikely to be rendered inoperative as compared to an autoloader with the slide pushed out of battery.

Revolvers can be rendered inoperable by blocking the rotation of the cylinder, a digit inserted behind the trigger, or the hammer being blocked or immobilized in the case of a wheelgun with an exposed hammer. All possible when too many hands are on a handgun, and possible even to do unintentionally.

 

[FL-NC]

Insurance companies are one of the rulers who control your world. No homeowners, no mortgage (one of the other rulers ).

We went through hell the last time we moved and tried to get homeowners.

Yes. They are a protection racket of sorts, but when you need them, your ducks better be in a row.

 

[Howland937]

So what did I learn from this? Affirmation of things I think I already knew...

1) The perp proved that a .22 is a lousy choice.

2) A semi-auto with an empty chamber isn't loaded.

3)The victim's choice of firearms likely had less impact on the outcome than the perpetrator's, as the victim was unprepared. He was shot before the type of gun he had was even a factor.

4) Trust your spidey-senses. If something feels off, it probably is.

5) Luck is a real thing, but is a terrible strategy.

I don't feel like I learned that a revolver is a more sensible option from the OP.

 

[FL-NC]

So what did I learn from this? Affirmation of things I think I already knew...

1) The perp proved that a .22 is a lousy choice.

2) A semi-auto with an empty chamber isn't loaded.

3)The victim's choice of firearms likely had less impact on the outcome than the perpetrator's, as the victim was unprepared. He was shot before the type of gun he had was even a factor.

4) Trust your spidey-senses. If something feels off, it probably is.

5) Luck is a real thing, but is a terrible strategy.

I don't feel like I learned that a revolver is a more sensible option from the OP.

I think the victim (and hopefully some other people) learned the importance of training and preparation. According to the story, him, his wife, and his dog only started performing after a series of really bad tactical decisions that resulted in him being shot twice. He was fortunate that he wasn't shot in more important places with a more powerful weapon, and the dog put in the best work of everyone. For the duration of the event, everyone was playing a deadly (and unnecessary game) of tactical catch-up.

 

[MikeInOr]

The best reason to have a revolver is because you like revolvers and you shoot them well. Enough said!

I can't say I have ever answered my door without a hand gun on me (at least for the last 30 years)... but I don't get a lot of traffic where I live. The pistol I keep handy for taking the trash out, letting the dog out, investigating a bump in the night, answering the door, etc. always has one in the chamber. I can't imagine always coming to the door holding an AR15 or a shotgun in one hand but slipping my .45acp XDs in my pants, jacket, robe, etc. before coming to the door is standard practice and nobody on the other side of the door need be any wiser about what I might or might not be carrying.

A link to the original article would be nice for reading the details.

P.S. I will take my German Shepherd over a gun for home defence any day. I don't even have to tell her to react she will instantly react just from me tensing up and having an uncomfortable feeling. A little tensing on my part and she will bowl me over to get to who she thinks I am feeling is a threat. She is always loaded, has a hair trigger but I have never had to worry about her going off accidentally.

 

[unclenunzie]

Don't expose yourself or family to unnecessary risk - don't open the door and go outside

 

[westernrover]

Next time, have two dogs.

 

[aaaaa]

My thoughts? Use a good auto and keep it fully loaded. That means 1 in the chamber. Not doing this to me is foolish for reasons just like this story- you may forget to finish loading your gun in the moment, or be injured, or otherwise not have both hands available to make this happen. I doubt if anyone leaves chambers empty on wheelguns, so if someone is uncomfortable or whatever keeping an auto fully loaded VS a dead man's gun, then that person should train and get comfortable. . . .

Somewhere I read that carrying your semi-auto with an empty chamber is like not wearing your seat belt because you figure you can put it on if you get in an accident.

 

[Smaug]

These people should commit to who they are and how they are going to live. If they aren't going to get the training to address these fears and possess something that they are afraid of or untrained in the use of, they will not rise to the occasion when the time comes- they will fall to the level of their training.

Agreed 90%.

What I've found with my mom and my wife is that they have maybe about 10% of the aptitude for guns as I do. What happens is that they can't recall what they've been trained on.

Mom turned in her FOID and decided not to buy a gun. I suggested pepper spray and even bought her some. She can't remember how to work it. It would be useless to her. God help her if she'd gotten a gun.

My wife is better. She's learning, but slowly; only recalls about 1/2 of what I teach her. She's just not that interested. She can get into our handgun vault and handle the SP-101 within. I think someone would have to be about to rape our daughter for her to shoot someone though. She's just kind of a wimp.

 

[Slamfire]

t should be nearly impossible for someone properly trained in the use and carry of any modern firearm in proper working condition to accidentally shoot themself in any scenario. I can think of 1 realistic scenario drill where part of the shooter's body is forward of the muzzle- this drill addresses grappling with an opponent and firing the handgun. Risk to shooting yourself is mitigated by the angle the handgun is held at.

Training is often used as a means to mitigate the risks inherent in accident prone mechanisms. And yet, training often fails. You having been in the military, no matter how much training in small arms you received, I am sure you know of negligent discharges, some fatal. At one point in the Iraqi/Afghanistan conflict, deaths/injuries due to negligent discharges exceeded combat injuries/deaths.

That is one reason I am leery of striker fired semi auto weapons, they are too easy to accidentally discharge.

The shooting community has gotten used to riskier and riskier firearm mechanisms through"normalization of deviance". These URL's discuss the basis of this idea: more or less, groups get used to pushing the safety boundaries in, reducing the margins, and one day, kaboom!

Stopping Normalization of Deviance: A Safety Program

Normalization of Deviations in Performance

 

[film495]

Don't get me wrong, I love a revolver, but...

You can protect against this same error with a DAO, DA/SA with a decocker but no manual safety, or a striker fired pistol. That is my usual home defense and carry practice. I used to carry 1911s and set them up for home defense, but I don't want that one more thing that can go wrong (even though lots of training and practice can make that less likely). BTW, I also sometimes use revolvers for self defense.

I have both and like both. Hope I never need them other than for sport shooting at practice targets and gongs.

 

[Jonesy814]

He weighs 96 pounds but due to being double coated and long haired he looks like about 130. His bark is more of a howl. When he answers the door, most peoples eyes get big. He is friendly, but wary of strangers
Should give me time to get to my revolver if for some reason it’s not in my pocket

 

[Pat Riot]

Next time, have two dogs.

Ah, a New York Reload.

 

[dh1633pm]

Get a good cat to go along with the dogs. My Siamese always warned better than the dogs. Much more aware. He passed and now I have a new one, a shelter kitten, Siamese as well. My big lab is very defensive of my wife. He goes from best friend to vicious if he notes trouble. Lastly I wanted to add, if it feels wrong, then it is wrong.

 

[CDW4ME]

Very fair and realistic.

Let me ask you this, though: if a person is more comfortable with a revolver than an auto, would that factor in?

In my case, I notice I'm roughly 20% more accurate with my LCR than my P365 at 7 yards. Does that make up for the other things? (capacity, faster & easier reloads, slimness)

What one is comfortable with definitely matters.

20% more accurate. Is that with the same number of rounds in same amount of time, ex: like 5 rounds in 3 seconds, and firing the revolver DA?

 

[Tallball]

I don't think this story is a great example for revolver vs. autoloader, but it's interesting

IMHO, if you are just looking at the handguns themselves, good, well-maintained revolvers and auoloaders are both reliable machines, in and of themselves.

Many of the things that can happen to a reliable auoloader are not its fault, but they happen: bad ammo, limp wrist, wonky magazine, etc.

There are no malfunction drills for a revolver. That should tell you something. A reliable well-maintained revolver will malfunction if a part breaks, of if a piece of ammo does something totally weird (such as a squib).

I'm more comfortable with revolvers and shoot them better. They're my usual choice for HD and CC.

You don't need a huge watch dog to keep your home from being burglarized when you're not home. Anything that barks will be fine.

For actual physical defense, you would want something large. I've had six, over the years. Some of them are difficult breeds that are not for beginning dog owners. Rottweilers, for instance, can be stubborn and will test you occasionally (they also don't bark much). Pit bulls are often too cheerful and friendly to be good watch dogs. German Shepherds and Dobermans are amazing dogs, but they need a lot of exercise and attention to be happy.

Our 85 pound mutt is 1/4 pit and then a bunch of other stuff. She will bark, but she's not innately aggressive. Our 110 pound Doberman/Pit mix is very protective (that's the Doberman) and can be aggressive. The smaller one will follow his lead. They are both indoor dogs. Our house is safe. No one who values their limbs will try to force their way inside.

I've lived in bad places. If a stranger insists on speaking to me at home, a 3" 38 will be in my back pocket, the dogs will be standing right next to me watching his every move, and he will not get me outside no matter what his BS story is.

 

[Pat Riot]

I love my revolvers and my Glocks. I also like a loaded 12 gauge pump gun.
My wife is good or should I say, more comfortable, with revolvers. One in particular. It’s a S&W 327NG loaded with SD .38 Special. That gun is a bedroom gun. It also has 2 loaded speedloaders at the ready.

In the front room I keep a Glock 34 fully loaded in a quick access handgun safe with 2 loaded mags.

I also keep my S&W 442 loaded and very close by.

I always answer my door armed. If that scenario occurred that @Smaug posted in the OP where I live now I would now something was up and the dirtbag would also know I was armed and that he was leaving. I would snap his photo with my phone and call the police.
My house is in town but 150’ off the street and there are other homes on the street that the ****** could stop at first if he were truly in need.
At my old house (or similar set up home in the future) I would tell him that I would call AAA for him if he liked and that he could wait in his car for them to arrive. Again, I would snap his photo, just in case.

I started snapping photos of door knockers a few months ago. I got the idea from a coworker that actually answers his door with video running.
Anyone that has a problem getting their photo taken is probably a dirtbag. If they have a problem with that they also get to find out I am armed.
How or if I take a photo depends on the situation. I am considering one of those WiFi doorbells. It’ll save the trouble of snapping a photo.

 

[FL-NC]

Agreed 90%.

What I've found with my mom and my wife is that they have maybe about 10% of the aptitude for guns as I do. What happens is that they can't recall what they've been trained on.

Mom turned in her FOID and decided not to buy a gun. I suggested pepper spray and even bought her some. She can't remember how to work it. It would be useless to her. God help her if she'd gotten a gun.

My wife is better. She's learning, but slowly; only recalls about 1/2 of what I teach her. She's just not that interested. She can get into our handgun vault and handle the SP-101 within. I think someone would have to be about to rape our daughter for her to shoot someone though. She's just kind of a wimp.

I truly sympathize with the situation. In the end, we are individually responsible for our own safety and the safety of our charges, but even highly trained commandos need some help from time to time. Unfortunately, being a "wimp" is often a lifestyle choice. A choice that may be harmful to the individual and others.

 

[FL-NC]

Training is often used as a means to mitigate the risks inherent in accident prone mechanisms. And yet, training often fails. You having been in the military, no matter how much training in small arms you received, I am sure you know of negligent discharges, some fatal. At one point in the Iraqi/Afghanistan conflict, deaths/injuries due to negligent discharges exceeded combat injuries/deaths.

That is one reason I am leery of striker fired semi auto weapons, they are too easy to accidentally discharge.

The shooting community has gotten used to riskier and riskier firearm mechanisms through"normalization of deviance". These URL's discuss the basis of this idea: more or less, groups get used to pushing the safety boundaries in, reducing the margins, and one day, kaboom!

Stopping Normalization of Deviance: A Safety Program

Normalization of Deviations in Performance

In order for a modern firearm in proper working order to be fired when it should not have been fired requires the user to fail in 1 or more of the common firearm safety rules. Firearms of all types are inherently dangerous in that their unsafe use may cause catastrophic mishaps- like automobiles, aircraft, heavy machinery, power tools, etc. Abstinence/avoidance of these items is the best prevention to incidents associated around them. Training is the best mitigation to incidents if one is going to use them or be around them, with a healthy dose of caution to prevent biting off more than one is ready to chew- we called it outrunning your headlights. For example, I was a qualified Military Freefall Parachutist, but never got an especially high level of proficiency beyond what was required to safely exit, fall flat/dumb/happy to pull altitude, cautiously group on the low man while under canopy, safely land, ready my equipment, and rally in the assembly area for the mission. I never became a MFF jumpmaster, and in the civilian skydive community I would have been considered at a novice level. If I had tried to fake it with the Golden Knights it would have been extremely dangerous for myself and everyone else in the sky. While the US mil possesses more firearms than any other entity on the globe, the competency baseline is way below what it should be. Accidents can and do happen. Nonbattle casualties of all types almost always exceed combat casualties, despite safety protocols. Another factor to consider is the extremes- accidents with firearms in the military are nearly absent in units that have the highest standards of training that often push safety limits to the max during realistic training evolutions, and expose themselves to these risks the most often. The Ranger Regiment is a prime example of such a unit- where the bulk of the unit members actually doing the most dangerous things are fairly junior regarding their time and rank in the army. In contrast, units with lower training standards due to mission sets or other factors have the highest rates of incidents involving their issued weapons- often not even while in a training status, with these units almost never (if ever) participating in direct combat. As a branch of service, the USMC has the best baseline level of training and the safety record to show it.
I guess my point is that safe and realistic training at an individuals baseline (not outrunning your headlights) is more important than the firearm being used.

 

[jmorris]

What are your thoughts? Taking your chances with the auto in exchange for more firepower or revolver for simplicity and not relying on needing two hands or stiff joints to work properly?

I remember the day I met a friend of mine. Joe lost his right arm in a logging accident and wanted to come shoot with us (IDPA). “As long as you can handle the gun and shoot inside the rules safely, we welcome you.” He only shot 1911’s, when we hunted dove he used a pump shotgun and he was one of the few guys that still drove a truck with a manual transmission.

I learned a heck of a lot from him, as far as how to operate firearms with one hand. I have this video from a day where the local match was rained out and we played at a friends house.



Our other buddy would always say, “Joe, no matter how many guns you have, you will always be unarmed.” He was one of the guys I would want around if something went down.

 

[Kleanbore]

. He took the perp's 22 and shot the perp in the head to make sure he wouldn't be able to come after him and his wife again. That would have gotten him in a world of trouble if he were in a place like Maryland, Illinois or California instead of Florida.

I haven't read the article, but There are no US jurisdictions in which such an action would meet the requirements for a legal defense of self defense, and the authorities have years, if necessary, to get around to prosecuting the case.

 

[Buzznrose]

Carry both!

Maybe…sometimes.

I have a Ruger LCR that is a good BUG. But so is my LCP Max…and it has 10+ BB’s vs 5

 

[Speedo66]

I've mentioned this before re: using a non aggressive dog to my advantage.

The fluffball in my signature picture is a 60 lb. Wheaten Terrier, a decent size dog. But zero aggression towards people.
He does however loved to be petted.

When the doorbell rings he barks loudly and hopes to meet whoever is there so they can pet him. He will rush out the door when opened and run towards the person.

What I do is grab his collar and hold him back while he's desperately trying to get to the person, meanwhile I'm shouting "no biting, no biting".
You'd be surprised how many people suddenly realize they have other places they need to be.

 

[film495]

Somewhere I read that carrying your semi-auto with an empty chamber is like not wearing your seat belt because you figure you can put it on if you get in an accident.

I think of it like driving your auto 120 MPH everywhere, with no thought to if that is a good idea or not. I learned carrying a loaded firearm, chambered, aimed at your leg or groin is not safe, so - I don't do that.