Anybody Switch from Semi to Revolver for CCW?

[XTrooper]

roguesam: Outstanding! I'm looking forward to seeing them!

 

[357_]

sp101 ... fits so comfortably on my hip and with a kholster-holster I often forget it's on.

 

[bubba in ca]

I`ll see you one and raise you one...

I switched from autos to revolver.
next gun I will switch from double/ single revolver to dao hammerless.

KISS, get in the first good shot.

 

[jame]

For 10 years, I carried a Glock 23 or a Sig 239, and felt perfectly well armed. Then, one day while running a few practice rounds, I had a problem with a magazine spring on the Sig, and the lack of confidence began to build.

I've always been a big fan of the .32 mag. I cast bullets for it, it reloads easy, and I killed a ton of squirrels with a Ruger SSM .32 back in the 1980's. Then I found out about the Ruger SP101 in .327 Mag.......

Confidence is restored. I added Badger Secret Service grips, a spring kit, a decent holster, and I'm as good as gold.

 

[twoblink]

Had some kook try to tell me that .357Mag isn't a defense round :banghead:

 

[Lobo_79]

...But was wondering if there was anybody out there that use to carry a semi-auto as their ccw and then switched to a revolver?...

I like the option to switch to what I'm most current with. In Texas you need to qualify (CHL) with a semi-auto if you want the option of carrying either a revolver or a semi-auto.

Most of the time I carry a PM9 simply because it's a powerful subcompact that is amazingly accurate. But, I'm basically a revolver shooter at heart and I alternate between my PM9, a CZ P01, and my SP101 with the 3" barrel. I have successfully shot bowling pins at 50 yards (read: 3 out of 5 lucky shots?) with the Ruger...I just like the look and pointing feel of the SP101.

 

[451 Detonics]

I have carried both and still do but these days 90% of the time I carry a revolver. My primary is normally a 325PD with a Model 12 carried as a BUG. quite often a PF-9 is in my pocket as well.

I like the reliability of the revolver, the weight (the 325PD is an airweight), the concealabilty of the snubbie, and one last factor, the intimidation factor. Now before I get jumped by everyone saying you don't pull a gun unless you plan to use it the fact is the mere presence of a gun has been well proven to end conflicts without it being fired. Also I am not going to shoot someone with a club or knife unless they close within the distance allocated by the Tueller Drill. There are situations where I would shoot without hesitation but other where I would give a warning first.

But if an attacker was across a counter from me with a knife or club and he had to look at this and see that huge muzzle and can also see what will hurt him (you can't see the bullets in a semi-auto normally, in fact you really can't tell if it is loaded) I bet he will change his mind about bothering me. And no shots fired is always the best possible solution.



And please don't jump on me for being in front of the muzzle, not only are those dummies there was quite obviously nothing under the hammer.

 

[charlie fox]

I love revolvers but just can't bring myself to swap my Glock 19 for a wheelgun. I shoot the Glock better and have three times the ammunition capacity before reloading. I think it boils down to what you shoot best and your situation. Generally I don't believe the average CCW holder is going to need more ammunition than a revolver holds, and I believe that the wheelgun is a great choice for someone just beginning. The day of the revolver is by no means over, but one has to examine the needs versus the wants.

 

[Sniper X]

I did in a sense when I got my beloved 2.5in Python. I had before bounced back and fourth form 1911 only to a model 10 or security six and then got the Python and it is mainly my daily carry. I also carry a Keltec P3AT with an extra mag as backup as well, which I did even when I did carry one of my 1911s.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I have a feeling this is about to turn into a 627 love fest.

Works for me!

 

[harrydog]

I've owned and carried nothing but semi-autos for many years dating back to the early 70's. But I recently became very interested in revolvers and just picked up a Ruger SP101 several months ago.
I really like this little gun and the versatility of being able to shoot the lightest .38 Specials or the heaviest .357 Magnums and everything in between.
I still like my semi-autos but I can see myself carrying a revolver more and more in the future.

 

[motorcycle-charlie]

I have carried both and still do but these days 90% of the time I carry a revolver. My primary is normally a 325PD with a Model 12 carried as a BUG. quite often a PF-9 is in my pocket as well.

I like the reliability of the revolver, the weight (the 325PD is an airweight), the concealabilty of the snubbie, and one last factor, the intimidation factor. Now before I get jumped by everyone saying you don't pull a gun unless you plan to use it the fact is the mere presence of a gun has been well proven to end conflicts without it being fired. Also I am not going to shoot someone with a club or knife unless they close within the distance allocated by the Tueller Drill. There are situations where I would shoot without hesitation but other where I would give a warning first.

But if an attacker was across a counter from me with a knife or club and he had to look at this and see that huge muzzle and can also see what will hurt him (you can't see the bullets in a semi-auto normally, in fact you really can't tell if it is loaded) I bet he will change his mind about bothering me. And no shots fired is always the best possible solution.



And please don't jump on me for being in front of the muzzle, not only are those dummies there was quite obviously nothing under the hammer.

Agreed. nothing says "just turn around and walk (or run) away" like looking at a full cylinder of hollowpoints.

 

[Bravo2uniform]

I went from a Glock M-27 to a S&W 642.

I found that I carried routinely with the 642 in my pocket than I did trying to conceal the Glock. I figured it was better to carry five rounds and have them when I needed them than have 11 rounds on the dresser at home when I needed them out somewhere.

 

[dogngun]

I carried revolvers and autos for years, and I am comfortable with either,

but for absolute reliability get a revolver. A .357 magnum is probably the mose versatile handgun you can have...you have the full line of magnum and special loads for nearly any possible use, and ammo is available nearly anywhere and not too extremely priced, even now. It is also easy to reload, and both the Magnum and the Special are proven defense rounds.

Hard to beat that.

mark

(I'm just about to buy a used Rossi 426 .357 magnum Tuesday...)

 

[451 Detonics]

Agreed. nothing says "just turn around and walk (or run) away" like looking at a full cylinder of hollowpoints.

Especially those big shiny Cor Bon DPX loads in 45...

 

[PapaG]

When I am out of state and can carry, I normally have had a Kahr cw9 or a LCP. When I am at home or on my farm I normally have a revolver, usually a Security Six or Ruger big bore single action. Around the home, in "almost" ready condition are Dick Specials, Off Dutys, a Diamondback and a 44 bulldog.

I'm moving to a 3" SP101 for carry next trip to FL. Only a hair thicker than the Kahr, a couple hundred fps faster, and more like what I was brought up on. I'm the luddite of the shop.....guns should be walnut and blue, or at least conventional looking. That said, I have an AR, a Glock and a synthetic stocked shotgun. Also, longbow, recurve, crossbow and compound. If it goes bang or twang, it can't be all bad.

 

[Lobo_79]

Works for me!

So when I bought my PC Model 627 with the five inch barrel I convinced myself that I'd never want to carry this thing. Pardon me but your posted photo has driven me a little crazy...I'll get over it eventually. LOL. Great photo; great gun.

Not exactly a carry piece..

 

[jambie]

I got tired of lugging the 1911 around, and found that I took it with me less and less. I had purchased a new S&W version of the PPK, and even after the recall, it was plagued with problems. Then I picked up my wife's 642 and stuck it in my pocket (in a DeSantis Nemesis) and off I went...no worries about hot or cold weather clothing, dead simple and reliable, so I bought this special edition model 36, and it's now my EDC. I do have a used SP101 on the way, just for something different. The 1911 will be relegated to a house gun, although I have it up for sale, to be replaced by a P226 in 40 S&W - same operation, basically, as the revolvers...

Cheers,
Tom

 

[jambie]

Also, I'm carrying the 36 in a Simply Rugged pancake holster as well, and will get one for the SP101. HIGHLY recommended, and priced right!

 

[twoblink]

Thinking about going semi-wadcutters instead of hollowpoints for SD?? Thoughts??

 

[Bubba613]

But was wondering if there was anybody out there that use to carry a semi-auto as their ccw and then switched to a revolver?

I did.
Then I decided there was a reason virtually no LE agency and no military issues revolvers anymore so jumped on the Glock bandwagon. I still carry a 5 shot snub as back up.

 

[CornCod]

Every time I attend an IDPA match, I see lots of jams with autopistols and terrified, I swear off semi-auto handguns for awhile.

 

[doc2rn]

I'm a convert! My first was a Ruger Standard in 1982 when I was 11, and still have it. The military issued me a M9 Beretta, and after getting out I immediately bought a Taurus M9 look alike that fell apart (literally) as I shot the first mag through it. The only thing I could then afford to replace it was a 1962 S&W Mod 10-4 bull barrel. Love that gun! Now that I sport all Snake named Colts, I want my old 10-4 back. You just dont get over your first great shooter.

 

[SW45]

My primary CCW is a S&W 642, but in the fall/winter I will usually switch to an OWB. Over the past 15 years that has typically meant either a 1911-type pistol or a 3rd Gen. S&W semiauto.

Since the 642 is DAO I have given up on 1911s and gone to DAO Smith 3rd Gen. autos, but even that has changed in the past month with my purchase of a Model 65 Ladysmith. The last few times I have gone out with belt carry it is the M65 in a Don Hume OWB.

I like the similarity of trigger pull with the 642 (M65 is waaay better!) and the stone cold reliability of the revolver. No limp wristing, no feed ramp angles, no spring wear, no ejector tuning, no tap-rack-bang drills. Draw and shoot.

I believe statistics show gunfights will be 5-10 feet, 3 rounds, in poor light, using point shooting. I no longer fear smokestacks, double feeds, not enough/too much lube or bad magazine springs.

Short answer: yes, I have recently switched my winter OWB carry from semiauto to .357 Magnum 3" stainless steel S&W revolver. I don't feel undergunned.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I've had a SP 101 in .357 ever since they came out. They are great in a holster, but too heavy for pocket carry for me. For a pocket, I prefer a Colt Agent or Cobra in .38. They are 6 shooters that weight half what a SP101 does because they have aluminum frames.