Anyone else give up on autoloaders?

[Big Gay Al]

Well, I've always liked auto-loaders. Probably always will. And I've been shooting handguns for over 30 years. I've had auto loaders that were problems. I've also had a few revolvers that had problems. I remember one S&W that had a bad timing problem. Led to spalling which was not good.

For me, if I can't fix it, or get it fixed, it's gone. Of the 8 handguns I currently own, 2 are revolvers, the rest are auto-loaders. And one of the revolvers is a cap & ball replica!

 

[Chuck R.]

Nope, I haven’t given up on autos either, although I do stray from time to time. Right now I’ve got 6 revolvers and 5 autos.

I went through a period when I was shooting CAS that all I shot was my two Colt SAAs. I don’t have any idea how many 1000s of rounds I’ve put through them. I also have a 6” Python that’s hit about the 20K mark in the 19 years I’ve owned it, gun is still as tight as when I bought it. It’s now my wife’s range gun, but I still shoot it regularly, especially on days when I don’t feel like picking up brass, so much for fragile Colt lockwork.

My SIG 220ST has proven reliable so far with both Golden Sabers and 200 grain SWCs. My Les Baer is fast approaching the 7K mark on a steady diet of SWCs and since swapping out my Wilsons for Tripp mags 6000 rounds ago hasn’t so much as hiccuped. This gun has led me back to the 1911 design and makes me feel sorry for the guys that have never owned a good one. I finally detail cleaned it on Wednesday for the first time since picking it up last July. Not too bad for a pistol that some think was built too tight.

I think both revolvers and autos have their place. I’d hate to think it could happen, but IF I could only have one, it’s would probably be the Python. I’d hate to spend the rest of my life picking up brass.

Chuck

 

[wheelgunslinger]

have I given up on pistols?

Well, kinda.
After my fandango with an early production p345 ruger, I went back to revolvers only. but, after some personal evolution, I have realized that I really need to learn how to make a pistol work for me since I don't wish to be an anachronism.
So, I'm hunting for a polymer pistol that shoots a big round, like the XD .45.

 

[bowfin]

Torpid,

I have a question about this comment:

/*the pump shotgun issue is all my fault, but it's a loading error that can totally jam up the action*/

I have had something like this happen twice while using a Remington 870. The shell somehow ended up behind the bolt. What make and model of shotgun were you using?

Sorry to jump offtopic.

 

[jaycee]

Anyone else give up on autoloaders?

Probably some people who haven't used a CZ ..

 

[Grunt]

Odd, I have several Glocks, HKs, Sigs, and a host of other semi-autos that have been trouble free. However, I've had an old Model 10 that had timing problems and still have the 586 that has had the cylinder stick a time or two that necessitated tapping the cylinder open with a mallet. The Model 10 went down the road and while I still have the 586, it's NOT a defensive firearm.

 

[Black Snowman]

Not I.

I have a Glock 24P I bought new when I turned 21 and have never had a malf that I couldn't directly attribute to operator error or bad ammo (mostly testing new reloads). I lost track of how much I shot through it around 7000 rounds. That was a few years ago, but I don't shoot it as much as I used to.

I wish I could say all my autos were that trustworthy but they've all had their ups and downs. My Colt Delta Elite was the worst gun I've ever owned when I first got it. Fortunately I bought it as a project and planned to do a lot of work on it. After correcting Colt's engineering mistakes and getting the tolerances in spec it's now a really nice shooter and reliable with good ammo.

I have fewer problems with revolvers than I do autos. They seem to do a better job of digesting slightly out of spec ammo. I used to own nothing but autos for a long time. But got hooked on the moon clip concept a while back and like not having to pick up brass when just target shooting. So my revolver collection has been growing of late.

I'd say revolvers are definately more of a sure thing but they also have a number of drawbacks. In civilian CCW, I think a revolver is a better bet if you can conceal it. But I'd rather have my Kel-Tec P3AT with me than nothing dispite it's occasional feed issues. There's something to be said for a thin light gun for pocket carry.

 

[Overman]

Five or six (or seven) out of a revolver is more than enough for 99% of defensive situations. If I was SWAT or something, I'd want double columns and stuff. As it stands, I'm just a citizen, I just want it to go 'bang' without thinking, "is the safety on? is one in the chamber?"

Semi's are great for cops and military. For offensive uses. I like them at the range. I have my share. But when I go to conceal carry in my humble life, it's a wheel gun I pack. "Six for sure", as they say.

 

[DHart]

I've had a couple of auto loaders (Kimber & Springfield 1911's) that have been exasperating to try to make reliable... but my experience with over 20 new Colt 1911's in the last few years has shown me that Colt 1911's are typically stone reliable. I have a lot of S&W revos that would make very nice defense guns, but I still keep coming back to my Glock 29 and my Colt 1911's, which have been solid performers and much better shooters compared to revos.

 

[SAWBONES]

Anybody who "gives up on autoloaders" must not have owned any reliable examples. I too like revolvers, but not because my semiautos are less reliable.

I've had a bunch that were actually MORE reliable than good revolvers.
No man made machine is perfect, and most semiautomatic pistols DO operate within a narrower range of mechanical constraints than some (at least double action) revolvers, but within those constraints, which include cartridge characteristics and spring powers, they can be thoroughly reliable.

 

[longeyes]

I have a couple of J-frames I wouldn't part with but in general I much prefer semi-autos, for the simple reason that I just shoot much better with them. Of course you are well-advised to buy good brands known for reliability. It's my view, also, that in today's world you are better off in terms of self-defense with a high-capacity weapon that can be quickly reloaded.

 

[kbheiner7]

I've never understood this sentiment.

I like wheel guns fine and have owned my share, but I think it's silly for anyone to dismiss the qualities of an auto in terms of self defense.

I'm not sure where the unreliability ghosts come from. I keep my guns clean and shoot factory ammo vs. hand loads and have no problems with any of my autos of various makes and configurations.

 

[PX15]

Baseball bats are 100% reliable..

But if a guy came at me with a baseball bat I would just shoot him with one of my autoloaders...

I'm willing to gamble his 100% reliable baseball bat against my Sig P239 which has NEVER failed in any respect in over 10 years..

But that's just me.

JMOFO

JP

 

[jaycee]

I keep my guns clean and shoot factory ammo

Ditto..!

I have a fairly well established routine with any gun I shoot ...
If I shoot it... I clean it.

After a typical trip to the range where I might put a couple dozen rounds through the rifles and a couple of hundred through the Handgun. I come home and I will probably make a coffee , but after that the guns get cleaned and put away.. Then I can wash up and eat. But not before .

I was brought up to do it like that and see no good cause to change .
I have yet to have a problem with any of my guns.

(Actually , to be correct .. I did buy a s/h U and O shotgun that was a lemon , the guy I bought it from took it back a couple of weeks later ..I bought a new one of the same make ..ever since ..no probs. )

 

[Johnny Guest]

This one's pretty well worn out.

And, I note, 9mmluger, the thread starter, hasn't even been back to look at the replies since the day after made the second of his whole two posts.

Perhaps we just don't interest him.

Johnny