Anyone start with semi-autos, but then liked revolvers more?

[Orion8472]

As the title says, has anyone started their firearms hobby with semi-autos, but then later decided that you liked revolvers more? I'm thinking I may be getting that way. I've always had semi-auto pistols [mostly CZ, but some FNs, Glocks, and M&P styles,.....and for a time, a 1911]. But recently, I have started enjoying my cowboy action type revolvers more. Right now, all I have is an Uberty 1851 Mason conversion, a 1958 Ruger Single Six [unmolested], and a new Shopkeeper [fluted cylinder]. Went to the range over the weekend with a 22lr conversion on my CZ P-09, my carry gun [F.I. Industries Model D......no comments on that one...XD], and my SAO CZ SP-01,....and the Shopkeeper. I found that I enjoyed the Shopkeeper more....and I always have a great time with the old Single Six. I may have to pick up more revolvers!

 

[Schwing]

YES!

When I really got into the hobby back in the early 90s, I was, for lack of a better word, a tactical tommy. I was stuck in that mode until about 5 or 6 years ago when a buddy talked me into a GP100. I loved it so much that I bought an LCR to carry when clothing restrictions dictated something small.

Heaven help me... I bought a lever action .357 and it was all time machine backwards from there. In the last 5 years or so I think I have purchased 2 "Modern" firearms and something like 6 or 7 revolvers and lever actions. I have even developed a love of single actions since they slow me down and I love even loading and unloading them.

There is just a feel to them that you don't get with semi-autos. Don't get me wrong, I love them all but my semi-autos rarely even make it to the range anymore.

 

[BobWright]

No, in answer to the question.

When I started shooting the only auto pistols available were the Colt Government Model in .45 ACP and .38 Super. Plus there were Spanish made copies from Llama. There were some WW II bring back Lugers and P-38, plus a spattering of a few more German pistols. And auto loaders didn't have too good of a reputation.

So I started out on revolvers, and have never really seen the need to switch to the auto. Not that I haven't tried them, you understand, but the auto seems determined to lose a good percentage of my brass. And much of my shooting was away out yonder aways where the auto didn't reach.

I did run through the double action revolver phase but always came back to the western style Single Action revolver. Just don't feel like changing streams in the middle of a horse.

Bob Wright

 

[beag_nut]

For me, each type is used for different reasons. My semi- is carried around the house/property all day because it is a little smaller and lighter. My DA revolver (snubby) goes on trips to the store with me because it leaves no brass behind if I should (hopefully never) ever have to use it. My larger revolver goes into the boonies because it can handle a very sizeable handload.

 

[Orion8472]

Shwing, I'm feeling the same way. My lever actions are Henrys. However, I really want to sell my Saiga and all my 7.62x39 in order to buy an Uberti 1873 Lever. I just love the way they look. IMO, much more character than the modern weapons.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I started with Glocks, but I can shoot my S&W wheel gun better. However, when 9mm is $139/1,000 without the need to re-load I wing up shooting a lot more 9 than .38.

 

[HB]

For recreational shooting, I vastly prefer revolvers... this includes IDPA type matches without excessive shot counts. I rarely carry anything bigger than a snub but if I do its a semi.

Even in 1935 my Hi Power outclassed all revolvers when weight vs firepower is considered.

HB

 

[TreeDoc]

I started on revolvers, then moved to semis and now back where I started, revolvers.

 

[Mn Fats]

What I discovered at a very young age was I pissed away rounds faster through a semi. Never really became accurate due to me teaching myself and knowing I could just pop in another mag. My first single six taught me discipline and patience. More reload time. These days I have the trigger time to be accurate with my few semi's but I'll always take a revolver over an autoloader. Just my taste.

 

[huntsman]

I started with a SA revolver progressed to DA then to semi-auto DA/SA, if not for my state adopting CC in 04 I would probably still own just a couple of revolvers.

 

[Jack B.]

All I ever have had is one 1911 45 ACP every thing else is a revolver SA & DA ,pump shot gun, bolt action rifle or lever rifle.

 

[Varminterror]

I'm a more practical person - I prefer to have an application for my firearms outside of the range. I forget which handgun type I would have fired very first, but I grew up shooting a K19, a 627, and a 1911. I bought a Ruger SBH 44mag when I turned 14 so I could stop borrowing, and bought within the same month a Ruger Mark II and a Ballister Molina (Argentinian 1911 semi-clone). I had the most use for the 22LR pistol, followed by the 44mag, and I often struggled to find use for the 45acp outside of the range.

Still today, even though I own many semiauto pistols, and enjoy shooting them greatly, I tend to be known as a revolver guy, simply because I have a lot of them, and most people don't. My only practical applications for semiauto pistols - outside a few wild hairs where I take them hunting - are competition and defense, whereas I can use revolvers for hunting much more effectively.

I'll say, however, for competition and defensive application, or general/dedicated range application, I favor a G19 or 1911 over a full sized 357 mag. I've killed dozens of deer with 357mag revolvers over the years, and have always found them wanting for range and power, so I just don't have a use for a GP100 or 627. I have a couple GP100's, but about the only use they see is as demos during handgun classes.

So I look at it like this - I have several pairs of running shoes, several pairs of cowboy boots, two pairs of steel toed boots, one pair of sandals, only two pairs of dress shoes (brown & black), and I don't own a single pair of high heels. I wear cowboy boots daily, some for ranch work, some for Church. I wear running shoes daily for workouts and runs. I wear dress shoes only when I have board meetings, and sandals about twice a year when I go swimming. I've never found a dress which fit my hips well, and my chest hair doesn't work with an A-line, so I don't have a need to wear high heels. If I have an application which demands a tool, then I have a tool. If I don't have an application, then largely I don't have the tool. I don't own a set of sprocket pullers any more either.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

No. I started out on revolvers, and later developed a liking for semiautos. However revolvers are still my favorite.

I suspect that now that I'm getting into reloading, I will find revolvers even more appealing than before as there is no need to run after your brass, or fear that your 10mm brass has been swept up by someone shooting a 9mm near by.

That just happened, and the woman next to me had no idea I was saving my brass. And she was being tidy on the range. Once it's in the bucket, it's hands off. I lost approximately 40-50 10mm auto cases that day as a result. Taught me to pick my brass up after every other magazine, even if the range is not in heavy use.

 

[bassjam]

I started with polymer framed semi's, and definitely came to like revolvers more than them. Though it's a draw between a good revolver and a steel or aluminum framed semi auto.

My first handgun was a Glock 23, then a USP 45, but along the way inherited a Colt Anaconda and a High Standard Double Nine .22.

Even with the crazy recoil, I was a lot more accurate shooting that Anaconda, and I could downright impress myself with that .22 revolver. So I started picking up more revolvers.

The Glock was replaced by CZ75, and the USP with a 1911, and I discovered that could also shoot semi's pretty accurately as well. I don't know that I prefer one over the other, both get their days at the range and some conceal carry time.

 

[Dave T]

I started with SA revolvers, then progressed to DA revolvers when I went into law enforcement. When I got off probation I qualified with a Government Model Colt 45 ACP and carried one model or other of Colt's 45s for the rest of my LEO career and for something like 15 years after retiring. All that time I still liked, owned and shot revolvers, particularly SA Colt's and Rugers and N-frame S&Ws. I've owned a number of L-frames but always go back to the N-frame size that I started my LEO career with.

As an old geezer I now have a Glock 30S as my every day carry gun but enjoy a small collection of S&W DA revolvers, a Colt SAA and a new project of restoring a Ruger 3-screw Blackhawk.

To answer the OP's question, I went from revolvers to semi-autos. Stayed with the autos for self defense but enjoy revolvers for recreation.

Dave

 

[CZ9shooter]

Yes. I started on plastic striker fired guns, like most guys my age I suppose. But now, only a handfull of years later, I only buy steel, or maybe aluminum, handguns. Often times ones with a rotating cylinder. Most of my range time nowadays involves revolvers. No chasing around my brass to reload. And 38 special is my daoly carry choice.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Not more... but ALSO.

Pops started us all on revolvers as kids.
Then I got young enough to want to go fast and be cool. Started shooting semi's and compteting in run'n'gun games.

I still run'n'gun but now I am picking up and shooting revolvers MUCH more often.

 

[pezo]

Yes. Grew up on auto loaders. Dad was a 1911 guy. He didn't care for those goofey guns that only hold five rounds.

All my handguns are revolvers. My carry guns 5 and 6 bangers. I do have (and love) auto loading rifles though.

Would get an auto pistol I it was cheap like a used one. I like the beretta m9 open tops. But love the wheel gun more.

Next purchase is likely going to be my first colt replica cap and ball 1851. So I here the time machine call.

 

[bannockburn]

Started with revolvers, namely a Charter Arms Undercover and a Hawes Deputy Marshall .22 single action revolver. From there it was more revolvers like a Ruger Single Six, Ruger Super Blackhawk, Colt Trooper Mk.III, and too many to count S&W J and K frame revolvers, as well Ruger Security Sixes. Then I switched to autos, mostly Colt Governments and Combat Commanders, only within the last 10 to 12 years coming back around to revolvers once more.

 

[Mn Fats]

All I ever have had is one 1911 45 ACP every thing else is a revolver SA & DA ,pump shot gun, bolt action rifle or lever rifle.

I like your style Jack.

 

[Catpop]

I went from sa to da to auto to sa. I guess I've been full circle.

 

[Overkill870]

Yes.

I started with a 1911 being the gun I carried and felt most confident in shooting. However it was so damn heavy I ended up picking up a j frame for edc. I did a lot of training with that j frame. I learned how to handload and put a lot of rounds through it. That greatly improved my handgun shooting skills across the board.

Now I have a variety of handguns, most for different purposes. I usually carry a glock but revolvers are where my heart is. I wish revolvers still ruled the day but it's hard for me to justify carrying one unless I'm in the woods.

 

[bnolsen]

For home and carry I'll go semi auto, but I just love shooting my 9.5" super redhawk 44 mag. Great accuracy at longer ranges, satisfying but not brutal, *no brass chasing*. Sad that off the shelf jacketed bullets currently go for more than 11 cents each. So yeah at the moment I feel a semi auto is more of a tool than a nice revolver.

 

[docbrown]

I have, and currently own, both. I like my plastic semi-auto for its weight, but have to admit that there is something fun about shooting a revolver. Plus, I can shoot much hotter loads out of a 357 magnum wheel gun than I can out of a 9mm. Plus, there is something very classy about a revolver. I like them both, but if I had to carry one for all around purposes, it would be a 357 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel due to its versatility.

 

[muzzleblast...]

As the title says, has anyone started their firearms hobby with semi-autos, but then later decided that you liked revolvers more? ...

The first pistol I ever shot was a semi-auto. The first handgun I ever bought was a semi-auto. Now, I own more revolvers than semi-autos and for a variety of reasons I generally enjoy shooting my revolvers more. That said, I generally rely on a semi-auto for defensive purposes.