I decided to take a new look at the revolver vs. semi-auto debate (admittedly with a strong autoloader bias) in terms of the gunfighter perspective. Ignoring the capacity, power, bore-size, reload speed, accuracy, and ergonomics of the two platforms (which are subjective in preference or in need), I just wanted to look at this from the perspective of getting the first few shots on the BG from the scenario that a BG is in grappling distance already.
What got me thinking about this is one of the videos by the late Paul Gomez:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5sK8TE1nq4&list=UUnlR_KehwA1YfqrR9Mf9Rig&index=3&feature=plcp
Here he talks about some melee-range (to use the gamer term) techniques for shooting, and what can happen when a BG is close enough to grab your gun, but only from the autoloader perspective. He 1) demonstrates the effect of someone grabbing the slide as you pull the trigger (which renders the weapon single-shot until the slide is racked) and 2) shows a technique to fire a semi-auto while keeping it farther out of the grasp of the BG. (at about 2:20)
In regards to point #1, compared with a semi-auto a similar-size revolver A) gives the BG much more to grab, because you grab the autoloader from the middle near the back, and a revolver from the bottom-rear. (This is probably one reason revolvers look more intimidating). B) It would be virtually impossible for a BG to prevent the cylinder from turning, and if the BG’s hand is far enough along the weapon the escaping gasses out the side of the cylinder gap will really hurt.
In regards to point #2, I’m thinking about those gases again – would it be a very wise decision to hold the revolver that close to yourself? Or is there another method used for fighting from a defensive position such as the one in the video?
Anyway, what got me thinking about this was the point in 1B – that a revolver would be a lot harder for the BG to stop from firing again, and would actually shoot the BG off the gun. Then I started thinking about 1A and #2, and started to think that maybe the autoloader might be the way to go if getting a few shots off in contact range is the priority.
One other thought I have before I post is that you might have a better grip on a revolver, because you don’t have to worry about putting bullets in the grip and it can be designed to be held onto better.
What are your guys’ thoughts? Please keep in mind, I am specifically concerned with getting a few shots on target quickly at ranges of 5 feet or less (close enough for the BG to grab your gun if it’s held out), so anything that is either A) subjective or B) irrelevant to the question isn’t something I want to compare.
What got me thinking about this is one of the videos by the late Paul Gomez:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5sK8TE1nq4&list=UUnlR_KehwA1YfqrR9Mf9Rig&index=3&feature=plcp
Here he talks about some melee-range (to use the gamer term) techniques for shooting, and what can happen when a BG is close enough to grab your gun, but only from the autoloader perspective. He 1) demonstrates the effect of someone grabbing the slide as you pull the trigger (which renders the weapon single-shot until the slide is racked) and 2) shows a technique to fire a semi-auto while keeping it farther out of the grasp of the BG. (at about 2:20)
In regards to point #1, compared with a semi-auto a similar-size revolver A) gives the BG much more to grab, because you grab the autoloader from the middle near the back, and a revolver from the bottom-rear. (This is probably one reason revolvers look more intimidating). B) It would be virtually impossible for a BG to prevent the cylinder from turning, and if the BG’s hand is far enough along the weapon the escaping gasses out the side of the cylinder gap will really hurt.
In regards to point #2, I’m thinking about those gases again – would it be a very wise decision to hold the revolver that close to yourself? Or is there another method used for fighting from a defensive position such as the one in the video?
Anyway, what got me thinking about this was the point in 1B – that a revolver would be a lot harder for the BG to stop from firing again, and would actually shoot the BG off the gun. Then I started thinking about 1A and #2, and started to think that maybe the autoloader might be the way to go if getting a few shots off in contact range is the priority.
One other thought I have before I post is that you might have a better grip on a revolver, because you don’t have to worry about putting bullets in the grip and it can be designed to be held onto better.
What are your guys’ thoughts? Please keep in mind, I am specifically concerned with getting a few shots on target quickly at ranges of 5 feet or less (close enough for the BG to grab your gun if it’s held out), so anything that is either A) subjective or B) irrelevant to the question isn’t something I want to compare.