i would prefer 4-6 rds of 9mm in the high center chest in less than 2 sec, than 2-3 .357 in the same amount of time.
Huh?
Folks who've taken the time to master that smooth, double action revolver trigger pull, and then have shot both revolvers and semis equally well in matches will usually tell you two things:
1. A double action revolver can usually be shot faster than a 1911!
2. A double action revolver's trigger pull allows one to stage the trigger perfectly, as you roll the cylinder during recoil, so that as soon as you see a perfect sight picture the gun goes "bang." Thus, there's no "milking" a revolver like with a semiauto shooting it single action.
(Milking is when the excited, stressed shooter yanks down on the weapon trying to compensate for the recoil that's coming, just before the hammer falls on a single action pistol. Go to some handgun matches! Better yet, shoot in 'em . . . and watch shooters digging dirt well below their targets as they "milk" their guns and wonder why they aren't hitting anything.
THUS . . . IMHO, a revolver can be shot more accurately, and at speed in a handgun match vs. a semi-auto!
My best time shooting centerfire classes in 10 yard, six pin bowling pin matches was 3.82 seconds (all six pins blown off the back of the table), starting with a random-start timer from the low ready position.
It was shot with this . . . a 3" barrel S&W Model 65-3 revolver in .357 magnum. Literally, as fast as the sights came onto the target the gun was firing, then firing again just as the barrel and sights came down on the next target.
I never touched that time shooting a 9mm Glock or Browning . . . or my tricked out Colt Combat Elite (4.68 sec.) with the 1.25 lb. competition trigger pull. My other revolvers though? Lots of cleared tables in lower times too!
I'm not Jerry Miculek by any means, but I've learned that sometimes the most reliable guns (revolvers) are also the fastest into action . . . and the fastest at getting the job done too!
BTW, I once won a special match at a steel competition with my moonclipped .45ACP revolver against nearly 40 fine competitors . . . all who were shooting Glock 17s in 9mm (w/33 rnd. mags.) or high cap. .45 or .38 super 1911s.
-EIGHTEEN STEEL TARGETS spread out 90 degrees in front, from 8-30 yards away.
-ANY CENTERFIRE, IRON-SIGHTED HANDGUN
-ONE MANDITORY RELOAD (thus all the guys pulling out their high cap. extended magazines)
-GUNS START AT THE BUZZER IN A HANDGUN CASE, UNLOADED!
-FASTEST TIME DROPPING ALL THE STEEL PLATES AND POPPERS WINS THE POT.
This was NOT a match for a 6 shot revolver, and you can see why folks pulled out their high cap. .38 supers and Glock 17s . . . just load once, drop 17, reload fast and drop the final steel.
HOWEVER . . . with the moon clipped 6-shooter I loaded and reloaded really fast . . . and didn't miss . . . thus only needed to load three times. I beat the next fastest competitor by over two seconds.
FLUKE? No, I don't think so! Under the stress of competition folks with lots of extra ammo start rushing, trying to outshoot the speed of others . . . and the more the rush, the more they miss and get shaken! One poor soul emptied FOUR 33 round Glock magazines before it was over. Me? I had NOTHING to lose against those other guys . . . for a six shooter surely couldn't win . . . COULD IT! Gosh, I sure got to rag 'em all that day!!!
MY CHOPPED BARREL )TO 3 1/4"), S&W 25-2 .45ACP USED IN THE MATCH
I would encourage the original poster to try to shoot various types handguns he may be interested in . . . and purchase the one he shoots best!
I would also encourage him to get some fine instruction and practice to master the gun . . . and then start shooting handgun matches to take care of jitters and master your nerves and technique under pressure. Doing so, you will become a formidable and confident handgunner so if you ever need your gun for defense you'll have the confidence and experience to win!
That being said, if the weapon will truly be abused and never taken care of or cleaned (which I doubt will happen), either a S&W .357 revolver or a Glock in 9mm would be most reliable from my experiences.
BTW, I've given all my Glocks away. The best fighting platforms, IMHO are S&W revolvers and 1911 style automatics. My favorite caliber in both types of handguns is the .45ACP round. Once you see what a .45 round does to drive a heavy bowling pin straight back, and off the table, vs. the wimpy 9mm round barely tipping them over, you'll appreciate the authority of the .45ACP round, along with the .45ACP's firm "push" (rather than stinging and snappy) recoil charecteristic!