Autoloader vs Revolvers...

[whm1974]

Since My stepfather taught me about guns when I was 9, I always perfer .38 Special Revolvers over anything else, even though I was comfortable with shoot semi-autos pistols.

well made SA/DA Revolvers of modern design are very safe for Home Defense for those limited gun experience due to the heavy DA trigger. I will safe with sticking one under my pillow...

Certain pistols such the Glock not so much...

Any thoughts?

 

[Obturation]

I like shooting revolvers and carrying semis. So, both.
If I had to leave one design behind forever it would be bye bye bottom feeders.

 

[whm1974]

I like shooting revolvers and carrying semis. So, both.
If I had to leave one design behind forever it would be bye bye bottom feeders.

You can vote for both...

 

[Dibbs]

I vote for neither. They are both good, just different. But don't fall for that "works every time" revolver schtick. I've had a couple revolvers hang up on me.

 

[Thomas Mayberry]

I like and use both for different applications. Why limit myself to just one platform?

 

[.308 Norma]

You can vote for both...

Thank you! This is the best poll like this I've seen.
Revolver or auto??? As Thomas Mayberry above said, it depends on the application.

 

[edwardware]

Certain pistols such the Glock not so much...
. . .
Reliable Revolver
. . .
Any thoughts?

You asked. . . You're wrong on several points:

- You might not like Glocks (I certainly don't) but dismissing them as unsafe is silly. A large minority of very risk-averse agencies and branches have and continue to use and issue them decades after introduction. Apparently they're safer on the whole than the alternatives.

- Revolvers are not noticably more reliable than modern semi-autos for any given level of care or expertise. Their failure modes and corrective actions are certainly different, but rates of failure after long neglect, daily carry, or long strings of fire are comparable. This misconception is usually caused by their simpler manual of arms; revolvers are not simpler, by any stretch.

I carry a 1911, but spend plenty of time running wheelguns for fun. Both are fun.

 

[whm1974]

You asked. . . You're wrong on several points:

- You might not like Glocks (I certainly don't) but dismissing them as unsafe is silly. A large minority of very risk-averse agencies and branches have and continue to use and issue them decades after introduction. Apparently they're safer on the whole than the alternatives.

- Revolvers are not noticably more reliable than modern semi-autos for any given level of care or expertise. Their failure modes and corrective actions are certainly different, but rates of failure after long neglect, daily carry, or long strings of fire are comparable. This misconception is usually caused by their simpler manual of arms; revolvers are not simpler, by any stretch.

I carry a 1911, but spend plenty of time running wheelguns for fun. Both are fun.

I well aware how safe the Glock is for such use. I'm talk about keeping the gun under your pillow.

 

[Zerodefect]

I spent many nights sleeping on my Glock in crappy work sourced hotels. You leave it in it's kydex holster to keep it safe. In this case a Raven Concealment OWB.

 

[whm1974]

I spent many nights sleeping on my Glock in crappy work sourced hotels. You leave it in it's kydex holster to keep it safe. In this case a Raven Concealment OWB.

That will work. Why didn't think of it?

 

[Zerodefect]

It might be preferable to safe a revolver that way as well.

Most of the time, I just roll my jeans down so I can jump into them firefighter style. Stiff belt holds them open, pistol and spare mags are already attached. But some hotels were so bad I slept fully dressed.

 

[Obturation]

Revolvers are more reliable - with bullet profiles that simply don't feed in an autoloader & ammunition that may not be powerful enough to cycle an action.

An auto loader is as reliable as a revolver if- the ammo is suited to the gun, magazines are in good condition, you've remembered to disengage a safety (if present), the shooters hand position isn't going to interfere with controls while firing and the action is fully in battery. - all things the shooter has control of.

There is more going on with an auto but they certainly can be as reliable as anything else but all mechanical devices fail.

I carry an auto because I get a lot of ammo in a fairly flat package that reloads quickly.
I like revolvers because I'm a gentleman of exquisite taste and refinement .

 

[ROK'N THUNDER]

I like the action of a S&W revolver!

 

[Pat Riot]

I voted for both because I like both.
I like S&W revolvers.
I like Ruger SA revolvers.
I like Glocks.
I have owned other brands and styles of revolvers and autoloaders. My favorites are above.
I don’t presume my choices are better than yours. Don’t presume yours are better than mine.

If all we had to drive were Volkswagens wouldn’t the world just suck?

 

[Targa]

I like shooting revolvers and carrying semis. So, both.
If I had to leave one design behind forever it would be bye bye bottom feeders.

I couldn’t have said it better...exactly how I feel.

Revolver for aesthetics, range fun, power and from a reloading perspective.....well, I am to lazy to chase brass.

Autos for conceal carry, if I were ever in a bad situation it is what I would want with me.

 

[Armored farmer]

I prefer revolvers.
Autos have better defensive characteristics.

 

[briansmithwins]

I’ve seen four revolvers that quit working and needed tools to recover.

S&W .38 Special: the crane screw had fallen out. On reloading the crane and cylinder departed the gun, rendering it useless.
Ruger Security Six: ejector rod unscrewed itself, locking up the cylinder and rendering it useless.
Taurus .357 magnum: powder fouling under the extractor star increased the length of the cylinder, locking up the action and rendering it useless.
Ruger GP100: primer failed and left a tag of metal in the firing pin hole, locking the cylinder and rendering rendering it useless.

BSW

 

[WestKentucky]

I don’t like the lack of manual control in a semiauto, but capacity is better and the guns typically conceal better, especially for the round count (just imagine a 17shot revolver). For carry, semi makes more sense. Logically.

I like manual control, and I like being able to reload easily after firing part of the rounds, or swap ammo for a different critter of needed. The ease of which and quiet nature in which it can be done is very nice at times while hunting. For hunting, a revolver makes sense. Logically. And they are typically available in much more powerful varieties than semiautos.

Guns used strictly for fun... ummm... I’m just gonna say that I need a Webley Fosbery because I can’t make up my mind. I generally like revolvers better for target shooting but for casual beer can blasting semis can be fun for quick shooting situations.... have all 4 cans rolling at the same time kind of game.

 

[Zebraranger]

I too like both for different reasons, my collection is about half and half.

 

[Olon]

I like guns

 

[Anchorite]

I like shooting revolvers and carrying semis. So, both.
If I had to leave one design behind forever it would be bye bye bottom feeders.

I have to agree with this statement. To expand a bit, I view firearms with fascination......they are mechanical marvels. The revolver more-so than the auto, for me. Put me in the revolver camp.

 

[bdickens]

I'm talk about keeping the gun under your pillow.

That just might beat out function checking a loaded revolver for the most grossly negligent thing I've read here so far.

 

[2zulu1]

I like and use both for different applications. Why limit myself to just one platform?

Same here!

 

[CDW4ME]

Semiauto.
5 - 6 rounds aint my idea of sufficient capacity for a primary; 38 snub as a 2nd option to pistol thats IWB would be okay.
Gun under pillow, no, no, heck no. A quick access electronic safe on table beside bed, not a gun under my head.

 

[bassjam]

No preference in general.

I like revolvers when I carry AIWB because of the 10lb+ trigger pull. For home defense I lean towards an autoloader because of the extra capacity, but I have revolvers in that role in various pistol safes around the house too. And I enjoy shooting both equally.

I also don't buy the "consensus" that revolvers are more reliable. I've had an sp101 lock up on me after a series of rapid dry-fire. That's not to say I think autoloaders are more reliable either, because I've had a Glock 23 that had 3 FTE's in the time I owned it.