Converting over to only Revolvers. Advice

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1. Do you enjoy shooting revolvers better than semi-auto's?
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No. Yes. I find autos more fun to shoot, while revolvers are satisfying. Placing second in an IDPA match with an auto is sameoldsameold. Doing it with a revolver is something else entirely.

2. What is the appeal of the revolver?
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Classy. There are far more classy, good lookin' revolvers than there are autos. Versatile. Challenging.

3. Is it as easy to shoot a revolver as it is to shoot a semi-auto?
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No. I think that from the trigger to the reload, a revolver is harder to shoot, IMO.

4. Do you have as much fun with your revolvers as you do with a semi-auto??
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Really the same question as 1.
 
I enjoy shooting revolvers more than autos. It's hard to explain and I'm probably the only one but the revolver feels more "natural" in recoil. They're also more inherently accurate and it shows when I'm using them.

What's appealing about the revolver? Countless things. For one, you can the best of both worlds, accuracy and reliability. In an automatic you usually have to give up one for another.
Another thing is that revolvers aren't load dependent where automatics are. Automatics have very limited load spectrums and bullet profiles where revolvers don't. There won't be a jam if the load is light or if the bullet isn't shaped right. Revolvers are a reloader's dream. They're simply more fun to reload for because you don't need to worry about pistol function and the possibilites are a lot less limited.

Yet again, I'm probably the only one but I find the revolver easier to shoot because of the DA trigger. I can actually feel the smoothness of the trigger stroke. The DA triggers on all automatics are horrendous when you compare the smoothness of the triggers and actions. Trigger weight doesn't effect me because my fingers/hands are plenty strong but the roughness of DA triggers most certainly effect me.
 
Please take my remarks in the good spirit they are meant to convey.

The first question really is moot - after all, which sub-forum are we in? Personally, I have but one evil-bottom-feeder - a Ruger MKII - my wife loves it. My revolvers are like extensions of me, whether being fondled, shot, or even cleaned.

The remainder of your questions may tell us more about you... that, in fact, you may not be ready for the metamorphisis simply because you must ask such 'reassurance' questions. Consider your anticipated change carefully... perhaps starting slowly... even I didn't rid myself of the rude case tossers immediately. Best wishes re your plight...

Stainz
 
Chiming in late, but I have two thoughts to add.

Revolvers are much more flexible in the type and purpose of ammunition they can handle without modification. For a trip afield, you can carry snake-shot, small-game loads, and bear stompers, all in the same cylinder with no concern about reliability. Autos can be VERY reliable, but with ammo that is within a specific range of pressure/bullet weight.

It's easy to quickly empty and quickly reload an auto. To do so with a revolver requires MUCH more training and practice. It's up to the user to decide how important that is. For whatever reason, the longer DA stroke of a revolver trigger gives me more time to recover from recoil and re-acquire the sight picture more smoothly than with an auto. All that being said, I have both, and I keep an auto in the bedside table. I generally CCW a revolver.
 
1. Do you enjoy shooting revolvers better than semi-auto's?

2. What is the appeal of the revolver?

3. Is it as easy to shoot a revolver as it is to shoot a semi-auto?

4. Do you have as much fun with your revolvers as you do with a semi-auto??
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1. Not really, I like shooting handguns in general, semi-autos or revolvers.

2. Simplicity, classic good looks, size and a power to weight ratio (I have yet to find a similarly sized automatic, that is as powerful as a .38 snub, that I feel is reliable enough to carry daily).

3. Absolutely, I find they both shoot well for me.

4. Once again, I love shooting anything and I easily have as much fun with my revolver as I do semi-autos.

-Rob
 
I have two wheelguns and one auto. There is something about the simplicity of the mechanism and the manual of arms, as others have said that draws me to it. I don't know what it is. I love the snick sound of rotating the cylinder when i line up for a SA shot. There is no safety. It's a much more direct gun. It's kind of like a car with a manual transmission. I would never want an auto car because I like to have the direct input, rather than just hitting the gas. Same thing. I load, pull trigger and extract with a revolver. (yes, i know one could take this to the extreme and say "well why don't you reload or shoot black power.")
I think that part of the love a person has for a mechanism has to do with how much direct input he can have in it's operation. The more direct the input in operation, the more a man can feel at one with a machine/mechanism/tool. When I drive my car, I feel at one with the car as I shift. When I rack the slide on a pump shotgun, i feel like it is part of me. An extension of me. I am the machine, and the machine is me.
And when i pull that trigger, and watch the cylinder turn, line up the next round, and drop the hammer on it... there's something very special.
There is also the reassurance that the gun is going to work pretyt much no matter what.
 
19-3Ben wrote: "yes, i know one could take this to the extreme and say 'well why don't you reload or shoot black powder' ".

I think you are correct and it is not all that extreme. I have divested myself of all autos save for a couple of mouseguns in favor of DA revolvers. But now I find myself getting rid of some (not all) of my DA revolvers in favor of single-action revolvers. My transition has been fueled in large part by the kinds of things you suggest. I often joke that eventually I'll move back in time past single-actions to muzzleloaders and eventually homemade "primitive" archery. With double-action revolvers to a large degree and with single-action revolvers to an even larger degree I am rewarded with simplicity, focus, "being a part of", and tons of just plain good fun. Better marksmanship to boot.

We recently built a new range and I am shocked, shocked to see how many rounds have already hit the baffles overhead and even the posts holding the baffles. I can almost guarantee these holes are not being made by revolver shooters taking aim at their targets. They are being made by people "blasting away" with their semi-autos like Mel Gibson shooting at a helicopter in Lethal Weapon. (I don't dislike semi-autos, but see regular evidence that there are a lot of people around here who rave about the lastest and greatest but simply can't shoot worth beans and the way they "practice" at the range, they're never gonna learn.)
 

1. Do you enjoy shooting revolvers better than semi-auto's?
It’s a different feeling. I enjoy shooting anything, specially when it’s a classic, revolver OR auto. I’ve been shooting and buying more revolvers lately, but I feel that since autos are what I’d use to defend myself most of the time, the time behind an auto is better training.
2. What is the appeal of the revolver?
I find them interesting from a collector's point of view. It’s also better for reloading (38/357) since your reloads only have to go bang, not make the weapon function as in an auto.
3. Is it as easy to shoot a revolver as it is to shoot a semi-auto?
The auto tigger works better with most beginners.
In terms of accuracy, it depends a lot on trigger and mostly barrel and thus sight radius. My 6” 629 44 magnum is probably my most accurate handgun. But that does not translates into “practical” accuracy for self defense where my Glock or other autos would be better.
4. Do you have as much fun with your revolvers as you do with a semi-auto??
It is fun yes, though autos are fun too. Both can be very enjoyable.
Any other thoughts or advise would be helpful.
Thoughts. As defensive firearms, autos have replaced revolvers in all LE and military for a good reason. They are better self defense tools.
I’m very fond of my 3” Colt 38 special as a backup gun or when working around the house and not being able to carry something better.
When carrying a Glock for example, a smaller version of the same gun would be a better BUG without a doubt, but dropping a snubby in the pocket is pretty easy, and they are powerful and accurate enough for some limited self defense situations.
For serious self defense: High capacity auto. From the defensive point of view, revolvers mostly have an advantage in the concealment department when you can’t carry anything bigger.

FerFAL
 
Even though I carry a Glock and have other semi's as well, I enjoy revolvers the most...S&W ones. Revolvers seem to have a higher cool factor and higher horsepower potential (testosterone thing). :cool:

S&W 1917's .45 ACP
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S&W 3.5" 27-2 .357 mag
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S&W 29-2 6.5" .44 mag
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S&W 629-5 2.5" .44 mag
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S&W 66-no dash 2.5" .357 mag
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S&W 49 Bodyguard .38 spl
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S&W 40 Centennial .38 spl
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etc.


etc.
 
I have one semiautomatic pistol right now, a KelTec P32, for those occasions when I can't carry a gun. I carry two double-action revolvers for defensive purposes, a 3 inch S&W M13 in .357 Magnum and a 2 inch stainless Taurus 85UL in .38 Special. Why? Because they conceal more easily than similarly powerful and controllable semiautomatics, and because they are long pull double-actions. They won't go off "on accident."

I will buy another semiautomatic one of these days. They are good "go to war" guns where high capacity is something to be treasured and liability BS isn't a drawback. I really like the XD40 Tactical.

I have several single action revolvers, including a 4 1/2 inch blued Ruger Vaquero Bisley in .45 Colt. It delivers more power with maximum loads than any automatic that's reasonable to carry and shoot. When I hit silhouette pigs at 100 meters with "Bear loads," the steel goes down now and sometimes spins like a top. Guys shooting .41 and .44 Magnums ask, "What was that?" My other single actions are "cowboy" guns, and I shoot them with H777.

Yeah, I like revolvers.

ECS
 
QUOTE

1. Do you enjoy shooting revolvers better than semi-auto's?

2. What is the appeal of the revolver?

3. Is it as easy to shoot a revolver as it is to shoot a semi-auto?

4. Do you have as much fun with your revolvers as you do with a semi-auto??

Any other thoughts or advise would be helpful.
END QUOTE

1. No. I like both a lot but prefer autos as they are easier to shoot.

2. Revolvers are excellent for large game hunting, or for packing while camping or hiking around bears. (powerfull revolvers in 44 mag and up) Revolvers are also good for deep cover concealment like a 38 snub in the pocket. Revolvers are also nostalgic. Its fun to shoot a relic from the past.

3. No at least not if you are shooting double action. Autos are far easier to hit with quickly and to reload quickly. Thats why Autos are better for self defense in my opinion.

4. Yes and no. I enjoy shooting most guns and action types.
Pat
 
QUOTE

1. Do you enjoy shooting revolvers better than semi-auto's?

2. What is the appeal of the revolver?

3. Is it as easy to shoot a revolver as it is to shoot a semi-auto?

4. Do you have as much fun with your revolvers as you do with a semi-auto??

Any other thoughts or advise would be helpful.
END QUOTE

1. Yes.
2. An elegant, beautiful weapon. A connection with a fading past. Probably less effective overall than a semi-auto, but enough for my purpose.
3. For me, yes. Easier.
4. More.

LOL, unlike Pat, I don't intend to go in harm's way if I can avoid it. :)
 
Speaking as a psychiatrist

Speaking as a psychiatrist, I would say that there is a primal connection to man with revolvers.

Most semi-autos only have a barrel length of 3 to 4 inches. A revolver, on the other hand can be found with barrel lengths of 5, 6, 8 or 12 inches. It used to be that the longer barrel lengths were found on blue, or colored barrels, but with modern metalurgy and science, we now find stainless steel, or white-like metal barrels in those lengths.

Also, women tend to like men with long barreled revolvers, thus perpetuating the species.

:neener:

As I say, speaking as a psychiatrist, but I'm not. :neener:

Revolvers are just fun, simple and easy to use. :p

The Doc is out now. :cool:
 
There is some satisfaction in walking up to the line and slowly and deliberately poking holes in the X, and having some youngster with a plastic crunchenticker in his hand, come up and say, "Gee Mister, What's that you're shooting? I didn't know hand guns were that accurate!!"

Thus begins a new lesson and maybe a new friendship.
 
Tell them that the gap between the cylinder and the barrel makes them more accurate because the bad portion of the powder charge is vented off, leaving only good gas behind to shove the bullet. That'll make em wonder!
:evil::evil::D:D:eek::what::neener::neener:

The Doc is out and really having fun with this thread now. :cool:
 
Wow, that 1917 is a LOOKER! Sweet!
Mine is pretty generic, but I am very fond of my family inheritance Smith 10-8. I love handloading for it, wider variety of loads possibly with a wheelie than an auto, but I handload for my trusty CZ P01,as well.
smithpo1.gif
 
+1 on the 1917 being sweet
That being said, find an old S&W pre lock like my 10-4 3". Mine didn't look like the prettiest girl at the ball, words fail to describe the smooth action. I paid $115 for her and she is my #1 for CCW. Cleaned her up, but just cant bring myself to have her reblued. My S&W is older than I am and I respect that.
There are alot of old S&W .38s out there for a descent price I would try and find one.
 
1. Yes 2. DA revolver shooting is Zen-like in a way; a revolver seems almost alive, whereas an autoloader is a mere tool. 3. A DA revolver is more difficult to learn to shoot than an SA auto, whereas an SA revolver is the easiest handgun to shoot. DA autos vary in how difficult they are to shoot. 4. I have more fun with my revolvers, overall. DA revolver shooting is different than SA sixgun shooting, but I enjoy both more than SA autoloader shooting, though I do enjoy shooting my 1911 very much, too. DA autoloader shooting is OK, but I only do it because my duty pistol is a DA auto. I have found that DA revolver shooting is a good training exercise for my DA auto shooting, which is a major reason I switched to a SIG DAK duty pistol, as the Glock I used before was not nearly the same.
 
To elaborate on #3, learning to smoothly stroke the DA sixgun trigger, while maintaining a uniform grip with the rest of the hand, and keeping the sights in alignment, takes quite a bit of work, but once mastered, it is easy. With a well-fitted sixgun that has a decently smooth trigger, I can shoot amazingly quickly while maintaining accuracy. I can also retain this ablity with less practice. Two stories: In the mid-1980's, I had a bad year financially, and was very busy, with a child being born and going through upheavals in my personal life. I did not practice for an entire year, between my annual pistol qualifications. (I work police patrol.) With my fixed-sight S&W M58, I fired a score which maintained my "Expert" rating. I did this in spite of having to adjust for the elevation of the fixed sights being off by a good eight inches at 25 yards. Y'all don't worry, I normally practice much more often than once a year, especially now that I own a K-frame .22 and other sixguns that shoot .38 and .357 ammo. A box of .41 ammo for my M58 cost a young fortune back in the '80's, as it does now, and for a while, I only owned that M58, an M60 snubby, and one shotgun. To be continued.
 
In 1997, I elected to carry only 1911 pistols, for both duty and for carry on my own time, the only exception being a snubby for on-duty backup. I had learned that the only way to maximize my proficiency with the 1911 pistol was to stop shooting my fun guns, which were medium-large-framed DA revolvers. Sure enough, after a while, I shot 1911 pistols better than ever. Then, several prison inmates escaped, obtained guns and two-way radios, murdered a police officer who responded to their burglary of a sporting goods store, and committed other crimes in the area. Remembering that my .357 sixguns had a flatter trajectory than a .45 ACP, I pulled my GP100 from the safe, and took it to the police range. It was not "grandfathered" as a duty sidearm under my agency's new firearms policy, but could still be used as a backup and off-duty weapon. I elected to fire the 60-round duty pistol course, instead of the 30-round off-duty pistol course, with magnum ammo, to increase the difficulty. When it was over, I had fired a smaller group than I usually fired with a 1911, even though I had not shot a full-sized DA sixgun in about three years, and had only fired the snubby about 50 rounds a year during that time. I shook my head, and wondered why I ever stopped carrying a .357 sixgun as a duty sidearm. Sure, the heavy GP100 had always left a purple sore spot on my right hip, but I wondered why I didn't try a lighter sixgun, perhaps a 3" GP100 without the full-lug barrel. Well, too late for that. The GP100 went back to work, riding in the patrol car inside a Wilderness Safepacker, as a heavy-duty backup. My current duty sidearm is a SIG P229 DAK, and a GP100 still rides as backup, while an SP101 snubby is a concealed "hideout" backup. Life is good. :)
 
1. Do you enjoy shooting revolvers better than semi-auto's? No!

2. What is the appeal of the revolver? Simplicity, safe, effective.

3. Is it as easy to shoot a revolver as it is to shoot a semi-auto? Yes, except I miss the quick single action (already cocked) follow up shot!

4. Do you have as much fun with your revolvers as you do with a semi-auto??
To be honest, the semi's are a lot more fun!
 
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