Do you prefer revolvers for one purpose and Semi's for another?

[MikePGS]

I really really like revolvers. I don't know what it is, or why exactly (probably something to do with my grandpa's S&W's when I was younger) but they do it for me. That being said the gun i'm going to be purchasing for SD is a semi-auto. I think I would prefer both the capacity and size (M&P 9 Compact) and like the fact that the ammunition is pretty cheap (relatively speaking) so that I can practice a good deal with it to get proficient. After that though, all revolvers. Anyone else do something similar to this, or am I just nutty?

 

[MCgunner]

Little 9s are very compact, offer more power than .38 special, are easy to shoot, easy to carry a reload for, are faster to reload if necessary, and carry more rounds in a reload. My little Kel Tec carries 13 rounds in a pocket, very reliable, quite accurate, 14 ounces unloaded, and always ready. It just makes the most sense for concealed carry. I have bigger autos, 2 of 'em, and a .380, but the little Kel Tec is the one that goes with me always. I get in a revolver mood now and then and carry a little untralite snubby .38, but mostly it's the little 9. It's just so easy and so effective to carry.

Now, for outdoor use, I much prefer revolvers. Medium to large frame revolvers are generally more accurate than autos, sometimes much more accurate. They are chambered in MAGNUM calibers for big animals, they can be loaded with light loads for small game, they're easy to carry on a gun belt exposed and quick to change loads in with a speed loader. I much prefer revolvers for outdoor carry or hunting. I do hunt most with a Contender, but revolvers are capable of killing anything in Texas if chambered in a magnum calibler. I have a several .357s and a .45 Colt Blackhawk which, the way it can be loaded, I consider it a magnum caliber. I also have a .45 Colt TC barrel, but I mostly use my .30-30 for bigger game hunting.

So, yeah, if I'm going outdoors, I'll have a revolver on me. If I'm carrying day to day concealed for defense, most likely it'll be a little 9x19 auto. I own only 4 centerfire autos, but I'm planning to add an LCP or P3AT maybe this year if supply would catch up with demand.

 

[20nickels]

Not nutty at all. I own nothin' but wheelies, because I just plain shot them better than Glocks and the like. However I've been very impressed with the new generation of tactical plastic and how they have gone to lengths to make them fit most peoples hands better. Also the sights align to my eye better. I don't find myself shrugging my shoulders to get a good picture. For a trip outdoors though, give me a .357!

 

[Big Bill]

I like wheel guns for hunting because of the variety of ammo and accruacy and autos for self defense because they are fast and hold lots of ammo.

 

[CoRoMo]

Absolutely!!

I suppose it is more accurate to say that I prefer .357 magnum and/or .38 spl rounds for certain purposes and 9mm, 45acp for others.

I use a .357 revolver for back-country hiking and hunting, because of the power of that round.

I use a 9mm for daily carry because of the compactness/capacity of the pistol combined with the power of that round.

I use a 45acp for HD because of the power of that round and capacity of that pistol.

To make a long story short, every gun I own has a specific and individual purpose that no other gun I own can fill.

 

[PO2Hammer]

My serious guns are Glocks in 9mm and .45acp.

All the rest are hobby guns for me, including a single action revolver in .357, a single shot, a Mk II, and a nice 1911 in .38 Super.

I use them for IHMSA Field Pistol, walkabouts (nothing too dangerous around here) and plinking.

So I guess I don't devide them into revolver and auto classes, I devide them into serious uses and hobby uses.

Seroius pistols don't get modified.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I prefer autoloaders for carry and revolvers for everything else, except for a couple of autoloaders I particularly like to shoot at the range and keep around to look at. The Beretta 92FS is a great carry gun -- accurate, reliable, and carries 15 rounds in each magazine. But my home defense guns are all revolvers with a nasty assortment of loads the autoloaders cannot handle, and with greater power (.44 magnum) and simplicity of operation (no safeties, no question a round is under the hammer, etc.). Revolvers are more enjoyable for me to collect, as well. I just picked up another vintage Colt revolver yesterday; gorgeous almost-mint Army Special, one of the last made.

 

[Gambit]

My reasons


Prefer autos for:
Love single action cocked and locked ability of some
High Capacity
Faster follow up, for me
Use primarily for self defense in my vehicle

Prefer revolvers for:
Better accuracy (I shoot S&W mostly), generally, and target shooting
Magnum calibers availability
Balance in the hand
Love 357 magnum for home defense
The mistique, romance and nostalgia

 

[Clifford]

I use my 6.5 inch model 29 .357 while hunting, due to the power of the cartrige, ability to use shot shells (lots of rattlers in arizona) and the reliability of the gun. But i really like my 1911 for 2 legged defence and general shooting.

 

[MCgunner]

I use my 6.5 inch model 29 .357 while hunting,

Uh, you sure that 29 ain't a .44, or did you miss the 7 and hit the 9 by mistake?

 

[Zach S]

I just don't care much for revolvers. Never did much for me. Mine has only been fired once or twice in the past few years, at a snake (or a couple of them).

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Thank goodness not everyone likes revolvers. Had demand for revolvers kept pace with demand for autoloaders, my Colt collection would have been, if not financially unfeasible, at least unjustifiable and basically not done.

One great thing about this hobby is the variation in tastes and trends, which any of us are free to hop onto or to ignore.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I think revolvers are better than semi-auto for defense against dangerous animals, because they are usually chambered for the most powerful cartridges, and I think they can be fired at contact distances where an autoloader might jam.

Rimfire autoloaders are probably better for target shooting.

 

[dmazur]

Yes -

Revolver in .44 Mag for 4-legged problems encountered in "woods carry".

Semiauto in .45 ACP for 2-legged problems encountered in civilized areas.

(And I'll admit to having Crimson Trace grips on both... )

 

[pps]

Those of you in free states have the luxury/freedom to have the "evil high capacity mags" that give you significantly more rounds. Anything non-preban greater than 10 rounds is verbooten. Otherwise I'd carry one of the hi capacity wonder 9's

I carry an 8 shot .357 revolver and a 5 shot j frame for back up or during the hot summer when I'm wearing slacks or shorts. So I'm mostly revolver, since 8 shots of .357 isn't much less than 10 shots of 9mm...yeah, I can reload the 9 faster.

 

[Rmac58]

I have and like both. Being older, revolvers are my first love, but some of the auto loaders are quite handy, accurate and some have history behind them.

 

[Clifford]

Mcgunner, its a model 28 highway patrolman not a 29.

 

[browningguy]

I have a revolver for hunting, all the others are semi's.

 

[twoclones]

Nope.
I carry either N or X frame S&W revolvers at work, J frame for CCW, and K frame for target practice. I bought an XD-40 for work but after 600 rounds through it, I decided I was just a revolver guy... Was easy to sell the XD

 

[earplug]

Carry Gun

I have carried pistols and revolvers in various forms. I don't get paid to carry and a CCW imho should be as boring to carry as a set of keys.
I like a SW J frame revolver due to its easy day to day maintenance.
Go to the range and shoot your favorite firearm, then shoot 15-20 rounds out of the carry gun. With a semi you might want to clean the whole thing at home. Fart around with the extra magazine spring. rotate cartridges and worry about dust, lint or ? the J just take a GI tooth brush and a patch down each charge hole and down the barrel and your done.
You never have to worry about spring tension on magazine springs, recoil springs or various bullet profiles. You might worry about zombies after five shots and a boring reload.
Its as boring and reliable as a set of house and car keys.

 

[Kind of Blued]

I carry either N or X frame S&W revolvers at work...

Out of curiosity, what do you do for a living? Sounds neat.

I prefer revolvers because I trust them more, and I prefer autos for the capacity and ease of reloading. Usually I carry one of each.

 

[louie19]

If you like revolvers, why not just stick with them? Or as Kind of Blued suggests, carry one of each. I never personally cared much for revolvers, but I do believe in carrying and practicing with what you like because you'll have more confidence in it and handle it better.

 

[Bill B.]

Do you prefer revolvers for one purpose and Semi's for another?

Semi's are prefered in .22 LR & revolvers in center fire. Reason being on the centerfires is I am more accurate with the revolver. I own both and shoot both.

 

[LKB3rd]

I like revolvers just because they appeal to me more than semi's. Not sure if I could give you a reason, other than I like things that work, that are older/more traditional. I guess it sort of makes me feel like I have a piece of history.
I like semi-auto's because of their capacity, and easy reloading, and the better choices of cartridges generally. Not that revolver cartridges are bad, and I only have .38's and .357's... I load them with .38's or .38 +p( I shoot .357 at the range for fun, but don't feel comfortable with the idea of exploding my eardrums and the eardrums of those around me if I ever used it for SD) and feel confident with that, but 9mm and .45 have more power and arguably effectiveness, and won't explode my eardrums.
So, I don't have different uses for them really, and I go back and forth depending on my mood.

 

[swiftak]

I love semi autos. But when I'm hiking or scouting deer before the season I feel like I need to have a revolver with me. I like my Blackhawk in .357 Mag for that. I also carry a revolver while I'm deer hunting or camping.