ever get flamed for carrying a revolver?

[Brasso]

Are you sure that website wasn't a bunch of dipsticks who think that Counterstrike is somehow relevant to real life?

 

[pinkymingeo]

A lot of guys seem to have played one too many video games, or at least watched one too many action movies. Get real. I usually carry a 5-shot J-frame without a reload, and don't feel undergunned. No, I don't intend to get into a running gunfight with terrorists, bank robbers or international gem thieves. Or shoot it out with a nest of foreign agents, or a clutch of space aliens. I probably won't get the hot starlet in the end, but that's OK. There's a remote chance I might have to protect myself from a mugger or vicious dog. The J-frame will work for that. Space aliens? Is there a waiting period for ray guns?

 

[tblt]

I like a revolver because if you have a bad round just pull the trigger again

 

[Elvishead]

NO!!!!

 

[Pat Cannon]

I do carry a reload with my 5-shooter, on the assumption that if I have to shoot, it will take me longer to assess the status of threat than it will to shoot him 4 more times. In other words, it seems likely to me that I'll be emptying the gun before I decide how many rounds are necessary. Then I might want to reload.

 

[RugerSAFan]

Of all my sidearms, my favorite are the revolvers.
The Keltec may be comfortable for summer attire, but I don't enjoy shooting it.

I purchased a Colt 1911 70 series because I bought into the mantra that I was supposed to have one. I don't plan on selling it, but I'm not real comfortable carrying it. I just don't trust the reliability (yet).

The two Glocks are VERY reliable, but they just don't do anything for me.

The Taurus 85 is nice and light but my FAVORITE is the Model 60 Lady Smith. Every time I shoot that sucker I smile. Don't mind if it says Lady on it. I've fathered enough children to be okay with my man-hood.

Two additional thoughts -
1> With a revolver, I tend to shoot fewer shots than with an auto, which keeps costs reasonable.
2> If SHTF in a serious way, and I had to grab my "go bag" and head "out" (more likely when living in the D.C. area), I would likely grab one of the glocks (due to reliability) and the Ruger .45lc (due to comfort with) and a whole bunch of ammo.

Good discussion....

 

[jaholder1971]

Gun shops stock what sells and every one I go to has a snubby revolvers well represented in the case alongside the semiautos and handcannons.

They're there because people are buying them and using them. 'Nuff said.

Why would you carry a hunting cartridge for CCW anyway? I'd think the meat would be stringy and laced with crack or heroin. would you have him shoulder mounted for the wall or a full size mount placed right in the middle of the living room?

 

[Rugerlvr]

I'm a revolver guy. I'm waiting on my permit, but when I do start to carry, I'm carrying my new no-lock 642, and I won't feel bad about it.

Strangely, the only auto-pistol I have any desire to own is a 1911, and I have one. I don't even look at autos in the shops these days.

 

[Moonclip]

Yes, I used to open carry a S&W N frame in .45acp in a high robbery risk retail enviroment. I had a backup revolver or two on me and a shotgun and/or a long gun close by as well as well as usually another armed employee.

I had a mall ninja type customer redicule my choice of weapon one time.

I could load the N frame fairly quickly so it's lower capacity plus the other factors I mentioned caused me to not worry about it.

I was in my mid 20's at the time so I think people found it strange in the time period I carried that revolver.

 

[crebralfix]

No worries, FerFAL...this is a fun discussion!

Lots of great posts.

Besides the new S&W M27 Lew Horton 8x357 is the BEST!!! Though, I do like that 3" GP100...and my S&W 625...and....

 

[CSA 357]

Nope Never! Im A Wheel Gun Man, I Do Carry A Colt 1911 Some Times

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I have taken some grief over carrying a wheelgun by either high speed operators who go to taco bell all geared up in cordura or by newbs who think that telling me what I should buy and use they will validate their choices.

One guy actually said to me "why don't you buy a sigma like I have?"

 

[Tom Servo]

Are you sure that website wasn't a bunch of dipsticks who think that Counterstrike is somehow relevant to real life?

Wait...you mean CounterStrike isn't real life?

I was doing inventory on the collection a few days back, and I realized that I've traded automatics for revolvers, but never the inverse. I wonder if I'm on a roll here...

MadOgre has a nice article on revolvers here.

 

[Rugerlvr]

 

[usmcpmi]

IMO, The most imporntant thing is what YOU are most comfortable with.If you can shoot a revolver, and it feels good to you, then do it. I have both revolvers and autos. From .22 up to my Grizzley in .45 Win Mag. My carry weapon is a series 70 1911. I can hit pretty much anything I can see...That comes from thousands of rounds down range. I don't care what you carry, just as long as you carry something. Never know, your actions at the right time might save the life of someone I care about. Bad people are all around, just waiting for a chance to prey on the weak.....MG

 

[Drgong]

Another North Carolinian here, and have to say that if I was to carry something, it would be a revolver, as if in the heat of action something went wrong, you just pull the trigger again to shoot.

 

[Poor East Texan]

Hmm, when you get right down to it my Dads S&W 36 will pretty much hide in my front jeans pocket while his KT P3AT prints "gun".

Several years ago I did NOT like shooting that 36. Major muzzle jump! I can just imagine touching off magnums in such a gun!

All this does NOT keep me from wanting a nice .357/.38 with a 3-5" barrel....

 

[Kevin3824]

There is something to be said for a high powered snub nose like a .357 Magnum. When I go to the public range here I have literally seen people pack up and leave after hearing how loud my S&W 649 is. Several have changed their minds when they see the groups I put up with this weapon. I was even surprised when I saw the blue flame that comes from the barrel when it is fired.

What it boils down to is I like my gun and use it well. It makes me feel good and safe despite what others may think or say.

I also own a competition Glock which I am not nearly as impressed with and cannot carry as often due to its size and the fragility of the night sites on it.

I guess those flamers just want to be anal retentive and closed minded to revolvers in general which is foolish IMO

 

[plexreticle]

People that dog out other peoples equipment usually have more equipment then skill.

K frame Smith is hard to beat as a around handgun for defense or hunting.

 

[Virginian]

I have owned over 40 semi autos, and I tried, but I just cannot really like them. Honestly, I did try. I even still have a Ruger Mark II 22. But, I still like my Single Six better. And, in a centerfire gun I will take a revolver every time.
It may be a generational thing, too. I grew up watching Roy, Clint, and the Duke wield a six gun, for the last generation and this one it's all semis.

 

[wjh2657]

Love my Glock 23 and my BERSA Thunder. Carried a 1911 for thirty years in USMC. Truth is that I am getting older and crave simplicity and reliability. Over the years I have owned numerous bottom feeders and loved them But even the most expensive and modified have failed me at one time or another, always on the range and not in the field. It is just in the nature of the beast. For those who will scream that they have fired 30,000+ rounds in theirs and it has never failed, they were shooting at a different range than me. I have seen many FTF and FTE among my colleagues, and with professionally reworked guns. I will be EDC as soon as my TN HCP gets to me in the mail and Ihave developed a "Warriors philosophy", as to what that means, I will draw only when there is no other out (run away, hide, etc. ) I have elected this policy because i have served on too many juries (I am 65 years old) and seen how the house, pension plan and kids' college plan is given away by juries to the families of scum bags shot by honest people defending themselves.

In short my piece is going to be like a Samuraii's sword, if it is drawn somebody gets cut/shot. Keeping that in mind I will only clear leather if I mean to shoot and I will not hesitate to shoot once I clear leather. Do the mental work while your hands are still empty. (Make the decision before drawing.) To rebut those who say you don't have the time to think, I say drawing a gun on impulse means you probably are in a situation where the gun isn't the answer or you forgot to stay in Condition yellow and are trying to wing it. Bad idea with a piece!

With that philosophy in place, I need a gun that I know is going to go bang, for sure! Just can't beat a S&W wheelgun for that!

 

[weisse52]

People buy what they see being "sold" in gun mags. They buy what they see the Police carry. They buy what the "guy" at the gun store said too.

No one should every flame anyone for what they carry. If you want to talk about flames, see what happens when you tell them you carry a NAA 22 mag 24/7!

I love 1911's and carry them alot. But I love revolvers and will always have one to carry.

Side note, I just read an article in one of my mags from last year where they ask the "experts" what they carry. All manner of firearms where discussed, but in just about each case they mentioned that they always some type of J frame with them. Makes you wonder what they carry 24/7 in real life???

 

[Evyl Robot]

It may be a generational thing, too. I grew up watching Roy, Clint, and the Duke wield a six gun, for the last generation and this one it's all semis.

Nah, I don't think so. I'm only 29, but you don't see me with a bunch of Romeo + Juliet looking custom pistols. I keep meaning to get me a bottom-feeder, but I always put it off until after that next revolver. They're just so pretty and full of character!

--Michael

 

[bleachcola]

Statistically, there a less than three shots exchanged in a gunfight. I dare not bring that up over there, but it is a fact. Statistics on where someone was hit, and how fast they went down are not available to civillians like us, but if they were, I am sure they would bear out that accuracy, particularly with the first shot or two, generally carries the day.

Statistically, a person will never be in a gunfight in their entire life. Doesn't mean you should play those stats and leave your gun at home. But if you do want to talk stats I have to point out that even trained professionals like police officers land less than half of the bullets shot on target. Even for them a 5 shot revolver is just good enough to handle one person. So what happens if you have to shoot more than one person? But you are right in when mentioning accuracy. Training is the most important thing an armed citizen can have. The firearm itself is secondary, so long as it is dependable. That being said, I'd advise anyone to carry whatever they are comfortable with and can depend on.

 

[jaholder1971]

I've currently have sitting next to me a proverbial "Old School" defensive combination: A Smith and Wesson Model 59 loaded with Federal 80's vintage 9BP 115 grain JHP's.

In my nightstand is a Ruger .357 Security Six loaded with Remington 125 grain JHP's.

Quick, someone drag me into the 21st century!

[/sarcasm]