Fighting Revolver

[mcb]

With the existence of 8-shooter revolvers in good gun fighting cartridges (9mm and 357 magnum) what is the justification for the 6-shooter? This is not a CCW revolver this is a revolver you taking to a fight.

Having shot a heap of USPSA with both a 6-shot revolver and an 8-shot revolver I would be hard pressed to strap on a 6-shooter to go to a gun fight if I had an 8-shooter option.

 

[M1key]

Seven shooter Taurus Tracker in .357 is what I currently own.

 

[chicharrones]

With the existence of 8-shooter revolvers in good gun fighting cartridges (9mm and 357 magnum) what is the justification for the 6-shooter? This is not a CCW revolver this is a revolver you taking to a fight.

Having shot a heap of USPSA with both a 6-shot revolver and an 8-shot revolver I would be hard pressed to strap on a 6-shooter to go to a gun fight if I had an 8-shooter option.

Because it's what someone currently owns and the 8-shooters are in a distributor's warehouse waiting for the next buyer.

 

[mcb]

Because it's what someone currently owns and the 8-shooters are in a distributor's warehouse waiting for the next buyer.

Many of us in this thread have restricted ourselves to what we already own and that is fine but the OP asked, "...what features and characteristics should a "fighting revolver" have if you were in the market for new one..."

In that OP's context what could justify a 6-shooter over the 8-shooter?

 

[WrongHanded]

With the existence of 8-shooter revolvers in good gun fighting cartridges (9mm and 357 magnum) what is the justification for the 6-shooter? This is not a CCW revolver this is a revolver you taking to a fight.

Take a revolver to a gunfight? Intentionally? Not even Bill Jordan thought that was a good idea. He said he'd rather have a shotgun.

So sure, an 8 shot N frame would be better. Except I'd rather have a G20 or G31.....or a shotgun.

 

[chicharrones]

Many of us in this thread have restricted ourselves to what we already own and that is fine but the OP asked, "...what features and characteristics should a "fighting revolver" have if you were in the market for new one..."

In that OP's context what could justify a 6-shooter over the 8-shooter?

Good point.

Then the 6-shooter would likely be the choice for folks that prefer cartridges in the .4x diameter range.

 

[mcb]

Take a revolver to a gunfight? Intentionally? Not even Bill Jordan thought that was a good idea. He said he'd rather have a shotgun.

So sure, an 8 shot N frame would be better. Except I'd rather have a G20 or G31.....or a shotgun.

I agree, and said so in my first post. If I know I am going to a gun fight I want the artillery to lead. But playing nice with the OP I also picked a revolver... an 8-shooter.

Good point.

Then the 6-shooter would likely be the choice for folks that prefer cartridges in the .4x diameter range.

Good reason and if I was going to a gun fight against bruins I might agree but against two legged varmints I will give up the .4x for two more shots.

 

[WrongHanded]

I agree, and said so in my first post. If I know I am going to a gun fight I want the artillery to lead. But playing nice with the OP I also picked a revolver... an 8-shooter.

I hear yah. I guess it depends on how you interpret the OP.

Other than the cliche, "a fighting revolver is the revolver you have to defend yourself with," IYHO, what features and characteristics should a "fighting revolver" have if you were in the market for new one, and you knew you would (possibly) be in a gun fight aka might have to defend your life with one?

I immediately thought of conceal carry when reading this. And as such would prefer a medium frame with a smaller diameter cylinder than an N frame offers. If you interpreted it differently, I'm not saying you did it wrong.

 

[M1key]

Take a revolver to a gunfight? Intentionally? Not even Bill Jordan thought that was a good idea. He said he'd rather have a shotgun.

And bring all your friends with guns...

 

[Sistema1927]

Here is my vote:

 

[stonebuster]

Only thing I would change on it would be to give it a round butt. But that would work

Sightly lighter, less bulky, 2 3/4", and round butt. I assumed we were talking CC but after re-reading the OP I see that was not the case. I can't visualize "taking a revolver to a gunfight" or any other weapon for that matter because why would you intentionally go to a gunfight?

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

View attachment 1166098Sightly lighter, less bulky, 2 3/4", and round butt.

Perfect only need a milt sparks holster

 

[chaim]

I love revolvers, but to me the day of the fighting revolver is gone. To me, a "fighting handgun" isn't a personal self defense gun, it means you know you are heading out to a good chance of a fight. We're talking military sidearms and police service pistols in a holster OWB. Since the late 80s or early 90s, autos have been reliable enough that I want 15+ rounds in a DA/SA (no external safeties, decocker only) if I know I'm likely heading towards and not away from a fight. For personal concealed self defense on the other hand, there is still a place for a revolver.

That said, if I had to head out with a revolver, knowing a fight was likely coming to me, I want the best chance I can get. A big and heavy gun is fine since it will be carried OWB and not concealed and the weight will help with quick and accurate follow up shots. Six rounds would be OK in a big bore caliber, otherwise, at least seven. I'd prefer it to be cut for moonclips since those tend to reload faster than speed loaders or speed strips.

My first choice would be an 8 round S&W 625 or other N-frame. Since concealment isn't important I'd want a 4" barrel over a short barrel, it will draw faster than a 6"+ barrel while still giving a ballistics and sight radius advantage over the short barrel. Second choice would be a 7 round 686. I would prefer .357mag in the heavier guns (give me every advantage if I know I'm going into a fight), though .38spl Federal Punch or .38+P Underwood or Buffalo Bore LSWCHP would also make me feel a little more confident. Third choice would be a 6 shot .45LC (like my 625MG) followed by a 6 shot K-frame or L-frame .357mag.

For a concealed self defense situation, give me a 2.5-3" K-frame in .357mag or a 3" Taurus 856 Defender. Six shots instead of 5 in a concealable revolver, .38 Federal Punch or Buffalo Bore LSWCHP (unless using magnums in the K-frame) plus K-pak or K-clip speedloaders from Zeta6 (if I don't have it set for moonclips) make a good personal defense revolver "system".

For a concealed self defense situation, give me a 2.5-3" K-frame in .357mag or a 3" Taurus 856 Defender. Six shots instead of 5 in a concealable revolver, .38 Federal Punch or Buffalo Bore LSWCHP (unless using magnums in the K-frame) plus K-pak or K-clip speedloaders from Zeta6 (if I don't have it set for moonclips) make a good personal defense revolver "system".

EDIT:

On reviewing the rest of the replies, it appears many people answered based on going back to the old revolver days for a police handgun. In that situation, where you aren't all that likely to need it on a day to day basis, and you will be carrying it all day, every day, my answer will change a bit. The big, heavy N-frame may be just a little too much for day to day carry on a duty belt full of other gear. I'd split the difference between my duty gun/fighting gun and carry gun options above and go with a 7 round L-frame. Though, I'd put a lot of thought into a slightly lighter 4" K-frame with a 2" 856UL (both 6 round guns so they'd use the same speedloaders) or a S&W 442 as a backup gun.

 

[UncleEd]

Touting 8-shot revolvers is fine but that usually means the
larger framed firearms. A six or at most 7-shot revolver is
easier for many to handle, especially in double action.

 

[mcb]

Touting 8-shot revolvers is fine but that usually means the
larger framed firearms. A six or at most 7-shot revolver is
easier for many to handle, especially in double action.

Other than a little more weight what difference does that make? Capacity is king. The trigger on an N frame can be as good as a K or L frame. We are talking about a gun fight, not a hike, the weight helps mitigate recoil. I shot my 627 faster than my model 10 in competition. The extra weight was an asset not a liability.

 

[UncleEd]

Regarding large framed revolvers, I guess I wasn't clear when
I mentioned double action shooting. The large framed revolvers
offer many a challenge for their hand sizes and reach by their
fingers. The weight of the weapon is not necessarily a factor.

When S&W offered its L frame, it designed it so that the gun
retained the gripping and trigger reach dimensions of the
K-frame. The company knew a lot of shooters had to struggle
in shooting the N-frame, often having to turn their grip around
some to just reach the edge of the trigger.

And for many other shooters, the K-frame and Colt D-frame offer
the best dimensions for comfortable and quick double action work.

 

[mcb]

Regarding large framed revolvers, I guess I wasn't clear when
I mentioned double action shooting. The large framed revolvers
offer many a challenge for their hand sizes and reach by their
fingers. The weight of the weapon is not necessarily a factor.

When S&W offered its L frame, it designed it so that the gun
retained the gripping and trigger reach dimensions of the
K-frame. The company knew a lot of shooters had to struggle
in shooting the N-frame, often having to turn their grip around
some to just reach the edge of the trigger.

And for many other shooters, the K-frame and Colt D-frame offer
the best dimensions for comfortable and quick double action work.

Not really buying that. There is not that much difference in size that cannot be addressed with a good grip change.




This in my Model 10 (K-frame) stacked on top of my Model 29 (N-frame). The N-frame is just not that much bigger in the trigger reach department. A good pair of thin grips that don't cover the back strap and your N-frame can have nearly the same trigger reach as a K-frame.

 

[GRIZ22]

Fighting revolver? If you have unlimited sources of type and caliber that's fine.

When I was in Vietnam you had your choice of 3 calibers. 38 special and 45 acp were easy. 9mm was somewhat available as it waa used by Spec Ops people. I wasn't one of them.

I eventually would up with a 2" Model 10 and a "Black Market" 1911. The ammo available waa 130 gr fmj or 230 gr fmj.

Either worked great if your shot placement was good.

 

[JumboJVT]

This whole thought experiment seems to me to be a waste of brain power. As some have touched on, who would choose any handgun, let alone a revolver, if your KNEW you were going to a gunfight? As a civilian, the chances of actually being in a gunfight are so astronomically low that it allows us to ponder the question like we're discussing hunting or target shooting: what do you prefer? But actual gunfighting IS NOT like target shooting or hunting, its not a lifestyle choice. No sane person leaving the house in the morning, knowing that they would be in a gunfight at 10:08 would choose a revolver over an auto or an auto over and AR or an AR over an... Its the odds of the occurrence that that allows us the whimsy to use what we like. My take is supported by the broad range of solutions offered: everything from 8-rnd, moon-clip fed modern manufacturing marvels to 100+ y/o good-enough-then-so-good-enough-now antiques. In similar fashion to F1 racing, if a revolver was the thing to use, there would be consensus...on the thing to use.

If someone told me I had to go to a gunfight with a revolver, I'd probably go find something else to do instead (Rule 2 - avoid). On the other hand, if by some horrible circumstance I find myself exchanging fire with a bad guy, it might be with a 2.5" 66, a 4" 686 or more likely a G19. Since the chances are so infinitesimal, I have options.

 

[StrawHat]

This whole thought experiment seems to me to be a waste of brain power. As some have touched on, who would choose any handgun, let alone a revolver, if your KNEW you were going to a gunfight? As a civilian, the chances of actually being in a gunfight are so astronomically low that it allows us to ponder the question like we're discussing hunting or target shooting: what do you prefer? But actual gunfighting IS NOT like target shooting or hunting, its not a lifestyle choice. No sane person leaving the house in the morning, knowing that they would be in a gunfight at 10:08 would choose a revolver over an auto or an auto over and AR or an AR over an... Its the odds of the occurrence that that allows us the whimsy to use what we like. My take is supported by the broad range of solutions offered: everything from 8-rnd, moon-clip fed modern manufacturing marvels to 100+ y/o good-enough-then-so-good-enough-now antiques. In similar fashion to F1 racing, if a revolver was the thing to use, there would be consensus...on the thing to use.

If someone told me I had to go to a gunfight with a revolver, I'd probably go find something else to do instead (Rule 2 - avoid). On the other hand, if by some horrible circumstance I find myself exchanging fire with a bad guy, it might be with a 2.5" 66, a 4" 686 or more likely a G19. Since the chances are so infinitesimal, I have options.

This may come as a shock to you. Some of us actually know how to use a revolver and prefer it to something we do not feel comfortable using. I am very much unskilled when it comes to self loading firearms of any type. Yes, I can make them go bang and hit where I aim It is when they go CLICK that I have issues.

So, my preferred choices are the revolver, the pump action shotgun (a Model 12 if you do not mind) and a bolt action rifle or even the Winchester Model 1895. I can easily operate all three, when wide awake, when tired or even when awaken from a sound sleep.

Kevin

 

[jmr40]

A 3" Smith 66 or 65 would be hard to beat. One of the 2 3/4" Ruger Speed Sixes would be a close 2nd.

 

[shoebox1.1]

This one would fight if pressed into action!

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I hear fighting revolver the same way I hear social shotgun. It's purpose is to be used against people instead of targets, or steel, or mammals with hides. The same with combat revolver - just marketing, but the idea is defensive use.

I guess I'm in the minority here. I've trained most of my life with a 1911, and own a pretty good 2011 that carries so well that I forget about it, but I don't feel under-gunned with a 3" or 4" 357 Magnum. For some reason I'm more accurate with a revolver, and while my splits are a bit longer than they are with a 9mm 1911 hammers are still fast enough should I be required to do that some day.

Of course, I've been carrying 30 years and haven't needed to yet. Knock on wood.

 

[orionengnr]

Although I have "a few" S&W revolvers, the ones I carry are all 4" and all start with a .4, either .44Spl or .45LC.

I find the 7 and 8-shot .357s intriguing, but with my aging wrists, a .357 is a bit barky and I am unlikely to buy any more revolvers any time soon.

So if what I have will work in an "in extremis" situation, then all the better, and if it doesn't, then I guess that is my problem. Probably my last problem.

 

[ontarget]

This whole thought experiment seems to me to be a waste of brain power. As some have touched on, who would choose any handgun, let alone a revolver, if your KNEW you were going to a gunfight?

Good thing I saved a few brain cells to waste.
Some of us DO prefer the use of revolvers over semiautos. I have way more handguns than I am willing to admit in public, and many are semiautos, but whenever I head out back to my range, I seem to grab a revolver. I'm comfortable with them.
Of course there may be better options for a gun fight, like avoiding one all together.
BUT, this is the revolver forum soooooo....