Half As Many Love Revolvers...

[munk]

When I sign on to the High Road, I always check to see how many people are in the Revolver forum and how many handgunners are in the Semi-auto forum. Every time I've looked in the last week, the Semi-Auto forum has TWICE as many viewers as does the Revolver forum.

Some questions for the Revolver:

1. Do you like Revolvers better than Semi-Auto's?

2. Do think the time will come when there will be, in effect, no revolvers for self defense?
(and only those models for hunting, competition, or Cowboy action shooting commercially viable)

3. Which do you own more of, Revolvers or Semis?


I know all this is old stuff, but what the hey!! Thought I'd talk to the revolver clan- my clan.



munk

 

[ojibweindian]

I like revovlers, much more so than semi-autos. Why? Beats me. Just do.

 

[ACP230]

As long as I'm around there will be some revolvers available for self-defense.

I am currently on a revolver kick and use a Smith M649 as my usual carry gun.

 

[Bob79]

I do like Revolvers better than auto-loaders, and my number one reason is reliability. I've by no means shot a lot in my lifetime (I'm only 25 YOA), but I've prob fired about 800-900 rounds w/ a wheel gun, and have had ZERO malfunctions. I always buy good carry ammo, and practice with decent stuff (no re-loads) like UMC, Federal, S&B, etc. I've prob shot 1,200-1,300 rounds with a semi-auto, and guessing had about 25-30 failures (not counting the very small "pocket" autos which is even higher). Revolvers also just catch my eye more, there is more to them if that makes sense? The fluting on the cylinder, the sloping grip, they just look better to me.

I think semi-autos are more popular because they are more "modern", and younger people are more drawn to them. Young people see them in movies, etc and they get used to seeing them, and seeing all the rounds they can hold. I'm fairly young (25) and at first I thought wheel-guns where "old" and disadvantaged for having less capacity. People still say "you've got a revolver?" and looking at me like I bought a horse-drawn carriage or something. But I don't see them going away, anyone who is actually educated on the advantages/disadvantages will see they have their place. For the average person who wants a gun for home defense, or personal defense can really appreciate the simplicity and reliability of a good revolver.

I own 4 revolvers, and one semi-auto. And I used to own more semi-autos. For me the gun needs to be smaller, because I want to carry it, so I've tried a lot of the compact semi-autos. I just couldn't find one that I ever felt confident in regarding reliablity. I have also had several full size autos (which are much less prone to failures) but they too have had their share of failures. I don't hate semi-autos, they have their places, but I prefer revolvers.

 

[41mag]

yep
yep
& yep

If I had to boil it down to just one thing I 'd have to say that revolvers just have more class.

 

[SWMAN]

I grew up with revolvers and used autos in the military. About 3/4 of my handguns are revolvers, and of those, 3/4 are .357 and larger. I do like big bores which is why I tend to shoot and own more revolvers than pistols. By the way, John Taffin is one of my favorite gun writers. All my pistols are .45 acp except my 92FS.

 

[Cool Hand Luke 22:36]

Half As Many Love Revolvers...

No, you're misinterpreting the figures. What they show is twice as many people are having problems with their autoloaders.

People go to the autoloader forum to ask for help about jammed slides, failure to feed, etc...

People go to the revolver forum to brag about what a great deal they got on a detective special, to post pictures of their model 19, ask for advice on the best .44 magnum for handgun hunting, etc.

1. Do you like Revolvers better than Semi-Auto's?

2. Do think the time will come when there will be, in effect, no revolvers for self defense?
(and only those models for hunting, competition, or Cowboy action shooting commercially viable)

3. Which do you own more of, Revolvers or Semis?

1. Yes

2. No, I think there will always be a strong market for defensive revolvers. S&W brings out new models of concealed carry revolvers every year.

3. Revolvers

 

[P95Carry]

Cut my teeth on revo's .... they'll always hold the special place.

Much is down IMO to the admitedly, very large 1911 following ... so many variants ... much to discuss.

 

[Checkman]

I'm 37 and converted about four years ago. Before then I was all about autos. Now it's wheelguns. I own four semi automatic handguns and eight revolvers. As a cop I carry an auto (Sig P245) as my primary, but my BUG is a five shot S&W .38. There's just something about a wheelgun. It seems that as shooters get older they come to appreciate the revolver more. It may not be as sexy but it's reliable. Kind of like a Buick vs a Corvette - or something like that.

Do I think that eventually wheelguns will stop being used for self-defense? No I don't. According to the industry with the proliferation of CCW states the snub nose revolver has experienced a huge surge in sells. So much that most of the major manufacturers of wheelies have introduced new models in the past few years. A wheel gun is more forgiving and I believe that beginners don't find it as intimidating. For many years it was an accepted axiom that revolvers were easier for beginners to learn on.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My carry gun is a M1911 (currently a Kimber Custom Classic). I've carried M1911s for more years than I care to think about.

However, I have more revolvers than automatics -- because revolvers tend to be more versatile. A .357 can be loaded with .38 Special wadcutters with a minimum powder charge (my favorite load is a 148-grain hollowbase wadcutter driven by 2.7 grains of Bullseye) or a screaming 125 grain hollowpoint at 1800 fps. Or a 180 grain cast bullet at 1200 fps.

I like my Colt Service Ace conversion kit for M1911s, but have to admit my Colt Officer's Model Target is more accurate.

I could take a deer with my M1911, but a heavy .357 load, or a .45 Colt will do a better job.

 

[DR]

I mentally went through my collection:

One .22 revolver (S&W)
One .22 autoloader (High Standard)
One little revolver (S&W)
One little auto (Kahr)
One full size revolver (S&W)
One full size auto (H&K)

I came to the following conclusions:
I like them both. I like Smiths.

My next planned purchase is another Smith: a 1911SC. Maybe I should go for a High Standard revolver after that to maintain symmetry.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I prefer my autos, but over the last few months, I've started to really appreciate my revolvers. I've added two revolvers to my collection since December, and am thinking one or two more before the end of the year. Here's my little list:

Revolvers:
1) Colt Anaconda (bought 1993)
2) Colt Python (bought 2001)
3) Ruger Vaquero (bought 12/04)
4) Colt Detective Spl (bought 2/05)

Autos:
1) Colt 1911 Government (bought 10/89)
2) Colt 1911 Government (bought 1/90) - Sold
3) Ruger Mark II (bought 1990)
4) Colt 1911 Gold Cup (bought 1992)
5) Colt 1911 Officers (bought 1993)
6) Ruger P89-DC (bought 1993)
7) Glock 19 (bought 1993)
8) Taurus PT-22 (bought 1995)

Looks like my revolvers are starting to catch up.

 

[Gunsnrovers]

Yes, but we get half as many silly questions/posts over here too.

 

[chickenfried]

1. Do you like Revolvers better than Semi-Auto's?

No, I like semi-auto's better than revolvers. Semi-autos just seem a lot more ergonomic and have a better feel in my hand than revolvers. I also hate cleaning revolvers , semi-auto's are so much easier to clean.

 

[kimbernut]

Rev. vs. Auto

Currently:.38 Spl. Colt Cobra / .380Auto Colt P/L Mustang
.38 Spl.S&W 640 / 9mm Colt Pocket
.38 Spl. Charter Arms U/C / 9mm Browning HP
.357 Mag. S&W 686 / .45ACP Kimber ProElite
------------------------/ .45ACP Parts built

Next on the wish list:S&W 625 in .45ACP,S&W 29 or 629 .44 Mag or
(older) Ruger Vaquero or Blackhawk.45LC

 

[Boats]

For serious social matters I'll always remain an auto fan first and foremost because I am left handed and the revolver is not as southpaw friendly as a well designed bottom feeder. Hence, I have only one revolver.

However, at the range and during clean-up, I love my revolver more than any auto. I like the rhythm of shooting the revolver. I love not cleaning up the brass. I love not having mag loading thumb as I just pull fresh rounds straight from the box. I love the flash and boom of it, and the lack of a snapping slide and a glint of brass across my vision. I love that I always feel that the revolver will fire, no question about it.

I even love the ritual of cleaning it compared to the typical auto. No need for disassembly, and how hard it is in reality is vastly overstated.

Now if only I could become faster in handling it, I might never pack an auto again. Alas, that doesn't seem all that possible given my "wronghandedness."

 

[wundudnee]

Uhhh, what was the question again? Oh, I remember, yes I do have one semi auto in my safe somewhere.

 

[Ala Dan]

I own more revolver's, cuz its what I grew up on!

S&W models: 10, 30, 37, 60, 629, and 686.

1- Rossi model 88, and 2X NAA "mini's" = 9

Only 8 semi-auto's.

 

[aug e. dog]

1. I like revolvers better. I prefer their aesthetics, in fact the only semi's that are appealing from a 'looks' standpoint to me are 1911's and Browning HPs. Whereas, just about any Smith, Ruger or Colt is appealing to me. I also shoot them more accurately and they seem to shoot more naturally for me. Plus, they are great to take to the woods.

2. No, at least not anytime in the forseeable future.

3. Revolvers, by nearly a 3-1 margin.

 

[Crownvicman]

1. I like revolvers better than semi-auto pistols because I shoot revolvers better.

2. As long as civilians own guns, I doubt it.

3. I own more revolvers. I own 2 auto pistols, bought as historic curiosities. For any serious use, I want a revolver.

Boats, I also shoot left handed and find the revolver to be much more user friendly. I guess there are different strokes for different folks.

 

[SnubbyMan]

1. Definitely.
2. No. At the very least, I think 5-shot snubbies will be around for a long time.
3. It's about even, but I have slightly more revolvers than semi. All my new purchases have been revolvers. Or rifles.

 

[Boats]

My lack of handiness with a revolver is probably a matter of growing up with a veteran father and uncle who make Col. Cooper look like a modest fan of the 1911.

 

[TallPine]

I just like revolvers better, especially single actions. Kind of a blonde vs brunettes type thing I guess.

For me a handgun is strictly defensive, which includes large animals. You can get a revolver in more powerful calibers. In the summer, I carry one snakeshot round under the hammer, and I can index it around to the "next" position if I need it ("dial a cartridge" ).

If I need more than 6 shots, I probably can't handle the situation anyway.

If I really think there is something out there, I grab a rifle.

 

[munk]

Well, here are my opinions. I think the revolver market will shrink and become more specialized. Choices will wane.

The revolver is beautiful; the Semi Auto a neater machine.

I trust the revolver. It handles a wide power range and is accurate. And it fits the, 'what you see is what you get' philosophy in a time where moral relativism is rampant and things are not what they appear to be.

I own two Semi Autos. Most my life I've owned only one. That's 8 revolvers to 2 semis.

I've got one possible value not listed yet in this thread:

When the Aliens zap you with the Ray that makes all machines useless, the Revolver cylinder will still go round, and the bullet downrange. Fox Mulder used a Semi Auto. The Aliens laughed at him.



munk

 

[TamThompson]

I like to hedge my bets. My primary carry gun is a Glock 30 (subcompact .45), and my back-up gun (always there, in my offside pocket) is a S&W 637, .38+p. I had been carrying a Keltec .32 as my BUG, but then the thought occurred to me that I was backing up a semi-auto with yet another SA, and it is remotely possible they COULD both jam. Thus, a Smitty Snubby.

I'm youngish (46), yet I love 'em all, Glocks, 1911's, and revolvers. They all have a place and they all have their pros and cons. You just have to know what the pros and cons are, and decide.

And, actually, S&W has answered the worst knock on revolvers--capacity--with the 327, which is the new snubby .357 mag that holds 8 rounds. If you can't git R done with 8 shots of .357mag, you probably shouldn'ta oughta been there in the first place!

Yah, when it comes to my guns, I'm all about diversity. Heck, I've even got a Smitty 500, with the 8 3/8" barrel. Talk about a palm-pounder for a small lady like me...!!!

MUNK: Hate to tell you this, buddy, but they're both machines. Semi's and revos are both nothing more or less than mechanisms composed of metal parts and springs. The only difference is the semi's are cocked by firing a round, but that wouldn't disappear. (I used to be a mechanical engineer.) There is no real difference in the level of tech used, or at least not enough to make the kind of difference you're talking about.