How many of you were converted to revolvers?

[BCRider]

I never thought I'd like revolvers as they looked so odd and non-ergonomic. Then on one fateful day I decided to try one of these oddball looking guns while at the Rent-A-Gun range just for something different from the semis. I became a convert half way through the second cylinder of .38Spl. Now between my black powder cap and ball revolvers, the pair of cowboy action SAA's and my 4 S&W DA guns my handgun collection is strongly biased towards revolvers. I certainly didn't start out that way and it wasn't planned. They just seem to sneak up on me when I'm not looking!

So I'm wondering how many of you started on semis, felt that there was no other handgun worthwhile to own and shoot but for some reason fell to the wheelgun's charms somewhere along the way?

 

[galena]

Converted to revolvers? Hell, I started on revolvers. Six for sure. Keep shootin'

 

[wanderinwalker]

Started on revolvers here too. I am one of the younger-generation shooters (27 as of recently) and I have always been a revolver-kind of shooter. Actually, my favorite semi-automatics are the Glock series, which are surprisingly similar to my favorite S&W DAs: Draw, aim, squeeze trigger, repeat.

Last I checked my collection is split about 50/50, but I have more revolvers on my wish list (S&W 28 4", M-10 4" or 5", M-15 4", M-29 4") than semi-autos (some kind of 1911, just because).

 

[Wolfeye]

It wasn't really a struggle for me. I grew up shooting a beautiful S&W model 65 and some sort of plastic automatic. I always thought automatics looked thuggish and felt like a block in the hand, so I never bothered buying one.

Don't get me wrong - unleashing a magazine full of 9mm on a target is always fun. Once in a while I get the urge again and look around for an automatic with style, but to me nothing says "gun" better than a stainless, semi-lug revolver with rosewood grips.

I also spend a lot of time hiking in the woods. Animal attacks basically never happen, but if one did, I wouldn't trust my life to an automatic. I'd rather have one or two shots of .44 magnum than a dozen in .45 acp+p.

 

[btg3]

...between my black powder cap and ball revolvers, the pair of cowboy action SAA's and my 4 S&W DA guns, my handgun collection is strongly biased towards revolvers. I certainly didn't start out that way...

If I were a collector, indeed the charms of wheel guns would keep me occupied. I greatly enjoy watching them, feeling them, understanding them, smoothing their actions... but despite that enjoyment, I'm finding I'd rather spend my time elsewhere. Admittedly, a have a few more revolvers than semis at present, and am trying to decide what to part with.

I have semi-autos that are every bit as reliable, easy to carry, easier to maintain, and cheaper to feed that provide more fun and security with less "committment" than the wheelies. I will still CC a 642 at times and plink with others, but the semis are the real deal for me.

 

[Trez]

i wasnt really into handguns at all, now one of my favorites is a revolver.. the Medusa is the neatest gun i have!

 

[oldbear]

Converted to revolvers? Hell, I started on revolvers.[/QUOTE

So did I, and 50 years later I have no found no reason to change.

 

[wrs840]

The first handgun I ever shot was my big brother's Colt single action .22lr / 22mag. I'm not sure of the model, but it looked like a New Frontier. That was about 1970 and I was 12 years old. When I started buying my own guns in the 1980s, my handgun purchases were always autos, BHP, 1911, 422, and now I'm a 3rd gen fan. That said, the older I get the more I like, buy, and shoot, revolvers. First a few S&W .38s, then a New Vaquero .45, then a "Dirty Harry" M29 .44mag (had to), and now I seem to be on a .357 kick. I just "enjoy" shooting revolvers more than autos right now, and I definitely shoot tighter groups with my "wheels"... ...don't know "why", and I don't spend too much time fretting about "why". It just is...

Les

 

[Hondo 60]

no convert here - I started on revolvers too.
Two of my first three were S&W Model 10s
a 4" & a snubby.
The 4" was made back in the 60s is as accurate as anything I own.

I'd rather have 6 fer sure than a spray & pray anyday!

 

[SkookumJeff]

I also started shooting revolvers in the 60's, shooting a Ruger Blackhawk .357 mag. The first gun I ever purchased for myself was a shiny new nickle plated S&W model 39 9mm with a 7 round magazine IIRC.

I still prefer my revolvers.

SkookumJeff

 

[McCall911]

Odd and non-ergonomic. You must be young. In addition to the Great Caliber Debates there has long been the Great Revolver vs. Autoloader Debate. It actually still goes on!

So being the old-timer that I am, revolvers were the only handgun I would even think about until I discovered that autoloaders might not have been as unreliable as I'd previously thought.

 

[rayman]

I blame reloading for my new liking of revolvers. I use to really like the tacticool stuff like glocks, sigs, & HK's. All my auto loaders are gone now except for one series 70 Colt. I hate picking up brass off the ground.

 

[Doc3402]

I started on revolvers. I carried a Smith Mod 19-2 4" for years until I was introduced to a Browning HiPower. Dang that thing felt good. It was the perfect point and shoot weapon for me. Over the years I've had many pistols with preference going to the 1911's, but here recently I find myself going back to the revolver. I now carry a Mod 19-3 on a daily basis.

The revolver has it's drawbacks as far as rapid reloading, but I've never had a failure to feed with one. I carry two Safariland speed-loaders, and to show you how old I am, I still carry loose rounds in my right front pocket. Hundreds of hours on the Practical Pistol Course trained me to reload from my pocket, and I will always have ammo in there if I am carrying.

 

[earlthegoat2]

When I got back from the the war (Afghanistan that is, hey if old timers can have their war then I can have mine too) I bought a Model 60 for concealed carry. I started on them as well and they are my go to guns even though I have other platforms.

 

[Slamfire]

I remember back in the 60's and 70's it was hard to find M1911's. For the period that was the only auto pistol worth considering as a self defense gun, and then only after you spent an amount equal to the purchase price gun smithing the thing.

Revolvers were plentyful and ready to go from the box.

Back to revolvers?, sort of like Back to the Future.

 

[Coal Dragger]

I started out on a Ruger Single Six before I ever even shot a rifle, or any other firearm. I shoot mostly semi-auto handguns now, but would like to get a couple of revolvers.

Owned a Dan Wesson .44 Magnum just prior to them being purchases by CZ, it was kind of a turd in the accuracy department at least compared to my Kimber Super Match II 1911. I've yet to encounter a .22lr revolver that would shoot with my Benelli MP95E, or a Hammerli, Pardini, or Walther match pistol (yes I have firsthand experience with Olympic grade target pistols).

At some point I'd like to add a really good quality .357, and a really good quality .454 with a cylinder in .45ACP.

 

[hardluk1]

I went the other way. Still love my revolvers but own a couple pistols as they are just thinner and carry a few more rounds for defence. I will still carry a revolver when off in the woods .
Coal digger Hard to get them autos to place 240gr and heavier on target at 75 to 100 yards in 3" groups. At least thats what my 44 DW will do. Mine ain't a cz copy its a 1978 monson gun. Don't know about those cz made ones but NO production revolver can shoot with the old ones.

 

[jon86]

I started on revolvers as well. While autoloaders have their place, I still prefer revolvers and usually carry a revolver.

 

[Coal Dragger]

hardluk1,

My DW was made in approximately 2002-2003. Quality was not what I expected, nor was accuracy. This was the same time that I was shooting competition for Missouri State University, and shooting league matches at Bass Pro Shops (and winning them). So I was very much in practice, but for the life of me I couldn't find anything that revolver would shoot well, when a Smith& Wesson M29-2 a friend had would shoot the same loads beautifully. Very frustrating. I guess I should have bought a S&W if I wanted a .44 with a good trigger and consistent accuracy out of the box.

 

[fireside44]

So did I, and 50 years later I have no found no reason to change.

Me three, and 20 years later I have found no reason to change.

Sometimes I get a craving for a 1911 or other nice auto, but I always remind myself that I'm being deceiving because I don't like shooting any other handgun better than a good revolver. The only autos I ever owned sat right in the box until I sold them all.

 

[Nomad]

I too started with wheel guns long before semi-autos were popular. While I now use semis for competition and self defense I reach for a wheel gun to hunt, hike or most anything else. And I occasional carry concealed with a revolver. To me they are still awesome.

 

[bannockburn]

I started with revolvers, was converted to semi autos, and have come full circle again back to revolvers. Nothing wrong with a healthy mix of both disciplines in someones handgun collection.

 

[788Ham]

I started with revolvers, Ruger Single Six 22/22mg, then bought Browning 380 auto. I've had other revolvers, and until just recent, bought a Beretta 1934 .32 auto. The revolvers I really like, are my 6" Python I bought 26 years ago, and my 629-2 I bought shortly after the Snake. I've always shot wheels better, no reason why, really like the autos too, but I can't hit like I can with a revolver.

 

[FruitCake]

I've pretty much wandered from autoloaders to diferent autoloaders then something very pretty and shiny caught my eye at one of my local gunshops a 38special model 60 in stainless. Sold it to fund a G17 and after that I missed it so bad that I went back to the store and it was gone. Boy was I upset. I started a hunt for a new revolver right away and in a different local gun shop on one of the bottom displays allllll the way in the back was something shiny and goergous a used SP101 357 Magnum and I put that beauty in my hand and a tear fell from my eye and I was back in business. There is no autoloader out there that reflects such beauty as a revolver. Revolvers just do it for me and feel just natural in my hands. Ok now I must get my kleenex tissue.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I started with a revolver and still prefer them. I bought this one 21 years ago and have put thousands and thousands of rounds thru it. If I go shooting, 9 times outta 10 it is the gun I favor.