I notice now most of us older guys (50+)

[shootingthebreeze]

Just checked the price of a S&W 638 at a local gun dealer: over $600! Nice gun.

 

[stinger 327]

I'm 54 and I purchased a S&W Model 19 4" as my second pistol after an H & R 926 because I wanted something with more power. That was 30 years ago. I've bought numerous autos over the years and sold them due to not likeing the feel, or not how they shot, but I've always returned to the Model 19 even after I purchased a 686 I still sold it and go back to the model 19. Now I own a FN5.7 and its a trade off, I love both.

In 1983 I paid $280? for a S & W Model 66. Guns today got too expensive.

 

[hunto]

The Glock is the most easiest and user friendly auto there is. This is the closest auto that is going to be next to a revolver in simplicity and operation. Just pull the trigger.
Or if you prefer in the Glock don't keep one in the chamber then rack one when you need it if it doesn't feel safe to you in this mode because you have to pull the trigger just like in a revolver when you have one in the chamber. Alot of people carry one in the chamber of the GLock. Police also.

Like I said, I kept my autos (when I owned them) chamber-clear because of a young one in the house.
That said, I still have an inherent dislike of keeping autos around with a round chambered. I don't want to have to remember if I chambered a round or not, or have to clear it to find out. I don't want to have to chamber a round if trouble occurs. With a revolver, those are non-issues.

It's always interesting to see Glock fans take offense when people say they don't own Glocks for whatever reason.

 

[golden]

Not sure i understand

HUNTO,

I am not sure I understand about keeping the chamber empty on an auto, but keeping a revolver loaded.

If the chamber is empty on a semi-auto, a child would have to first rack the slide which many children could not and then pull the trigger.

If a revolver is loaded, all a child would have to do is pull the trigger.

It seems like the case is made for a semi auto based on safety. Of course, you could just leave the slide racked open without a round in the chamber and keep the clip out of the magazine well. I hear this is being done in California with open carry.

Jim

 

[stinger 327]

Like I said, I kept my autos (when I owned them) chamber-clear because of a young one in the house.
That said, I still have an inherent dislike of keeping autos around with a round chambered. I don't want to have to remember if I chambered a round or not, or have to clear it to find out. I don't want to have to chamber a round if trouble occurs. With a revolver, those are non-issues.

It's always interesting to see Glock fans take offense when people say they don't own Glocks for whatever reason.

Only you and others in your household will know the status of auto whether you keep one in chamber or not.
Are the police carrying one in the chamber on duty?
Also Beretta has those tip up barrels on their tiny autos. You can keep a bullet in the chamber and all you have to do is push the safety down or if you don't want the safety on you shoot it double action like a revolver.

 

[stinger 327]

HUNTO,

I am not sure I understand about keeping the chamber empty on an auto, but keeping a revolver loaded.

If the chamber is empty on a semi-auto, a child would have to first rack the slide which many children could not and then pull the trigger.

If a revolver is loaded, all a child would have to do is pull the trigger.

It seems like the case is made for a semi auto based on safety. Of course, you could just leave the slide racked open without a round in the chamber and keep the clip out of the magazine well. I hear this is being done in California with open carry.

Jim

Alot of women also can't rack the slide on some of these autos or people with hand problems/carpal tunnel syndrome or RSI etc.

 

[hunto]

HUNTO,

I am not sure I understand about keeping the chamber empty on an auto, but keeping a revolver loaded.

If the chamber is empty on a semi-auto, a child would have to first rack the slide which many children could not and then pull the trigger.

If a revolver is loaded, all a child would have to do is pull the trigger.

Stock trigger pull on a Glock is 5 lbs. Stock trigger pull on these Rugers is around 9-10 lbs. A small child would have a tough time pulling a 10 lb trigger, especially while holding a gun that weighs 35-48 ounces.

And yes, I know Glock trigger springs can be changed. IIRC, the NYPD uses (or used) the Olive 8 lb spring in their Glocks. I tried it and didn't like it, and kept the stock 5 lb spring, and stock connector (5 lb).

And, finally, my wife hates autos. I had to keep my Glock in my office to keep her quiet. I get far far less friction from her about my gun purchases when they're revolvers. Marriage means compromise, so if autos make her nervous, especially regarding the child, then I ditch the autos. Ditto for shotguns- she's heard stories of slam-fire, so rather than argue about it, I just bought AKs, which she seems to really like (go figure).

Stinger, if I was an on-duty cop, then yeah, I'd carry an auto with a round chambered. But I'm no cop, and I don't wear a holster around the house.

 

[stinger 327]

Stock trigger pull on a Glock is 5 lbs. Stock trigger pull on these Rugers is around 9-10 lbs. A small child would have a tough time pulling a 10 lb trigger, especially while holding a gun that weighs 35-48 ounces.

And yes, I know Glock trigger springs can be changed. IIRC, the NYPD uses (or used) the Olive 8 lb spring in their Glocks. I tried it and didn't like it, and kept the stock 5 lb spring, and stock connector (5 lb).

And, finally, my wife hates autos. I had to keep my Glock in my office to keep her quiet. I get far far less friction from her about my gun purchases when they're revolvers. Marriage means compromise, so if autos make her nervous, especially regarding the child, then I ditch the autos. Ditto for shotguns- she's heard stories of slam-fire, so rather than argue about it, I just bought AKs, which she seems to really like (go figure).

Stinger, if I was an on-duty cop, then yeah, I'd carry an auto with a round chambered. But I'm no cop, and I don't wear a holster around the house.

The situation with your wife it makes me wonder if it is because that the revolver is a more socially accepted gun 5 or 6 shot been around alot longer vs. the auto with 10,15,17 or 19 rounds.?

 

[hunto]

The situation with your wife it makes me wonder if it is because that the revolver is a more socially accepted gun 5 or 6 shot been around alot longer vs. the auto with 10,15,17 or 19 rounds.?

It might just be that it's because revolvers have been around longer. Guns make her nervous, she doesn't like to shoot, but she also likes the feeling of security they provide.
For years, we lived with one gun- a used 4" 686 we bought cheap in the early 90s when they were flooding the market, as departments went over to autos. Then, I sold it, during a financial bind. We rode out a hurricane without a firearm in the house, and she hated it- looters don't go unarmed. So now, I don't get much resistance when I find a gun I want, or a good deal on one- this year I've bought a GP100 357, a 44 Redhawk for my office, a S&W .38 Bodyguard for her, a Charter 38 in the kitchen cabinet, .22 revolver on the wall in the garage, AK74 in the closet, and an AK .223 under the bed.

 

[stinger 327]

It might just be that it's because revolvers have been around longer. Guns make her nervous, she doesn't like to shoot, but she also likes the feeling of security they provide.
For years, we lived with one gun- a used 4" 686 we bought cheap in the early 90s when they were flooding the market, as departments went over to autos. Then, I sold it, during a financial bind. We rode out a hurricane without a firearm in the house, and she hated it- looters don't go unarmed. So now, I don't get much resistance when I find a gun I want, or a good deal on one- this year I've bought a GP100 357, a 44 Redhawk for my office, a S&W .38 Bodyguard for her, a Charter 38 in the kitchen cabinet, .22 revolver on the wall in the garage, AK74 in the closet, and an AK .223 under the bed.

Most certainly it's the rifles that will make the difference.
Most of todays revolvers have lots of metal and wood. Maybe she likes the quality and craftsmanship that goes into the good revolvers. Whereas most autos now are polymer following the Glock design.
Remember when most police depts. used .357 revolvers? Then in the 80's they went with 9mm automatics like the US armydid when the army dropped the .45 ACP. Now police are using the Smith & Wesson .40 Cal. What will it be next?

 

[ironvic]

I like the revolvers alright, I bought, within the past year, a Model 642 Smith & Wesson that's my everyday gun and a couple of weeks ago picked up a very nice S&W Model 60 with 3" barrel and adjustable sights.

Lately, though, I'm wanting something different, maybe another Glock 36 to replace one I sold about 10 years ago. Then I found this very cool 9mm Springfield 1911 style that sure feels good in the hand. It would make a nice safe mate for my Sig P-226.

I might be a 58 year old who loves to schutzenfest with my revolvers on a regular basis, but there's something to be said for semi-autos, too.

 

[golden]

Agree to Disagree on Revolvers

HUNTO,

That 10 pound trigger on a revolver is only in DOUBLE ACTION mode. Unless the revolver has been modified to DOUBLE ACTION ONLY, it can still be cocked and fired single action with much less effort than 10 pounds.

My BERETTA 96D is probably the best bet in this. It has a large, heavy slide to retract if you want a condition 3 carry and a long double action only trigger.

My ex-wife has decided she want to keep a gun with her for protection. We went to the range and she tried revolvers and semi-autos. She liked the SIG 225 the most and that is what she uses. She would not even consider a revolver because it was too hard to operate.
I know that sounds funny, but a woman in her 50's with 35 years of typing behind her and a petite build does not have the same hand strength that I do.

I prefer DOUBLE ACTION ONLY pistols because that is what I have been issued for the last 13 years. Familiarity breeds confidence. I use DOA at home and at work. Also when I carry concealed.

Jim

 

[gamestalker]

I couldn't agree more!

Hi there revolver guy,
I'm a 54 year old man who has been hand loading and shooting for over 40 years, and although, I've owned a few AL pistols over the years, they never gave me that ultimate feeling of security my wheel guns provide. And as you stated, a well placed round from one of our .357s or a 44 mag. will ruin a perpetrators day, real quick and in a hurry! My Son's, I have 5 all grown up, all carry AL pistols. But my youngest who is 23 yrs. old just loves his wheel guns.
When I shoot a jack rabbit or coyote with one of my hand loaded 125 grain Hornady XTPHPs it turns the animal inside out. I load 20.5 grains of
W-296 or H110 and they chronoy at just about 1650 fps.. The 110 gr. XTPHPs are delivering 2200 fps. and even better from my 6 1/2" barreled Taurus Tracker. But even with factory ammunition a .357 or 44 mag will out perform the best AL pistol. I load .40 cal. ammo. for my boys and can't get them to do much better than 1200 fps with a 155 gr. bullet, and that is loading a maximum charge of the slowest burning powder for that cartridge.
All that aside, my primary reason for favoring the revolver, is the fact that I don't have to wonder if it is going to jam when I need it the most. Other favored reasons include accuracy, the ability to safely handle full magnum loads, the ability to shoot through things that would other wise make a perpetrator feel safe, such as car doors, which I've tried and successfully tested, and the longer life span of a quality revolver is longer and requires far less expensive maintenance. There is though one valid disadvantage of a revolver of magum status, and that would be the ear busting muzzle blast they produce, not to mention the super bright, as well blinding, muzzle flash. I actually carry ear plugs with me all the time, just in case I should have the unlikely opportunity to put them in prior to needing to use my weapon.
Well, have a nice day and may your Christmas be a great one Sir!
God Bless,
Michael
" When seconds count, the police are only a few minutes away"

 

[stinger 327]

Hi there revolver guy,
I'm a 54 year old man who has been hand loading and shooting for over 40 years, and although, I've owned a few AL pistols over the years, they never gave me that ultimate feeling of security my wheel guns provide. And as you stated, a well placed round from one of our .357s or a 44 mag. will ruin a perpetrators day, real quick and in a hurry! My Son's, I have 5 all grown up, all carry AL pistols. But my youngest who is 23 yrs. old just loves his wheel guns.
When I shoot a jack rabbit or coyote with one of my hand loaded 125 grain Hornady XTPHPs it turns the animal inside out. I load 20.5 grains of
W-296 or H110 and they chronoy at just about 1650 fps.. The 110 gr. XTPHPs are delivering 2200 fps. and even better from my 6 1/2" barreled Taurus Tracker. But even with factory ammunition a .357 or 44 mag will out perform the best AL pistol. I load .40 cal. ammo. for my boys and can't get them to do much better than 1200 fps with a 155 gr. bullet, and that is loading a maximum charge of the slowest burning powder for that cartridge.
All that aside, my primary reason for favoring the revolver, is the fact that I don't have to wonder if it is going to jam when I need it the most. Other favored reasons include accuracy, the ability to safely handle full magnum loads, the ability to shoot through things that would other wise make a perpetrator feel safe, such as car doors, which I've tried and successfully tested, and the longer life span of a quality revolver is longer and requires far less expensive maintenance. There is though one valid disadvantage of a revolver of magum status, and that would be the ear busting muzzle blast they produce, not to mention the super bright, as well blinding, muzzle flash. I actually carry ear plugs with me all the time, just in case I should have the unlikely opportunity to put them in prior to needing to use my weapon.
Well, have a nice day and may your Christmas be a great one Sir!
God Bless,
Michael
" When seconds count, the police are only a few minutes away"

This Hornady ammo comes in different versions XTP and Critical Defense what's the difference between all of these Hornady loads?
Isn't the Corbon Powerball a better round?
The .40 cal round is a round the police prefer now wheras before it was 9mm which wasn't good enough and even before that when police depts. used revolvers in .357 magnum loads. What happened did they deem the 125 grain .357 too powerful or too much of a liability vs. the weaker .40 cal?

 

[hunto]

HUNTO,

That 10 pound trigger on a revolver is only in DOUBLE ACTION mode. Unless the revolver has been modified to DOUBLE ACTION ONLY, it can still be cocked and fired single action with much less effort than 10 pounds.

GOLDEN,

Thank you for POINTING OUT the PAINFULLY OBVIOUS.

 

[davidfletcher]

I am 19 and I hated every semi I ever shot. On the other hand I've shot several "wheel" guns that could have hit you at 100yd. every time, didn't miss fire once, and looked better to. A S&W29 in 44Mag. is big but what's the idea, shoot the thug with a pop gun and let him come back to haut everybody or get done what must be done? I say cary a 38 or 357, S&W makes several small guns that hide very well. Use bullets with BIG holes in the end. You will stop the bad guy faster and keep him from shooting back. I meen what would stop you faster 9mm. 150gr. solids at 900fps. or 230gr. Goldtips at 1200fps?

 

[stinger 327]

I am 19 and I hated every semi I ever shot. On the other hand I've shot several "wheel" guns that could have hit you at 100yd. every time, didn't miss fire once, and looked better to. A S&W29 in 44Mag. is big but what's the idea, shoot the thug with a pop gun and let him come back to haut everybody or get done what must be done? I say cary a 38 or 357, S&W makes several small guns that hide very well. Use bullets with BIG holes in the end. You will stop the bad guy faster and keep him from shooting back. I meen what would stop you faster 9mm. 150gr. solids at 900fps. or 230gr. Goldtips at 1200fps?

That's a great question in any caliber would you choose the heavier bullet that travels slower or the lighter bullet that travels fast which should allow it to expand?
The Ruger LCR .38+P is a good carry weapon. Anyone here have one? What do you think of it?

 

[hapidogbreath]

Just got a LCR in December and LOVE IT. Kicks good with AE 158 lead RN ammo but for what I got it for it's a dream come true. Trigger is really something too!!! Nice and SMOOTH, has a nice set and great let off!!!!

 

[stinger 327]

Just got a LCR in December and LOVE IT. Kicks good with AE 158 lead RN ammo but for what I got it for it's a dream come true. Trigger is really something too!!! Nice and SMOOTH, has a nice set and great let off!!!!

I haven't got one yet but what did sell me on getting one is the trigger pull and the weight of gun. Can you list the advantages and disadvantages of this gun?
The only downside I believe will be the recoil when using those +P loads. Maybe the Winchester PDX-1 130 grain might be good? Even better the Corbon Powerball or Hornady Critical Defense?
Just how BAD is the recoil?
I'm waiting for these to come out in .357.
I will be getting a Glock 23 first. (.40 cal.)

 

[HelterSkelter]

i'm 21 and the only auto i own is a 22 plinker. glocks are plastic guns, and in my book a plastic gun is a toy no matter if it shoots bb's or bullets . if you want a gun for self defense or to show off at the firing range it needs to be something impressive, something that would scare you just by it being drawn. as my chl instructor once said "when they see your holding a revolver and not an auto, they see you know what you're doing.". he also asked me when i asked him what caliber gun i should get "would you rather be shot by a 9mm or a .357?" the answer to that is obvious. i have never heard of anyone surviving a .357 to the head, recent news should tell you how the 9mm fares in that situation.


so yeah, revolver >>>>>>>>>>> auto.

i don't understand why anyone would want a glock. i saw my friends glock after it blew up. why would you want a gun if it had even a tiny chance of blowing up instead of shooting?

 

[stinger 327]

i'm 21 and the only auto i own is a 22 plinker. glocks are plastic guns, and in my book a plastic gun is a toy no matter if it shoots bb's or bullets . if you want a gun for self defense or to show off at the firing range it needs to be something impressive, something that would scare you just by it being drawn. as my chl instructor once said "when they see your holding a revolver and not an auto, they see you know what you're doing.". he also asked me when i asked him what caliber gun i should get "would you rather be shot by a 9mm or a .357?" the answer to that is obvious. i have never heard of anyone surviving a .357 to the head, recent news should tell you how the 9mm fares in that situation.


so yeah, revolver >>>>>>>>>>> auto.

i don't understand why anyone would want a glock. i saw my friends glock after it blew up. why would you want a gun if it had even a tiny chance of blowing up instead of shooting?

9mm is the one that has a high survival rate. I haven't heard of anyone surviving a hit from a .357 I sure there might be a few cases. I have h eard of people surviving a hit from a .45ACP. Then again I hear of lots of deaths from the .25 ACP and .22 LR.
Glock has an outstanding record. Be it plastic or polymer when it came out in 1982 or so it was the only ONE now everyone is copying it. It works and is very reliable is all that matters. Many police depts. and armies like the Austrian army use the Glock brand. I have 3 of them myself and prefer them as they are simple like a revolver to clean and operate. They are the most simple as simple is going to be especially compared to other autos and as close to being as simple as a revolver which I personally prefer better but I will still shoot them all and the autos are more fun to shoot unless you have an ammo failure or jam which is why I can depend more on the revolver.

 

[hapidogbreath]

Stinger, Because the gun is all composite and stainless alloy it does well with summer carry when the corrosive nature of the body comes into play. As far as recoil.... I was shooting American Eagle158 LRN which was rated at 710 FPS. I was getting that 12' from the muzzle, 30 Deg. on a sunny day using a PAC CHRONY. As for 357??? With a 2" snubby the muzzle flash is going to be killer along with the recoil. The advantage to the 357 in such a shot barrel just isn't worth the beating IMHO. I have not put any +P out of it yet and will report when I do. Next week range session.

 

[mgmorden]

I own both types. 4 revolvers and 6 semi-auto's. I also shoo and use both. What I've noticed personally, is that a lot of revolver-only shooters like to try and justify their choice . Rarely do I see guys who shoot semi's trying to put down the revolvers, but the revolver guys seem to love to belittle the autos as "jammomatics" and other such talk, such as belittling auto shooters as practicing "spray and pray" or basing their decisions on purchase based on rap music.

Reality: aside from one picky 1911 that I sold, I've never had one of my semi-auto handguns jam on me. I also can take just as much time between shots as I can with any of my revolvers.

Lets just all shoot what we want without feeling the need to belittle those who shoot something differently. Shooting a revolver over an auto isn't wisdom, knowledge, or some secret that you've discovered with age. It's a simple choice, nothing more.

 

[stinger 327]

Stinger, Because the gun is all composite and stainless alloy it does well with summer carry when the corrosive nature of the body comes into play. As far as recoil.... I was shooting American Eagle158 LRN which was rated at 710 FPS. I was getting that 12' from the muzzle, 30 Deg. on a sunny day using a PAC CHRONY. As for 357??? With a 2" snubby the muzzle flash is going to be killer along with the recoil. The advantage to the 357 in such a shot barrel just isn't worth the beating IMHO. I have not put any +P out of it yet and will report when I do. Next week range session.

It looks to be that the .357 LCR is the same size as the .38 special version so as you know with the .357 you can still use .38+P loads along with those 4 ounces of extra weight to soak up some recoil that the LCR .357 brings with it.

 

[DM~]

Over the years, i've owned quite a few semi auto's of all kinds and brands, but today the only semi auto handguns i own are rimfires!

If i can't get it done with one of these's,



It's not gettin done!

I've never abandoned my revolvers, i still have the first one i bought in the early 70's!

DM