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

[shockwave]

I'm going to stick with a higher-capacity autoloader for self-defense, at least for the time being as I have good reason to feel more threatened than usual.

This topic is complex, for all the usual reasons, but the comment above is salient to the discussion. I'm definitely a revolver guy, but I'm getting my first semi-auto because snubbies and semi-autos fill different roles in the SD picture. For CCW, the snubbie's strengths work best for me in day-to-day business.

I live in a low-crime area of my city, and in a well-defended subdivision on a cul-de-sac. It's very rare for shootings to occur in this district, and my exposure is mainly limited to gas stations and store parking lots. For the most part, if I need a gun, 5 to 6 rounds should be sufficient and the revolver has superior intimidation value. Trouble is most likely to come in the form of a single assailant.

But, per the quoted part above, when I travel to the crime-ridden parts of my city, when I'm downtown at night, my sense is that the threat picture is increasing the odds of multiple assailants and the semi-auto seems like the more appropriate tool. Also, it will be enjoyable to learn a new platform, new techniques for care and maintenance, and keep things interesting. My heart is with revolvers but my head is telling me to increase my options.

 

[stinger 327]

This topic is complex, for all the usual reasons, but the comment above is salient to the discussion. I'm definitely a revolver guy, but I'm getting my first semi-auto because snubbies and semi-autos fill different roles in the SD picture. For CCW, the snubbie's strengths work best for me in day-to-day business.

I live in a low-crime area of my city, and in a well-defended subdivision on a cul-de-sac. It's very rare for shootings to occur in this district, and my exposure is mainly limited to gas stations and store parking lots. For the most part, if I need a gun, 5 to 6 rounds should be sufficient and the revolver has superior intimidation value. Trouble is most likely to come in the form of a single assailant.

But, per the quoted part above, when I travel to the crime-ridden parts of my city, when I'm downtown at night, my sense is that the threat picture is increasing the odds of multiple assailants and the semi-auto seems like the more appropriate tool. Also, it will be enjoyable to learn a new platform, new techniques for care and maintenance, and keep things interesting. My heart is with revolvers but my head is telling me to increase my options.

Makes sense to me like to use the right tool for the right job. If you were going up against drug dealers or gangs then the Semi-auto with the largest magazine capacity is your best bet because you will be dealing with multiple advesaries.

 

[pakmcc]

My two bits, I have two of each of the big smith revolvers. two .357's, two model 57's two .44 specials and two .45 long colts. plus one very accurate model 14-7. all these pistols have 6 inch barrels. and they do not take a back seat to anything for accuracy. I reload and shoot all of them. that said, I also have most of the CZ pistols on the market. some I like better than others. but in a high thireat area, I carrie a CZ "D". If I knew I had a good chance to have to use the piatol, I would carry a CZ97B. (10 round mag. in .45 ACP) These two pistols are quite accurate and I'm fairly good with them. ok, I reload almost every thing from .380 up to .30-06.
For shear stopping power, I would carry the CZ97, or one of the smiths in a cal. over .357. (.41, .44 or .45) you say why not a 44-40?? because I haven't found one I can afford yet.(ANd yes, I would love to have one.)

 

[leftymachinist]

Just a little more on this subject. I learned hangunning with wheelguns, & that's what I am most comfortable with (especially SA revolvers.). As for concealment, I loved carrying my Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" tube for years. Still use my first one, a 4 inch bbl. nickel S&W M-27 a heck of alot. Find what works for you and practice, practice, practice.

 

[stinger 327]

My two bits, I have two of each of the big smith revolvers. two .357's, two model 57's two .44 specials and two .45 long colts. plus one very accurate model 14-7. all these pistols have 6 inch barrels. and they do not take a back seat to anything for accuracy. I reload and shoot all of them. that said, I also have most of the CZ pistols on the market. some I like better than others. but in a high thireat area, I carrie a CZ "D". If I knew I had a good chance to have to use the piatol, I would carry a CZ97B. (10 round mag. in .45 ACP) These two pistols are quite accurate and I'm fairly good with them. ok, I reload almost every thing from .380 up to .30-06.
For shear stopping power, I would carry the CZ97, or one of the smiths in a cal. over .357. (.41, .44 or .45) you say why not a 44-40?? because I haven't found one I can afford yet.(ANd yes, I would love to have one.)

I find that I can hit more accurately with the .45 ACP than the .357 but in either case I like them both.

 

[rswartsell]

I am aware that there are big bore semi-autos but I consider them unwieldy monstrosities (past say .45 acp). So I consider powerful round chamberings the province of revolvers exclusively. I suppose you can call the 10mm and 357 SIG the equal to .357 mag in power but even there the .357 mag has it all over the autos for versatility. Any power level beyond this says revolver to me.

 

[stinger 327]

I am aware that there are big bore semi-autos but I consider them unwieldy monstrosities (past say .45 acp). So I consider powerful round chamberings the province of revolvers exclusively. I suppose you can call the 10mm and 357 SIG the equal to .357 mag in power but even there the .357 mag has it all over the autos for versatility. Any power level beyond this says revolver to me.

Revolvers aren't dependent on the discharge and power of ammo to eject and revolvers can handle higher power rounds than the autos. In the case of the .357 you can also use .38 also so this is a very versatile gun.

 

[Stainz]

This has been posted before - apologies to those who have suffered through it before, but, hey, I'm over fifty... er, sixty... Heck, next month - I start my SSI benefits - after nearly a half century of contributing!

I was a bottom-feeder guy... my metamorphosis started years ago - and is now complete. I am an S&W revolver lover. A good range-friend reminded me of the added capacity of semi-autos... implied I need something with a few hi-cap mags. I sent him this picture:



That's a current 625JM - surrounded by 105 moonclips full of .45ACP 230gr FMJ 'ball' ammo. 630 rounds ready to go - and they fit in five layers of 21 'clips in a metal .223 ammo can - I have two such full - and forty more clips loaded 'around' - 1,500 rounds of mostly ball ammo - ready to go - and moonclips are cheap ($35/100 delivered). I have Zombie protection! Of course, then there are the sixty x8 moonclips kept loaded for my 627s (.357M/.38 Spcl.). I don't need no stink'in rude-case-tossing/evil-bottom-feeding semi-autos!

Stainz

 

[Chuck Perry]

My Agency allows us to carry pretty much whatever sidearm we like, so long as we successfully qualify with it. I started out with a Smith 1066, then went SIG for awhile. There was a Hi Power in my holster for awhile before I latched onto 1911's. I carried a 1911 of one make or another for over 5 years. Three years ago I qual'd with both a 1911 and a S&W 625. My score with the 625 was one less than what I did with the 1911. The year after that I transitioned completely to revolvers (the 625 and a 325NG).
I do not see any particular disadvantage comparing my moonclipped revolvers to autos. Do you know how much range time we spend each year practicing malfunction drills for the auto guys? If anything, you can make an argument for capacity. This year I added an 8 shot 627 to try and even that out a little.

 

[robctwo]

It's been over a month since I last looked at this thread, and I have added two more revolvers, a S&W 25-13 Mountain Gun 45 Colt, and a S&W 620, .357.

I just got done exposing my ignorance on the gunsmithing forum, again, and getting the usual excellent advice.

I've torn apart the 620, the 25 Clssic and the 25-13 and replaced some springs. Thought I had three sets of Wolffs, but only had two sets and some extra rebounds. Will get more delivered in a couple days.

I know I got more comfortable with my 1911s, and bought better guns after taking my first one apart a few times and upgrading parts. I'm getting there with the S&Ws. Ruger single action next.

In the past seven or eight weeks I have put over 1,500 .45 Colt and 1,000 .357/38 Special down range. The Baers were growling at me from the safe this evening. Must feed them soon.

 

[RidgwayCO]

Had an interesting experience at the range yesterday. A friend of a friend brought his RRA .45 ACP to shoot, and I had my S&W M691 (a M681-3 converted to 5-shot .44 Special). Of course our offers to shoot each others handguns were readily accepted.

I must confess that after decades of reading about the 1911 semi-auto, I'd never shot one before. The experience was a surprise, as in recoil it felt amazingly like the .44 Special. Then we compared ballistics, and it turned out he was shooting 230gr FMJs at 800 fps, and I had loaded some 200gr LRNFPs at 850 fps. Accuracy with both was so similar as to be a wash.

So the only difference was he had 8 rounds in his mag, and I had 5 rounds in the cylinder. But he also had the "pleasure" of picking up a couple hundred empty brass cases thrown hither and yon (OK, I helped), while my empties were ejected straight into my "empties box" for processing and reloading.

So yes, I find myself liking my revolvers more and more as I get older and older (55 is next)...

 

[stinger 327]

This has been posted before - apologies to those who have suffered through it before, but, hey, I'm over fifty... er, sixty... Heck, next month - I start my SSI benefits - after nearly a half century of contributing!

I was a bottom-feeder guy... my metamorphosis started years ago - and is now complete. I am an S&W revolver lover. A good range-friend reminded me of the added capacity of semi-autos... implied I need something with a few hi-cap mags. I sent him this picture:

View attachment 488927

That's a current 625JM - surrounded by 105 moonclips full of .45ACP 230gr FMJ 'ball' ammo. 630 rounds ready to go - and they fit in five layers of 21 'clips in a metal .223 ammo can - I have two such full - and forty more clips loaded 'around' - 1,500 rounds of mostly ball ammo - ready to go - and moonclips are cheap ($35/100 delivered). I have Zombie protection! Of course, then there are the sixty x8 moonclips kept loaded for my 627s (.357M/.38 Spcl.). I don't need no stink'in rude-case-tossing/evil-bottom-feeding semi-autos!

Stainz

Don't forget you must shoot the Zombie in the head to effectively stop the zombie.

 

[loneviking]

I live in a low-crime area of my city, and in a well-defended subdivision on a cul-de-sac. It's very rare for shootings to occur in this district, and my exposure is mainly limited to gas stations and store parking lots. For the most part, if I need a gun, 5 to 6 rounds should be sufficient and the revolver has superior intimidation value. Trouble is most likely to come in the form of a single assailant.

But, per the quoted part above, when I travel to the crime-ridden parts of my city, when I'm downtown at night, my sense is that the threat picture is increasing the odds of multiple assailants and the semi-auto seems like the more appropriate tool. Also, it will be enjoyable to learn a new platform, new techniques for care and maintenance, and keep things interesting. My heart is with revolvers but my head is telling me to increase my options.

I often carry a wheelgun in a shoulder holster. Like you, I sometimes travel to a bigger city where there could be 'crews' doing a takedown. That's why I tuck a Sig P6 on the side opposite of the wheel gun. Two mags for the Sig, 2 speedloaders for the wheelgun and I'm ready for most anything.

 

[stinger 327]

I often carry a wheelgun in a shoulder holster. Like you, I sometimes travel to a bigger city where there could be 'crews' doing a takedown. That's why I tuck a Sig P6 on the side opposite of the wheel gun. Two mags for the Sig, 2 speedloaders for the wheelgun and I'm ready for most anything.

Can't help but like them both. They both have their applications.

 

[William Lee]

Wheelgun in a shoulder holster is a good bet, but don't neglect the inside-the-waistband crossdraw setup for a 4" or shorter barrel.

 

[daveit]

My XD9sc has FTE and stovepiped on me...not to mention it showed up direct from Springfield with loose Heinie Straight Eight sights (had to send it back for repair).

Needless to say, I'm looking to trade the XD in on a .357 Mag in the near future!

On another note (my Glock 17 has never jammed & has had no issues...that FTF2 is rough though...need to sand the one side against my skin down a little bit...)

 

[stinger 327]

My XD9sc has FTE and stovepiped on me...not to mention it showed up direct from Springfield with loose Heinie Straight Eight sights (had to send it back for repair).

Needless to say, I'm looking to trade the XD in on a .357 Mag in the near future!

On another note (my Glock 17 has never jammed & has had no issues...that FTF2 is rough though...need to sand the one side against my skin down a little bit...)

I never did really care for the 9mm. But the .357 is a killer.

 

[TraditionalCatholic]

I'm 17 and currently "own" one revolver and one auto. My first gun was a Ruger Mark III Hunter 6 7/8" fluted barrel in stainless. I recently bought a K Frame Smith and Wesson Model 19 6" in .357 Magnum, but I mostly shoot .38s through it.

I'm a much better shot with the Smith, despite reports that indicate the Ruger should be a much more accurate gun. I do have to say that even at 17, it's very enjoyable not to crawl around chasing brass everywhere, and it gives you that lovely feeling when the other guys with autos are crawling on their hands and knees looking for shell casings, and I'm already packed up and headed home. My next handgun will definitely be a revolver, but that's not to say I don't like autos as well. As others have stated in this thread. Always use the right tool for the right job.

 

[Lar1911]

The 44 spl and 45 acp are very close, thats why Thunder Ranch had a first the S&W21 in 44 spl then went to the 45 S&W 325.

But as far as reloading anc capacity, how many carry more than the magazine with them? I carry a 1911 the majority of the time but I dont always have a second magazine, 8 +1 rounds and I am done

But how important is high capacity? If I shoot the guys buddy, he prob isnt going to want to play anymore. How many rounds will I need?

I have an SR9, 17+1, I like it and todays ballistics makes the 9mm a good choice, but I prefer the 1911.

And I also have three different 357's, one 44, a 380, 45 colt, full size and micro 1911 and other guns. Depending on where I am I will carry one of them with no problem. If I am dressed light I carry a 2 inch 357 with 38+p's in it.

 

[stinger 327]

This has been posted before - apologies to those who have suffered through it before, but, hey, I'm over fifty... er, sixty... Heck, next month - I start my SSI benefits - after nearly a half century of contributing!

I was a bottom-feeder guy... my metamorphosis started years ago - and is now complete. I am an S&W revolver lover. A good range-friend reminded me of the added capacity of semi-autos... implied I need something with a few hi-cap mags. I sent him this picture:

View attachment 494732

That's a current 625JM - surrounded by 105 moonclips full of .45ACP 230gr FMJ 'ball' ammo. 630 rounds ready to go - and they fit in five layers of 21 'clips in a metal .223 ammo can - I have two such full - and forty more clips loaded 'around' - 1,500 rounds of mostly ball ammo - ready to go - and moonclips are cheap ($35/100 delivered). I have Zombie protection! Of course, then there are the sixty x8 moonclips kept loaded for my 627s (.357M/.38 Spcl.). I don't need no stink'in rude-case-tossing/evil-bottom-feeding semi-autos!

Stainz

"Night of the Living dead" 1968

 

[stinger 327]

.45 ACP is accurate but now that I got the .357 sighted in it's close except the recoil is worse in the .357.

 

[akadave]

I like both equally for different reasons and Im 46. Granted I have had jams in autos (which I either fixed or sold) and no jams whatsoever with my revolvers. I have had other issues with revolvers though: Spitting, inconsistent accuracy from chamber to chamber, end shake, broken pawl etc.

I do have some autos that have never under any shooting situation ever jammed and they are my favorites of course.

 

[stinger 327]

I like both equally for different reasons and Im 46. Granted I have had jams in autos (which I either fixed or sold) and no jams whatsoever with my revolvers. I have had other issues with revolvers though: Spitting, inconsistent accuracy from chamber to chamber, end shake, broken pawl etc.

I do have some autos that have never under any shooting situation ever jammed and they are my favorites of course.

Have you ever had a revolver freeze up on you probably because the ammo was too hot?

 

[harreymudd]

More than I need and less than I want

I’m over 54 and still can’t make up my mind what I like more autos or revolvers so I have bunch of both

 

[stinger 327]

I’m over 54 and still can’t make up my mind what I like more autos or revolvers so I have bunch of both

I like them both. Autos are more fun to shoot. Revolvers are much more reliable.