Is the revolver really a practical defensive weapon?

[Northalius]

Dawg, Glock isn't limited to 9mm, so the caliber issue is out.

You can get a Glock 20 or 29 (smaller) in 10mm, which is the same or a little batter than the .357 Magnum! As long as it's DoubleTap 10mm.

Check the DoubleTap website out, and look up their 10mm Auto rounds, then compare to their .357 Magnum rounds.

BTW: You can easily make your Glock trigger as stiff or loose as you want, with aftermarket triggers and different aftermarket connectors. You can customize it to be 3.5 to 11 lbs. !

Sorry, no excuses!

 

[crebralfix]

The typical American's attitude is to maximize everything.

For the most part, revolvers do not take advantage of current technology. Therefore, they lack the "new & cool" factor.

They have limited capacity. This is an obvious limitation that can be a problem in long engagements or against multiple attackers.

Revolvers are slower to reload and the gear can be problematic. Again, not "maximal".

The Tac-ti-cool teams don't use them. This is their worst deficiency.

 

[crebralfix]

Regarding the revolver jam:

Revolvers don't have a moving slide to assist in reducing recoil. Heavy rounds can cause the bullets in other rounds in the cylinder can loosen and work themselves out of the case. A modern example of this occurs with the extremely light S&W revolvers. One is limited to 200 grain bullets or less; the heavy recoil from heavier bullets will result in problems.

 

[goon]

Yes, it's still practical.
As the quote goes: "No weapon is ever obsolete; Ask anyone who has been hit with a rock lately."

In small CCW sized guns a revolver works fine.
For larger guns, I'd go with a 17 round 9mm over a 6 round .38 but that's my preference.
The revolver is still generally small enough to carry and fires an effective round.

 

[DawgFvr]

Sorry, no excuses!

Northalius: I was not look for one...and hey, what about my preference for steel and wood over plastic?

1. I can fire reloads of far greater potency in my Ruger GP100 than the 10mm you mentioned. Try that in a Glock...well, don't: you would be guaranteed one of those famous "Kabooms".

2. I already own two plastic pistols. I could purchase another one but then I'd have to go out and buy a larger safe. To what end?

And...hey, the thread was about the defensive practicality of a revolver; why is it that Glock people come out of the woodwork all the time on any thread and whine, "Glock, Glock, glock?

 

[malakas07]

Originally Posted by JT
I have made my choice based upon years of experience, my current needs and my normal threat environment.

A revolver is a very practical defense weapon. But for my ccw I've chosen an autoloader.

JT is right, I think geographic area needs to come into play when considering this.
The majority of BG's I've seen in the area where I grew up carry Autoloaders. I don't live in that area anymore
but I still visit some of my family in that area frequently.

But when I visit my wife's family the population in her town is only 30,000 people during the busy season.
With that amount of people I don't mind pocket carrying a J frame. Seeing a gangbanger is very very rare
in this area.

 

[dom1104]

people go to extremes and dole out anectodes "One in the ten ring is better than 12 in the ceiling"

but the truth is like most things,

more is better.


more rounds are better.
more reliable is better.
more concealable is better.
more accurate is better.

So figure out what that means to you.

if there is in your opinion a reliable accurate concealable hi capacity autoloader....

bam you got it.

 

[Sato Ord]

Quote:
one of the rounds isn't seated properly and is just barely sticking out of the end of the cylinder. Fault of the ammo, not the pistol
huh? Explain that "jam" a bit better...I don't get it. Are you saying that a round was not seated properly in the revolver cylinder? How is that possible?

I guess I didn't explain it well. The bullet wasn't properly seated in the case. It went in almost as far as it was supposed to go, and then was crimped. That made the overall length of the round just long enough for the lead bullet to stick out of the front of the cylinder just barely far enough to catch as the cylinder advanced. If I had checked each round as I put them into the cylinder I would have noticed it immediately, and not loaded that round. It was quite obvious once we got the cylinder opened and looked at the ammo.

As I said, not the fault of the gun, though. One bad round from a box of factory ammo is always possible. The jam is as much my fault as the fault of the ammo manufacturer. I know better than not check the ammo before I stick it in the hole.

Fortunately it happened on the range and my life didn't depend on all six rounds. Never insult seven men when all you have is a six shooter!

 

[Northalius]

Dawg, I brought it up because I saw your comment on the Glock 9mm you had. That's pretty obvious, isn't it?

BTW, you can buy multiple different aftermarket barrels to put in your Glock for more barrel support, when shooting really hot reloads. The Glock barrel is looser because this helps in feeding factory (aka NON-hot reloads) reliably... and that's all that matters when the criminal is coming after you: If your pistol goes "bang"... or not.

Aftermarket barrels cost but $100 (LWD) to $200 (Bar-Sto). No problems. People are loading their own 10mm rounds to shoot 1830+ fps, as well.

BTW again: Even revolvers "kaboom" (I've seen plenty of pictures on another forum), as have all different kinds of guns. "kB'ing" isn't limited to Glocks... but nice try!

Ted Nugent seems to love his Glock 20 for big game hunting in Africa. He even made a song "Kiss My Glock"

The owner of DoubleTap uses his Glock 20 to test his "hotter than usual" 10mm rounds, too.

Seems as if theirs haven't "kaboomed" yet... have they? If you know how to properly use a Glock, you have little chance of a kaboom.

The semi-autos are brought up in this thread because they're the only counter to revolvers today! If semi-autos never existed, then the question "Is the revolver really a practical defensive weapon?" would never be asked, because, of course they would be, since everyone else is carrying only revolvers IWB, ankle or pocket!

But in light of today's reality, we see those with [much] higher capacity semi-autos on them! And in a long, drawn out gun fight (they have, can, and will happen), if both are of equal skill in shooting, the one with the semi-auto will win, due to having access more rounds before reloading; and even when reloading, it'll be quicker for the semi-auto holder to reload compared to a revolver.

I love when "revolver-lovers" say "Semi autos are for spray and prayers!"

If someone carries a gun on them with 1-2 rounds in it, can he say "revolver-lovers" are now spray and prayers?

Better to have [more ammo] and not need, than to need [more ammo] and not have. Or else, hey, why aren't militaries carrying revolvers? Oh, they face multiple attackers on the field? And how do you know for sure that you won't face multiple attackers on the streets? Ever hear of gangs?

Before you say "Might as well carry an AR-15 or AK-47 on you then!"

My answer: "If you can conceal it day in and day out, then by all means, do so... if you won't get hassled by police, that is."

 

[DawgFvr]

Northalius: My comment on the Glock was a retort to the previous poster stating, "buy a glock". I just stated that I had one...traded it. As usual, Glock ilk hijack the thread and bore everyone. Because of that we have to listen to you rant/rave on about plastic guns? As I stated...I had a Glock...I traded it. I don't miss it one iota.

Now, getting back on track to the original poster's question, "Is the revolver really a practical defensive weapon?"

I say yes...yes it is a very practical defensive weapon.

 

[XDKingslayer]

Why would a full size revolver ever make sense over an automatic?

I have a buddy that I fish with. He rides me for not using artificial lures more and not learning them. I tell him that I do use them, but I'm not going to use artificials when I have live bait with me.

That's kinda how I am with revolvers and autos. Why carry the revolver when I have the auto?

 

[DawgFvr]

Sorry, that analogy just does not work in any way, shape or form. I could say the exact same thing and then end it with, "Why carry an auto when I can have a revolver?" Artificial lures and live bait does not lend support to any kind of weapon.

Look...without any further bantering...this question has been asked many times on many threads on many forums. There are many answers...I suggest:

1) Reliability
2) Accuracy
3) Concealability
4) Power

357 Magnum

The most effective handgun round on the market - regardless of caliber - is the Federal .357 Magnum 125 grain jacketed hollowpoint (357B). This load has more stopping power than any other handgun bullet (and this includes more powerful rounds like the .41 and .44 Magnums). My GP100 holds them in a nice package...and I have had the revolver machined to use moon clips, which I might add, I have become as proficient using them as my pistol magazine in reloading drills.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/why_revolver.htm

 

[jad0110]

Didn't this tired thread die once already??? Which one of you punks revived it ?


Like 9mm vs 45, I'd say this horse is pretty much beaten to a pulp.

 

[44AMP]

Yes.

Proven daily across the country and around the world. There can be no argument, the facts are clear, and have been for well over a century. All the arguments in favor of the autoloader in this thread all have one thing in common, they are not answering the question.

The question was NOT "which is better for defense", or "which is more practical for carry", or even "which meets the needs of the modern military better? "

The question was (drumroll):

Is the revolver really a practical defensive weapon?

and the answer to that is, quite simply, yes.

 

[AStone]

Which one of you punks revived it?

Punk?

Who said punk?

I resemble that remark!

 

[Owen Meany]

44AMP said:

Yes.

Proven daily across the country and around the world. There can be no argument, the facts are clear, and have been for well over a century. All the arguments in favor of the autoloader in this thread all have one thing in common, they are not answering the question.

The question was NOT "which is better for defense", or "which is more practical for carry", or even "which meets the needs of the modern military better? "

The question was (drumroll):
Quote:
Is the revolver really a practical defensive weapon?

and the answer to that is, quite simply, yes.

That sums it up very concisely. Exactly what I would have written, if I do say so myself .

 

[gp911]

While we're waking the dead:

I switched from revolver to auto mostly due to the slower trigger on the revolver, which didn't allow for a quick double-tap or as quick a follow-up shot in the case of multiple foes or one really determined attacker.

I think in many cases it would have been more than fine. I just wanted to maximize my advantage, so I went from a 5 shot .357 with a long slow DA trigger to a 14 shot .45ACP with much faster response time.

I'll purchase another revolver eventually though... Just because...


gp911