Observations of Revolver Owners

[swathdiver]

I've been going to the range more frequently lately, and I have a couple of observations about myself and other revolver owners. I'm interested to see anyone has observed the same things...

First, as a revolver owner, I never go to the range without at least one of my wheel guns. I have a couple of auto-loaders, one of which is a Ruger MkIII 22/45 and is my primary practice gun because I can go through 400-500 rounds per trip and not feel guilty.

However, the range bag just feels empty without wheel gun in it. In fact, it's difficult for me to take choose just one wheel gun to take to the range. They're like a bunch of kids screaming that they all want to go. I think my uncle has the same problem because he brings no less than 5 SA and DA revolvers each trip. Likewise, when I see other 'revolver guys' at the range, they likely will have more than one.

Second, I notice that revolver owners tend to take a lot of pride in the reliability and durability of their gun, and enjoy the dynamic of its operational simplicity. After all, trigger pulls always go bang, no brass goes flying, and reloads are slow and deliberate, with one round going in a time, giving the shooter a chance to evaluate his/her groups after six shots.

In contrast, when I'm shooting an auto loader I feel my focus to be on firepower and burning through all my ammo as quickly as possible so I can get to the finish line, so to speak, and then evaluate my shots. I am always thinking to myself "OK I've got 3 more full mags to go, then I can rest!"

Your thoughts?

I agree with your sentiments. I'll shoot 36 rounds through my New Model Army and Pocket Police and the family will blast through 80-100 rounds each in 2/3 the time. I enjoy shooting more now with revolvers than with semi-autos but do miss the 1911! Only seven, not 10 or more!

 

[Checkman]

I have two 9mm Glocks, two S&W 45 autos, a Colt 1908 Pocket (380 ACP) and a Browning Buckmark. All (yes all of them) are great pistols. I like to take them to the range. They're accurate and reliable.

I own many many more revolvers. I like to take them to the range as well.

I practice both deliberate target shooting and combat shooting.

But autos simply don't stir my imagination the way revolvers do. I'm going to be 45 in a couple weeks and I started on revolvers thirty-three years ago. The first handgun I ever fired was my father's S&W Model 65. It was loaded with 38 Special full wadcutters. Nice mild target loads. The next handgun I fired (same day way back in June of 1980 - wow!) was my dad's S&W Model 36 Chiefs Special.

Those revolvers introduced me to handgun shooting. I've never forgotten that day and I'm pleased to say that my father still owns both revolvers. They're my favorites. They also ensured that wheelguns will always have a special place with me.

 

[CraigC]

Too many advantages over a revolver

That's certainly debatable and this dweeb doesn't even own a Glock. Nor will I.

 

[Warp]

That's certainly debatable and this dweeb doesn't even own a Glock. Nor will I.

Of course it's debatable. But look around at what people who regularly carry, carry. It is by far and away primarily semi autos.

Semi autos:
Much greater capacity
Generally easier to shoot
Much easier and faster to reload

Revolvers:
A little more reliable


And it isn't a "Glock" thing, when I said what I said...it was simply a semi auto thing.

 

[CraigC]

I don't care what people regularly do. Most drive little import cars and wear tennis shoes. Is that relevant to me? No.

IMHO, the only advantage to a semi-auto is that they are flatter. Sorry but carrying extra magazines is unnecessary and you admitted yourself that you do not. So reload speed is moot. I don't know how anybody thinks a semi-auto of any kind is "easier to shoot". Seems to me that we have some semi-auto shooters who have a token revolver or two and think they know something.

 

[BigJimP]

This discussion isn't about how many guns you have ....either in semi-auto or revolvers.....its about the attraction to a classic style of handgun - the classic revolvers.

There is no question that a lot of new shooters ( maybe for the last 20 yrs ) have been drawn to semi-autos ...and a lot of them to the new poly frame semi-autos - based on what they see in movies, prices, because they think capacity matters...

and some of us "gray hairs admittedly" ....think capacity is overrated as a civilian, that poly doesn't belong in our collections - and we appreciate the style and craftmanship of well made semi-autos like some of the better 1911's ...and a lot of the steel revolvers - from Colt and S&W especially.

But to each his own .....everybody should buy and shoot what they like / and if they choose to carry - they should consider carrying the gun they shoot the best...if its poly ok, if its stainless, or alloy or whatever that is ok too...( for me, its a steel 1911 )...but its not a contest to see who's right / its whatever you want to buy and shoot. ( there won't be any poly frame handguns in my safe - ever - either )....that's just my decision .

 

[brnmw]

We as posters in this thread must be all close to the same age.

Maybe... I don't know, I am in my 30's... Also grew up with Revolver's, Lever-Action, Bolt-Guns in general. The first semi-auto my father ever owned was a Berretta M92 back in the 90's. When I go to the range my mentality is usually the same: Aim, Breath,...Shoot! I can take my time with either and still enjoy myself. I will admit I love going to the range with my pride and joy Colt "Python" it draws a lot of attention from the young and old. I actually had a range officer come up to me and question my age... said he had never seen a young man with such a gun before, especially one not made of plastic then smiled . I had another man in his late teens maybe very early 20's ask if he could take a look at it in my lane and put a couple of rounds through it, I said sure go right ahead. He had never shot a revolver before let alone a .357 Mag. before and was very curious he said. (He was shooting the Taurus M92 copy in .9X19mm): Anyway I noticed every time he pulled the trigger his smile got bigger and bigger with every bang! So yes there is something very special about taking revolvers to the range... Many of us who have been shooting revolvers have been able to take the same discipline to the range with us and shoot semi's as well. I will admit though I still to this day can't go to the range without at least 2 revolvers in my bag.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yeah same here. Almost every time I go to the range there is at least 1 revolver brought along. There is nothing quite like firing a fine revolver. My favorite gun I own is my S&W 460V. It's beautiful. Love my SP101 and 642 as well. I must say that when I look at my semi's I don't feel any where near as intrigued as when I am looking at a revolver, with the exception of my S&W 1911. My two poly guns serve a purpose, but I feel nothing when playing with them.

It was fun the first time too when my 65 year old buddy pulled out a Beretta 92 and was shooting a milk jug. We watched the water trickle out. Then I said "Check this out." I pulled out the 460 and shot another jug, and it exploded like I shot it with a rifle. It was hilarious. All he said was "@#%#$. I felt the &#%#$% shock wave move my pant legs!" We both laughed and kept shooting. It does go the other way once in awhile.

I will always favor all metal, and wheel guns over any semi auto. The raw power that can be contained in a revolver, along with the inherent history and beauty of them is inspiring.

My next gun will be a full size .357 of some flavor. GP100, 686, Black Hawk, not sure, maybe all eventually. Of course, I kind of want to pick up some older revolvers too.

I am 32 years old. Don't worry fellas, the revolver love has survived to this generation. We'll pass it on, and worry about the same thing in thirty years.

"Darn kids with their laser guns. I love bringing my revolvers to the range and watching their eyes get big when they realize I just blew up a target that they can only cut a slice through or set on fire........ and my revolvers are STILL more classy than their crystaline polymorph transmogrifiers."

 

[Old Dog]

Don't worry fellas, the revolver love has survived to this generation.

Yeah, I'd concur with that. When I've done private range sessions to help prepare some of our young (non-gunny type) officers for weapons quals, I always bring at least one revolver, typically a 4" S&W Model 19 or a 29 -- and most of the 20-somethings love shooting big wheelguns to the point where they're actually disappointed when we have to re-focus on the black plastic pistol ... always remarking on the "cool" looks of a nicely blued sixgun, the "big boom" and the realization about how accurate the revolvers are ...

 

[fbks ak]

Me Too I notice a lot of older folks with revolvers at the range. Tom

 

[skidder]

What is a sidearm FOR? Yes, they're good for hunting, they're fun target plinkers, and they have a classic kind of elan that really appeals to a lot of hobbyists. But that's not why they were invented and developed. They are defensive tools, FIGHTING tools, tools for stopping someone from killing you as fast as humanly possible. There's nothing leisurely, sedate, and pedestrian about that.

Well said...
and... so you don't have to use it. My experience may not be with the two legged sort, but I've had several bear encounters that ended with the cocking of the hammer, warning shots, or just removing the revolver from the holster.

I'm trying to get better. No, not all shooting is serious. I do a lot of shooting just for fun but the intent is usually clear. I'm working on my point shooting, shooting small targets out to at least 50yds, reloading as quickly as possible, practicing with the weak hand and shooting from leather.

Could not agree more.
Practice, practice, practice.
You find out just how much you need to practice when you hear a Couger scream 25 yards away and your little kid is running up the trail ahead of you.

I've had encounters with bears, cougars, wolves, and moose while hiking and working in the woods. Being ready, and having confidence in your "readiness" is worth as much as the bullets in the chambers.

Would these encounters have ended the same with out my Redhawk? Well... possibly, but I wouldn't want to find out. Animals do sense fear, but they also have a keen sense of danger.

 

[Warp]

I don't care what people regularly do. Most drive little import cars and wear tennis shoes. Is that relevant to me? No.

IMHO, the only advantage to a semi-auto is that they are flatter. Sorry but carrying extra magazines is unnecessary and you admitted yourself that you do not. So reload speed is moot. I don't know how anybody thinks a semi-auto of any kind is "easier to shoot". Seems to me that we have some semi-auto shooters who have a token revolver or two and think they know something.

Holding between 11 and 19 rounds instead of 5-8 isn't an advantage? You sure about that?

You are already resorting to baseless personal insults? Lovely. Absolutely lovely. And so High Road.

 

[CraigC]

It amazes me what some folks take as personal insults these days. I guess it's not very politically correct to call into question anything about a person's experience or preferences? How quaint......and convenient.

No, I don't see it as an advantage. If I did I would carry one, so would most others. Do you carry your Glock with a 33rd magazine? A drum? No? Is greater capacity not an advantage??? If I thought I needed 11-18rds I would carry a pistol that held as much instead of a five-shot .44Spl.

 

[Sam1911]

Guess we've had enough happy for now.