One of my mental issues (revolver vs. auto)

[PlayboyPenguin]

I am not really asking for an explanation for this...I know it is just a mental issue. I am just saying it out loud and hoping that admitting I have a problem is the first step towards healing.

No, I am not talking about my firearm addiction (which struck again today).

I am talking about the fact that I can carry a revolver all day with all cycliners loaded with the hammer down and not think twice but when I carry my PPK or my MK40 (autoloaders) I am very nervous about having a round in the chamber. I know with the DAO action of my MK40 and with the hammer down on my PPK it is really no different than my revolver but it somehow just seems less safe to me even though I know it is not.

Anyone else ever have to overcome this issue or a similar one?

 

[Geronimo45]

Well, depending on where my gun goes at night - under the pillow or into the bed frame - I won't have a loaded chamber. Why not? I talk in my sleep and move in my sleep. I've shot at a few people in my dreams, and I wouldn't put it past me to snick off the safety and blast a round off - and wake up with a hole in the wall or in me.
It's pretty strange, the way all autoloaders must have a safety (except Glocks and their clones). I haven't heard of anybody who carried a SA auto cocked and unlocked... though I don't see how it would be any danger unless your finger goes in the trigger guard. I think it's more of warm-fuzzy feelings than anything else - it's comforting to know your gun is 'on-safe'.

 

[Dave R]

Early on in my CCW days, I worried about one in the chamber. I got over it. That's how they're designed to be carried.

But I'm like Geronimo. I won't keep one in the chamber unless I'm wearing it. Kids, sleepwalking, etc. Once I take it off, I unload it.

 

[Eyesac]

Get over it.

 

[PX15]

If it makes you feel any better you see this same question or logic, or lack of logic, commented on time and time again on various firearm forums.

I have sat my lovely bride of over 37 years down, more than once, and carefully explained to her why she is as safe from an accidental discharge when carrying one of my pistols as she is carrying one of my revolvers....

Still makes no difference.

The logic of a heavy da trigger pull on the first round on her Colt Cobra and of an equally heavy da trigger pull on my Sig P239 being equal simply eludes her.

Perhaps some folks equate pistols with complexity and revolvers with simplicity?

Or, there's nothing on a revolver to do other than pull the trigger, while some pistols have de-cockers/external safety's/ect... Or she KNOWS there are six rounds in the Cobra, heck she can see them... But that scary semi-automatic pistol, is there a round in the chamber? Is the safety on, or off?

A 8-10-12 lb trigger pull on a revolver OR on the DA first shot in a pistol are simply equal. No more, no less. "Pounds is pounds" so to speak..

JMOFO but I've always believed that for other than professional leo's and folks who are serious about their firearms and practice and train and all of that the average person is better served by a revolver.

With my Colt's and J-frame Smiths I know that when I pull the trigger they will perform perfectly.. Even tho I have some quality (and some not-so-quality) pistols you always think of "spring fatigue" when they are left loaded for extended periods. A revolver has no "spring fatigue".. Stuff like that makes the revolver just a better choice for non-gun folks.

My little hidy pistol 99% of the time is the KelTec P32. It is light, and "so far" has always been very accurate at self defense range, and 100% reliable. IMO you don't shoot 1000rds thru the little pistol to see when it will fail.. It is so small and light that it WILL eventually fail. My theory is shoot a couple of hundred rds thur it, if's still perking along, load it up and carry it.

It's no a target pistol, nor designed to shoot 10,000rds. What is is however is a reasonably priced, very light, very concealable "up close and personal" self defense firearm.

Use your PPK or MK40 with that in mind and don't give the dao trigger pull a second thought. To my mind worrying about an accidental discharge is simply silly, so I don't....

JMOFO

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

 

[beaucoup ammo]

I can relate only because I never used..much less owned..a semi until I got my CHL a year ago and purchased a KAHR P9 for it's size.

I've achieved a "peace of mind" carrying that weapon "cocked and locked", so to speak, only after discussing my concerns with others and just doing it. I carry a Smith 637 at the present only because it's new..but won't hesitate to carry the KAHR anytime.

It's a natural apprehension, and..no..you're not alone.

 

[bakert]

I carry both DA/SA autos and revolvers fully loaded with no qualms.

 

[expvideo]

"I've shot at a few people in my dreams, and I wouldn't put it past me to snick off the safety and blast a round off - and wake up with a hole in the wall or in me."

I've slept with a loaded and chambered pistol under my pillow every night for two years, and I have some very vivid dreams.. No problems. I only recently stopped because my girlfriend is in the bed with me now. Still, I always found it a lot safer than putting it on the nightstand, because I'm a heavy sleeper and anyone breaking in could take it off the nightstand without waking me.

Still, I've heard arguements for both. I haven't had a problem, but perhaps other would. My sleep patterns aren't your sleep patterns, so do what you feel comfortable doing.

 

[Hardtarget]

Never crosses my mind. I occasionally carry a revolver, though mostly I carry a S&W DAO. I just don't have a problem with this "one up the pipe" thing.
Mark.

 

[tubeshooter]

I can relate; when I decided on pretty much wheelgun-only long ago it was a consideration, probably both conscious and sub-conscious, unfounded or not.


That being said, I'd feel perfectly safe with most modern-day semis that hadn't had a "push it to the brink" trigger job. So feel free to "get over it" if you like, and I definitely mean that in a postive context.

 

[Jack19]

No. Understand the mechanics of your weapons and move on.

 

[SolaScriptura139]

I think the reason I might have a fear about it is that my semi is an XD, so when there is a round in the chamber, it's single action, and there are no external safeties, so it seems a little more touchy. With the revolver, obviously it is double action (in most cases). But I agree that it is mainly a huge mental issue if you have a double action semi.

 

[stevek]

Actually the XD has a grip safety and a trigger safety IIRC

 

[Starter52]

I'm with you, Penguin. I know my 1911 is every bit as safe as a revolver, but it still bothers me. I can't explain why. It just does.

 

[10-Ring]

Maybe you just need to carry your semi more & just get more used to being on you safe and just get over this issue.

 

[aspen1964]

with the SA automatics..the look of a cocked hammer scares some people...when I bought my first Colt 45, I thought about it too...but after testing again and again the safeties I have gained nearly the same confidence as I would a revolver...provided the parts are in good order..it is mostly psychological...

 

[XDRocks]

This is really a personal decision that you have to make. I feel totally safe with my Bersa 380 CC in my pocket as well as my XD40 SC or Beretta 92F in holster because I have taken some time to investigate the inner workings of their actions. I have come to find that the vast majority of semi-autos on the market have double or triple redundant safeties that include: keep your finger off of the trigger until you want it to go BANG , a grip safety that physically blocks movement of the firing pin and disengages the trigger(Springfield XD's), and vairous types of slide or frame mounted safeties that usually serve to decock the hammer as well as offer a physical block between the hammer and firing pin. The only safety on a revolver is to keep your finger off of the trigger because it will go BANG should you pull it back. I feel very safe and comfortable knowing that my semi-auto is in reality safer than my 2 inch snubbie because I have two other safeties to rely upon.

All I can say to you PlayboyPenguin is that if you feel more comfortable carrying a revolver, then do it. This is about your level of comfort. I will tell you that your PPK is a very safe pistol with the same safety features as my Bersa. The safety, when engaged, decocks the hammer, physically blocks the hammer from the firing pin, secures the firing pin against movement, and totally disengages the trigger. Your Kahr MK40 also uses a physical lock on the firing pin that prevents movement until the trigger is fully depressed. The MK40 is a fine pistol that I am presently deciding between as opposed to a PM9. They are extremely safe in design but the PPK is more so as it actually has the triple reduntant backup safeties other than disengaging the trigger.

I can suggest a few things you may want to consider: 1) Carry your auto with an empty chamber and practice drawing then racking the slide to load quickly. 2) Carry a revolver of your choice. 3) Regardless of what you carry, always have it with you, pray you never have to use it, and know how to if you have to use it.

Be well

 

[highlander 5]

I understand playboypenguin dillema I know the next statements will probaly start something but here goes.
as I've stated in another thred I own 3 pistol in 45acp a Smith 1911 a Para Ordinance and a Smith 625 both 1911 are series 80 and are SUPPOSED to be safe to carry with a round in the chamber hammer down. Now according to the "experts' this is a no no.
Cocked and locked is the way to go makes me uncomfortable so that's why I use my 625 for a HD gun With two spare full moon clip I feel secure

 

[FTF]

I'm not sure I would even bother to fight it. A 6 or even 5 shot revolver should be more than adequate for 'most' situations you will ever face. I think that the comfortability factor would have more to do with you actually carrying the gun than using it. With a 1911 you'll get what, one extra shot? Is it really worth that much for you to force yourself to trust a SA? There are enough handgun choices out there, in all sizes for you to get a nice DA pull and large capactity, and still get that safe revolver feeling.

I carry a 1911 in Condition 1. I just think back to the military when we ran around with our M16's in condition 1. One in the chamber, cocked and locked. I never saw a rifle just 'go off'... even though we were diving and running and basically doing stuff I would never do with my pistol. The trick is to just not pull the trigger until you need to.

Whatever you feel better with. I will say that once you really start shooting/carrying a SA only pistol you won't ever yearn for that first heavy shot again.

 

[Jkwas]

Ok. I'm mostly a revolver guy and like the fact I don't have to think too much.
So last night I went out with my P89 without one in the pipe. As I was driving along, I realized to my horror, that if I needed to pull and shoot, I would need two hands! So, I will carry with one in the pipe and the safety on thank you. I can flick off that safety and then rely on that first extra hard trigger pull for the first shot.