Revolver as a "last ditch" gun?

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CJW

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Hi folks. First off, Happy New Year! Here's hoping that 2013 sees our rights and freedoms as gun owners preserved.

I've seen first hand the big rush to stock up on AR and AK rifles and mags. I too waited in the long line yesterday but not for what everyone else was after. I came home with a shiny new stainless 4" GP100. My reasoning:

It is reliable and very durable.
It is not prone to breakage, malfunction or excessive wear.
No magazines to buy, no springs to wear out.
Chambered in a fight-stopping caliber.
Six rounds is nothing to sneeze at, and can be reloaded relatively quickly.
Good for home defense, hunting, and can be concealed.
I can pass it on to my son with pride.

To my way of thinking, a revolver such as this is truly a "last ditch" gun, or the type of gun to "stock up" on if the future is uncertain. What everyone else is rushing out to buy just doesn't seem as versatile in the long run. I have my long-gun needs covered adequately, but if I'm going to have a spare or two in the face of an uncertain future - make mine revolvers.

Some folks shy away from revolvers because they seem so retro or old-fashioned, and of course many get their taste for whiz-bang tactical weaponry from the movies these days. But to me, the revolver is the most practical type of weapon to own in the long-term, with an uncertain political future. Bonus: it's probably the last type of weapon "they" will go after.

Curious about your thoughts on my line of reasoning.
 
Last Ditch?

Hell, I got one in my pocket right now.

More like "go to gun."

I know it's gonna go bang every time, and 6 shots is enough to get me to my rifle.
 
GP100 is just about as good a "first ditch" gun as you'll find for the average encounter. It's my wife's choice, and what she keeps handy.
I have an XD45, but I do sometimes gaze longingly at her piece.
 
Last ditch? First ditch?

Hell, oft times my wonderful GP100 is the ONLY ditch.

I've never thought of it as any kind of... "Aw hell, if that's all I got" kinda gun as a couple other wheel guns around here might be considered.
 
I ccw'd a GP-100 3" for about 7 hours today shopping with my wife. Have never felt the least bit undergunned with it. I actually feel very comfortable knowing that I have "six for sure" in a powerful round, in a gun that will go bang all the time and I can also beat a bad guy to death with it if I have to. Sounds like beautiful relationship to me.
 
It is reliable and very durable.
It is not prone to breakage, malfunction or excessive wear.
No magazines to buy, no springs to wear out.
Chambered in a fight-stopping caliber.
Six rounds is nothing to sneeze at, and can be reloaded relatively quickly.
Good for home defense, hunting, and can be concealed.
Click to expand...

All very valid.

Good for you !

On the upside, I have my doubts that even if we see the " 84 " floats cruising down the street to the farm, that revolvers will ever be on the ban list.
 
Good thoughts, all.

Yeah, a sweet revolver like the GP is definitely a go-to gun.

I guess by "last ditch" I was thinking of the one gun that I know would serve me reliably for the rest of my life if the political or societal situation got worse and there was no access to new guns, spare parts, etc.

Revolvers are what I would "panic buy" (even though I'm in no panic...yet)

BTW, SeventhSword, that's a sweet piece I bet it kicks like a mule!
 
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The DA revolver has been getting it done for well over 100 years. Maybe not the best choice for modern combat or police work were higher capacity and faster reloads are critical, but for personal defense I rely on one or more revolvers every day and feel just fine about it.
 
It is reliable and very durable.
It is not prone to breakage, malfunction or excessive wear.
No magazines to buy, no springs to wear out.
Chambered in a fight-stopping caliber.
Six rounds is nothing to sneeze at, and can be reloaded relatively quickly.
Good for home defense, hunting, and can be concealed.
I can pass it on to my son with pride.
Click to expand...

I used some of the very same reasoning when I bought my KGP-141 in 1995 and since I no longer own it I guess it wasn't my last gun but my Blackhawk .45acp/.45C is, I think ;)
 
velojym said:
GP100 is just about as good a "first ditch" gun as you'll find for the average encounter. It's my wife's choice, and what she keeps handy.
I have an XD45, but I do sometimes gaze longingly at her piece.
Click to expand...
"but I do sometimes gaze longingly at her piece."

^^^We're still talking about Revolvers?? RIGHT?? HA HA..

You can NOT go wrong with a GP-100, or a Smith "L" Frame..Your kids will not wear them out!!...Bill.
 
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CJW said:
Hi folks. First off, Happy New Year! Here's hoping that 2013 sees our rights and freedoms as gun owners preserved.

I've seen first hand the big rush to stock up on AR and AK rifles and mags. I too waited in the long line yesterday but not for what everyone else was after. I came home with a shiny new stainless 4" GP100. My reasoning:

It is reliable and very durable.
It is not prone to breakage, malfunction or excessive wear.
No magazines to buy, no springs to wear out.
Chambered in a fight-stopping caliber.
Six rounds is nothing to sneeze at, and can be reloaded relatively quickly.
Good for home defense, hunting, and can be concealed.
I can pass it on to my son with pride.

To my way of thinking, a revolver such as this is truly a "last ditch" gun, or the type of gun to "stock up" on if the future is uncertain. What everyone else is rushing out to buy just doesn't seem as versatile in the long run. I have my long-gun needs covered adequately, but if I'm going to have a spare or two in the face of an uncertain future - make mine revolvers.

Some folks shy away from revolvers because they seem so retro or old-fashioned, and of course many get their taste for whiz-bang tactical weaponry from the movies these days. But to me, the revolver is the most practical type of weapon to own in the long-term, with an uncertain political future. Bonus: it's probably the last type of weapon "they" will go after.

Curious about your thoughts on my line of reasoning.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. My go to guns are a ruger security six stainless and a ruger blackhawk. Both in .357 mag.


Scott Campbell Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
@ seventhsword

Now that is one beautiful wheel gun brother !!,But I am guessing you already appreciate that fact.

I own both and carry both,but the revolver is usually a BUG [ S&W 360/.357 or S&W 442/.38 ]

But went to a party last night and expected NO problems as went early and left early,so all I had was the 360 and a spare drop pouch with a Bianchi speed strip.

And of course a blade & flashlight [ hope that goes w/o saying ].

The revolver is one STURDY tool,and one that I own as many of as auto's.
 
In time of foreign invasion, war, UN troopers storming you home to steal your rights... a revolver isn't going to get you far. In everyday carry situations, shopping in town, mowing the yard, etc... you are as well armed with 6 rounds of .357 as you are 18 of 9mm, probably better if you can hit what you aim at. All handguns are at best, emergency only items - if you really have a fight on your hands, or you are expecting one, take your rifle.
 
Everybody should own at least one S&W M&P/10. Wheel guns have been around for a long time.Proven technology.
 
I am of the opinion that if you treat your revolver as a "last ditch" gun, then you have some serious problems with effectively deploying whatever your primary weapon is. That said, one should train well, and then, train more, and when you think you've had enough, train some more, so that whatever weapon you have on hand will serve you well in a hostile situation.

I suggest to anyone if you believe a revolver is your last ditch line of defense, that you need to rethink options other then firearms for your self defense needs....train like you fight, and if and when the time comes, you will fight like you have trained.
 
I also question those who stock up on long guns, magazines, and cases of ammo. They'd do better to buy 20 J-frames, 20 boxes of ammo, and arm all their neighbors.
 
When all the craziness started I didn't buy anything for my AR or hi-cap Glocks, instead I bought ammo for my SP101 and a new 10/22 takedown, albeit with some BX25 mags, but also some spare 10 rounders. If I got down to just those two I'd still be OK, though I won't give up on the others without a fight.
 
Agree with all the above, being a long-time revolver fan and user...but I also throw in with the good DA guns, my Blackhawks...I feel pretty confident ANYWHERE with a .44 Special on the hip, and if I need more, there is always the SBH....all good stuff.
 
IMO a 4" 357 is just about the best do it all handgun made.

This is what I suggest to new shooters as a first handgun. If they master a DA revolver everything else is easy.
 
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