Revolver for CCW?

[Ben Shepherd]

My sp101 loaded with 357/158GDHP@1300(out of this gun), and a bianchi speed strip of the same are ALWAYS with me.

Yes I carry handloads:
1. Speeds that are what I want out of a specific gun.
2. This load will shoot 5 shot, 1 hole groups of less than 50 caliber at ten yards every time.
3. Recoil isn't bad all things considered.

Never had the hebe-jeebees about needing more rounds.

As I've heard it said on this board: Autos for offense, revolvers for defense.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

A revolver and an automatic both have strengths and weaknesses for self defense and concealed carry. I won't go into detail unless someone asks.

I don't think that you would be at a disadvantage with a revolver for self defense if you identify a revolver's weaknesses and train to mitigate them. Different people have different preferences.

I've made some observation watching and participating in IDPA. Semi Auto shooters tend to shoot until they hear a click which means that they shoot until the reach slide lock. Usually, they do not count their rounds and are surprised that their gun is empty. This habit can be changed with training and practice.

I compete with a revolver and I am very aware that I have six shots before I can reload. I try to make the first six count. As soon as I have fired my sixth shot, I start reloading.

Revolver Advantages:
1) Selecting ammunition starts with accuracy, not reliablity
2) greater variety of ammuntion will function with a revolver
3) no safety gadget to push, pull or poke to get the revolver into action

Revolver disadvanatages with sugestions to mitigate:
1) slower to reload -moon clips like S&W model 625 in 45acp, or S&W's 10mm revolver, and practice, practice practice
2) tougher to conceal -change your jacket/cover/ review your wardrobe People conceal large revolvers every day
3) capacity, 5-7 shots? -solution, practice reloading!!!
4) change of grip most likely needed to reload -solution, practice

Semi auto advantages:
1) flatter, easier to conceal
2) reloads faster with a magazine
3) capacity for wonder nines

Semi Auto disadvantages:
1) ability of ammuntion to function -solution, find the ammo that feeds best and shoots accurately
2) Can't change from Super light to super heavy loads very easily -pick your carry load and stick with it
3) magazines get damaged and cause feed problems -solution, take care of your equipment.
4) safeties and magazine release -solution, practice!
5) malfunctions -solution, go to #1 and practice malfunction drills

I wouldn't have a problem with a revolver for conceal carry or home defense. I think that one issues is being overlooked. If you are in a situation where you are using a firearm to defend yourself, I would also think that you would also be trying to escape from the goblin. I would think that 5-7 rounds would be plenty to make the goblins think twice about making you a traget of assault, convince them to take evasive action rather than continue assaulting you while you try to get away.

Also, how long would it take for a goblin to realize that you have a revolver? You shoot 5 times for example, is the goblin going to realize that you have a J frame that only holds 5 rounds? is the goblin going to risk injury to themself on that guess? Suppose that you fire 6 rounds, does the goblin know that you are empty or do you have one of S&W's wonder revolvers that hold 7 rounds (686+) etc. I bet that the goblin doesn't think "that sounds like a 357 magnum or 38 special" when being shot at. I'd bet that they think "oh crap, I was going to make an easy mugging and now this person is shooting back at me! How do I get out of here?"

There are definitely advantages and disadvantage to any and all self defense and conceal carry systems. The bottom line is to emphasize the advantages and try to decrease the disadvantages through practice, equipment change/modification or other method. That's my thoughts on it.

-Jim

 

[Swamprabbit]

I believe people spend way too much time worrying about what type of equipment is best when they could be better served by taking what they have and spending that time practicing. To me, I don't care what the person is carrying but if that handgun has most of its finish rubbed off from holster wear and is loose from lots of shooting, I would feel more confident in that person's abilities than I would of someone with that brand new $1,000 pistol in a premier holster. The trick, as I see it, is to get there the fastest with the mostest - often times that is accomplished with the little J frame from the front pocket.

I carry a 1911 just because that is what I have found I hit the best with in quick shots at 50yds or closer. I also carry a J frame 38 with my own cast bullet loads that I have complete confidence in. Just last week I spent time out on the range banging 9" plates at 40yds. I'm not all that good - I just practice.

 

[sarge48]

3" 65

Been carrying my 3" 65 a lot recently. 125 Speer JHP and a speed strip. Dedicated 2004 to try and master this shooter. Auto's in the safe.

 

[Grunt]

Well, I'm mainly an auto carrier although I do have a Taurus 85CH that I will take out once in a while. That said though, one thing the blube-tube didn't go into when they were firing all those shots is where did the ones that miss the bad guy go? Calling for clean-up on idle 5 is one thing but what about the round that missed and hit a kid that was only there to get a soda or the mother that stopped in to get a pack of diapers because she was out? What happens to you if you hit THEM??? What charges do you think will be filed against you? Manslaughter? How about negligent homicide? Reckless endangerment is another one that comes to mind.
And of course lets look past the crimminal court that you would find yourself in after you just sprayed the entire store. Lets look at what a civil case would involve. O.J. might have beat the rap after turning his ex into a human pez dispencer but do you got the money to hire Johnny Cockroach and all of O.J.'s legal team? Besides, he might have walked but civil case still found him guilty as sin. What did that cost him and those damages the court levied against him doesn't even include his legal team expenses on top of it all.
Spraying the area with a hail of lead looks good in the movies but is unsound in real life. Do I feel underarmed by packing a revolver? No, actually I don't. You just make your shots count and more often than not, you are going to survive the fight and reduce the risk of injuring or killing bystanders, thereby reducing your chances of keeping out of either crimminal or civil court. I'm not saying that the bad guy or his family won't try to sue you for shooting him but at least your chances against a crimminal or family member are a lot better in court than your chances against the legal mess accidently shooting a bystander is going to be.