Revolver or Semi Auto
- Thread starter Doug.38PR
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C-grunt
Member
I chose the semi-auto. Its probably due more to the fact that Im a younger shooter than anything else.
Glockfan.45
member
Semi-auto for capacity, and speed of reloading.
I generally prefer a revolver for recreational shooting and for home defense handgun sometimes but I feel autos generally are better for carry though I like snub revolvers for this purpose too. I voted for revolver but had to really think about it, I do like autos too. My current fav is a pre B CZ75 I really have taken a liking too.
Ed Ames
Member
Yes
Isn't it sort of a "horses for courses" sort of thing?
Revolvers are much nicer if you reload -- the lack of thrown brass is a major plus for casual shooting.
Some revolvers are very good for concealing -- light weight for the power.
Revolvers tend to be more reliable (no limp-wristing problems, fewer controls).
Semi-autos tend to have higher capacity for the size.
Semi-autos can be easier to conceal -- especially larger ones (as compared to large revolvers).
95+% of my handgun shooting has been with semi-autos, but every time I take out a revolver and realize I'm recovering 100% of my brass vs the 30-40% I usually recover with a semi-auto (and it's easier to reload most revolver ctgs), and I start wondering why I bother with the semi-autos.
Isn't it sort of a "horses for courses" sort of thing?
Revolvers are much nicer if you reload -- the lack of thrown brass is a major plus for casual shooting.
Some revolvers are very good for concealing -- light weight for the power.
Revolvers tend to be more reliable (no limp-wristing problems, fewer controls).
Semi-autos tend to have higher capacity for the size.
Semi-autos can be easier to conceal -- especially larger ones (as compared to large revolvers).
95+% of my handgun shooting has been with semi-autos, but every time I take out a revolver and realize I'm recovering 100% of my brass vs the 30-40% I usually recover with a semi-auto (and it's easier to reload most revolver ctgs), and I start wondering why I bother with the semi-autos.
AStone
Member
The poll seems to be missing a third option,
so I'll just add it here.
Both.
PS: as I understand it,
technically, the word "pistol" refers
to semi-auto handguns.
Therefore, the question may be better worded as,
"What kind of handgun do you prefer overall for both shooting and carrying?"
so I'll just add it here.
Both.
PS: as I understand it,
technically, the word "pistol" refers
to semi-auto handguns.
Therefore, the question may be better worded as,
"What kind of handgun do you prefer overall for both shooting and carrying?"
bpisler
Member
I'll take my revolvers,thank you.I have tried
different bottom feeders but keep coming
back to revolvers for home and carry.In fact
the only semi-auto's i own are 22's.
different bottom feeders but keep coming
back to revolvers for home and carry.In fact
the only semi-auto's i own are 22's.
Starter52
Member
Revolvers. I'm a reloader and (as Ed said) it's easier with a revolver.
It's not really any either or as dress sometimes makes a J frame easier but my PM9 works there also.
To be analytic of the cliches:
1. Revolvers are more reliable. Many semis are also
2. Semis have more shots but the average gun fight is ... However, this based on a total misunderstanding of statistical decision making. I posted on it once somewhere but most folks don't understand the average and variability. Do you plan for the central tendency or the extremes of the distribution?
3. Power - that's all over the place. The distribution of 'stopping power' has so much overlap.
It's probably the case that a quality semi or revolver will suffice in most civilian DGUs. Do you plan for the extreme cases? Then higher cap would be nice.
A much more important variable is training. I'd bet that with a quality revolver or semi with 38 SPL or 9mm or greater - the person without training is at a significant disadvantage as compared to a person with training. Gun lists like to focus on the techy stuff. If one goes to training - lots of times the trainers shut down the techy talk as mainly irrelevant once you cross the threshold above. Foot-lbs mean crap if you can't use the gun.
To be analytic of the cliches:
1. Revolvers are more reliable. Many semis are also
2. Semis have more shots but the average gun fight is ... However, this based on a total misunderstanding of statistical decision making. I posted on it once somewhere but most folks don't understand the average and variability. Do you plan for the central tendency or the extremes of the distribution?
3. Power - that's all over the place. The distribution of 'stopping power' has so much overlap.
It's probably the case that a quality semi or revolver will suffice in most civilian DGUs. Do you plan for the extreme cases? Then higher cap would be nice.
A much more important variable is training. I'd bet that with a quality revolver or semi with 38 SPL or 9mm or greater - the person without training is at a significant disadvantage as compared to a person with training. Gun lists like to focus on the techy stuff. If one goes to training - lots of times the trainers shut down the techy talk as mainly irrelevant once you cross the threshold above. Foot-lbs mean crap if you can't use the gun.
Furncliff
Member
For me it just comes down to ; I shoot the auto-feeders better. I like the grips, I like the trigger pull, (but I have never shot a really nicley tuned wheel gun, and would like to) I find it easier to come back to the target for the next shot.
Man I love the sound of the slide, chunk chink.
Man I love the sound of the slide, chunk chink.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Both, But if I had to grab only one gun and walk out the door it would be my S&W 65, or maybe my Woodsman, but then it might be a S&W 60, Naww gotta be my 1911, welll that's how it is folks.
DirksterG30
Member
I voted semi-auto: That's all I own, and I like the ergonomics of semi-autos versus any of the revolvers I've held or shot. Capacity, ease of reloading, and ease of concealment are factors for me as well.
Black Majik
Member
I shoot and carry a semi-auto.
I had a revolver... once...
I had a revolver... once...
Ben Shepherd
Member
Started with revolvers due to avalible horsepower issues. Stayed with them due to nerve damage in one arm.
Also 95% of the ammo I shoot is handloads.
I HATE
having to chase my brass back down. So shell shuckers don't intrest me much. There are exceptions.........but few.
Also 95% of the ammo I shoot is handloads.
I HATE
having to chase my brass back down. So shell shuckers don't intrest me much. There are exceptions.........but few.
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That's what a lot of modern handgun "experts" like to say. But the word pistol refers to revolver going back to the invention of the revolver and even before during the time of flint and caplock pistols of the American Revolution. You hear revolvers being called pistols (or pistola's if you're spanish) all the time. The 44 Walker Dragoon was designated a "horse pistol." A pistol is a hand firearm of some kind which a revolver or a semi auto both apply.
Axman
Member
Doug.38PR said:
...or a muzzle-loader, or a BP revolver, or a Derringer.
I think the evolution of the term "pistol" is generally applied to autoloaders because they are not revolvers, or muzzle-loaders, or BP revolvers or Derringers.
klover
Member
For what purpose?
Revolvers:
For shooting from inside my pocket.
For reaching large caliber in small snubbie sizes.
For snake shot shells.
For low powered rounds as well as full house.
For greater accuracy (Per dollars spent).
Autos:
For getting the most rounds out in a big hurry without skill (spray and pray?)
For having the greatest combined energy of rounds in magazine form (ie 12+1)
For flatter ccw.
For warfare in general.
For great accuracy if dollars were spent with notable exceptions (ie. Makarov)
Each type of revolver or auto has it's niche, so my collection has started anew to include a few of each.
Revolvers:
For shooting from inside my pocket.
For reaching large caliber in small snubbie sizes.
For snake shot shells.
For low powered rounds as well as full house.
For greater accuracy (Per dollars spent).
Autos:
For getting the most rounds out in a big hurry without skill (spray and pray?)
For having the greatest combined energy of rounds in magazine form (ie 12+1)
For flatter ccw.
For warfare in general.
For great accuracy if dollars were spent with notable exceptions (ie. Makarov)
Each type of revolver or auto has it's niche, so my collection has started anew to include a few of each.
Confederate
Member
I love the revolver because it can be loaded and forgotten about, thus it is my favorite type of pistol. I also don't like chasing brass and I prefer the pointing characteristics of the revolver.
But I prefer cleaning most autos, especially the Beretta 92.
But I prefer cleaning most autos, especially the Beretta 92.
Semi-auto, since my primary interest is self-defense and I prefer to carry autoloaders. But I've been warming up to revolvers over the last several years, and most of my recreational shooting is with a Taurus Tracker in .22 LR these days (I've been using it to train my niece), and my next handgun will probably be a .357 revolver. I just don't enjoy chasing brass. My vote may be different a year from now.
possum
Member
i love revolvers, especially the s&w model 19, and 686, but i am a semi-auto guy, I love revolvers, but just not as much as semi- auto's i don't know what it is about them, one thing i can think of is that the higher capacity of the auto loaders is a bonus for me. plus i guess i am so use to shooting auto loaders and i am so set in my ways that I don't want to change. but i will however in the future have a revolver or 2.
I haven't been shooting all that long but my first revolver broke. I've also had 1 semi that had problems out of the box. My study results suggest that both types of guns can be reliable and neither gun is immune from mechanical failure. If a shooter is concerned about reliability they will test their gun with many many many rounds, not just assume its more reliable because of its design.
That all aside, I like semiautos. Some revolvers are really nice looking and there's a couple I'd love to have just for fun but to me the semiauto wins with higher capacity, more compact size and quicker reloads.
That all aside, I like semiautos. Some revolvers are really nice looking and there's a couple I'd love to have just for fun but to me the semiauto wins with higher capacity, more compact size and quicker reloads.
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