Revolver over Auto for HD?

[DDGator]

Aftter having learned on and competedwith revolvers, I got seduced by the high-cap 9mm "wondernines." Who could beat 16-18 rounds of 9mm?

After competing with my 9s, I discovered that semi-autos are a lot harder to work under stress. After a couple of failures to swipe the safety off (single action 9mm) and a couple times of failing to get a mag properly seated on a reload -- I switched back to the wheelgun for competition and defense. Keep in mind -- these were not gun problems, but human problems.

Semis are great if you train enough and practice enough I suppose. The average person is better off with a wheelgun, IMHO.

 

[WheelMan]

Sorry Sam,

I couldnt't remember where I'd heard that. Made enough sense for me to remember it though

 

[dude]

my revolvers are for serious things like HD and woods carry

-my P7 is for fun and showing off
-my 1911 is for frustration/disapointment

 

[355sigfan]

I would not feel ill armed with my Smith 610, Colt Python or Ruger Redhawk 5 shot conversion in a HD situation considering the right ammo was loaded. However if I can't get to a long gun I would prefer my Kimber or one of my other autos for this duty. For me revolvers are fun guns that are only shot when one wants to live in the past. They are also good for outdoor activities when camping in bear country. But for protection against 2 legged critters I will stick with an auto.
Pat

 

[Spieler]

I have always had semi-autos for HD and CCW and am now contemplating my first wheelgun purchase. This is due to several factors, perhaps I am maturing a bit or just hanging out way too much in the Revolver forum on THR. However, another factor for me is my wife and her aversion to handguns in general, but the moving slide and flying brass of a semi-auto pistol in particular. She also has difficulty in retracting the slide of most of my full size service autos. Since I would love to have her be my range buddy more often if only she enjoyed shooting a gun that she wasn't afraid of and one that gave her a sense of confidence, we are going to try a revolver for her. This is especially important to me since I work many nights and she is at home with the kids and would have to hold her own in case of an emergency. The simpler manual of arms of a revolver also seems to make sense to us both. Besides, it's an excuse to go gun shopping.

 

[Atticus]

I'll jump aboard and go with a revolver as well...at least with the bump in the night scenario. One thing going for revolvers is the K.I.S.S. principle.
Nearly anyone (my wife in particular) could pick up a revolver and defend herself, or me, if I was unable to do so. That would not happen with my 1911 or BHP.

 

[ChristopherG]

IMLE, Bill Jordan was right when he said a revolver is better/easier for fast hip shooting, or for unsighted shooting--as in, shooting fast and close in the dark.
CG

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Six for sure!

I have two semiautos that would be suitable for home defense: a Browning High Power Practical and a Bulgarian Makarov. So what do I have in my Minivault, ready to go?

A Smith & Wesson Model 28, 4" barrel, stoked with FBI loads.

If TSHTF I want my gun to work, no ifs ands or buts.

 

[Penforhire]

Sure this thread may not be original but it is still one of life's great mysteries and worth continued discussion. Like many of you, I know my Remi 870 is best when you need to defend yourself. But I refuse to get my shotgun to investigate every noise. A handgun is much more flexible and can be held hidden so as not to scare a neighbor or UPS guy knocking at the door.

I have your same classic dilemma. My 4" 686+ is a perfect HD revolver with zero malfunctions in about 1,000 rounds. I also have a P99 with an even better record (I figure close to 2,500 rounds). The P99 has a suitable manual of arms -- kept loaded, no safety, long double-action 1st pull. My fundamental accuracy with my P99 exceeds my 686+ double-action shooting, but not in any meaningful way for home defense (a few inches more spread at 10 yards). The P99 gives me 10+1 shots and a faster reload versus 7 for the 686+, probably not a big deal for home defense. Of course any difference that becomes meaningful will become critical by definition, say a FTF/FTE or needing a fast reload.

Maybe it is just a case of too many choices but my logical self says one of these implements should be better than the other for a given job. Too bad REALLY short shot guns aren't legal...

 

[makarov]

The only guns that I keep loaded ready to go in the safe are my CZ-85 Combat and my 870 Wingmaster wearing its short barrel. The CZ has one in the chamber - hammer down. That is how I shot it most in IDPA. It is VERY accurate and so far has had ZERO failures of any kind. The shotgun has 4 in the tube, ready to be racked. I keep an SKS handy but unloaded. There are a couple of stripper clips stashed up high. It might actually be the first thing I grab if there was trouble outside. In all likelyhood, there is unlikely to be any trouble as far out as I live. Still good for armchair hypotheticals though...

- Makarov


I should have mentioned that I could also have chosen either a 27-2 or a Dan Wesson 15, so I guess I have decided on the CZ rather than either revolver. I do take the DW camping though. It is kind of a beater, but shoots like crazy.

 

[Ankeny]

I love revolvers and I have shot them for many years. In fact, I am one of only five earned USPSA (IPSC) revolver masters in the country. I don't feel underarmed with a wheel gun and my ability to shoot one fast and accurately isn't an issue.

Still, my HD pistol is a 1911 (Baer) that I have a ton of confidence in. The pistol is scary reliable and I think it will wear out before it ever malfunctions. My carry gun is also a 1911 style pistol (Kimber Pro Carry). I practice shooting my autos strong hand, weak hand, and freestyle. In general, I can shoot a 1911 faster and as accurately at CQB distances than I can shoot a wheel gun. I am not going to buy into the issue of failing to operate external controls under stress because I dry fire daily, live fire weekly, and I shoot 3-5 matches a month. A quality (reliable) auto in the hands of an accomplished shooter (like a B class or higher IPSC shooter) is perhaps the ultimate fighting handgun.

On the flip side. The average consumer who is not willing to become intimately familiar with an auto is much better off with a revolver or a semi-auto with no controls. If you aren't going to practice, get a wheel gun or a Glock and toss it in the drawer and forget about it.

 

[longeyes]

My first handgun was a Colt Lawman Mk III (2.5" barrel) some 25 years ago. I still have it and it is still at the ready for HD, loaded with the anointed .38spl 158g +P hollow-points (six of 'em). I have a Glock 30 with night sights I like to have available too--something very cool about those night sights glowing in the dark!--for its firepower (10 Powr'Ball, .45acp), but although the G30 has been ultra-reliable I will always have a revolver available as either a primary or back-up self-defense weapon.