bearman49709
Member
Revolvers hands down. Started with semi's in 1977, went to revolvers and there is no reason to go back.Only semi I own is a Buckmark.
Revolver Vs. Semi-Auto
- Thread starter wanderinwalker
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woad_yurt
Member
Until very recently, I was into S&W K-frames all the way, a total revolver guy. I'd been reloading .38 SPLs for a years and shooting like crazy at the range. I got pretty good with them, too, fast & accurate to the point where I had to invent ways to not bore myself. Then, I got an all-Belgian Hi-Power and my gun world changed.
The first time I shot it, I was doing as well as I ever did with my Model 67. I know that it wasn't only the Browning's doing. I realize that the years of range time has made me a better shooter than I was back when but, man oh man, that Hi-Power is really good. It's the only semi that's ever felt as good in my hand as a K-frame.
The first time I shot it, I was doing as well as I ever did with my Model 67. I know that it wasn't only the Browning's doing. I realize that the years of range time has made me a better shooter than I was back when but, man oh man, that Hi-Power is really good. It's the only semi that's ever felt as good in my hand as a K-frame.
armoredman
Member
I carry both. I love my CZ SP-01 Phantom, but I do not feel at all underarmed with my Smith Model 10-8 38 Special revolver.
RUT
Member
Got 'em both and like 'em both, but my "go to" gun would be an auto. 
brnmuenchow
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When, if ever in doubt... just get one of each.Revolver: Get a .357 Mag. (Sometimes having the option of shooting cheap .38 Spl. rounds are nice.)
Auto: I don't care what anyone say's but also having a .9mm around can also be quite nice on the wallet as well. (It may not be as powerful as a .45 ACP, but it is still cheaper to shoot.)
Of course unless you hand load.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool revolver man. I'm not really "opposed" to autos, it's just that I simply don't like any of them! Haven't found one yet that fits my hand, or points well. And I DETEST manual safeties on handguns, though I can make do with a 1911...
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wanderinwalker
Member
brnmuenchow said:
One of each? Check...
But I can't seem to find one of the semi-autos, it's an equal number. Two 9mms and a .22LR. Oh, and I do reload too!
And for those cracking-back door frames, that's what the 20ga and #3 buck is for. No indecision there!
Went thru the same decision process. While I can shoot my Glock 19s better than any of my revolvers and they have been 100% reliable, my J frames (442 or M38) are the ones I carry on my hip or in my pocket. I also have a 3" K Frame .357 but it's to heavy for EDC. Don't like small semis that I can't get my pinkie on.
The original point and click. There's beauty in simplicity. I can always carry my G19 if I'm going to a place where I think 5 may not be enough.
The original point and click. There's beauty in simplicity. I can always carry my G19 if I'm going to a place where I think 5 may not be enough.
QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW
Member
i love both especially my S&W M66 Combat Magnum in stainless that my grandfather purchased new in 1977. i have his receipt for the purchase as well as the original box, cleaning kit, etc.
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Deaf Smith
Member
I have come to the conclusion for pure fighting the simi-auto is king.
Now I said pure fighting! As in war. Hands down the simi-auto is the way to go if war comes.
But for self defense there are so many factors that revolvers still can hold it's own in most realistic self defense (not including a 21 ninja attack.)
But the revolver guy has to work harder to achieve the same level of skill as a simi-auto guy.
Still it can be done and for those who favor the 'six for sure' I won't argue with their choice.
Deaf
Now I said pure fighting! As in war. Hands down the simi-auto is the way to go if war comes.
But for self defense there are so many factors that revolvers still can hold it's own in most realistic self defense (not including a 21 ninja attack.)
But the revolver guy has to work harder to achieve the same level of skill as a simi-auto guy.
Still it can be done and for those who favor the 'six for sure' I won't argue with their choice.
Deaf
woad_yurt
Member
Trigger-wise, I agree. But, for some of us, revolvers point so much more naturally. There's a square blockiness about most semis that is at odds with lots of folks. Many revolvers of different makes feel quite at home in my hand but there's only one semi-auto that felt the same, the good, ol' Hi-Power.
jad0110
Member
^^^ Actually, as long as the trigger is smooth and you don't have arthritis in your finger joints, learning the trigger shouldn't be at all difficult, if one has an open mind. But a lot of shooters have the "it can't be done" attitude when it comes to DA triggers, and with that attitude yes, I would agree that you'd have to work harder to achieve any degree of success.
I admit to having that problem with the DA/SA transition on DA/SA autos.
I admit to having that problem with the DA/SA transition on DA/SA autos.
Deaf Smith
Member
woad,
Trigger wise (at least DA wise) AND reloading wise. The Simi is so much easier to reload quickly at night, in the rain, in the mud, moving while people are shooting at you, etc...
And yes jad, DA/SA simi-autos merely complicate the matter with the transition. I like my SIGs (239 and 229) but the DA/SA kind of forces you to think a bit. Still can be mastered but again it takes more effort than a single type of trigger action.
Deaf
Trigger wise (at least DA wise) AND reloading wise. The Simi is so much easier to reload quickly at night, in the rain, in the mud, moving while people are shooting at you, etc...
And yes jad, DA/SA simi-autos merely complicate the matter with the transition. I like my SIGs (239 and 229) but the DA/SA kind of forces you to think a bit. Still can be mastered but again it takes more effort than a single type of trigger action.
Deaf
I love carrying a full size revolver on my hip. If I ever OC, make it a revolver. But when it comes to plinking, once I pop, I can't stop. I like to have at least 13+ on tap for recreational shooting. As much as I like shooting my 1911 and revolvers, the fun's over too soon.
And for CCW, I can't carry my 3" GP100 as easily as a full size 9/40 - that thing is heavy. I also don't care much for lightweight revolvers when it comes time to actually do the shooting.
And for CCW, I can't carry my 3" GP100 as easily as a full size 9/40 - that thing is heavy. I also don't care much for lightweight revolvers when it comes time to actually do the shooting.
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woad_yurt
Member
Deaf Smith:
Revolvers have their place for those who shoot them well and for those who aren't shooting enthusiasts but simply would like a gun in the house to protect themselves, which, I would guess, are the vast majority of gun owners. I know quite a few people who have a gun but do not go to the range regularly to do speed-reloads or unjamming drills nor do they hang out on forums like this. They just want something simple to operate for a close-up emergency. Semis, while usually providing more firepower, also need more expertise, which the average person doesn't have, especially when in a life-or-death struggle in a dark environment.
Statistically, the chances of getting in any shooting situation are very, very slim. The chance of getting into an extended shoot-out which requires reloading is so much more remote that I wouldn't even know how to begin calculating. In skilled hands, a revolver will be fine for probable encounters. Your reloading-while-under-fire-and-slithering-around-at-night-in-the-rain-and-mud scenario sounds like a Die Hard movie and something requiring an AK, not a handgun.
A revolver will probably be better for most casual gun owners for 99.999%* of the situations in which said gun owner will likely find him/herself because it has the simplest manual of arms.
* That figure is only my guess-timate.
Revolvers have their place for those who shoot them well and for those who aren't shooting enthusiasts but simply would like a gun in the house to protect themselves, which, I would guess, are the vast majority of gun owners. I know quite a few people who have a gun but do not go to the range regularly to do speed-reloads or unjamming drills nor do they hang out on forums like this. They just want something simple to operate for a close-up emergency. Semis, while usually providing more firepower, also need more expertise, which the average person doesn't have, especially when in a life-or-death struggle in a dark environment.
Statistically, the chances of getting in any shooting situation are very, very slim. The chance of getting into an extended shoot-out which requires reloading is so much more remote that I wouldn't even know how to begin calculating. In skilled hands, a revolver will be fine for probable encounters. Your reloading-while-under-fire-and-slithering-around-at-night-in-the-rain-and-mud scenario sounds like a Die Hard movie and something requiring an AK, not a handgun.
A revolver will probably be better for most casual gun owners for 99.999%* of the situations in which said gun owner will likely find him/herself because it has the simplest manual of arms.
* That figure is only my guess-timate.
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Not intending to stir the pot, but...
I remember watching a video on TV of a guy in a store that was getting robbed. The store owner pulled an auto pistol of some kind out from the small of his back and began milking the pistol for all it was worth.... Pulling the trigger to no effect. Safety. I know, I know "he should have been trained", but this illustrates the point that I sometimes try to make. The revolver is a point and click tool. It is natural, it is instinctive, it is simple. If the guy had a revolver, it would have gone boom, and the bad guy could have hit the floor. Again, yes, I know, he should have practiced and been proficient in the use of his gun, and been able to easily flip off the safety. BUT, even with all the training in the world, many people simply are not cool under pressure and training goes out the window. Of course, with a DA auto pistol, he would have been fine too ;-)
I remember watching a video on TV of a guy in a store that was getting robbed. The store owner pulled an auto pistol of some kind out from the small of his back and began milking the pistol for all it was worth.... Pulling the trigger to no effect. Safety. I know, I know "he should have been trained", but this illustrates the point that I sometimes try to make. The revolver is a point and click tool. It is natural, it is instinctive, it is simple. If the guy had a revolver, it would have gone boom, and the bad guy could have hit the floor. Again, yes, I know, he should have practiced and been proficient in the use of his gun, and been able to easily flip off the safety. BUT, even with all the training in the world, many people simply are not cool under pressure and training goes out the window. Of course, with a DA auto pistol, he would have been fine too ;-)
BeerSleeper
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- 688
That's not a revolver vs autoloader issue. That's a SA/DA/Safety issue.
A DA auto without a safety allows a second trigger pull, but the revolver offers the added function that another trigger pull brings around a fresh round.
A DA auto without a safety allows a second trigger pull, but the revolver offers the added function that another trigger pull brings around a fresh round.
Have both. Like both.
Many factors. Physical limitations? House gun? Combat w/multiple assailants? Level of training required?
My 2 cents ---
If you have limited time to train, pick one. Carry it all the time. I know from personal experience that a 4" 357 carries IWB fine --- no, it's not uber light or small. Too bad.
Maintain it. Two things --- confidence that it works when you pull the trigger and a closer bond.
Then shoot. Both hands, one hand, either hand, point & snap. Dry fire (safety!).
Trust in your choice (and it is your choice). I think confidence in your firearm/ammo combination is what we all look for. Fear of "too little/too late" drives us all.
Lots of questions and advice on the perfect whatever. Arguments that it has to be a specific type, caliber, manufacturer, ... have entertainment value. Up close & personal, you need to count on yourself first.
Just don't shoot yourself in the foot.
Many factors. Physical limitations? House gun? Combat w/multiple assailants? Level of training required?
My 2 cents ---
If you have limited time to train, pick one. Carry it all the time. I know from personal experience that a 4" 357 carries IWB fine --- no, it's not uber light or small. Too bad.
Maintain it. Two things --- confidence that it works when you pull the trigger and a closer bond.
Then shoot. Both hands, one hand, either hand, point & snap. Dry fire (safety!).
Trust in your choice (and it is your choice). I think confidence in your firearm/ammo combination is what we all look for. Fear of "too little/too late" drives us all.
Lots of questions and advice on the perfect whatever. Arguments that it has to be a specific type, caliber, manufacturer, ... have entertainment value. Up close & personal, you need to count on yourself first.
Just don't shoot yourself in the foot.
Deaf Smith
Member
Whoa... 'average person does not have'? I think the average person is abit more able than that. Try reloading a revolver in the dark, in the rain, moving.. now that might be beyond the 'average person'.
We people can manipulate cars, computers, cell phones, etc.. So learning a simi-auto is not that hard.
For simi-autos, It's not the skill set that baffles them but may just don't want to take the time.
Deaf
Moptop
Member
My mantra: Revolvers don't jam!
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wanderinwalker
Member
But they can be tied up!
Let me think: crud under the extractor star, unscrewed ejector rod, case rim slipped under the extractor, primers backing out, bullets jumping crimp under recoil (not normally an issue with standard weight revolvers and calibers). I've witnessed the first three first hand, luckily not the last two though. Granted, those first three don't prevent you from getting the first 5-6-7 rounds out of the gun.
But I think I've finally decided which side of the coin I'm on; my next handgun is going to be a S&W Model 10 with a 4" pencil barrel, if I can find a clean one locally. And then a 4" M-28 Highway Patrolman. And if a Model 15 turns up...
woad_yurt
Member
All of the examples above will probably be used regularly for one's whole life under relaxed conditions. That is probably not so with a gun.
Even when a person is intimately familiar with some device, they may lose their cool when it hits the fan. Back when I was about 16, a woman drove through a crowded bank at midday because she swerved to avoid a duck that was in her lane. She had been driving for 20 years yet she panicked anyway. "Learning a simi-auto"* is not that hard but learning to be calm and collected under stress is, maybe even un-learnable for lots of people. Revolvers are pretty good for those who aren't the combat-hardened, non-flinching type.
* Is that spelling intentional?
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weisse52
Member
"Horses for courses"
I like them both and depending on what I am doing will decide which gets the nod.
I like them both and depending on what I am doing will decide which gets the nod.
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