Revolver's main advantage?

[minutemen1776]

I had to think about this one for a minute, but my answer is "simplicity." I've probably owned a dozen or more revolvers, but I admit that I've ultimately decided I don't like them as much as autos, and so I just have one left in my inventory. Still, they're certainly simple to operate. Load the cylinder, close it, pull the trigger, dump the empties. Even the simplest autos have detachable mags and at least a couple of levers or buttons to operate, not to mention racking the slide. Autos certainly don't amount to rocket science, but revolvers are still a tad simpler.

Like others have said, I've also had revolvers with major reliability problems. In fact, I'd say that, on the whole, my autos have been more reliable than my revolvers. For me, autos are also more accurate and ergonomic (maybe there's a connection, at least in my hands). With service weapons, safety and ruggedness are a wash. And, though revolvers can generally chamber more powerful cartridges, autos are capable of a sufficient level of power for most purposes other than hunting. So, "simplicity" it is.

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear THR,

CraigC said "flavor," which is good. But I would go a bit further and say, "character." Semi-autos are lifeless, while revolvers have personalities. Could a plastic semi-auto pistol ever be your friend? I don't see how.

LBS

 

[youngda9]

Could a plastic semi-auto pistol ever be your friend? I don't see how.

A plastic auto pistol is the enemy of my enemy...and the enemy of my enemy is my friend

 

[fourdollarbill]

Revolvers are the only handguns made what are you comparing it to?

 

[markshere2]

Reliability:

A revolver is like a fork.
When you pick it up, it works.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The real advantage of the revolver is it doesn't spit your brass all over the woods.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I voted "simplicity".

Cylinder out, put cartridges in holes, cylinder in, point gun at target and pull trigger repeatedly. No magazine, magazine release, slide, slide catch, safety, failure drills, etc.

I find that when teaching new shooters how to handle and shoot different firearms, the semi-auto pistols get the most "oohs and ahhs", but the loading/unloading/operation of the revolvers gets mastered much faster.

When it comes down to it, revolvers take a number of possible "operator errors" out of the equation, when compared to a semi-auto. Simplicity.

 

[m500'92]

The real advantage of the revolver is it doesn't spit your brass all over the wood

Yes, huge advantage for reloading and more time spent shooting.

 

[gordy]

2003 to 2010
And there is still no good reason to sell your revolver and buy a auto,
Unless if it is a Sig.

 

[Lou McGopher]

Nostalgia.

 

[Lou McGopher]

From an operator's standpoint, I don't see how using a revolver is any simpler than using a semi-auto.

Cylinder out

= release magazine

put cartridges in holes

= load magazine

cylinder in

= insert magazine

For SA revolvers, cocking the hammer = racking the slide.

And there are failure drills for revolvers.

And as for reliability, if I drop my XD in the mud, I'm pretty sure it's going to fire when I pick it up. Can't say the same for the Blackhawk. That thing will probably jam up.

My vote went to Power.

 

[Smith357]

And there are failure drills for revolvers.

Pull the trigger again.

 

[OregonJohnny]

From an operator's standpoint, I don't see how using a revolver is any simpler than using a semi-auto.

Quote:
Cylinder out
= release magazine
Quote:
put cartridges in holes
= load magazine
Quote:
cylinder in
= insert magazine

For SA revolvers, cocking the hammer = racking the slide.

I've seen new shooters put a magazine in backwards, I've seen plenty of people not able to rack a slide, I've seen people pull the trigger and wonder why the gun doesn't go off (safety engaged), and I've seen people accidentally hit the mag release and fumble in the dirt for the dropped mag. These are all "problems" that you just won't have with a revolver. Granted, Glock-style pistols without external safeties eliminate 1 possible problem, but you still have the (rare) opportunity for feeding/ejecting issues that require more than just another pull of the trigger (such as with a revolver).

I LOVE my semi-autos, but for sheer simplicity (especially for new shooters) a revolver wins.

 

[MCgunner]

In reality, all of the above.

 

[iScream]

I agree with most - all of the above. But, if I had to choose one reason over all others from the list, it would be simplicity. Simplicity is what leads to several of the other factors in revolvers. The simplicity of the barrel and sights being a solid unit leads to accuracy along with (usually) a longer barrel and longer sight radius. The simplicity of the revolver leads to reliability, not nearly as many moving parts during the entire firing cycle (although some revolvers will make a challenge to that statement). The simplicity of the two solid units, cylinder and barrel, lead to ruggedness, power and safety.

And perhaps most important, it sure is simple to find your brass after firing a revolver!

I wasn't going to vote since I didn't see a single option to reflect my opinion but I agree with all of the above.

Reloading is a big consideration for me. Both not having to worry about whether a round will cycle and ease of keeping brass.

So, I'll vote for Simplicity.

-Chris

 

[RidgwayCO]

I love my revolvers for their power, their simplicity, their reliability, and their beauty. They are my number one choice for handgun hunting, as well as a relaxing day at the range.

But if the zombies come, my Glock 17 is what I'll reach for. 18 rounds in the gun and 34 rounds in two magazines on my belt (and if I have time I'll have multiple full 17-round magazines in my pockets). If the SHTF, I'll trade all the things I love about my revolvers for the Glock's capacity, combat accuracy, and stone cold reliability.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The best advantage a revolver has is its ability to shoot and not have to or be able to recoil and the thing will still shoot again.

For example: Jam the gun into an assailants ribs and pull the trigger until it goes click. This is a great way to jam up an auto.

 

[nonseven]

Power to weight ratio.

 

[high country]

Zombie invasion = high capacity semi-auto with lots of loaded magazines. But a person that made the very poor life decision to invade my home at 3 in the morning when I am asleep = revolver with full house .357 hollow points. Not sure what that advantage would be exactly, I guess power and simplicity, or reliability.

Combine that with the enjoyment of an afternoon at the range with a bunch of .38 wadcutters that wouldn't feed or cycle the slide on a semi-auto, where the versitility is an advantage, particularly if you reload.

Some days I want the feel of an a nice heavy all steel revolver, others I want to pop of a bunch of rounds from a semi-auto. So, I own and use both. If I could only have one for HD and range days, it would be the revolver (but, if the SHTF, I would be grabbing the P-89, and a whole bunch of ammo).

 

[Carl N. Brown]

My vote is for the ability to shoot in my Security Six everything from .38 Spl wadcutter for target or small game to .357 Mag 158gr JSP for large animal attack to .38 Spl 125gr JHP for home defense.

An auto does not allow that wide a range of ammo options.

 

[Lou McGopher]

And there are failure drills for revolvers.

Pull the trigger again.

And if the problem is with the trigger getting stuck, or the cylinder not rotating or not swinging out? I can't be the only person here who has experienced and witnessed this happening.

If by reliability, we mean "longevity," then certainly the revolver wins by a mile. If we mean "performance even when it gets dirty," I think the outcome is gonna be different.

I love the look, feel, and operation of a wheelgun. I'm just saying that if something goes wrong with one, pulling the trigger again isn't always the solution.

 

[Smith357]

And if the problem is with the trigger getting stuck, or the cylinder not rotating or not swinging out? I can't be the only person here who has experienced and witnessed this happening.

If you have those problems with your revolver you are not going to fix them with a rack rack slap kick rack rack slap rack, you will need tools.

You are not the only person to witness it happening, its just I see bottom feeders fail in some respect every time I'm at the range, revolvers once every couple of years.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Brass recovery for reloading

Brass recovery for reloading is 100% with my revolver.

Brass recovery for reloading on a good day is 90% with my Mauser.

With my CZ 52, the brass is ejected through a space time warp to the far side of the moon.

 

[revolversrbetter]

Simplicity. I feel a revolver is safer because it is more simple. The fact of the matter is if I have a weapon on my person for one reason or another, I usually have something else on my mind - like, 'don't trip on that deadfall in front of me' as I'm hiking up a mountain. If I unexpectedly need to bring that weapon to bear, I don't want to have to think about it. Just reach, point, and go from there...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Simplicity -- and not throwing your brass all over the woods -- are the two main advantages of revolvers.