First of all I really appreciate the functionality, reliability, and just plain fun of revolvers. I own several revolvers and am in no way a "revolver basher" but I do have an honest question. In terms of concealed carry, with the plethora of very compact, high capacity, and reliable semi auto cc pistols on the market today does the revolver still have its place in concealed carry? The reason I ask is that revolvers tend to be thicker (at the cylinder) and lower capacity than their semi auto counterparts and most autoloaders (from reputable manufacturers anyway) tend to be extremely reliable nowadays. For those of you who choose a revolver for ccw I'm curious as to why you made this choice over a modern semi auto. Thanks for the input.
Revolvers still have their place?
- Thread starter marb4
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I've gone back and forth on this, and eventually came down on the side of revolvers, although I still really like my autos.
My daily carry is a S&W 642, and it pocket carries like a champ. The manual of arms is as simple as it gets, and the 642 is actually easier to draw from the pocket than my Ruger LCP because the butt of the 642 sits higher.
I really can't bash my autos on reliability, as the three I carry are the Glock 19, Bulgarian Makarov, and Ruger LCP. The first two have never, and I mean NEVER malfunctioned on me, and the little LCP only had problems with Tula ammo.
I really have to say that it is just a personal preference based on intangibles. Revolvers are just plain cool to me.
My daily carry is a S&W 642, and it pocket carries like a champ. The manual of arms is as simple as it gets, and the 642 is actually easier to draw from the pocket than my Ruger LCP because the butt of the 642 sits higher.
I really can't bash my autos on reliability, as the three I carry are the Glock 19, Bulgarian Makarov, and Ruger LCP. The first two have never, and I mean NEVER malfunctioned on me, and the little LCP only had problems with Tula ammo.
I really have to say that it is just a personal preference based on intangibles. Revolvers are just plain cool to me.
Texan Scott
Member
Simple, reliable, effective, and loaded with ammo I can buy in any local hardware store... why not?
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I bought my first revolver to hunt with. Discovered I preferred shooting revolvers to semi-autos at the range. I don't like policing brass. And revolvers really shine when you get into reloading. I still carry semi-autos regularly, but more and more, I'm liking the revolvers for that purpose, too.
They are still VERY relevant. Why do you think everyone is coming out with polymer carry revolvers now?
If I carried a low round count CCW.. I'd probably carry a revolver. Same rounds as the small carry autos w/o the worry of FTF/Jams/etc and better grip.
I carry a G19/G26, but my wife carries a 642. It is a great platform and still very relevant.
If I carried a low round count CCW.. I'd probably carry a revolver. Same rounds as the small carry autos w/o the worry of FTF/Jams/etc and better grip.
I carry a G19/G26, but my wife carries a 642. It is a great platform and still very relevant.
Lawdawg45
Member
This is a passionate and touchy question for some, but I think it interesting that even on a LE forum that I frequent, when the Pro-Glockers were bragging on the superiority of their weapon, most admitted that they had a J Frame that they carried as a BUG and/or off duty! I was also surprised to learn that some specialty LE units such as K9 and SWAT Entry teams (those who only have 1 hand free) still use revolvers, especially the new 8 shot Scandium frame .357. In my opinion, the revolver's size, reliability and +P ammo capability still make it a viable choice for most.
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Guillermo
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in the name of disclosure, I am a revolver guy.
that said, the OP question has validity.
Revolvers are easy for new shooters to understand
Don't toss brass everywhere (reloading and evidence)*
a bad primer is dealt with by doing what you just did...pull the trigger
can be rendered safe by pushing one button
limp wrists cause no problem
Autos are, these days, almost as reliable
greater firepower
single action and striker fire can easier to shoot accurately (not DAO or DO)
fast reloads
bit they require more training if their is a malfunction
in the end, if everything works, the auto is probably superior
if it doesn't, revolver is superior for self-defense
Not self defense oriented, but some of us like the "no finicky" nature of a revolver. (they eat anything, even bubba's old weak handloads)
And the ability to index between ammo (lots of farmers and ranchers will keep two snake shot and four self defense rounds as they move about)
* before anyone THINKS I am saying something that I am not, read on. If one has to use a weapon in a self-defense, justifiable shooting, errant brass can be used by an overzealous prosecutor. "if you were here, how did your empty shell casing end up here?"
that said, the OP question has validity.
Revolvers are easy for new shooters to understand
Don't toss brass everywhere (reloading and evidence)*
a bad primer is dealt with by doing what you just did...pull the trigger
can be rendered safe by pushing one button
limp wrists cause no problem
Autos are, these days, almost as reliable
greater firepower
single action and striker fire can easier to shoot accurately (not DAO or DO)
fast reloads
bit they require more training if their is a malfunction
in the end, if everything works, the auto is probably superior
if it doesn't, revolver is superior for self-defense
Not self defense oriented, but some of us like the "no finicky" nature of a revolver. (they eat anything, even bubba's old weak handloads)
And the ability to index between ammo (lots of farmers and ranchers will keep two snake shot and four self defense rounds as they move about)
* before anyone THINKS I am saying something that I am not, read on. If one has to use a weapon in a self-defense, justifiable shooting, errant brass can be used by an overzealous prosecutor. "if you were here, how did your empty shell casing end up here?"
I have four handguns designated as self-defense weapons. Two are 9mm semi-autos, and two are 38 Special revolvers.
The M659 stays in my truck. Stainless and holding 15 rounds it's a tool.
A 2" M64 is the drawer next to the bed. Load is my own, a 125 JHP at 1150 FPS.
An older M39-2 often walks around with me. For even easier packing a Model 40 goes in the right front pocket. Slick when drawn from concealment the same 125 JHPs at a clocked 1150 FPS should work.
I feel comfortable with any of them. If I was a cop or a soldier I would want a semi-auto for sure. But for personal SD a revolver will do.
The M659 stays in my truck. Stainless and holding 15 rounds it's a tool.
A 2" M64 is the drawer next to the bed. Load is my own, a 125 JHP at 1150 FPS.
An older M39-2 often walks around with me. For even easier packing a Model 40 goes in the right front pocket. Slick when drawn from concealment the same 125 JHPs at a clocked 1150 FPS should work.
I feel comfortable with any of them. If I was a cop or a soldier I would want a semi-auto for sure. But for personal SD a revolver will do.
dusty14u
Member
I feel they are a viable alternative to semis. I have always loved the .357mag cartridge and although I don't carry a revolver all the time they get quite a bit of carry time. I am currently waiting for a IWB holster from SideGuard Holsters to carry the Rhino. I especially like the Rhino for its low recoil with good self defense .357 magnum loads. It points naturally and the DA trigger isn't bad. I prefer it over my SP101 because it is thinner, smaller and carries 6rds as opposed to 5.
R.W.Dale
Member
I recently after much tribulation and trying to CC everything from a g34 to a pf9 came to the conclusion that a revolver is best for my needs.
Even a small automatic on my body doesn't conceal nearly as well as a wheelgun with that straight grip printing like a "I have a gun" sign.
And with these small automatics capacity is only margionally better than my 905 with only a fraction of the reliability. Lets face it small autos are picky.
I also appreciate the fussless simplicity with wich a revolver loads and unloads at the end of the day. Not having bullet setback concerns means my ccw ammo lasts exponentially longer than with an auto and being bullet and charge insensitive it only takes a fraction of the rounds downrange to establish reliability with a load compared to a automatic
Accuracy is kind of a wash for me however I find I can point shoot much more accurately with a revolver.
Even a small automatic on my body doesn't conceal nearly as well as a wheelgun with that straight grip printing like a "I have a gun" sign.
And with these small automatics capacity is only margionally better than my 905 with only a fraction of the reliability. Lets face it small autos are picky.
I also appreciate the fussless simplicity with wich a revolver loads and unloads at the end of the day. Not having bullet setback concerns means my ccw ammo lasts exponentially longer than with an auto and being bullet and charge insensitive it only takes a fraction of the rounds downrange to establish reliability with a load compared to a automatic
Accuracy is kind of a wash for me however I find I can point shoot much more accurately with a revolver.
beag_nut
Member
Is there anything more reliable than a revolver, excluding derringers and single-shots?
They can digest virtually anything one can slip into the chamber (thinking .357 mag here).
They don't eject brass everywhere, which can be traceable.
The "cylinder bulge" is becoming less and less indicative of a firearm among non-shooters, so concealablity remains a strong suit.
If you can't hit your target with five or six rounds, either learn accuracy, or how to use a reloading device. Preferably the former.
And did I mention reliability?
They can digest virtually anything one can slip into the chamber (thinking .357 mag here).
They don't eject brass everywhere, which can be traceable.
The "cylinder bulge" is becoming less and less indicative of a firearm among non-shooters, so concealablity remains a strong suit.
If you can't hit your target with five or six rounds, either learn accuracy, or how to use a reloading device. Preferably the former.
And did I mention reliability?
The fact that revolvers are thicker at the cylinder is the very reason I find them MORE CONCEALABLE than a semi-automatic.
The outline of a small revolver is more "natural" forming to a body no matter where you carry. The outline is broken up instead of straight like a stick. Think about this... can you name me one part of your body that is perfectly straight? Or is everything curved? Even your shinbone has a curved contour when you look at your calf muscles next to it.
popeye
Member
I've got three revolvers left. S&W 640, SP101 DAO, and a Det. spec.. I carry one of the stainless guns in a back pocket holster in the summer and the DS on my belt when it's cold enough for a jacket. I'm 65 and I started with revolvers. I've never had a problem with them.
Green Lantern
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People may bash pocket carry, but if I'm allowed to carry at work with the caveat that pocket carry is about all I can manage with the dress code,* then a .38 in the pocket beats a 1911 in the car any day...
*Ankle carry is for guys more "limber" than me, and I'm skeptical over the tuckable IWB holsters as far as concealability goes.
Daily CCW is a Ruger LCR.
Admittedly, my Glock 26 could well supplant it one day. Similar size, lots more firepower. But it's heavier, and the LCR (with boot grips which I actually found I shoot BETTER with after buying some original ones) conceals just a tad better in most of my clothes. Plus pocket carry = more lint, and I don't always take the time to "de-fuzz" my carry piece like I ought to.
*Ankle carry is for guys more "limber" than me, and I'm skeptical over the tuckable IWB holsters as far as concealability goes.
Daily CCW is a Ruger LCR.
Admittedly, my Glock 26 could well supplant it one day. Similar size, lots more firepower. But it's heavier, and the LCR (with boot grips which I actually found I shoot BETTER with after buying some original ones) conceals just a tad better in most of my clothes. Plus pocket carry = more lint, and I don't always take the time to "de-fuzz" my carry piece like I ought to.
rswartsell
Member
Colt Detective Special here. They still work as well as they did in '27. Some would make an argument that the threat environment has changed and there would be some validity to that I suppose. I still hang my hat on the vast majority of self defense incidents at 7 yds or less, three shots or less. That and practice with a speedloader.
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MtnSpur
Member
Kinda partial to the DS as well though mine's a '76. Now then....ask the gentleman in Early, Texas that just last sunday put down the RV Park shooter with a .357, what he prefers.....I reckon he's going with revolver.
David E
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That old "3 shots or less" mantra has always been wrong.
It includes AD's, suicides, warning shots, animal put downs, etc, where only one shot is typically fired, skewing the "stat" downward.
I've carried and practiced extensively, with both. I finally came down on the side of the wheel guns. I've carried a Glock, Colt Combat Commander, Kimber Ultra Carry, and the HK mid-sized .40. I've also carried a number of revolvers, including S&W K's, L's, and N's; and Colt D's. I guess my heart is with the revolvers.
More of a "feeling" rather than any pure sense of logic. Difficult to explain.
More of a "feeling" rather than any pure sense of logic. Difficult to explain.
rswartsell
Member
Mtn Spur, mines a '70s vintage too. I was refering to year of introduction. Thanks David E, learned something.
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Go to The High Road's excellent Strategies, Tactics and Training sub-forum, which contains numerous threads and posts concerning real-life shooting incidents and gunfights.
Exclude from the sample those that are unlikely to happen to others but law enforcement officers. Then drop those that are examples of "spray & pray" syndrome. Then average the number of shots fired and hits made. For additional interest note the distance involved.
There are of course instances where a pistol’s larger ammunition capacity advantage played an important part, but on average I don't think they're very many, and reloading during a shooting is more an exception then the rule.
As an advanced senior citizen who over a relatively long lifetime only faced two times when he drew a handgun because the threat level made it seem wise, and then didn't have to fire a shot while the "threat" quickly took off, and who now leads a far from exciting life - even in an area that sometimes has some excitement going on, I am more then satisfied with a 5 or 6 shot revolver to defend what is left of my neck. I am unaware of anyone around here that has suffered serious consequences because they ran out of ammunition; regardless of what handgun they were carrying.
Besides, after a big shoot-out I hate having to bend over to recover my brass.
Exclude from the sample those that are unlikely to happen to others but law enforcement officers. Then drop those that are examples of "spray & pray" syndrome. Then average the number of shots fired and hits made. For additional interest note the distance involved.
There are of course instances where a pistol’s larger ammunition capacity advantage played an important part, but on average I don't think they're very many, and reloading during a shooting is more an exception then the rule.
As an advanced senior citizen who over a relatively long lifetime only faced two times when he drew a handgun because the threat level made it seem wise, and then didn't have to fire a shot while the "threat" quickly took off, and who now leads a far from exciting life - even in an area that sometimes has some excitement going on, I am more then satisfied with a 5 or 6 shot revolver to defend what is left of my neck. I am unaware of anyone around here that has suffered serious consequences because they ran out of ammunition; regardless of what handgun they were carrying.
Besides, after a big shoot-out I hate having to bend over to recover my brass.
MtnSpur
Member
And here I was lusting after a '27
....though we all know the 2" barrels were introduced on other models long before the DS was so named. Can you imagine a New Service with a 2" ? Now that would be some kinda KABOOM 
. Alas I only own 2 snubbies, the other a S&W my wife liberated for herself.- Status