First let me state that I have traditionally always been a revolver guy. I learned to shoot on a wheel gun and carry one almost exclusively to protect myself and my family. I have believed what I have always been taught, "revolvers are simpler and more reliable than semi autos".
A couple weeks ago I purchased a brand new Kimber K6s and today I just dropped it off at UPS for a trip back to the factory for repair. This got me to thinking about my recent experience with revolvers and what I discovered shocked me:
In the last 10 years I have purchased 15 new revolvers. Of these, 8 have had to go back to the factory for significant repair!
Note: I don't shoot handloads or give any of my guns a steady diet of high pressure "hot" ammo. I clean and maintain all of my firearms with great care.
So, is it possible that in reality revolvers are not the "simplest and most reliable" firearms or have I just had a run of really crappy luck?
Below is a list of my revolvers that have had to make a trip back to the factory for repair. Notice that this list includes manufacturers with great reputations and those of lesser reputations. FWIW - all of these manufacturers have demonstrated very good service in returning and repairing the weapons.
Ruger GP100 - Broken hand/pawl
Ruger LCR 38 - Cracked topstrap - unrepairable
Ruger LCR 357 - Significant timing problems
NAA Mini 22 Mag - Keyholed every other shot
Charter Arms Undercover 38 - Defective barrel
Taurus Tracker 22lr - Completely locked up action
S&W 642 J frame - Excessive B/C gap - .013
Kimber K6s - Excessive endshake causing cylinder face to drag on forcing cone.
A couple weeks ago I purchased a brand new Kimber K6s and today I just dropped it off at UPS for a trip back to the factory for repair. This got me to thinking about my recent experience with revolvers and what I discovered shocked me:
In the last 10 years I have purchased 15 new revolvers. Of these, 8 have had to go back to the factory for significant repair!
Note: I don't shoot handloads or give any of my guns a steady diet of high pressure "hot" ammo. I clean and maintain all of my firearms with great care.
So, is it possible that in reality revolvers are not the "simplest and most reliable" firearms or have I just had a run of really crappy luck?
Below is a list of my revolvers that have had to make a trip back to the factory for repair. Notice that this list includes manufacturers with great reputations and those of lesser reputations. FWIW - all of these manufacturers have demonstrated very good service in returning and repairing the weapons.
Ruger GP100 - Broken hand/pawl
Ruger LCR 38 - Cracked topstrap - unrepairable
Ruger LCR 357 - Significant timing problems
NAA Mini 22 Mag - Keyholed every other shot
Charter Arms Undercover 38 - Defective barrel
Taurus Tracker 22lr - Completely locked up action
S&W 642 J frame - Excessive B/C gap - .013
Kimber K6s - Excessive endshake causing cylinder face to drag on forcing cone.