Revolvers vs Autoloaders, what do YOU like more?

What is it that you have in your arsenal?

  • Mostly Revolvers

    Votes: 57 22.2%

  • Mostly Autoloaders

    Votes: 78 30.4%

  • Wheelguns Only

    Votes: 10 3.9%

  • Automatics Only

    Votes: 24 9.3%

  • Both semi-autos and wheelguns

    Votes: 88 34.2%
  • Total voters
    257
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Rival wrote:

"Well, naturally, I figured that if someone LIKES revolvers more, they would have more revolvers in the list of guns they have. "

Not necessarily. I have four autoloaders and two revolvers, even though I prefer revolvers. The reason I have more autoloaders is partly because revolvers are more versatile (I use the same revolver for hunting deer and target shooting) and because autoloaders are more practical in a lot of circumstances. For example, while I enjoy target shooting with my Blackhawk, I bought a CZ75B for competetive league shooting, and while I use the Blackhawk for deer hunting, if I need a gun for home defense I'll grab my Glock 21. I'd probably even hunt with the Glock, but .45 ACP isn't legal for deer in MInnesota.

I plan to purchase at least three more revolvers over the next couple of years, but I will likely purchase at least that many autoloaders in the same period, so autoloaders will continue to outnumber the revolvers. And I'll probably continue to prefer the revolvers.
 
I just traded my only revolver away for an another auto.
I just could never get into the heavy DA trigger pull and poor rapid fire accuracy. I have a LW Commander and now a CZ-83. Both guns hold more ammo, are more accurate(for me, your mileage may vary), and have better trigger pulls. My most recent revolver was a 686-4 4" barrelled model that I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with. It was a beautiful gun to look at, but I need an accurate, working gun/tool not a good looking show piece. As far as reliabilty, I trust JMB proven design over the complicated lockwork of a revolver anytime. The CZ design ain't bad either.

Having said that, There will be more wheelguns in my future. Probably a 44 mag or 45 Colt for hiking and camping. I also like J-frame revolvers though I don't shoot them very well. If Taurus made a six-shot 45ACP revolver with no ports I'd get one of those right away.

This is my opinion. Your opinion may vary.

ZM
 
I have broken revolvers and autos. I guess I play rough.:D I trust Glocks most of all. I carry Glocks,Sigs and a S&W snub 649.
 
Like many people, I started shooting with revolvers, but switched over to the higher capacity of non-1911 semi's. Several years ago I acquired a S&W 629. Out of the box I was much more accurate with it than with my SIG's.
Intellectually and for ease of concealment, I like semi's, but there is no denying the accuracy of a fine revolver. I simply shoot wheelguns better and therefore have more confidence in my ability to handle difficult situations.
BTW, I have found my revolvers to be a bit more finicky than my SIG's, (i.e., if the front end of the pin inside of the ejector rod of a 629 gets peened, it will prevent the cylinder from advancing. Luckily it was just a minor speed bump on the road of the revolver.)
Steve
 
I like a good revolver and they are what I started on... but I'm an autoloader guy. I prefer the manual of arms for most autoloaders, I shoot them better and faster. More comfortable for the most part, too.
 
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I currently only have one firearm, my .38 Snub-nose. I find it a pleasure to shoot at the range and agree with the experts at my small local gun shop that a revolver is going to be a lot more reliable than an autoloader when you need it the most.

As far as concealability, I sometimes have issues with what I want to wear and what holster to use, but it just comes down to using the correct holster and dressing properly.

My next handgun purchase will probably be a 1911 in .45 ACP, however I think this will be more of a home defense and range run, and possibly something I occasionally carry in the cooler seasons with a sweatshirt or coat.

However, my favorite local Gander Mountain "gun nut" has been getting me interested in a Bersa .380 ACP. He currently owns one as his carry pistol and has put over 5,000 rounds through it without a malfunction whatsoever. I really like the small size, 3 1/2" barrel length, holds an extra 2 rounds than my revolver (Bersa capacity is 7+1) and word-of-mouth reliability from those at the range I've talked to. Considering it was last advertised at $200 on sale, it will probably be the next piece in my collection.

Will I still shoot and carry my revolver? Of course! What good is a gun just lying around collecting dust? Seems like that would be a waste! :scrutiny:

Which do I prefer, though? The revolver - doesn't jam, doesn't send brass flying (I've been whacked in the side of the head at the range a few times), and easier to clean and maintain. The advantages of the autoloaders (higher magazine capacity and easier concealment) do make for a good carry gun as well, though.

I guess it's just a matter of personal taste.

-MW
 
both..I like the 357 mag and the 44 mag caliber performance,this is why I like the revolvers.I like the 22 autos ease to shoot and the 9mm makarovs comfort in an inbetween caliber...not quite 9mm parabellum and not quite the 380 ..just right.

I like em both mostly because there are times that a hogleg fits the situation better...like taking large game vs the close range and plinking fun of autos.
 
When it comes to handguns my first exposure and experience was with an autoloader and those are still most prevalent in my collection today. I bought my first revolver only last year and fell in love with the simplicity and classic styling. It certainly gave me a deeper appreciation for the revolver, and although I will most likely always be more biased toward the semiauto, I think a few more revos will find their way into my safe!
 
My handgun collection is split 50/50. Which do I Like better? Revolvers, for several reasons:

- More power

- More versatile, can load up or down, no failure to feed problems

- Longer effective range

- More accurate (in my hands at least)

- Don't have to pick up my brass after a shooting session (especially helpful on a snow covered range)
 
I find shooting revolvers more fun and bit more challenging, especially when factoring in reloading time.

I also find shooting a revolver makes me stand out from the crowd a bit, especially during local competitions.

That said, I mostly carry an auto (glock 27) right now because it's slimmer and easier to conceal.
 
For utility I like autos but I never owned a pocket auto like a G26 or :banghead: HK P2000 :banghead: :cuss:

S&W M10s sure is fun though :evil:
 
Revolvers vs Autos.

I have both, and enjoy them both but I find myself shooting more revolvers more and more. I hate losing brass and looking for it in the grass and weeds. I seem to lose about 10% of my auto brass when I use them out doors. I do love revolvers more I think. :)
 
I have mostly autoloaders, but I can't say that I definitively like them more than revolvers. It depends on the gun and it's intended use.

For hiking in the woods, I can't think of anything I'd rather have than a big magnum revolver with a long barrel for lots of velocity. I've got a .357 N-frame, but I'm thinking a .44Mag or .45Colt is in my future.

For pocket carry, nothing beats a lightweight J-frame snubby like my 642.

For IWB concealed carry, I love a slim single stack semi-auto. JMB probably didn't know it at the time, but this was the job the 1911 was born for.

For plinking, gotta love a semi-auto .22LR. My CZ-Kadet is just wonderful in this role.

For target shooting, it depends on my mood. I love a full size 1911, but get pure enjoyment from a 4-6" barrel .38 special K-frame also.
 
I have both, and I think both are better for certain jobs. But I just like autos. They point more naturally for me. With a revolver, it feels like I'm pointing a tool and using it. With an auto, it feels like an extension of my body.
 
Well, I've gone full circle.
Started out on single action revolvers and when I paid my dues, I got a SA/DA polymer H&K .45 compact.
I now have more than a dozen of each, and can't really choose one over the other.
*Sniff* I guess I love 'em all.
 
Many yrs ago when I first started getting into guns, I thought that revolvers had a serious design flaw. I thought ( and kinda still do) think that having the firing pin mounted on the hammer made it vulnerable to serious damage. My wife has a Rossi K frame that she has had for many yrs without a problem, but she doesnt shoot it much, anyway.
 
I'd say revolvers mostly. Technically I probably shoot a 22lr semi auto more than anything but that is only because my wife swipes my 38 special and 357 magnum ammunition out of my bag while I set up targets.:cuss: and 22lr is all that I'm left with, or 380acp because she doesn't like my Walther.

-Jim
 
Revolvers.....

although it's been a back-and-forth struggle over the years.

I liked two of my Glocks for their functional reliability (the third, a 30, was a 'dud'), and the military pistols such as the Parabellum, Tokarev, Steyr, Beretta, Browning P-35, etc. are fun to collect and shoot.

Revolvers just do what I want a handgun to do better...for me.:)

I even shoot Bullseye (ISSF) with a revolver! :eek:
 
I like autos the best. I just have more fun shooting them. Right now my carry gun is a Taurus 605 because of the work I'm doing. Shooting 357's from a snubby just isn't that much fun. ouch.
 
I enjoy shooting .357 from my 605. I continue to be surprised by the accuracy of the little gun. I can usually put 4 out of 5 rounds through the bullseye at 21 feet.

The other day I rented a Glock 36 and I found myself shooting amazingly well with that gun, too. I had a Glock 26 to compare it to, and I also brought my 21. I shot the 36 and 605 more accurately than my 21 or the 26. After a couple of hundred rounds through each gun I figured out why--the thin grips on the smaller guns placed my finger at a better angle for squeezing the trigger without moving the barrel. I adjusted my grip on the guns with double-stack magazines to approximate the trigger position of the revolver and single stack autoloader and that helped quite a bit.

I think this could explain why I shoot revolvers more accurately than I shoot autoloaders. All my autoloaders except my Bersa (which I shoot quite well) are double-stacked with fat grips. Maybe when I get this figured out I'll go from "mostly revolvers" to "both revolvers and autoloaders" in this poll.
 
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