Semi-auto revolver

[Checkman]

A couple of years ago I got to shoot a Webley semi-auto revolver. It was manufactured just prior to WW1 and is owned by a collector in Eastern Idaho. Up until then I'd only seen photos of it. He was generous enough to let me shoot three rounds through it. Very strange sensation watching the revolver turn while simultaneously the receiver came back.
I understand that shortly after WW1 started it became apparant that the design wasn't up to the rigors of life in the trenches. Because of this ,and the fact that Webley had it's hands full producing the Mk VI revolver, the model was discontinued. Now the concept has returned with the Mateba. Interesting, but I have yet to see one here in Idaho. I'm curious though.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I, too, have been fortunate enough to fire a Webley-Fosberry.

Funky isn't the word for it.

What most people don't realize is that the WF was an EXTREMELY accurate firearm and held many British target shooting records until after WW II.

 

[MrAcheson]

To quote Bogie "Webley-Fosberry, they don't make them anymore."

Semi-auto revolvers are sort of a question nobody asked. They're not as rugged as a DA revolver and have lower magazine capacity than an auto. Neither was a good thing for the venerable "zig-zag."

Now if mateba made an underbarrel top-break DA revolver, oh baby!

 

[Brian D.]

As rare as they actually are, I've heard them mentioned by TV news reporters lotsa times. As in "The assailant was said by witnesses to be armed with a large semiautomatic revolver. Must be akin to the infamous "Glock service revolver" that went off when a police officer was "cleaning" it at home! Have even the term "semiautomatic revolver" used by dispatchers on police radio frequencies a time or two... Seriously, as an owner of a few Webley .38 and .45 revos thru the years, I'd love to give the Fosberry a whirl at the range. Thus far, I've only handled one, at an Ohio Gun Coll. Association show. Whoops, had to edit to spell out "association"; the robo-censor wouldn't let me use an abbreviation...