Semiauto vs. revolver for home defense - Interesting day at the range, and a question

[CraigC]

I honestly don't understand why the crime rate would NOT be a factor. We all make choices based on our perceived need, or the odds that something will happen for us to need a firearm to defend ourselves. Has nothing to do with "nice criminals", that's a rather absurd comment to make. It has to do with the likelihood 'it' will happen. In low crime, rural areas it makes plenty of sense to carry just whatever you're comfortable with, as a "better than nothing" approach. IMHO, this is where the pocket guns shine. However, if I lived in Memphis or had to travel there often, I'd go "heavy", because the odds that one might need a firearm for self defense go up exponentially. Around here, not so much.

 

[Tallball]

"I honestly don't understand why the crime rate would NOT be a factor."

Me neither. I just moved from an area with almost no crime, to a much "sketchier" place with a higher crime rate.

It was darker than usual this morning when I walked my dog. Two homeless-looking guys kind of followed me in the distance for a few blocks, got a good look at the size of the dog, and wandered away.

That would have NEVER happened in my old neighborhood. I never saw homeless people in the 19 years I lived there. The local LEO officers would have spotted them and run them off. Same as the imaginary "gang of thugs" who somehow decided a very long road trip to the exurbs to try to rob people while they're gardening would be a smart move. Hint: They would stand out like a sore thumb and would be pulled over in minutes.

The local LEO are constantly busy with real crimes here in my new town, and they can't run off the local residents for being "sketchy" in their own neighborhood. I have to keep my eyes open for real things like getting mugged or having my lawnmower stolen. I don't have the time or effort to invent fantasies about why I'm not safe in my bathroom. (The actual risk is slipping and falling in the shower, not "intruders".)

 

[film495]

not a bad idea. nothing wrong with a revolver and I keep one at home because at night, and who knows - I might be half drunk at 3:30AM or just out of it, and fumbling with a safety when half delerious and an intruder coming up my stairs doesn't appeal to me.

 

[trackskippy]

Well, you know how things ALWAYS go, and no matter where you might live.... if anything is going to happen, its going to wait to happen, until you're in the bathroom. I think that must be a law too.

 

[Pat Riot]

My wife and I live in a small house. We’re retired. We live in a nice middle class town. Our neighborhood is definitely not a wealthy one, but low crime. Illegal fireworks seems to be the biggest infraction.
Our bedroom gun is a S&W 327 Night Guard.
Why? Because it’s the one gun my wife likes and shoots well. I shoot it very well.
I also keep a couple of loaded Glocks with backup mags in other rooms of the house.

Nice neighborhood or not, we always lock our front door unless we are going in or out. At night we have outdoor lighting on. We always close curtains in the early evening so people cannot easily look in.
My family thinks I am weird because we always lock our doors and lock shut windows.
Prevention is the first step to safety at home.

 

[.38 Special]

I was one of those who was drug into the thumbs forward grip kicking and screaming until I quit bitching about things and actually made the effort to learn and actually use it.

Now, if I try and go back to using the "thumb over thumb" grip Id used in the past (which was the latest and greatest of the time too, I might add), its instantly noticeable why its no longer the current "fad".

360° "meat on metal" contact really does make a major difference in control of the gun, auto, or revolver too.

Yea, I don't know. The latest fad might work well for you, but as a generalization I just don't accept it. Here's Jerry with his opinion...

 

[trackskippy]

I can understand the hesitation by some to use the thumbs forward grip with a revolver, especially if you have overly large hands, long thumbs, but its pretty hard not to use it, once youre accustomed to it and see the advantages. And the advantages are certainly there, if youre willing to give it a little time and learn to use it.

Every time I try and go back to the thumbs over grip I used in the past, it feels really weird and off now, and my grip is definitely weaker and less solid on the gun.

But hey, use whatever works best for you. The only way we learn, is to try the new stuff out and see what its all about, and prove it right or wrong.

 

[Tallball]

I use the same thumbs-forward grip on revolvers and semiautos both. All of my carry pieces are DAO. Draw, squeeze, bang (with thumbs forward).

My hands are XXL and my thumbs are long. I've never had problems with "thumbs forward" on a revolver, and I've shot them that way for ages.

 

[Show Me]

Hello – I had an interesting experience at the range yesterday, and as a result, I would like some opinions from THR.

To set the stage for my question: I currently keep a J-frame revolver at home for my home defense gun. I live in a decent neighborhood with low crime, so under the circumstances, it fits the bill.

I chose a revolver at home for the following reasons:
1) It’s repeatable and reliable: If a round fails to go off, I simply pull the trigger again to chamber a new round.
2) It’s low maintenance: It can sit in its assigned place for 10 or 15 years, and I still have confidence that it will work when needed.
3) There’s nothing to think about in a stressful situation (is it loaded, is a round already chambered, etc.) Just point and shoot.
4) The heavier DA trigger pull provides some insurance against an accidental discharge while both under stress and possibly half asleep, depending on the situation.
5) A J-frame fits well in its assigned place.

All my other guns are semiautos (EDC, competition, etc.) I do have a K-frame and L-frame, but I use them only for range toys.

Now here is the rub and the source of my question:

I routinely cycle through my defensive weapons at least once a year, to ensure both functionality and familiarity. Yesterday I went to the range to shoot my J-frame, and when I picked it up for the first time, I was confused on how to hold it. My muscle memory is used to the semi-auto hold (both thumbs forward on frame, right thumb over left thumb, etc.) That of course doesn’t work well with a revolver, so I had to think for a minute and adjust my hold.

That got me to thinking and wondering: In a stressful home situation, when reaching for my revolver, it might take me a few seconds to get the right grip on it, delaying any action I might want to take. Not good, and a source of concern to me.

Now my question: Do you think I should go “all in” on semiautos for my defensive purposes, including home, so that I have one grip to use for everything instinctively? I’d save the revolvers for range toys, but otherwise I would be using the same handgun grip for EDC, competition, and home use. That enables my muscle memory to be consistent and avoids any possible confusion in a stressful situation.

I’m not considering any type of rifle or shotgun in this question, so no need to recommend them. It’s strictly between semiauto and revolver in the home. I have another semiauto I can put into my home defense rotation, so this decision won't cost me anything either way.

Any thoughts one way or the other? I realize there is no "right" answer; just looking for some perspectives to help me make a decision.

Thanks

Tell my brother all the time. Too many firearms. Too much reloading. How do we get proficient with all of them. He wants no part of my new system. Some people could have been fighter pilots or race care drivers. Not me

 

[Space Ghost]

IMHO, there is no right or wrong to either a carry or HD handgun. A revolver or a pistol can serve well for either roll.
That said, there is one steadfast rule that does apply equally to both.
Whatever you choose... for either HD or for carry... MUST be something you are very familiar with, and practice with on a regular basis.
I can't say if you should swap out your HD gun or not, but at the very least, you need to start training with it more.
A lot more.


For example:
My preferred HD weapon is an AR SBR in 5.56 with a can. (leaning up by the headboard)
No matter what gun I go to the range with... I ALWAYS take this one. It gets shot every time.
I'm also a veteran (multiple combat deployments) who spent 28 years of my life with a similar type of weapon in my hands... so I'm very comfortable with the platform.

My carry gun also sits on the nightstand at night. (back up HD)
This one always goes to the range as well.
I don't swap out that often, and when I do it's so rarely, I don't use that gun that night. My normal carry gun stays there, so I know what to expect.
It's a Glock. I have a 1911, and a matched set of S&W 686s... but they are my "dress guns". They don't see nightstand duty.

No matter what I shoot at the range, these two get shot. These are my defensive weapons, so I train with them the most.

 

[Mstafford88]

Hey, new here but I feel doing over a decade as a LEO I wanted to put my 2¢ in if I may:

1: I commend you for realizing that there was an issue when you picked up your chosen home defense gun. You realized that your first choice (regardless of it’s MY first choice or anyone else on the forum) but your first choice had the possibility of causing you further harm.

2: Anything is better than nothing. We can’t rely on good vs bad neighborhood, which is being addressed above. I’ve answered more B&E in rich neighborhoods because guess what, they got nicer stuff!

3: if I’ve learned anything it’s train like you mean it. Use your chosen firearm and train OFTEN. If you now feel uncomfortable with the revolver, you have 2 solutions: 1: get yourself a bigger revolver or 2: go semiauto. My brother’s bedside gun is his Taurus judge

 

[Leon tP]

Hello – I had an interesting experience at the range yesterday, and as a result, I would like some opinions from THR.

Lots of opinions around here. Maybe, I can entertain you with mine.

All my other guns are semiautos (EDC, competition, etc.) I do have a K-frame and L-frame, but I use them only for range toys.

Actually, that K-frame would probably be my choice... IF you decide to practice with it in a serious manner.

Yesterday I went to the range to shoot my J-frame, and when I picked it up for the first time, I was confused on how to hold it.

Okay, when I read this the first time I let out an audible groan.
Fortunately, you weren't around to hear it. My first two thoughts were 1) You need to take that revolver to the range a lot more if you're going to bet your life on it. And 2) If you refuse to practice more with your J-frame or any other revolver, for that matter, then it's time to go all-in on the semi-auto and make your EDC your Every Where Carry, to include Nightstand Duty.

Btw, the whole nice neighborhood idea is just that, a nice idea. High crime vs. Low crime is just a matter of frequency of occurrence but if/when it happens to you, will you be ready?

It's great to live in a nice neighborhood where crime 'never' happens but what if it does? And it's just your luck that it happens to you. Of course, all of your neighbors will rush right out and preach to anyone who will listen, "We're all shocked! That sort of thing never happens around here." Worried about property values declining?

Of course things like that never happen... until they do.

I spent the last few decades shooting all handguns with my right thumb against the frame and my left thumb on top of my right. This worked fine. I recently have been attending a school where they insist that I ditch that "old fashioned" technique and instead use the currently fashionable "thumbs forward". This also has worked fine for all handguns - although it doesn't offer any advantage at all, as far as I can tell.
...

I would just thank the instructor for his help and then go on my way.

If you shoot just as good with your current technique versus the technique being taught then your method isn't wrong! After all, the purpose of this training is to get you on target fast, get good hits fast and to keep getting good hits fast. If you can honestly say there's no appreciable difference in either technique when YOU use it and you are more accustomed to your "old" method then your method is right for you.

I compete in sport shooting using both techniques. I compete in both semi-auto and revolver divisions and I do very well in both using two different techniques. Truthfully, when I'm out there, I don't even think about the different techniques I just use them automatically and without terrifyingly ill effects.

So I wouldn't lose sleep over it. You do you.

 

[.38 Special]

I can understand the hesitation by some to use the thumbs forward grip with a revolver, especially if you have overly large hands, long thumbs, but its pretty hard not to use it, once youre accustomed to it and see the advantages. And the advantages are certainly there, if youre willing to give it a little time and learn to use it.

Every time I try and go back to the thumbs over grip I used in the past, it feels really weird and off now, and my grip is definitely weaker and less solid on the gun.

But hey, use whatever works best for you. The only way we learn, is to try the new stuff out and see what its all about, and prove it right or wrong.

I've given it a great deal of time and find no advantage. That doesn't mean that you don't see any advantage, but rather that it cannot be said to be a universal improvement.