Thinking About Selling My Revolver

[TestPilot]

If you have a crowd show up with AK's, you're Glock or other high capacity pistol is already undergunned. You'd need something belt fed, preferably full auto. ...

How does that chance the fact that 15 shots are still better than 6?

...
Do you own anything so valuable that such a group would single you out and press the attack despite their losses? If not, then such a scenario isn't worth worrying about.

You need to know that a lot of these criminals do not think the way you do. Group of gangbangers will jump in a car to retaliate after one of their member got resistance from you trying to rob you of a dollar. What item of value you might carry is irrelevant. It's the fact that you dared resisted one of them robbing you.

 

[Ash]

Well, you want to go that way, I'll see your 15 shots and raise it to 20 with my M14. You assume that your own 15 rounds of accurate fire will not be met by equally accurate fire. Apples and apples means 3 men with accurate fire - 45 rounds of accurate fire - versus your 15 rounds of accurate fire. Those extra 9 rounds aren't going to matter much.


Until then, my 6 shots are sufficient.

 

[TestPilot]

I'd say that if you were assailed by a 'group' of thugs AND perfectly perforate the FIRST one with a good JHP .357 mag round, you would instantly be in need of a sniper rifle because the rest of the group will be beating feet SO FAST as to be out of sight before you can recover from the recoil.

If you shoot 100 rounds a week now, you won't need 19 shots to scare off a gang -- the first shot between the nipples of the leader will discourage him and his followers in a HURRY.

If you shoot the first guy with the revolver, the rest of the gang aren't going to hang around waiting for you to shoot your other five.

Wishful thinking is not a tactic.

 

[TestPilot]

Well, you want to go that way, I'll see your 15 shots and raise it to 20 with my M14.
...

Do you carry your M14 everywhere?

...
You assume that your own 15 rounds of accurate fire will not be met by equally accurate fire. Apples and apples means 3 men with accurate fire - 45 rounds of accurate fire - versus your 15 rounds of accurate fire. Those extra 9 rounds aren't going to matter much.
...

Unlike you, I do not assume anything.

Of course there are situations whrere 15 shots would not suffice. I acknowledge that, unlike someone who is in irrational denial.

You use wishful thinking and hypothefical scenarios to justify your assertion. I on the other hand, have countless real life cases where people who needed more than 6 rounds who used those rounds effectively, not "spray and pray" to back my opinion.

Story of Lance Thomas is a well known one. Jim Cirillo of NYPD stakeout squad had been in gun fights where lot more than 6 were fired. None of them used "spray and pray" tactics.

 

[35 Whelen]

I think if there are more than 5 bad guys, you're probably not walking away without leaking from a hole no matter what you're carrying.

Yep! The others aren't going to stand around waiting for their turn to be shot at.

 

[TestPilot]

I agree that criminals are mostly cowards who are NOT looking for a fight. I also agree that even if you face a mob, after you shoot the first two or three the rest will quit.

The problem is that there are plenty of cases where 6 was not enough for even the first two or three.

 

[TestPilot]

To answer the OP directly, I think you are making a rational decision.

If you have money, I'd say keep the S&W and buy another, but you already idicated that you only have money for one gun.

15 shots are better than 6 shots, and it is not as if 357 Magnum sends two dead body flying in the air for each shot to make up for the capacity difference.

You are worried about 5+ gang members, but if all opponents are not cowards who will simply run, even 2 opponents are really pushing it for a 6 shot.

And, unllike people who throws around ignorant comments like "If such are operating regularly in your area, perhaps you might need to set different priorities," I know that there can be very limited choices for a poor person. You may not have enough money to live in a better area, let alone a second gun, and you may not have a lot of choice in jobs.

Glock 19 is a good choice for that situation, but I'd advise you to look at other choices too. I personally like M&P better.

 

[TestPilot]

Well how many shots have you ever fired at bad guys in the past? if your like 99% of us the answer is zero. Now your worried six ain't enough?

Probability of a gun fight and how many rounds are fired in each of those gun fight are irrelevant.

 

[TestPilot]

Statistically, that's the case in SD shootings as well. The overwhelming odds are that, barring high-risk activity, you're never gonna need any gun. Imagine the even slimmer odds that you'd ever need more than six rounds.

Following statistics with that kind of mind set wil make you become a "statistic."

 

[TheGoldenSaber]

Following statistics with that kind of mind set wil make you become a "statistic."

Thanks for the replies. I'll probably keep the smith for now and I'm trying to figure out what 9mm to get. I would really like a CZ 75 but that's not really an ideal carry gun, and I don't want any other CZ model. I'm pretty much torn between a Ruger SR9/SR9c and a Kahr CW9. I would really like having at least 10 shots, so the Kahrs 7 shot magazines don't thrill me, but I really like the look of them. Decisions decisions ...

 

[BCRider]

OK, I stopped at page 2 instead of reading the whole lot so excuse me if I repeat stuff that's been said already.

First off as far as the current panic buying/hoarding nonsense goes stop and consider the lifespan of such things and where we'll be in a year or two. A year might seem like forever but when you're up here at over 50 like many of us a year seems like a blink. So don't let the current "crazy time" situation dictate your long term activities and goals. You'll kick yourself in a year or so if you do. And there's the very real likelihood that it would cost more to replace what you sell than you'll get for it now.

Granted the availability of reloading components situation isn't any better at the moment from what I understand. But for the LONG TERM (there's that hint to look at the big picture again ) you'll want to get into reloading sooner or later both to keep the cost of shooting down as well as to have more control over your ammo options.

So why not keep the gun you have and use your current hobby money stash to buy some reloading gear? Now is as good a time to start as any.

This panic idiocy of the American public isn't anything new to us older folks. It started with the first oil panic back in the 60's. Or was it the early 70's? The news at the time was loaded with stories of blocks long lineups at any and all gas stations in the bigger cities. Folks used up more gas sitting in line than they ever would have used if they just left their car at home and just went back and forth to work and filled up when needed. This same sort of mentality has surfaced again and again with other various panics from then to now. And it sure doesn't look like we're seeing anything different with this current one. But as the old quote goes ".... and this too shall pass".

As for a revolver vs semi for ammo capacity. Look around at the various crime videos involving gangs and single armed respondents. After the shooting starts not a one of them hangs around even if some of them are armed themselves. So I'd suggest that if you do ever have to pull the trigger even once that you still won't have a chance to fire off all 6 shots because you'll suddenly be out of targets.

 

[B!ngo]

Following statistics with that kind of mind set wil make you become a "statistic."

Testpilot, you are a breath of objective thinking and clear communication in this thread. I took my shot but just didn't cover enough ground nor was I very clear.
To add, I grew up on the streets of very inner-city Brooklyn. Not the toughest place on earth, but perhaps among them. I also spent some time in the military. Granted, part of the stick and rudder crowd but an environment that teaches focus and clarity of thought when under pressure.
I cite this because with all of that, I have no confidence that under the pressure of a street confrontation, with adrenalin peaking and it being a potential matter of life or death that I'm going to count on making every shot count, placing the first shot properly, and that my safety will be based on the incalculable behavior of others.
So is 15 better than 6? Always. No matter how much of whatever type the other folks will bring.
And I cannot place myself in the financial feet of the OP so saying 'keep both' seems wholly inappropriate. Surely if that were readily possible, the thread would not have been started.
B

 

[Ash]

Test, I don't wishfully think anything. I know just as well as any other. I actually carry, have actually been shot at (you been shot at?), and my family has actually used firearms in self defense. Your theories and tactics all go out the window when experience arrives to town.

Does 15 rounds beat 6 rounds? That is more quantity to be sure, but it does not mean it is better. 15 rounds is irrelevant when only 1 or 2 were needed. Given I actually carry in bad places where police help does not exist and a sheriff is more than an hour away, I am more than secure in my ability to place my shots as needed as well as the quantity I need. Folks who shoot 1911's and the SIG 220, plus the Glock 36 tend to agree with me.

Guess some folks are just more confident than others.

That which gives security is what is needed. The OP evidently wants an auto. So be it.

 

[TheGoldenSaber]

I feel secure with a 357, but I just feel more secure with 15 rounds of 9mm. Not only that but it's not an ideal concealed carry gun being all steel with a 4" barrel. Nothing against revolvers though, I still love them, and I definitely wouldn't feel unarmed with a j frame.

 

[kvtcomdo]

There is NO GLOCK out there worth a good S&W 357 revolver.

Have never felt under gunned with a good revolver.

I agree completely with those that feel a group of thugs would run if one was shoot DRT.

Don't get rid of the S&W, you would regret it in my view.

 

[TestPilot]

Test, I don't wishfully think anything. I know just as well as any other. I actually carry, have actually been shot at (you been shot at?), and my family has actually used firearms in self defense. Your theories and tactics all go out the window when experience arrives to town.

Exactly what was that experience that makes my theories and tactics go out the window?

 

[Ash]

Reality. Theories are nice but experience is better.

And my statement stands: choose what makes you most comfortable. Unless you plan on doing all the shooting for me, I'll stick with my choices just as the OP - or you - should stick to his. You require maximum round count (by the way, when on the farm, I do have a Mini-14 with 20 round magazine in the truck). I do not.

 

[TestPilot]

Reality. Theories are nice but experience is better.

You still did not answer my question. What did you experience that makes my theories and tactics go outside the window?

 

[Ash]

Thugs run.

 

[tomrkba]

Thugs run.

Except when they don't. Don't train for the optimal case. Feel lucky when things go well because everything can go right and you can still lose.

 

[TestPilot]

Test, I don't wishfully think anything. I know just as well as any other. I actually carry, have actually been shot at (you been shot at?), and my family has actually used firearms in self defense. Your theories and tactics all go out the window when experience arrives to town.

Thugs run.

So, the basis of you alleging that my theories and tactics goes out the window is your experience of getting lucky.

My basis consists of actual cases where thugs did decide to stand and fight in cases involving people such as Lance Thomas and Jim Cirillo.

Ignoring real world cases whrere thugs do stand and fight because you happend to got lucky is not a sound position, especially for someone claiming to value experience.

 

[HighExpert]

Sometimes even selling a gun you don't like can cause regrets as when they double in price.

 

[TheGoldenSaber]

Sometimes even selling a gun you don't like can cause regrets as when they double in price.

Very true, but I don't think revolvers are in danger of being banned any time soon.

edit: unless you're just talking about all guns in general. I'd hate to be the guy that sold an AR the November before the crisis ...

 

[Ash]

Test, keep strong to your theories. Theories naturally are superior of course. May they serve you well as you carry your choice.

The rest of us will live our sad, pathetic, deluded lives trusting on our pathetically low-capacity firearms. What would we know.

 

[TestPilot]

The rest of us will live our sad, pathetic, deluded lives trusting on our pathetically low-capacity firearms. What would we know.

It's not the use of revolver that makes someone sad, pathetic, deluded.

It's the refusal to acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of a given weapon.

There is a reason why I keep a GP100 and M642.