Who prefers to carry a revolver and why.

[Deltaboy1984]

Convenience It is one I carry the most.

 

[Rodfac]

For real CC, both my wife and I carry Smith J-frames: a 3" M36 for me, and a M637 for her...that's in urban environments, and is a rarity...ie. we seldom carry. I've found that my M36 Smith, even with it's cylinder bulge and 3" tube is as easy to conceal as my Sig P290, and with good 125 gr JHP's, it expands equally well. Since I've found it more reliable, that revolver goes when any of the autos stays home.

While fishing, it's the same choices...but for woods loafing here on our farm, I often carry whatever I"m currently using; anything from a 1920's vintage .30 Luger, to a 6-1/2" bbl'd. Ruger .44 Magnum, in good gun leather. For the most part, while out in the fields, I don't relish the chore of hunting up spent brass from my auto-loaders, so they rarely get a trip out and about.

Hunting, at least out west for elk, is a different story. Having packed elk quarters back to the jeep at dusk in bear country is a scary proposition...and my .35 Whelen, Remington Classic M700 is just too heavy to tote, so I pack a heavily loaded Ruger .41 or .44 Magnum. Ten years ago, after dressing out a medium sized cow elk, and packing out the first of the hind quarters, I returned to the carcase to find fresh bear tracks on my route out to the skid road....no gun...and it gave me the willies for the next load, believe me. I packed it all out, and had no trouble,(one of the stupider things I've done over the years,) but it convinced me that a good magnum might bring some piece of mind to my next hunt...

On our home range, where we do 99% of our shooting, anything goes...I'm a die-hard reloader, and collect as much of my fired brass as possible and the pea gravel on our home range set up makes that pretty easy.

The Pics below show my rigs...for the P290 and the M36 with 3" bbl.

HTH's Rod


My P290 with our home-made holster.


My wife's M637, again with one of our home-made rigs.


My M36, with my version of a Tom Threepersons open top.

 

[Frank44]

Those are real nice rigs you made for you and your wife Rodfac!!

 

[treg]

I prefer a hammerless revolver for CC. They hide very easy and are simple to operate. If you can pull the trigger it will go bang, five times. Doesn't matter if its in a pocket, jammed against the aggressor, which finger your pulling the trigger with, or anything else, it will work.

 

[gamestalker]

My Daughter in law bought an XDM in .40 cal and when I took her out to shoot it for the first time, it continuously jammed on her. Thinking it might be an ammo problem, but kind of leaning toward how she was holding it, and her reactions when pulling the trigger, I decided to load a few dummies to see what she was doing. Sure enough, it was all her. I grabbed it and emptied a couple mags with flawless function too. After some coaching, and letting her see her reactions with dummy rounds, it stopped malfunctioning.

Another incident back in the 80's when a woman I knew bought a NIB G17 that wouldn't reliably cycle for her ended up being the same cause.

So in my honest opinion based on observation and experience, a wheel gun as a primary SD weapon is the way to go for many.

GS

 

[Dr_B]

I carry a revolver most of the time. I shoot them well, I like the reliability and the ease of using different kinds of ammo. And revolvers are sexy. There ya go.

 

[tomrkba]

1. Looks matter. I don't care if nobody else sees it, but I have to see it, and I prefer the looks of traditional blued steel and fancy grips over the plastic bricks of most modern semi-automatics.

I like revolvers too. I think 1911's look great (but generally suck), as do SIG P-Series guns. Others are merely average.

2. Simplicity of controls. A Centennial revolver has one primary control, the trigger. Even someone who has never handled a gun before will instantly understand how it works. There are no safeties (does this one go up or down to fire?), slide releases, decockers, loaded chamber indicators, cocked indicators, or other levers sticking out all over the place.

SIGs do this as well as many other pistols. Semi-autos are not complicated and this "pro" is merely a false justification for the platform.

3. It can be easily customized. Turning one screw allows even someone with no gunsmithing ability to change the looks and shape of the gun by adding new grips. The grips can be exchanged for ones that are smaller, larger, rougher, smoother, stickier, more slippery, or just plain prettier.

I don't see this as an advantage over anything since the same can be said for any semi-auto pistol with removable grips.

4. Will fire any ammo. There is no need to find ammo that works well with your particular gun. As long as it fits in the chamber, you can fire pretty much anything from weak target loads to wrist-breaking +p+, and in any bullet profile from pointy to flat.

I've fired ammo from my revolvers and had the bullet jump the crimp. This resulted in the gun locking up. But, the differences in bullet shape, wide variety of width and, most importantly, tolerance for different charge levels is a distinct advantage. Create some super-light loads for new shooters and crank some loads up for BIG BOOM fun on the range.

5. You don't have to carry the weight of superfluous ammunition. Unless you routinely run up against al Qaida or Mexican cartels, you don't need a semi-automatic with 16 rounds at your disposal. 5 or 6 shots will be plenty enough to put adequate distance between you and whatever is chasing you.

Again, another poor argument. As Jim Cirillo put it (paraphrasing): "You will want the biggest gun with the most ammunition in a real fight."

There is no reason not to at least throw a speed strip into a pocket or belt pouch. Belief that six shots is all you will need does not account for the circumstances of YOUR fight. The bad guy(s) get a say in the outcome and it's very possible to miss despite the propaganda that "revolver shooters are more accurate". It's very, very easy to miss with any handgun.

The reality of the situation is that carrying spare ammunition in a comfortable way while concealing effectively is very difficult. Speed loaders are bulky and annoying. Carrying them in the pocket results in bullet nose deformation over time, printing and inconsistent presentation. This slows my reload time down too much. I recently acquired Safariland #371 split holders for my S&W N-Frame. They still print, but not as badly as speed loader holders that are 100% outside the belt. The state of moon clip holders today is pathetic. Concealment is difficult. I end up wrapping them with a loop of kydex to protect the clip and drop them into the pocket. Consistent presentation is still a problem. Speed strips are very slow and require a different attitude. Rather than loading all six shots, load only two to get the gun loaded as quickly as possible. De Bethencourt talks about his in his classes and videos.

6. Live cartridges don't leave the place you put them and hide elsewhere in the gun. It is obvious to the user, even if tired or stressed, whether a revolver is loaded or unloaded. Cartridges stay in the cylinder until you take them out, unlike a semi-automatic, where one must remember to remove the magazine and check the chamber (and in that order).

As if clearing a semi-automatic is difficult. It is not and anyone with some training will be able to do it without thinking. Furthermore, many people have been negligently killed with "unloaded" revolvers. Again, this is a false endorsement for the revolver.

7. No magazine release to accidentally engage. Its just about impossible to accidentally release a cylinder, and would be blindingly obvious to the user if it could happen.

This can happen with a semi-automatic, but it is easy to prevent if the gun fits the hand of the shooter. A well built holster will fully cover the magazine release and never touch the button.

8. Looong, heavy trigger pull prevents accidents. Shooting yourself while reholstering is called "Glock leg" not "revolver leg," and there is a reason for that.

SIG P-Series pistols and many others offer long, heavy trigger pulls. Holstering safely is a skill and attitude, regardless of platform.

and

The revolver does NOT leave any brass behind!

Done properly, a speed reload will spray brass all over the place. You should see my shooting station when I'm through practicing reloads with my revolvers--it's a mess!


It is best to argue for the revolver based upon its actual strengths. In this day and age, given the current technology and development of guns and bullets, the revolver's strengths are:

1) Powerful cartridges...or very weak loads for pleasant target shooting.
2) Wide variety of bullets in lead, jacketed and hybrid styles.
3) Long barrels fixed to the frame with good sights for accurate shooting.
4) Tuned triggers for very nice single action pulls for accurate shots.
5) Custom grips that can be made to exact hand measurements (Herrett's for example).
6) Lots of clickety-clickety noises and a rotating thingie for FUN on the range.
7) Wide variety of sight options, though this applies to semi-autos too.
8) Very long barrel lengths for precision shooting and high performance.
9) Tuned chambers optimized for lead resulting in lower cost to the shooter.
10) Very light to very heavy guns for variance in recoil.
11) Very short barrel lengths on any frame for concealed carry (or any other purpose you can think of). This can cause problems in semi-autos since it messes with timing and ballistic performance.
12) Doesn't throw brass around if you're sport shooting. This results in fewer lost cases and an overall lower cost to shoot. You're going to lose cases if you properly practice speed loading.

 

[tarosean]

I carry a revolver because they don't make a .357 magnum in SA.

Sure they do...

http://www.coonaninc.com/products.php/pistol/

 

[The Good]

My first gun was a smith 642 because i wanted a carry gun. Ive had a few autos and carried them, but went back to my revolver because its the gun i know the best. Ive spent tons of hours on all of my guns, but my j frame is by nature extremely simple from an operators standpoint. After a certain amount of time with any device, operating it becomes second nature and you also develop muscle memory. Because my 642 has fewer functions than any of my autoloaders, it became 2nd nature faster. Recently i decided i wanted a new firearm just for home defense. I considered a 12 gauge shotgun, but I chose a larger smith and wesson revolver because it's operation is the same as my carry gun with the addition of an exposed hammer. I dont have time right now to spend at a range developing a good rapport with a shotgun. When i'm in a home defense situation, and anything going wrong can mean my life, having a gun i don't have to think about is invaluable.

So my answer to this thread would be the same. There may be a number of great autoloaders that make better carry/defense guns, but it's important to consider the most significant variable which is your self. I know a .45 acp 1911 has more stopping power than my .38 spl revolver, but if i'm not fully accustomed to operating it, it's useless, and the same would be true the other way around if the guns were swapped. Thats why i carry a smith tevolver, but would never preach to anyone that they should do the same

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I was perfectly happy with a full-sized M1911A1 or a CZ-75 for years, then the Army took my .45 away and gave me an M9 Beretta. Then I found out my wife couldn't get past the brass ejecting from a semi. (Believe me, I tried.)

I had a brief flirtation with a Glock 23, but just couldn't get past the looks. Deciding that life was too short to carry an ugly gun, I dug out my 3 inch S&W Model 13-3. It became my primary carry gun, and I added a Taurus 85SSUL as secondary/backup. Then I briefly added a 4 inch S&W Model 681 to the mix, but I lost it after I put Crimson Trace grips on it. (My wife likes it a lot!) My last semiauto pistol was a KelTec P32 that I swapped nearly straight across for a S&W Model 37. Seriously! Then I finally found the 4 inch S&W Model 10-5 of my dreams, almost. I'm still looking for one with a 4 inch tapered barrel and a round butt.

My duty sidearm is a 4 inch S&W Model 686 and my S&W Model 37 rides in a pocket. Off duty, I almost always carry the Model 13-3 and the Model 37. Sometimes the Model 10-5 rides in place of the Model 13-3, and sometimes one of the three rides solo.

ECS

 

[FM12]

Have to carry a "dog" (damed old glock") on duty but off duty is mostly revos. From colt snubby to S&W 686.

 

[mchertel52]

Agreed, I am 50 and liken my 7 shot .357 snubby to the "Wasp" cap gun that we used to carry around as kids. The big difference is the recoil!!! lol

 

[tomrkba]

My duty sidearm is a 4 inch S&W Model 686 and my S&W Model 37 rides in a pocket. Off duty, I almost always carry the Model 13-3 and the Model 37. Sometimes the Model 10-5 rides in place of the Model 13-3, and sometimes one of the three rides solo.

ECS,

How do you carry your 686? What holster do you use?

 

[Dirty Bob]

LOVE the SP101

One big plus of the revolver is that you don't have to spend a small fortune on spare mags to ensure a reliable gun. Speedloaders or speed strips can be had for a modest cost.

I'm a huge fan of the Ruger SP101. The post-type tang allows just about any shape/size of stocks. I like the hard nylon, pebbled Hogue Monogrip. Inexpensive, tough, looks pretty good, and it fits my hands.

With a 3-1/16" barrel, the Monogrip, a tritium Big Dot front sight, and a bobbed hammer, I have what is for me the best compromise for a carry gun. I carry with .38+P hollowpoints. I carry in a Kholster IWB holster, and it disappears under a t-shirt. Great gun.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

 

[RealGun]

With a 3-1/16" barrel, the Monogrip, a tritium Big Dot front sight, and a bobbed hammer, I have what is for me the best compromise for a carry gun. I carry with .38+P hollowpoints

Perhaps instead of a "great gun" it is a platform for customizing, not even using the intended ammo (.357 Magnum).

 

[Dirty Bob]

RealGun:
I still consider the SP101 "great." I would be very happy with it if a stock revolver was all I could get, but I loved being able to customize it. The base revolver, though was very impressive. It has the best trigger I've encountered on a Ruger DA revolver. I love the way that Ruger DAs decisively LOCK well before the hammer falls.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[leadcounsel]

Revolvers are definitely a sexy throwback, and the .357 magnum is outstanding as a manstopper.

That said, I mainly carry a no-nonsense Glock or other semiauto capable of faster shots and reloads (in my hand/training). The finish is tougher, the gun conceals easier, and I have over double the initial shot capacity before a reload, and it's just as reliable as a revolver (I'm speaking of my Glock 23, not all semiautos).

I have carried a revolver, and sometimes do, but not typically.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

I was looking for a new firearm and almost pulled the trigger on a Glock 23. But, I just couldn't do it. I consider myself somewhat of a purist. I understand the action of revolvers. I understand their capabilities. I understand what makes them go boom and, frankly, with all the engineering that goes into a semi-automatic, I do not have the time to learn them as I have learned revolvers. I know I can EDC a revolver safely. Training with a semi-auto at this point, for me, would require more time than I am able to devote to it. I feel like I could use a semi-auto if needed in a combat situation. However, I do not feel comfortable having one strapped to me around my children. This in no way reflects any inherent flaw in the semi-auto, but rather my own unfamiliarity and subjectively perceived acceptable margin of error.

I also considered that, ammo prices being what they are today, I am wary of investing in more calibers. I am heavily invested in .357, .38, .44 special, and 12 gauge rounds. That's enough, for me, for the foreseeable future. So, I ended up getting a spur-less 2.25" Ruger SP101 - something I have long admired but could never justify until now, due to personal reasons. This simplifies carrying a S&W 442 as a bug and reduces weight, since the same speed-loaders may be applied to either firearm. SP101 left side super-tucked, 442 right side pocket.

 

[tomrkba]

RealGun:
I still consider the SP101 "great." I would be very happy with it if a stock revolver was all I could get, but I loved being able to customize it. The base revolver, though was very impressive. It has the best trigger I've encountered on a Ruger DA revolver. I love the way that Ruger DAs decisively LOCK well before the hammer falls.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

I think the SP101 is a terrible design. It is neither large nor small, yet manages to not hold six rounds. The sights are bad, the grip interferes with speed loaders, the crane is too short, and it is too heavy for anything but pocket carry. It is not heavy enough for good recoil reduction with hot loads, but does work reasonably well with mid-range loads. I would rather have the more versatile 640-1 or a K-Frame.

 

[MCMXI]

It is not heavy enough for good recoil reduction with hot loads

With a Hogue grip it's a pussy cat compared to the LCR even with the hottest loads. I would agree that it's kind of in no man's land in terms of weight being too heavy (for me) for concealed carry and not large enough for open carry while camping, hiking, hunting etc. It's a neat revolver though.

 

[ldlfh7]

I prefer a revolver because it always works and never jams. I understand people wanting to have large capacity handguns but lets be honest, if we ever find ourselves where we have to draw I doubt more than 5-6 shots will be needed. If more shots are needed, I will choose to run away and try to save myself. Real life is not a video game lol.

 

[farm23]

I am fortunate to live in the country and seldom go to town so my situation is different than most. I carry a 1911 when in town but am looking for a light weight 44. The 1911 gives me no trouble if I am careful on what I feed it, but I do have to buy and store ammo for the 1911 and the 44 I carry on the farm. I am looking to making my life simpler and the revolver helps make it simple. I know the 1911 can be reliable if you do your part but I have found the revolver more reliable.

 

[chg]

I'm 61 years old and grew up with revolvers. Colts, S&W, Rugers, and Dan Wessons (DW for IHMSA shooting only). Several have come and gone, sure regret getting rid of an old blued colt and a few S&Ws but others replaced them. Since 1998 I've settled on the 3" Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum loaded with Lyman's #358156 for the woods. With Speer 125 gr Gold Dots for carry in town, it shoots to point of aim at 15 yards and groups just as well as the cast loads do.

Ran the loop with aftermarket grips and have settled on the factory grips as best for me. In fact, I'm on my 3rd set of factory grips. This revolver spent the first 13 years in my cruiser vest, every day, lower left front inside pocket. It took the bumps, falls, dunkings, heavy down pours, snow, trail dust, and sweat. The gun was secure in a nylon holster sewn into the vest and never fell out but does show wear.

It got cleaned as needed every evening. The rubber grips would start to chunk apart and crumble from the abuse so an order to Brownell's fixed that. A spring set was put in the day I took it out of the box new. I replaced the factory front sight with an orange C more sight too.

Why did I choose this revolver? I used to carry an N frame Smith. The fine blueing, the polish, the size, and the weight all got to me. The Ruger fit what I needed it for. 357 isn't the best in the wilds but again the compromise won out. Stainless steel, (my first stainless gun) fixed sights, compact enough to not be in the way yet large enough to shoot accurately and handle the .357's recoil. I never thought a 357 recoiled until touching one off in a J frame. Yeah .38 special! Despite the hard use, it's still tight and shoots very well. I used to disassemble it down to it's component groups and clean them every few months. Now just annually.

It fits in my fly vest while fishing. It loves water much more than my blued guns do.

I can wear shorts and a t shirt with this revolver in a Milt Sparks VM II holster and it does not show in the least. The round rubber grip does not wear the fabric on the seat of the pick-up like my .45 was doing.

I have 4 handguns that I consider carry guns and do use as such. The other 3 are autos, a .380, 9mm, and a .45 1911-A1. I do carry them but not nearly as often as this revolver. The .45 auto would be 2nd choice. If just plain carry in town the .45 auto got used quite often until I had surgery on my right hand. When the dr said it was okay to resume shooting centerfire again I found out right away there were problems.... my hand was still a little swollen and the grip safety would not release. Squeeze that trigger until blue in the face and nothing happened. That has since passed but there's no grip safety on the revolver. One other reason why the revolver, I know it's been mentioned before here, but I live in a rural area and access to the woods is just a short walk away. Finding brass scattered all over is time consuming so the autos stay out of the woods. I am a brass maggot, was a brass maggot before it got scarce.

 

[RealGun]

tomrkba - I think the SP101 is a terrible design. It is neither large nor small, yet manages to not hold six rounds. The sights are bad, the grip interferes with speed loaders, the crane is too short, and it is too heavy for anything but pocket carry. It is not heavy enough for good recoil reduction with hot loads, but does work reasonably well with mid-range loads. I would rather have the more versatile 640-1 or a K-Frame.

QuickStrips by Tuff are better suited than speedloaders, which are difficult to conceal.

It is too heavy for pocket carry, which I expect is what you meant.

Ruger has a six shot gun in the GP100. Try that at 9 more ounces.

 

[stinger 327]

The revolver does NOT leave any brass behind!

So very true. One would think a revolver would be a criminals choice for a gun since it leaves less evidence behind and very easy to use.