Why are revolvers so under rated by some people?
- Thread starter jonsidneyb
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Stainz
Member
If you are attacked by three armed assailants, you have to use common sense. Attack the leader - the mouthpiece - not always the biggest guy, that's for sure. Often, the remaining attackers will scatter - sometimes not - then you are toast. Of course, even if you were equipped like Rambo, with that M-60 and belt over your shoulder, you'd still have a real problem - and not just because the M60 wouldn't feed well (... or long!) with that twisted belt. You have an advantage if you use common sense... no one in their right mind would engage in a life or death exchange for pocket change. You can pick your battles - avoid many confrontations by using simple analysis - again, common sense. 5/6/7/8 rounds will suffice in nearly all situations... especially if you choose your battles and don't knowingly put yourself in badly outnumbered situations.
The greatest advantage a revolver has, other than dependability, is marksmanship - most revolver shooters are quite good with their firearms. Watching folks at a public shooting range as a part-time RO, I saw most folks adhering to the 'spray & pray' bottom-feeder creedo, where revolver shooters generally shot bullseye targets - and far fewer rounds. Still, it boils down to what you feel comfortable with, can conceal well, retrieve efficiently, and use effectively. If you don't already own such a firearm - you need to get one quickly - and practice.
Stainz
The greatest advantage a revolver has, other than dependability, is marksmanship - most revolver shooters are quite good with their firearms. Watching folks at a public shooting range as a part-time RO, I saw most folks adhering to the 'spray & pray' bottom-feeder creedo, where revolver shooters generally shot bullseye targets - and far fewer rounds. Still, it boils down to what you feel comfortable with, can conceal well, retrieve efficiently, and use effectively. If you don't already own such a firearm - you need to get one quickly - and practice.
Stainz
jad0110
Member
I agree. The ratio of revolvers to autos in my area is usually 3 to 1, and I have never seen a revolver shooter "spray and pray" at any of the ranges I frequent. That doesn't mean I won't one day. I have seen some fast shooting, but it was all impressively precise. On the other hand, I have seen a good number of auto shooters spray and pray. I have to stop myself from laughing sometimes. I once saw a guy with Glock 19 with a 33 round magazine dump all the ammo into (EDIT: errr, in the general direction of) a target at 7 yds in about 10 seconds - maybe less. I was kinda far away, but I think he hit the paper 7 to 10 times (I'm trying to be generous in my estimation), with perhaps 2 or 3 of those shots COM
.Now, that does not mean that an auto shooter is not capable of outstanding accuracy in rapid fire or that a revolver shooter won't resort to "spray and pray". But I have always seen it the other way around.
And don't think I'm knocking auto shooters. Most I see don't "spray and pray" and their targets end up looking pretty good.
FerFAL
Member
You’d be surprised. I’ve known people that would kill for a pair of old sneakers. Not bragging or anything, just the truth. Sometimes people kill or hurt others just because, they don’t even need and excuse.
Again, not trying to be a wise a** or anything, but you CANT pick your battles. Sometimes you can defuse certain encounters, and defuse situations that would otherwise end up in killing, but other times you can’t, sometimes you don’t even know what hit you.
FerFAL
LoveMyCountry
Member
My wife shoots very well with both my Taurus PT-140 and my Springfield 1911 but - she can't manipulate the slide! An old injury has weakened her grip strength to the point that she doesn't trust herself with a semi-auto for self defense. She found a Rossi snubby in .357/.38 with a rubber grip that fits her hand perfectly. Problem solved.
LoveMyCountry
LoveMyCountry
sportsterguy
Member
I too have respect for both. Weather permitting I carry a full size SA 1911 .45 with 2 Wilson 8 shot mags in a IWB holster. If I'm dressing light it's a S&W model 36. This is my go anytime/anywhere gun as I carry it IWB also and it takes a matter of 3 seconds to slip it in my waistband versus a minute or so to strap on the .45. I am a certified SAI who has never had to pull the trigger on anyone (thank God) but try to remember what I teach my students. Make the first shot a GOOD one versus spray and pray.
skinnyguy
Member
I have a boatload of respect for revolvers. I like the way they look, I like the history behind them, I like pretty much everything about them, with a single exception. I am not attracted to them.
I've fired a couple of them, so I'm not totally ignorant of them, and the bullet hits the target, so I know I can manage them. Personally, I just prefer the fit and feel of a "bottom feeder". Maybe that makes me a bottom feeder as well in some people's eyes, but that is ME.
I have chosen what works for me, and if that doesn't work for someone else, that's ok by me. But I am not stupid, I'm not a victim of the TV stereotypes, I understand the differences between the two types, and what the abilities of each are. I have chosen what works for me, and respect other's rights to do the same.
I've fired a couple of them, so I'm not totally ignorant of them, and the bullet hits the target, so I know I can manage them. Personally, I just prefer the fit and feel of a "bottom feeder". Maybe that makes me a bottom feeder as well in some people's eyes, but that is ME.
I have chosen what works for me, and if that doesn't work for someone else, that's ok by me. But I am not stupid, I'm not a victim of the TV stereotypes, I understand the differences between the two types, and what the abilities of each are. I have chosen what works for me, and respect other's rights to do the same.
Golddog
Member
I'm a revolver fanatic; I've owned ten times as many of them as autos; and I have thousands of hours more experience shooting wheelguns. However, at defensive range (7-15 yards), I'm much more accurate with a 9 mm CZ than any DA revolver.
Single action semis are just easier to shoot well quickly than DA revolvers, for most people.
Single action semis are just easier to shoot well quickly than DA revolvers, for most people.
DrLaw
Member
Who says?
I think it is a media fashion statement. Somebody else here said it, too. People today are raised on plastic and movies and automatics are flashier and somewhat meaner looking than revolvers. (Remember the Desert Eagle pistols in some of the Ah-nuld movies and how even Dirty Harry went for a that .44 Automag? (Who has seen that gun lately?)
I was raised on revolvers, but I have automatics, too.
It all boils down to one thing. Practice, practice, practice. Doesn't matter how fashionable a gun is or how utitilitarian it is unless you know how to use it.
The Doc is out now.
I think it is a media fashion statement. Somebody else here said it, too. People today are raised on plastic and movies and automatics are flashier and somewhat meaner looking than revolvers. (Remember the Desert Eagle pistols in some of the Ah-nuld movies and how even Dirty Harry went for a that .44 Automag? (Who has seen that gun lately?)
I was raised on revolvers, but I have automatics, too.
It all boils down to one thing. Practice, practice, practice. Doesn't matter how fashionable a gun is or how utitilitarian it is unless you know how to use it.
The Doc is out now.
Stainz
Member
Au contraire! The range emperor where I shoot just bought a 327 TRR8 M&P. Think of a multicolor alloy frame, black SS barrel, maybe a Ti cylinder, and... for the ultimate in revolver pimpdom - a rail below the barrel/lug - for that light/laser - and a scope rail atop the barrel/frame - for a reddot. Add some of the 460/500ES grips - your choice, fluorescent orange or yellow (Those X-frame grips also fit K, L, & N-frames!), and you have 'accessorized' a revolver... and made me hurl!
I showed him my JM PC627 V-Comp... he wanted to trade - NO WAY! Of course you are correct - you can change grips and sights. Most of my SS Rugers have had something else happen to them... I sanded & polished away that 'Ruger Bible' from the barrel side... they look so much better. The latest Rugers have finally moved that verbage to the bottom of the barre/lug - a great improvement.
Stainz
I showed him my JM PC627 V-Comp... he wanted to trade - NO WAY! Of course you are correct - you can change grips and sights. Most of my SS Rugers have had something else happen to them... I sanded & polished away that 'Ruger Bible' from the barrel side... they look so much better. The latest Rugers have finally moved that verbage to the bottom of the barre/lug - a great improvement.
Stainz
Today it's all about "coolness" and capacity. The spray and pray mentality has taken a deep hold on many otherwise intelligent folks. Same with "coolness". A revolver is "old technology" and that just won't do with some folks for the same reason that the 1911 is constantly being harassed as outdated. Newer isn't always better. I learned that lesson when I switched from real black powder, to the newly introduced Pyrodex back in the 70's. Personally I prefer "old technology". It has proven itself.
Stainz
Member
Here I go again! Ahh, real black powder... that hydrogen sulfide smell - nothing like it. Sadly, although you could buy it even at Wally World one time, no one locally carries it. I use it sparingly - it's effect, clearing the adjacent lanes at the range on a windless day, is still there. I still have an unopened bottle of Pyrodex - a gift from my wife with the ROA some years back. I know it works, but I still remember the chem eng who developed it reportedly died in a plant fire.
I guess it's a known fact that Jerry Miculek could shoot 8 shots at 10yd into the 7-ring in 1.01 seconds from a 627 8-shooter. The 627, with it's short stroke hand yielding a short stroke trigger - and standard trigger return spring for a rapid return - makes a revolver most folks could fire faster than a tricked 7+1 1911. Of course, put a softer return spring, to lower the DA pull, and you'll slow down the return - and there goes the speed advantage. Still, a Performance Center tweaked S&W is a delight to shoot... and, yes, they are neater than those evil-bottom-feeders that just rudely cast their empties asunder. Yeah, I'm getting to be a cantankerous old revolver-guy!
Stainz
I guess it's a known fact that Jerry Miculek could shoot 8 shots at 10yd into the 7-ring in 1.01 seconds from a 627 8-shooter. The 627, with it's short stroke hand yielding a short stroke trigger - and standard trigger return spring for a rapid return - makes a revolver most folks could fire faster than a tricked 7+1 1911. Of course, put a softer return spring, to lower the DA pull, and you'll slow down the return - and there goes the speed advantage. Still, a Performance Center tweaked S&W is a delight to shoot... and, yes, they are neater than those evil-bottom-feeders that just rudely cast their empties asunder. Yeah, I'm getting to be a cantankerous old revolver-guy!
Stainz
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