Why do I carry revolvers more the semi-auto's?

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Glockman17366

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When I carry a semi-auto, I go more with chamber empty. So, I'd have to rack the slide if I got into an SD situation.
As most of you know, dumping one in the chamber (unless you carry a smaller caliber with a tip up barrel like a Beretta Tomcat) can cause bullet set back. Set back can lead to higher pressures...perhaps dangerously higher.
I know it's easy to rotate the rounds, but I find it easier yet just to put my .38 revolver in my pocket or OWB holster. Setback, in a revolver's case, is a non-issue.
So...is that why some of you folks carry revolvers rather then semi-auto's? Or, am I the only crazy (not "mentally unstable"!) one on THR?
 
I, too, carry a revolver. For me it is a matter of the ease of carry, and I simply find the revolver gives me less to worry about. I carry a S&W model 640 in a pocket holster or a OWB holster. It is light and easy to conceal. I do believe that there is less that can go wrong with the revolver than with a semi-auto, but I know that not everyone agrees with that.
 
Carry what works best for you...if the wheelgun is what you prefer & you have confidence in, then that is your ideal piece ;)
 
I have both carry autos and carry revolvers. I don't worry about set back. Good taper crimp keeps it from happening in my guns. I have never seen it. I do load fresh ammo now and then and burn up the old stuff.

I do carry revolvers a LOT, though. I usually have back up and a speed loader and speed strip for the revolver when I carry the .357 IWB. With the little Ultralite M85, I just drop it in a pocket with a couple of reloads and go. I carry it a lot around town, but when I go to the big city, I often have an bigger gun IWB. My 3" .357 medium frame M66 Taurus carries well and doesn't print under a shirt as bad as my .45. It's also quicker to load and put on when we're going somewhere, so it gets the nod a lot now for IWB.
 
As most of you know, dumping one in the chamber (unless you carry a smaller caliber with a tip up barrel like a Beretta Tomcat) can cause bullet set back. Set back can lead to higher pressures...perhaps dangerously higher.
Click to expand...

Totally disagree on your assumption.

If this was the case, I am sure we would have a lot more KB's and lawsuits. Not a well founded concern in my opinion and experience. I don't disagree that seating a bullet too deep can cause overpressure issues but it isn't going to come from chambering a round.


As for revolver versus semi, or loaded chamber or not, is all spice of life and personal choice. Go with what is comfortable and works for you.
 
Revolvers

I carry a Revolver because; I don't have to think about fail to feed or eject. I don't need to keep the slide away from walls, car seats, attackers etc. that might interfear with its movement and operation of the gun. I don't wory about limprist or grip. My Revolver works when it is dirty and not lubed. If I am not capable to rack a slide I don't wory. If I need a fast reload I grab my backup Revolver.( I do carry Speed Strips and Loaders) If T.S.H.T.F. I will not forget to slip off the safty. I belive if someone looks down the Barrel at the 5,6,or7 rounds of Hollow Points, It may alter there intensions.

BUT!!! this is my opinion for me!!! You do what you you feel is best for you!!!
 
I carry revolvers, because I came up on them, and can hit what I aim at. It's kinda comforting to know it will go boom if I need it to.
 
I totally agree with Haywood. The chance of a malfunction decreases greatly with a revolver and those big .44 Hollowpoints staring at them just might alter their intentions. I have some semi autos that are no doubt reliable ( Kimber, Sig ) but I feel more comforted with the ole' wheel gun.
Just my $.04 worth (inflation you know)
 
I think bullet setback is more overthought paranoia than reality but if it's on your mind then it is your reality and you need to do what's comfortable to you.

I'm a revolver shooter so I'm always going to feel more comfortable with one than an auto. I've put many thousands of rounds through autos of all kinds though as well but simply prefer a wheelgun. Wouldn't it be boring if we all shot the same things?
 
I carry a Glock 17 but have a .357 for my back up its nice to have a revolver for insurance
 
I did a rigid scientific test about bullet set back with a Glock 23 in .40. And yes, I am professional enough to carry one(!).
Buddies and I are shooting poor defenseless paper target and a discussion about bullet set back and multiple racking followed after a cease fire.
So we whipped out the old calipers and ejected, racked, ejected, racked, etc. etc. Repeat until bored. Told you this was scientific. But is was at least a hundred times and definitely less than 150.
At the end of the day, we whipped out the calipers again and discovered that the difference was not measurable. Of course, that got us into another argument about measurements and specifications, but that is another story. We did agree on the right beer after all the equipment was put away.:cool:
 
I know this thread is 'bout why you carry a revolver more than a semi-auto;
but I have too ask, "why carry a semi-auto without a round in the chamber"?My friend, if you were to find yourself in a "combat situation" you would find
yourself wasting valuable time while chambering a round. This could mean
the difference between "life or death". A BG is not gonna allow you time to
accomplish this feat; so you must be ready, all of the time.;) :D
 
I'm a Southpaw

Being a Southpaw makes carrying a bottom feeder problematic (no pun intended). With a Weaver grip, the index finger of my support hand rests on the back of the middle finger of my strong hand and during recoil, I have had the magazine ejected from my pistol. Sometimes it only requires a tap-rack to get going again. Sometimes the magazine hits the floor. In either case, it is bad mojo, and a potential fatal problem in a gun fight.

I carry an SP101 whose only problem is the cartridge rim of the "inside" chamber tends to hang on the factory grips during ejection. As soon as I can afford it, I'll add another SP101 for a reload.

The only reason I still own a bottom feeder is Texas CHL rules say that if you to qualify with a semi-auto is you you can carry anything. If you qualify with a revolver, you can only carry a revolver. With qualification every 5 years, I don't want to be limited in my options.
 
The only reason I still own a bottom feeder is Texas CHL rules say that if you to qualify with a semi-auto is you you can carry anything.
Click to expand...

Texas?! Sheesh! You should move to a gun loving state like Massachusetts. We have no such silly restrictions here.
Actually, in this one regard, I am being serious!
 
I carry a S&W double action revolver because it has only four conditions:
unloaded, loaded, locked and cocked, unloaded and cocked.
The simplicity of manual of arms makes the revolver a superior daily companion for me.
 
To lazy to pick up brass

With every center fire pistol I owned, picking up the brass after practice took the fun out of the game.
Then the magazine issue of rotating ammo, keep dust lint out of the spare carry magazine.
I like to clean my firearms after shooting at the range. Revolver, open cylinder, swab, brush, swab, dry patch, dry fire, reload and go home.
Semi, drop magazine, take off slide, take off barrel, chase springs, bushing, worry about extractors etc.
And with my stubby fingers the longer brass of revolvers made reloading easier.
Have to admit the new 625 and .45 ACP is ok.
 
As mentioned above, I find revolvers more reliable. You're pretty much guaranteed 6. No ftf, ejection, limp wrist problems. It can't go out of battery in a ground fight or any other scenario. And I just can't imagine needing more than 6 to 12 shots in defensive situation. Seriously, if I need more than that, then what I really need is a fast pair of shoes.
 
As most of you know, dumping one in the chamber (unless you carry a smaller caliber with a tip up barrel like a Beretta Tomcat) can cause bullet set back. Set back can lead to higher pressures...perhaps dangerously higher.
Click to expand...

Only if you constantly chamber the same cartridge over and over again without looking at it to see if the bullet is getting pushed into it. It is an unlikely problem and a very easy one to avoid.

Me, I carry revolvers because for defense I want a weapon that will fire reliably when held upside down in an improper grip while tangled up in my jacket and shoved into someone else's belly while underwater.
 
"Why do I carry revolvers more...?"

Because you're wise!
There's just no two ways about it IMO. Revolvers are generally more reliable overall than autoloaders. You also don't need to worry about high-dollar extra magazines, sometimes pain-in-the-rear field stripping, etc.
I say all that, but I don't even own a revolver anymore. (Not yet, anyway, but I intend for that to change soon.)
 
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I carry any of the followin but in this order:

1. Ruger SP101. Accurate and KISS principle applies.
2. Kel-Tec P-32. I can carry this just about anywhere.
3. S&W 6906. It stays in my 'dad bag' when I am on outings with the kids.
4. Kimber 1911. I love .45 ACP and this gun just rocks.
5. GP-100. My hiking gun. Normally Win. 180 grain partitions in this one.
 
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