Why I carry a revolver.

[fastbolt]

I get to observe a fair number of qualifications for both civilian LE & civilian CCW.

I see a dismaying number of malfunctions occur with both quality revolvers and pistols, and the common denominators generally seem to be a problem resulting from the owner's/user's maintenance practices, their handling/manipulation skills, or the ammunition being used (including its maintained condition) ... or some combination thereof.

Each platform has its inherent potential advantages & disadvantages, especially under adverse conditions.

Possession of a particular tool doesn't guarantee competence on the part of the owner/user, nor suitability for every perceived task under every potential condition that may be encountered or experienced.

Development of the user's/owner's knowledge and skills is important. So is a reasonable grasp of the potential circumstances in which the selected tool may be asked to perform its function. Then, there's an acceptably thorough understanding of the potential advantages and limitations involved in the use of the chosen tool.

Beware the Talisman Effect ...

Compromise is pretty much always going to be involved, of course, but there's no reason it shouldn't be calculated to be more toward the owner's/user's benefit, is there?

 

[Cayoot]

OTOH, an auto will only fire once if someone grabs the slide then jam. Kinda equals out. Just carry what is best for you given all the pluses and minuses of each design.

That's not really true, if someone grabs an auto from any angle and exerts any pressure to the rear of the gun, the slide will come out of battery and the gun won't fire at all.

I have a 642 that I love and my most carried is a Ruger SP-101. Ayoob (who had a hand in the development of this little "Pocket Rocket" stated that it was designed to be practiced alot with full house, 125 JHP .357s That's what I've been doing for the past few years and it hasn't lost any reliability. I have NEVER had it fail to fire on me.

During the fall, when I wear a jacket, I carry a S&W 686+ (7 shots of .357 Mag). This is another revolver that I only practice using full house loads, and I shoot it alot. Never had any problems that could not be solved by squeezing the triger again and bringing a fresh round under the hammer (can't do that with an auto).

During the Winter I carry a N frame 625 .45 acp.

My motto is:

6 for sure beats 10 on a prayer!!!

 

[fastbolt]

I'd offer that function testing is still important, regardless of the platform selected.

MY SP-101 .357 Magnum had the annoying habit of having the cylinder start to seize after as few as two cylinders of 125gr full power Magnum ammunition was fired. Granted, that's probably not an issue if fewer than 10 rounds are actually going to be fired ... but ... it wasn't supposed to occur, and was bothersome.

Careful examination by myself and our long-time revolver armorer revealed that a burred edge on a small part was apparently creating the condition, as the steel parts heated up and expanded during fast-paced consecutive shots (including quick, consecutive reloads). A judicious correction of the involved part eliminated this problem.

It might be reasonable to consider that each time a machine is operated that it experiences wear, even if operated in the intended manner, and the potential for something to experience accelerated wear and failure may be possible. I've always thought that it pays to carefully examine and properly maintain firearms, periodically and each time they're used & cleaned, especially those dedicated to use as defensive weapons. Inattention and lack of proper maintenance may create the opportunity for Murphy to ply his trade, unseen and unsuspected ...

I've often suspected that Murphy considers it a challenge to make a seemingly indestructible and 'always reliable' piece of equipment fail at an inopportune moment.

 

[cookekdjr]

Generally speaking, revolvers are more reliable...but not always.
I will say, I've heard fewer complaints about S&W j-frames than almost anything else. I had one in my pocket a few minutes ago. I rarely run errands without it. I've got a SIG p232 on order (one of the few semi-autos I trust) and I'm considering adding a G26 or G27 to the line-up. Not sure if I'm keeping the G19 or moving up to the G23. I've carried a Makarov before, and I always had confience it would go "boom" when it had to. My priorities for handguns are:

1. Reliability.
2. Accuracy.
2. (tie) portability. Its no good if the gun is at home while you are at the gunfight elsewhere.
3. Stopping power.
4. Capacity.

Revolvers generally dominate when this is your criteria. Baby Glocks can ace the test.

-David

 

[B36]

Summer companions

A pair of 642s, one in each front pocket. Bug is some sort of 44 revolver carried IWB, today a S&W 396.

Things seem to happen on the street that never happen on the range. Body position, unusual shooting positions, and other things seem to cause strange semi auto failures.

I'll stick with my round guns.

 

[jeepmor]

Dirt tested, I like my autos

This week I was being a bit too machismo for my own good and laid my jeep on it's side doing the lift one wheel on a rock thing.

Jeep back on it's feet thanks to my winch, enough oil still in the pan, all fluids good. And nothing fell out of my jeep except everything in my console. Which included two pistols. A Taurus PT145 and a Witness Fullsize 10mm. They both fell into the dirt. The witness was in it's box and holster, the Taurus only in a Mike's holster.

Once the adrenaline subsided and my jeep was moving again, I decided to function test the pistolas since it did turn out to be a good real world throw it in the dirt, see if it works scenario. I would have never done this intentionally, but nonetheless, there I was, so I tested them dirty. I blew the dust off with a quick puff or two, chambered a round and fired. Both worked flawlessly.

I'll keep my autos, thanks. Particularly that little Taurus, it just eats everything, even with dirt in it as I am now aware.

Note to you jeepers with console guns, lock your console when you wheel. All my campng stuff tied down in the back didn't budge, everything in my console did....flipping everything. Never thought of that until I saw everything flying out shortly after a 90 degree tilt followed by the sound of sheetmetal and glass giving way to stationary rock.

jeepmor

 

[Tokugawa]

The other night my wife and I made one of our rare forays into Tacoma for dinner. Afterward, a bit before dusk, we took a little stroll to settle our dinner. Turns out we passes a group of 15 or so young men on the other side of the street just "hanging out". Nobody else around except one young lady in condition "clear" (a term I just invented for when condition "white" does not go sheepy enough") busy at the cash machine on a deserted street. I could not help but think if those guys wanted an alteraction, it would be real nice to have a high cap auto.
On the other hand, in a close situation, a lightweight snub for the pocket has the advantage of quick to action, and no need to obviously draw in the 999 times out of a thousand when the theat turns out to be negative.

 

[sgt127]

If you want to add another thought to the mix, look at the number of gang assaults and take over robberies that are becoming popular in big cities. ...Sometimes, I think the only viable option is something belt fed.

 

[cdsdss]

Sounds like the guy's mistake was to carry a PPK. My S&W licensed PPK/S had a lot of FTEs, so I sold it. Now, my CCW is my P229 which I put 200-300 rounds through weekly. I've never had a failure with that gun. I'd much rather have that bulk and weight inside my waitsband than any 5-shot revolver, no matter how light and powerful.

 

[JLaw]

Tokugawa wrote : "I could not help but think if those guys wanted an alteraction, it would be real nice to have a high cap auto. "

Valid point, however I wonder what would happen once you presented a weapon and fired even one shot, granted a fight/robbery/mugging/etc. took place. Do ya'll think the thugs would quickly run for cover? Or would they have enough sense about them to pull out their firearms and shoot back. I don't think anybody ever really knows what they're getting into, so who knows. In my opinion, 5 or 6 from a trusted revolver is enough. Thoughts??

JLaw

 

[LightningJoe]

Well, if you're up against 15 guys with guns, it probably won't matter how many bullets fit into your gun; if they choose to fight, you're dead. If you're up against 15 guys without guns and if other other 10 are still standing there after you're shot five of them, then my whole theory of criminal psychology will have been comprehensively repuditated.

 

[ronto]

I like the idea of having my hand on a spurless revolver in my coat pocket at the ready in a threatening or possible threatening situation and knowing that, although I may ruin my coat, I can get 5 or 6 rounds off if need be and it should be quite an unpleasant surprise comming from someone who looked like an "easy mark". If the threat disapates, no one is the wiser. I would not have that option with a slide gun....Just one of many reasons why I prefer a revolver.

..................................................

Jus cuz ya don't see it, that don't mean it ain't there.

 

[Whirlwind06]

I like the idea of having my hand on a spurless revolver in my coat pocket at the ready in a threatening or possible threatening situation and knowing that, although I may ruin my coat,

I think you would get at most 2 shots off in that scenario.
After that you will either be on fire and worried about other things. Or the fabric of your coat will have pretty much jammed your wheel gun.

 

[Dienekes]

I like boring guns. Make that very, very boring guns when it comes to SD pieces. My always piece is a 442 that is monotonously reliable, and a couple of Security Sixes that are even more so.

And I drive a really boring Toyota.

I just plumb hate surprises so I shamelessly stack the deck every chance I get.

 

[ronto]

Chris,
You may be right. I'll have to try it someday with an old coat....although I'd better buy a fire extinguisher first.
In the meantime, I'll go on my merry way with your assurance that I get atleast 2 shots as opposed to one or maybe none without visably drawing a weapon. (Not taking into account the human torch senario of course).
Thank you for your insight.

 

[RustyShackelford]

jewelry store robbery/FL area

Any other members here remember the shooting in a Florida area store where a jewelry store owner got shot while drawing his PPK 380acp. He had the safety on and did not release it in time, . He was shot several times and said on camera; "I'm not James Bond. I didn't have time to react."

This shooting incident shows us that when you carry safety on with a small pistol you must be able to use it in a rapid attack.

Rusty S

 

[TonyB]

I tend ot go back and forth on this one..I do carry a 642(I love pocket carry) But I just bought a Taurus PT111 for carry....I haven't tested it yet,but if it's reliable I may go to carrying it,eith my 462 as back up---the best of both worlds..carry both.
I was always in the "revolvers are more reliable camp" too..but I have had timing issues(that were fixed)in my 642 and I actually had a cylinder FALL OUT of an older mod. 38...if I had been in a SD situation at the time maybe I could've ran away while the BG was laughing...I think if you can shoot a gun well and it's reliable,and YOU can trust your life to it...carry it..(even if it's a hi-point,Rossi or some other cheap gun)(yes occasionally I carry a Rossi)

 

[Ichiro]

I saw the jewelry store thing, too. The owner had the drop on the thug and everything, but his gun would not go bang because of the safety.

DAO revolvers for me.

As for reliability/trust, I shoot my carry pieces every time I go to the range and clean them afterward. If one of them is going to fail, I want it to be at the range.

 

[1557]

For a snub: Buffalo Bore 158gr. lswchp (with a gas check) 1000 fps.

 

[Cousin Mike]

remember the shooting in a Florida area store where a jewelry store owner got shot while drawing his PPK

Yep, and as Ichiro stated, that's why I don't carry condition 1 anymore. After thinking about it over and over, I concluded that I'm probably not instinctive enough with it to be 100% sure I could engage the safety in time. When it hits the fan you tend to do, think, and sometimes say things that you really don't expect or understand. Unless you work for SWAT, the SEALs, or have had some other serious training/experiences, I don't think you can be 100% sure that your mind will be working the way you think it will.

If you watch that video in slow-mo, you'll see that the store owner had his gun pointed right at the robber's COM by the time he was able to draw and turn around. He knew an attack was coming... He was thinking about shooting the robber and saving himself from death or injury - not weather or not his safety was on.

DA/SA in an auto, or a revolver for me... The more revolvers I shoot/see/buy, the more I like them.

If you're up against 15 guys without guns and if other other 10 are still standing there after you're shot five of them,

...then save the 6th round for yourself

 

[littledoc]

Aw, c'mon.

If there were 15 guys, I'd either be long gone or seeking cover really fast. A revolver would be fine.

If you are shooting from your favorite stance....

 

[pedaldude]

I like the idea of having my hand on a spurless revolver in my coat pocket at the ready in a threatening or possible threatening situation and knowing that, although I may ruin my coat,

I think you would get at most 2 shots off in that scenario.
After that you will either be on fire and worried about other things. Or the fabric of your coat will have pretty much jammed your wheel gun.

I've read a bunch of articles by and about people who have shot through coat pockets for practice with a revolver w/o problems, so I imagine unless you are shooting a .357 through rayon you should be fine, also it's wise to remove dust bunnies and lint/string for any gun that's going to be drawn from or shot from a pocket.

 

[B36]

ronto

Not to worry. the guy warning about fire, gun failure has likely not tried shooting from jacket pockets.

A couple of years ago, my son and I bought 8 or so jackets [Goodwill of course], several materials, etc. Shot 38s, 44 Specials, 9MM, 22s, all with no fire. all were shot wearing the jackets. All semi autos became single shot: uhoh: except the P7M8, and it failed after three.

All revolvers worked fine, no failures, but all were concealed hammer
Smiths.

Materials were cotton, wool, nylon, and coats/jackets included sport coats, warmup jackets, raincoats, etc.