Why I carry a revolver

[4thHorseman]

I've given this alot of thought. I have numerous 1911's, a Glock, Sig, and a Para Ord.
I have NEVER had a semi auto that didn't jam. Never. I can never be sure when I need it, it won't jam.
It seems like every semi auto has it's own safety system that must be learned. A Sig has a first shot like a double action and then followed by a single action. Huh?
A 1911 has a manual safety that must be disengaged, in an emergency, can I remember? I forget to it at the range at times.
Glocks, I never felt comfortable with the trigger. Just me I guess.
Now comes revolvers... always eats ANY bullet given it. Always there in a "Safety mode", always the trigger pull is the same as the last. Open the cylinder, bingo, the revolver cannot fire. I never heard of an accidental discharge from a revolver. Never. Some of you may have, I have not. No springs to change, ie, recoil, or mag springs, when things go wrong. No stove pipes, no jamming.
God though, I love to fire semi autos at the range, man it's fun.
Anyway, I depend on the revolver. I carried all the semi autos at one time or another, but I ALWAYS go back to the revolver.

 

[10-Ring]

Like we all say "I trust my life to it." The choice of carry gun is a very personal choice w/ many factors going into the decision...reliability, accuracy, durability, shooter's skill w/ that particular weapon...etc etc. If you feel most comfortable w/ the revolver and have enough training in its use, then that should be your SD, HD gun.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Sounds good ,go with what you feel most comfortable with.

 

[RON in PA]

See the article in the current Combat Handguns, 25 reasons why the revolver is superior as a defense weapon.

I recently made the decision to go 100% revolver for CCW and sold off my Glock 26 and 19. Why?, because If you shoot autos long enough they all malfunction (jam) and I had some serious ones with the Glocks that caused me to lose confidence.

 

[WonderNine]

I agree with your perception that the revolver is the better defense weapon. However....

No springs to change, ie, recoil, or mag springs, when things go wrong. No stove pipes, no jamming.

Revolvers have springs too. And they can break or need changing just like in a semi-auto. Also, revovlers DO jam. They have alot of little parts and springs that need to work in unison just as with an auto. Squib loads can also cause a revolver to jam in a way that could be fixed in a semi-auto by simply racking the slide.

 

[Dr.Rob]

True if you manage to jam a revolver (which I've seen twice) you need a trip to the gunsmith rather than tap-rack-bang. Still, it just doesn't happen that often.

 

[4thHorseman]

No dought, you guys are probably right, revolvers jam and springs break. Point being, I NEVER had a revolver do that. I shoot alot too.
The odds are GREATLY reduced in a revolver jamming. Like I said, I never had a semi auto that didn't jam. I have many brands of semi autos also.
It could of been limp wristing (although I try not to), bad ammo, weak springs or a combination of things.
I just feel better with a revolver on the reliabilty issue.
Howerever, and it's a big however, as I stated earlier, a semi auto is alot more fun to shoot for me.

 

[bountyhunter]

"I've given this alot of thought. I have numerous 1911's, a Glock, Sig, and a Para Ord.
I have NEVER had a semi auto that didn't jam. Never. I can never be sure when I need it, it won't jam.
It seems like every semi auto has it's own safety system that must be learned. A Sig has a first shot like a double action and then followed by a single action. Huh?
A 1911 has a manual safety that must be disengaged, in an emergency, can I remember? I forget to it at the range at times.
Glocks, I never felt comfortable with the trigger. Just me I guess.
Now comes revolvers... always eats ANY bullet given it. Always there in a "Safety mode", always the trigger pull is the same as the last. Open the cylinder, bingo, the revolver cannot fire. I never heard of an accidental discharge from a revolver. Never. Some of you may have, I have not. No springs to change, ie, recoil, or mag springs, when things go wrong. No stove pipes, no jamming.
God though, I love to fire semi autos at the range, man it's fun.
Anyway, I depend on the revolver. I carried all the semi autos at one time or another, but I ALWAYS go back to the revolver."


I don't remember writing this, but it sure looks like me. You forgot one: if you hit a dead primer in a weelgun, a good round is just a trigger pull away. With the typical auto, you have to hand cycle the slide to bring up a round and cock the hammer, re aim, then shoot. Of course, you're dead by then.

 

[Albert Shear]

Can I add one more reason? Ok thanks. Bottom feeders require a completely separate part to hold its ammunition. Should it be separated from you or be damaged you weapon is then a single shot pistol.
Al

 

[DAL]

I carry a revolver, the S&W 642, for the simple fact that it conceals like no other gun I own, and it is a fantastic little weapon in its own right. When clothing permits, however, and when I get a good IWB holster, I will carry my new-to-me Glock 26, and relegate the 642 to an understudy position (maybe ankle carry?).
DAL

 

[ACP230]

I saw a new in the box Smith Model 60 stick with the hammer cocked and a live round in the chamber. It was the first time the owner had it at the range. It took a trip to the gunsmith to fix it.

I saw a Virginian Dragoon lock up from a squib round. The bullet was visible in the end of the barrel and took lots of work to extricate.

I had a Ruger Blackhawk, which I regarded as tougher than any of my other handguns start failing to lock the cylinder due to cold.

All of the above malfunctions happened on the same range during Hunter's Pistol Silhouette matches.

On the practice range at a major bowling pin match, I was trying out some new ammo when my Smith M649 started refusing to fire double action. It would still lock the cylinder in single action, but it unnerved me since it was my carry gun. Weather then was sunny and warm.

Revolvers do jam. Sometimes when they do, it is a lot of trouble to fix them.

 

[USGuns]

9mm revolver

I've been thinking hard about maybe getting a revolver lately but I want a 9mm revolver. Does anyone still make new 9mm revolvers?

I looked on the S&W and Ruger websites but didn't see any. Is there anyone else that makes 9mm revolvers of equal quality to S&W and Ruger?

 

[Boats]

In my years at the range when something goes wrong on an auto it is usually diagnosed very rapidly if the shooter was at all familiar with his or her weapon.

OTOH when something went wrong with a revolver it was almost a mystery at times to the shooter, even with many years of experience, the mental troubleshooting flow chart seemingly not being as intuitive as on an auto.

 

[4thHorseman]

"I had a Ruger Blackhawk, which I regarded as tougher than any of my other handguns start failing to lock the cylinder due to cold. "- ACP230

I guess it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to check all my guns for cold ops. I have only a couple I fire when it's cold. Thanks

 

[WonderNine]

you have to hand cycle the slide to bring up a round and cock the hammer, re aim, then shoot.

Why would you have to cock the hammer if you had already cycled the slide? And remember, you always have to aim and shoot. Sorry, but there's alot of bias in your reasoning.

Can I add one more reason? Ok thanks. Bottom feeders require a completely separate part to hold its ammunition. Should it be separated from you or be damaged you weapon is then a single shot pistol.

Carry at least one extra magazine.

I looked on the S&W and Ruger websites but didn't see any. Is there anyone else that makes 9mm revolvers of equal quality to S&W and Ruger?

Somebody mentioned in a thread the other day that Taurus is going to be coming out with a 9mm revolver. I'm not exactly impress with Taurus's QC though after owning a 415T snubby that developed a timing problem after only about 300-400 rounds and couldn't hit the broadside of a barn.

I guess it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to check all my guns for cold ops. I have only a couple I fire when it's cold. Thanks

Had my 9mm Browning Hi-Power out last week in the -10 windchill. 300 rounds, no malfunctions as usual.

And I can't say enough good about ole Break Free CLP

 

[Mike Irwin]

Hey guys?

You squib a semi-auto and you're just as screwed as you would be with a revolver.

If you get a bullet lodged in the barrel in either action type, chances are you're not getting it out without a trip to the gunsmith.

 

[WonderNine]

Hey guys?

You squib a semi-auto and you're just as screwed as you would be with a revolver.

If you get a bullet lodged in the barrel in either action type, chances are you're not getting it out without a trip to the gunsmith.

True, I was thinking that a squib load would block the cylinder from turning. But then after I posted, I realized that a squib load would also block the barrel in an auto, duhhhhh...

However rounds that don't go off are almost as easily cleared in an auto (by a rack of the slide) as they are in a revolver by another trigger pull. And keep in mind their are generally more rounds in an auto to begin with.

 

[Master Blaster]

Squib loads can also cause a revolver to jam in a way that could be fixed in a semi-auto by simply racking the slide

The last squib I had was in a semi auto, it required disassembly and the use of a wodden dowel and a hammer, to remove the bullet stuck in the barrel.

If I had racked the slide and pulled the trigger again, the gun would have turned into a live handgrenade.

If you have a squib in any gun, please check the barrel before you rack the slide, or advance the cylinder.

I a close quarters struggle, I think the revolver has the edge for reliability. If you doubt this nest time you are at the rang take you favorit wonderpistol and jam it into a pillow (simulates contact distance with an adversary) fire it, and see if you get a second shot. fire it from the pocket of an old coat also.
WARNING dont put your hand in front of the MUZZLE.WARNING dont put your hand in front of the MUZZLE.

 

[lee n. field]

>See the article in the current Combat Handguns, 25 reasons why the revolver is superior as a defense weapon.

I saw that article. A lot of the points are arguable.

Fer-instance, one that comes to mind: "Only 2 motions to make a revolver safe". Well, you make an autoloader safe by dropping the mag and racking the slide. One two.

For another: a revolver is simple for an untrained individual to use in an emergency. Point and click. Well, simpler till it's time to reload. Then it becomes as or more complicated than an autoloader.

For another: a revolver is better because it's grip sticks out more. Fine for a cop who can go around all day with his gun in full view and not have the end users freak out. Not so good for those who have to worry about "brandishing"

Some good points, but the article struck me as a typical "revolver vs. auto" article that you see in any given gun mag every 3 years or so.

 

[Poohgyrr]

____________________________________________________
Quote: Had my 9mm Browning Hi-Power out last week in the -10 windchill. 300 rounds, no malfunctions as usual.
____________________________________________________

Well, of course !! It's a Hi Power !!!!!


Butt, when I carry a revolver, it's 'cause I want to.

 

[bountyhunter]

"And remember, you always have to aim and shoot. Sorry, but there's alot of bias in your reasoning."

No, actually there is a lot of non-understanding in your response. When you hold a wheelgun and have a dud round, you simply pull again. Takes about 10 milli seconds. You don't lose the sight picture, you don't have to re aim or re grip, and it is 100% intuitive.

If an auto hits a bad round, you hear a click. Wonder what happened.... tap the bottom of the mag to make sure it's seated, grab the slide and rack it, re-grip the gun, re aim the gun, then fire. If you think you are still alive in a gunfight after all that, I've got some beautiful swamp land you'll want to buy.

 

[4thHorseman]

"Well, simpler till it's time to reload. Then it becomes as or more complicated than an autoloader."-lee n. field

I use a speed loader on mine. I don't believe it is that much harder to reload than putting in a mag. Maybe a second or two at max longer.
Now, If you were to reload the same mag on a semi auto or reload a cylinder on a revolver, I believe the wheel gun would be much faster here.

 

[VictorLouis]

I've owned at least one or more examples

of all major makes and models of auto pistols. Without straining the memory cells too hard, there's only two that I can recall never having had a malf of any kind. The original Khar's K/E-9 series, and S&W full-size .45s. I had several examples of each over the years, so it's not just a sample of one.

The last malf to push me over the fence to revolvers was with a G19. Ammo was Win./USA white-box ball, and the gun only had a mag or two through it since being cleaned. It was more than just a double-feed, and I later hit upon the internet accounts of the malfunctions plaguing NYPD's Glocks.

Before you even ask, the gun was already broken-in with over 500 rounds. Plus, it wasn't affected by limp-wristing. I'd tried to induce that purposefully with several different types of ammo on a couple of different occasions. In fact, I was left wondering just how in the world one could get a Glock to 'fail' under a limp-wrist hold at all!

 

[4thHorseman]

"All of the above malfunctions happened on the same range during Hunter's Pistol Silhouette matches. " - ACP230

I started thinking about all those revolver failures you mentened, and all at one time. I wonder is because all those guys had their revolvers modified for competiton shooting? Many times when you start to tinker with them, they get finicky.
Just a thought I had.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I have lots of semi-autos. I love to shoot them but I have only one revolver. My SP101 3" .38+P. It is my night stand gun. Does that tell you something? We can't carry in my state, so it makes no dif, but in my home, asleep, when I reach for protection, it is my revolver that is by my side.

Buy a quality brand revolver and load it with good factory PD ammo, and it probably will not ever fail you. And talk about low maintenance! Put it in a drawer, loaded, take it out 10 years later and it will shoot.

I used to think revolvers were passe, obsolete, but lately I have begun to have a new appreciation for them, and plan on purchasing many more. On the wish list:

S&W Bodyguard.
Redhawk .44 magnum
Single Six .22
Something in a .17 HMR
GP101 .357
I would love to have a SP101 in 9mm, but Ruger stopped selling them.