Ok I'll toss my hat in here...
BOTH! Revolvers excel at accuracy and surviving neglect, also their great for sticking IN the aggressors belly and sending rounds on there way! They SUCK at in gun firepower and dint stand up to abuse very well ( note the poster who packs a wheelgun yet carries 30 rounds for it.)
Autos excel at in gun firepower, the ability to reload quickly, and can take abuse (i.e. dust, dirt, sand, mud, blood), yet they SUCK at accuracy (except for most of the hi-end guns like SIG and HK) and MUST be maintained on a regular basis!
I own both and have used both, they BOTH have their places in the defense arena. Dale

__________________
"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"