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  #201  
Old 11-27-2011, 02:40 PM
cwo4uscgret cwo4uscgret is offline
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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At work it is an HK USP2000 chambered in .40 S&W - the agency issued/mandated service pistol. I works; I know it works not a problem.

Off-duty, last night for example, it was a Colt 1911 Commercial model from 1952 - same age as me. For a backup I had a S&W Model 38.

Other days it could be a totally different set of handguns.

The important thing, more important then pistol/revolver carried is the reliability of the individual gun you are carrying and your proficiency with it. Equally important is your ability to clear a malfunction and continue to shoot...
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  #202  
Old 11-27-2011, 02:46 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith44spl View Post
That's the sixty-four dollar question...I was in this little shootin match one time, seem like a bunch of times.

Anyhows, this cat opens up on us in a stairwell.
The two fellers with me, an I.C.E. Marshall and a Trooper shoot back with their Glocks.

Im here to tell ya, 'em boys was a layin down sumkinda return fire. Neither side drew any blood.
I just held my ground, didn't want to waste my revolver cartridges.

We hemmed this guy up and I got an opening, put the front sight on him, squeezed one off and that was that...As they say.

So, I reckon by fire may or may not work.

Si Amigo,
Dave

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is why they they put sights on a firearm.
I am not sure where some of these people learned to shoot but in Boot Camp we were taught to shoot AT a enemy not CLOSE to an enemy.
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  #203  
Old 11-27-2011, 03:11 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Oh, one more little thing...When using a revolver, nobody
gets mad at ya for not sharing ammo with that guy that
missed with his first 45 rounds of sprayin' & prayin'.


Su Amigo,
Dave
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  #204  
Old 11-27-2011, 04:40 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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It isn't so much WHAT is in your hand as it is how you TRAIN with what is your hand. If you can't detect, assess and engage the threat from the standpoint of being behind (BG has already begun the attack) with your choice of weapons system be it auto loader or revolver it's a moot point. This includes getting out of the holster and delivering rounds on target while moving to cover or getting some distance from the attacker. Being able to engage threats from under a vehicle, through a windshield etc. The possibilities are endless. We spend too much time choosing "the best weapon" and use too little time training with it. I include myself as well. I should be out shooting now. As a matter of fact I think I will.
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  #205  
Old 11-28-2011, 10:40 AM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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These last few posts bring to mind what our old mossback instructor use to tell us.

"Having been trained by me I don't expect to read in my morning paper that any of you were involved in a gunfight. I expect to read it was simply a shooting." Regards 18DAI
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  #206  
Old 11-28-2011, 06:10 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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What's that saying about experts? Some folks practice to see how many times they can hit the middle- experts practice never missing the middle? Something like that...
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  #207  
Old 11-30-2011, 02:17 AM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
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I don't recall 'expert' being used, could have been...the line I remember was something like: "Most folks practice till they get it right, pros practice till they can't get it wrong".
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  #208  
Old 12-06-2011, 12:55 AM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by feralmerril View Post
There must be studys and statistics somewhere. I think far too much is made of how many rounds the gun has. We are talking civilian encounters here arent we? I would like to hear just how often if at all any gun fight between a civilian and a BG went past a couple rounds!
I know the possibility never cross`s my mind. This aint like a grade B western where we get behind a water trough and try to hold out for the cavary or hero shows up! I cant say when I ever read of a shootout like that! So takeing away THAT senerio, I see no advantage at all with a auto.
Now I know there is also romantics out there with a 12 year old mentality that think they need a backup besides, and a fighting knife to gut the remaining aggressers. Maybe I would be half that bad if I lived in bagdad or detroit myself.
I agree with your assessment of the threat level. Most situations, simply having a gun and getting off an accurate shot or two will resolve it or you will lose.

The problem is that revolvers are NOT what they used to be and gun fights are not always simple one on one altercations.

1. Revolvers are now NOT typical police guns. They are COMMERCIAL consumer products. Companies are NOT going to work hard to keep the Mean Time Between Failure down on their designs. Costs are now a bigger concern than MTBF because a problem in revolver reliability won't decrease police sales.

2. You are likely to encounter a long gun using criminal with greater restrictions on handgun sales than long gun sales in many states. In my state long gun sales between individuals are allowed, handguns are registered. A criminal can more easily get a long gun. You may need more rounds to compensate.

3. Criminals attack in groups. IDPA teaches you to deal with several targets. Beat downs happen on 2, 3, 4, or more to one.

4. Pistols especially LEO popular designs have better reliability, equal combat accuracy and are easier to shoot well and fast.

The BIG advantagee revolvers have are SAFE ADMINISTRATION and ease of seeing the loaded state. This is a big advantage in the home and with less skilled users.

I feel a lot safer if my poorly skilled neighbor owned a revolver rather than a semi-auto he dry fires pointed at the wall facing my house.
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  #209  
Old 12-06-2011, 09:30 AM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Good post Practical, lots of good stuff. I am a revolver guy and have in the past been fast to belittle the semi's loving that gun because they could carry many more rounds than me. I started w/a 5 shot J frame, still got it, still love it, fits my need at times. AND at the same time have gone out of my way to acquire a 8 shot N frame. Love it, wouldn't trade it for anything, fits my needs at times. And thats okay.

Lesson for me, different guns for different times. Some like apple pie, some like cherry pie, but most of us like pie.

You can like any gun you want, just have a gun.

Methinks.
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  #210  
Old 12-07-2011, 09:48 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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I retired from NYPD in 1988 after carrying a model 10 and a model 36 in an ankle holster and model 49 weakside pocket carry on duty. I prefer Smith revolvers for CCW especially since my Glock 27 has been back to Smyrna so often it should have frequent flyer miles. I am considering the M&P .45C but I will always have one of my J frames as a BUG.
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  #211  
Old 12-12-2011, 01:56 AM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Holy smokes! Best thread ever!!! I just read all 22 pages and I think I cracked a rib laughing at least 5 times. Boy guys sure are testy about this one. Personally I own and carry both. Truthfully I prefer a wheel gun, but that's just me. I think they are both great choices, I just feel all around more at ease with the double action revolver for self defense purposes. I was at the range today, and saw prolly a half dozen guys there that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn door. The guy next to me had dreadlocks, a glock and a 33 round stick fully loaded. I watched him empty it multiple times. He hit all over the place, and at 21 feet whomever would have been on the receiving end wouldn't have needed so much as a band aid! Its times like that when I truly feel comfortable in my choice of weapons. He and his party remarked at the effectiveness of my antiquated wheel gun. He said he thought those were for old dudes. I shook my head and said watch this. When I had my fill of the revolver I got out my 1911, and produced the same results. They left shortly there after. The point is it matters not what I choose! If I practice with it, know the manual of arms backwards and front, and am comfortable doing so with both bottom feeders and wheel guns then either is a good choice. I am by no means an expert on the subject. I simply approach it with the mind set that this is a deadly weapon. I must MASTER it, or get rid of it.
Firearms are tools! The kind that don't suffer fools! As had been said here to each his own. I prefer a good double action Wheel gun mostly. Then again I am not in combat!
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  #212  
Old 12-16-2011, 10:47 AM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Gun Digest has a recent article on this very topic:

CCW: Revolver or Autoloader? | Gun Digest - The World's Foremost Gun Information Authority
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  #213  
Old 12-16-2011, 11:09 AM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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The age old question of revolver or semi-auto:
I settled this by CCW both at the same time.
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  #214  
Old 12-16-2011, 05:05 PM
Mphstiger1981 Mphstiger1981 is offline
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyj View Post
The age old question of revolver or semi-auto:
I settled this by CCW both at the same time.

This. Glock 19 IWB and 642 on the ankle. Life is good.
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  #215  
Old 12-17-2011, 08:18 PM
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Whew! All 22 pages!
Anyway, here's my story and I'm stickin' to it...
Pocket carry works best for me, so I use a revolver (M49, a real Bodyguard :P ). With the Kel-Tec pocket 9mm, I need constant practice to avoid limp-wristing the gun.
With pleated slacks or cargo pants, the gun is not noticeable, yet easily and discreetly grasped if needed; I simply slip my hand into my pocket.
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  #216  
Old 12-17-2011, 09:23 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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I just read all 22 pages and here is my answer, carry what you feel comfortable with. practice, practice practice.

Practice firing, practice reloading, practice drawing.

I have lots of handguns, I shoot most of them I will carry a 642 and either a an auto or a revolver whatever I feel comfortable with. normally that is a K frame revolver but sometimes if I feel like it it will be a Glock 30 or a Browning Hi power or a 1911.

The one time I needed a firearm badly I was fortunate enough to be an M60 gunner and I was very good with that too, but unless I mount one on my truck I will stick with a handgun right now sitting next to me is a 642 that takes moon clips.

I don't plan on running into a large group of bikers or criminals but that being said after recent events in Milwaukee that is not to far fetched so I carry extra ammo in speed loaders moon clips or magazines just to be careful, I also carry a flashlight and a sap and pepper spray and a good pocket folder.
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  #217  
Old 12-18-2011, 03:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donniedee View Post
if you only knew how may times ive seen guns on the department range jam cause they were never cleaned??? tons. dont know if the civillian world would keep theres to eat off of, of course more rounds the better BUT off duty im not looking for a fight i i walk into a robbery in civ clothes ill bet i can put 4 out of 6 full house magunms in you really fast shoot approx 100 rounds every 2 weeks in this gun runs like a watch, heck on patrol all a duty guns good for is to buy me time to get to my ar in the trunk THEN the fun starts...
1) Most police consider the gun to be "something" they are required to have on their belt. They do not consider fighting skills to be a priority. My neighbor carried a Colt Gold Cup that was known to malfunction for two years before I sold him my SIG P220. His ammo was so cruddy that the P220 even choked on it.

His shooting skills were terrible too and he had no desire to improve beyond what guns and gear he could purchase.

2) Shooting at non-moving targets will not moving yourself does not prepare you for fighting.

You can build a simple moving target. Mount two 1x2 holders on a platform made from four 2x4's with four independently moving wheels. Put an eye screw on each side. Get four stakes, two 60' ropes, two 1x2's cut to six feet long and staple an IDPA target to it. Someone runs the target left and right while someone shoots.

You will find your hit ratio drops significantly.

Last edited by 230therapy; 12-18-2011 at 03:31 PM.
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  #218  
Old 12-18-2011, 11:56 PM
sirrduke2010 sirrduke2010 is offline
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Fighting skills and street fighting versus the use of a gun. What the officer runs into when he or she needs a gun is considered a possible street fight. What is a street fight? It is a fight where the attacker generally has unfair odds over the victim being that the attacker outnumbers the victim and/or he or she has a weapon. The logic that I am seeing here is that a police officer must be prepared for fighting. I agree you must be prepared for fighting if you are in a martial art fight in a ring with referees to stop the fight, EMT's, it is one on one, there are no weapons, there are the same weapons, and there is a one on one fight. Unfortunately for the police officer this isn't a Martial Art dual. His position is he is against an unknown assailant who could be armed and may have hidden accomplishes.

I have hear from reputable sources cases of Martial Artists in a street fight and the unfortunate thing that the advantage is to the attacker because of the unfairness of the situation. I know of specific cases where the Martial Artist is taken out from behind and wind up in the hospital or are stabbed in the scuffle. The unfortunate part is that a Martial Artist may see a fight as only against one person that is unarmed but people can move very quickly. People that are trained for self defense will try to avoid a street fight, escape for briefly punch and/or kick to escape. I have heard of Martial Artists coming out on top but a street fight isn't a ring fight. Nobody is going to help you if you are injured or wounded and are in a isolated spot. You either walk out alive or are killed or badly wounded. A street fight isn't about winning it is about surviving. Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is to walk away or escape.

The invincible Martial Artist doesn't exist. Everybody can be killed if shot, stabbed, beaten, strangled, etc. if the time and the location of injury are sufficient. I haven't into the legal ramifications of being arrested for assault or murder, having to hire an attorney, being sentenced to prison. The most complicated thing you can decide is to get into a battle with an assailant. Fighting skills are helpful but they aren't the only answer here. The best course of action with an unknown threat is to equalize. With an unknown threat the officers best option is the gun. Having to get to close to a suspect is risky especially if you are by yourself.

Martial Artists can be trained to defend against weapons and multiple opponents and these skills are valuable. However if he or she wants to survive you don't want to stay in this situation long unless you are defending someone else.
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  #219  
Old 12-19-2011, 12:34 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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^^^^^ I rest my case.
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Old 12-19-2011, 10:31 PM
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One problem with pocket autos (for me, anyway) is they are hard for me to maintain a tight grip on. It occurred to me that if for some reason, my grip was weakened, I might "limpwrist" the gun and induce a malfunction. With a revolver, if I can pull the trigger, I need not worry about a stoppage from a weak grip.

Last edited by shep854; 12-19-2011 at 10:48 PM.
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  #221  
Old 12-20-2011, 03:48 AM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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I just go ahead and carry them both, since for me personally i cant decide on if i like a revolver or my semi auto...so i just make room in my heart and my pants for both...
Taurus model 82 6shot .38 special +p of course loaded with winchester ranger , S&W sigma .40 4" 14+1 loaded with hornaday z-max same as the red tips just a cooler box for christmas im gonna stagger my mags with red and green tips so my sigma can be in the christmas spirit






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  #222  
Old 01-07-2012, 09:56 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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Default This thread moved me away from my Revolver and towards Duty Glock 22

Quote:
Originally Posted by sirrduke2010 View Post
OP with responses by me after "-": The revolver advantage is that you don't get confused by the safety in an emergency, - not an issue with a Glock
there is a lot less chance of it jamming, yeah, but just barely
and you can just point and shoot. - Same with Glock
There is a lot less risk of it firing if dropped although automatics now have a safety for that. - Again, not an issue with a Glock

The automatic has a lot larger round capacity, - double to be exact over an 8 shot revolver.
it is easier to reload with magazines, - Yup, but not by much with match grade moon clips.
it has a safety to help protect the shooter with hammer drop, and it can be a lot more compact and flatter than a revolver. - What hammer?
The big drawbacks are a load jamming in the chamber possible making your weapon unusable, - Have not had an issue since first duty block, I am on number 4.
the possibility of it going off it is dropped unless your pistol has safeties for this which many of the new weapons have, - No more likely.
and in an emergency situation less advanced shooters can forget, in a high pressure situation, to load the chamber or take off the safety. - Always carry Condition 1, and safety not an issue with Glock.
Okay, this post has a lot of overly generalized assumptions, and in totality, the thread ended up moving me towards my Glock:

Stuff I use on duty aside, from S&W I have purchased four revolvers and two semi-autos (PC 627 5", 617, PC 629, PC 627 2.625", 1911 Commander, PC 1911 melonite).

I occasionally carry a PC 627 with the 2 5/8 inch barrel in a Galco Combat master holster; I also carry my duty Glock 22 of course in a duty holster, but also in a Galco Cop II concealed. The issue for me carrying concealed with the PC 627 originally was not so much the size, it was the stinking weight, the recoil, and the capacity.

To have reasonable fire power with 8 rounds in the PC627 I carry Speer Short Barrel .357 giving me 290 Lbs. in muzzle energy. This is a manageable load for follow-up shots (unlike say some other Speer and Federal Premium .357 loads with over double the muzzle energy).

Problem is, I look at my duty Glock 22 (.40) with the Federal Premium 180 grain loads at 392 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy, and all of a sudden I have more energy, less recoil, faster follow-up shots, more accuracy, DOUBLE the capacity, better concealment, and my pants aren't being pulled down.

I'm not far geographically from the off-duty OIS that happened up in or around Nashville a year or so ago when he was 3 on 1 in a motel lobby shoot out. The off-duty officer prevailed shooting all three armed robbers, but the difficulty to survive goes way way up if the officer had been packing a 686 or PC 627. Then last month in NYC, there was an armed crew of nine people robbing drug dealers that thank God two arresting officers happened upon just two of the guys when the balance of the crew happened to be at another location, and they learned about the full crew through interrogation, then the rest were arrested with planned overwhelming force.

I carry the Glock more and more, and on duty I wouldn't carry a revolver if I could although I used to think I would. I love my 627 PC, but it is increasingly relegated to a hunting side arm with full load .357 Federal Premium A Frames. And it may eventually be sold and replaced by a Wilson Combat Elite 1911 even with the capacity loss.

My son belongs to the Army, has competed successfully both with long guns and hand guns, he loves M-4's, M-9's are okay, the M-24, and he would love a boutique grade 1911 such as Wilson, Nighhawk, or Baer. Revolvers are not even part of his peer's discussion - revolvers for them are like black powder for us. A cool connection to fire-arm history, but just that: history. They're probably right.

Last edited by dwever; 01-07-2012 at 10:14 PM.
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  #223  
Old 01-11-2012, 04:23 PM
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
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In the end, it really comes down to what you are comfortable with & what you shoot the best. (that includes reloading & stoppage drills as well).
Don't forget, no one is going to remember what caliber or type of gun was used. They will only remember who won.
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Old 01-16-2012, 04:51 AM
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Which is better?

Why not ask the FBI, CIA, Navy seals, Army Rangers, Military, and Secret Service, along with a couple million law enforcement officers who depend on their weapon to save their life every day and see what they carry?
Its not what the cops and army carry that matters. The Military has regulations they have to follow and city cops have the police charter or what ever to follow so they won't get sued that much. Your not doing a cop job so you dont need 45 rounds to fight a protracted fight. If you carry 3-4 magazines of 10-15 rounds where you gonna put it? Sometimes all your going to be able to carry is a 5 shot 38.
I believe its better to practice so you can hit anything you need to. Get your gun adjusted to shoot POA You may need to make a single action shot. Cant with a Glock but you can with a SW360. You should have a small stun gun with you for when you cant draw. Always carry a knife too. Remember cops dont always know who the bad guys are you do.
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Old 01-16-2012, 12:02 PM
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Its not what the cops and army carry that matters. The Military has regulations they have to follow and city cops have the police charter or what ever to follow so they won't get sued that much. Your not doing a cop job so you dont need 45 rounds to fight a protracted fight. If you carry 3-4 magazines of 10-15 rounds where you gonna put it? Sometimes all your going to be able to carry is a 5 shot 38.
I believe its better to practice so you can hit anything you need to. Get your gun adjusted to shoot POA You may need to make a single action shot. Cant with a Glock but you can with a SW360. You should have a small stun gun with you for when you cant draw. Always carry a knife too. Remember cops dont always know who the bad guys are you do.
How do you know how many rounds I will need in my gun fight?
I'd rather have ten too many than one too few.

I don't carry spare mags, and with my .380 I have 6 rounds. With my 9mm I have 12, my .40 I have 17. Maybe I'll have enough ammo, maybe I won't. I don't lose sleep over it.
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Old 01-16-2012, 12:41 PM
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This has been tossed around so much that it seems like the more research you do, the more confused you'll become. I don't believe I've ever heard of a failure to feed, stovepipe, damaged magazine, failure to dis-engage safety, failure to engage safety with any revolver. I believe the revolver to be more user friendly, easier to maintain, quicker to action and just as easily carried concealed. That said, I carry for my concealment weapon a Kahr CW 9. Go figure.(?)
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Old 01-16-2012, 12:58 PM
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S&W has a video where they dunk the M&P in a pail of mud and pull it out and shoot it. Glock had a demo where they'd fill their gun with sand and shoot it.

I don't think any of my revolvers would like to be dragged through mud, and I wouldn't trust them to work if they were.

A semi-auto is pretty sealed up really.
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Old 01-16-2012, 03:14 PM
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the Mulberry Bush we go...

Dukie - when I went through the Academy we had hours upon hours of Ground Fighting techniques and offensive un-armed attack moves.

It was drilled into us over and over that once we as police officers "fight" the bad guy we've lost. The primary idea, if engaged physically, is to inflict as much damage as possible in 1 minute, disengage, and put the bad guy in cuffs.

The only "real" limiting thing between a revolver and a semi-auto pistol is capacity; most concealable revolvers are either 5 or 6 rounds whereas any "autos" can carry anywhere between 6+1 up to 17+1. I have a sub-compact 1911 that holds 6+1 and another that holds 10+1. My revolvers are older guns and don't hold 7 or 8 rounds as some of the newer ones do.

When your carry gun has less capacity then others then you better be darn accurate. We qualify quarterly at work. Part of our qual course included shooting 2 rounds to the chest and 1 to the head; twice. i.e. the fail to stop drill. If the bad guy is still standing (and attacking) after four rounds to center body mass (no vest) and two solid shots to the head you may want to think about running!

Pistols and revolvers aren't reliable enough for one shot stops (even though they do happen) - so practice marksmanship and defensive tactics on a regular basis; keep your eyes on a swivel as well scanning for threats.

Is a revolver better then a semi-auto? It really depends on who is shooting what gun.
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Old 01-16-2012, 04:52 PM
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cwo4, I just watched a video on 'Dumbest Criminals' or something like that where a LEO took a car off the road for good reason and the perp came out blazing.... The LEO fired at least 8 rounds, another LEO came upon the scene immediately and was firing and the BG was hit 4 or 5 times before he fell, then he continued firing while down.

I think the officers involved wished they had those guns we see in the movies that have never-ending bullet supplies. There was no time to reload, the fight was at 10 feet to 20 feet as the officers backed away, no cover, just keep shooting until the threat stops.

So when I am told I'll never need more than 5 good shots, I can just watch this video with two highly trained and prepared LEOs firing everything their high capacity sidearms had hoping that one shot would connect well enough to incapacitate the BG.
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Old 01-16-2012, 04:54 PM
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Depends on which one is loaded.
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Old 01-16-2012, 05:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost Lake View Post
So when I am told I'll never need more than 5 good shots, I can just watch this video with two highly trained and prepared LEOs firing everything their high capacity sidearms had hoping that one shot would connect well enough to incapacitate the BG.
Bet they were shooting 9mms.
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  #232  
Old 01-17-2012, 11:28 AM
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"Bet they were shooting 9mms." Hehe....

Oh, now you have done it!! That argument is a whole nother can of worms on the gunboards auburn2. Regards 18DAI
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Old 01-17-2012, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by dwever View Post
Okay, this post has a lot of overly generalized assumptions, and in totality, the thread ended up moving me towards my Glock:..........I carry the Glock more and more,
Well then, aren't you glad that you came to this thread

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Originally Posted by Lost Lake View Post
S&W has a video where they dunk the M&P in a pail of mud and pull it out and shoot it. Glock had a demo where they'd fill their gun with sand and shoot it.

I don't think any of my revolvers would like to be dragged through mud, and I wouldn't trust them to work if they were.
They wouldn't like it at all. it only takes a little filth in the barrel/cylinder gap or some at the rear around the ratchet or under it and the revolver cylinder wont turn. If it wont turn it wont shoot even one round. That is why the world's armed forces left them behind decades ago. yeah I know most of us here are not going to war but i've seen mud and grit right here in the States. ideally all of that junk shouldn't be in your carry; of course ideally you shouldn't ever have the need to shoot anyone. Murphy should keep his sorry butt out of out guns but he'll slip in if he can.

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Bet they were shooting 9mms.
probably; those things wouldn't kill a sick tofu munchin' hippie, and probably wouldn't leave more than a slight bruise on a big strong young man who had used his food stamps wisely. 9mm is very harmless, that's why it was used in both world wars; in the second one it saw widespread use on both sides in pistols as well as SMG's. But today almost 110 years after it was introduced everyone knows that it is harmless
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Old 01-17-2012, 03:34 PM
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Exactly NKJ,

Gabby Giffords was shot in the head with a 9mm, and she is doing just fine. They really are just for plinking and young kids.
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Old 01-17-2012, 03:46 PM
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[QUOTE
Gabby Giffords was shot in the head with a 9mm, and she is doing just fine. They really are just for plinking and young kids. [/QUOTE]



Certainly a unusal definition of "doing just fine".

Pathetic
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Old 01-17-2012, 03:58 PM
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People have been shot in the head with .45ACP and recovered.
Placement, placement, placement!
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Old 01-17-2012, 04:25 PM
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People have been shot in the head with .45ACP and recovered.
Placement, placement, placement!
indeed and I remember them mentioning something along the lines of that in an old Lee Marvin film called "Point Blank" about a small caliber rifle

and those officers were probably under stress and well when you've got 15 in the mag you tend to forget that bullet placement is the priority, not spraying him till he's dead and also you are far more likely to spray than a guy with a single stack pistol if you have a double stack, as you know that fact and its always in the back of your mind when using one.

basically its a psychological thing not a caliber failing and that happened in Kingston Texas when they first switched over to the glocks in the early 1990's or atleast thats what my father told me he remembered reading in the paper there when he was working there all those years ago.

but anyways thats contrary to what this thread was started for, simply put I'd say a revolver as long as you can master DA shooting, once you do that and learn to reload it proficiently a revolver is the go to gun of choice and you can handle anything if you can master DA revolver shooting after that.

not the semi auto as you dont have to worry about an extractor breaking, following the tap and rack procedure if the mag isnt seated properly, jamming or anything else that can go wrong with a semi auto like a little sand jamming up the slide or any of the mechanisms, I mean there was a reason why even though people had semi autos in the early 1900's revolvers were still the go to choice in the west and were the go to choice until the 1970's

plus the speedloaders are bulletproof as well unlike a well used magazine, its just that if you cant handle the DA trigger, having a little extra bulk and living with the fact that you only have 5-9 based on the revolver (10 to 18 if you carry two of them, negating the need for a speedloader) its not for you, its that simple

for me though I'm an archaic guy anyways so its the revolver as the more I go in the opposite direction of the curve the happier I get with most things, except computers, thats the one place the latter model is 9 times out of 10 better than the old one.

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Old 01-17-2012, 04:39 PM
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Certainly a unusal definition of "doing just fine".

Pathetic
Well, comparatively anyway... She could be a heck of a lot WORSE off than she is.... She did take a bullet to the head.
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Old 01-17-2012, 05:57 PM
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Depends on which one is loaded.
This. ^^^

Or maybe what I'm wearing may factor into it. Gotta properly accessorize, you know?
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  #240  
Old 01-20-2012, 01:11 PM
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People have been shot in the head with .45ACP and recovered.
Placement, placement, placement!
"The head" is as good as it gets in terms of shot placement.
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  #241  
Old 01-20-2012, 02:18 PM
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"The head" is as good as it gets in terms of shot placement.
Yep. Even then, there's 'good' and there's 'better'.
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Old 01-26-2012, 11:40 AM
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Exactly NKJ,

Gabby Giffords was shot in the head with a 9mm, and she is doing just fine. They really are just for plinking and young kids.
"A year after the shooting, in halting speech due to her injuries, the Congresswoman announced recently she would resign Congress to continue to work on her recovery." No joking matter. Especially when you consider the other six people who died in the same shooting.

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Old 01-26-2012, 12:20 PM
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She's so popular right now she could run for president and win.
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Old 06-21-2012, 08:04 PM
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Pistols are obviously smaller, sleeker, and easier to conceal than revolvers, but which one is more likely to jam on you? The FBI and military carry pistols because the reaction is quicker; there is no hammer to pull. Let's all be honest here though. If the men in Marine infantry have to use their handgun, you already know the **** has hit the fan. One isn't necessarily greater than the other when talking about self-defense. Jams happen quite often. When have you heard about a revolver jamming? Not never. It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry, so just carry a snub nose, so you get the best of both worlds.
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Old 06-22-2012, 08:37 AM
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Default Malfunctions do happen -- I must be cursed

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Originally Posted by joelackey92 View Post
Pistols are obviously smaller, sleeker, and easier to conceal than revolvers, but which one is more likely to jam on you? The FBI and military carry pistols because the reaction is quicker; there is no hammer to pull. Let's all be honest here though. If the men in Marine infantry have to use their handgun, you already know the **** has hit the fan. One isn't necessarily greater than the other when talking about self-defense. Jams happen quite often. When have you heard about a revolver jamming? Not never. It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry, so just carry a snub nose, so you get the best of both worlds.
Nothing is guaranteed and defensive shooters must know how to handle malfunctions.

S&W 327 bullet jumped crimp
K17 endshake caused dragging and was good only for 24 or 30 shots
M27 with internal firing pin. Pin shattered on first shot.
Taurus Judge: 100% cylinder lockup with 410 buckshot--twice in 5 shots.
Ruger GP100 had light strikes with only 50% ignition rate.
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Old 06-22-2012, 09:48 AM
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I need to be honest here, the entire CCW thing is important to me, I just got my ccw and really only carried once ( a bersa .380 in one of those holsters built into a t-shirt, I was not impressed it was awkward and it would OBVIOUS if I was going for a gun if i needed it.) I have a 5943 that at first I hated because of the dao but now that I have put a cpl of hundred rounds through it I really like it, I did buy an iwb holster for it and with a t-shirt on and a Hawaiian shirt over it you can't even see the full size 5943, I like the fact that i can carry 16 rounds as well , to me it's basically just a 16 round revolver, very safe. I have no reservations about having an AD with that firearm. On the other hand I do have a 1911A1 and carrying that cocked and locked scares the beejesus outta me. I was at the local gunshop and just bought a colt diamondback 4 inch .38 special. I expect to carry that as well. Guy sold me a plastic iwb holster for it. so I will go to the range today and try it out. Anyway Semi-autos vs. Revolvers ? I am far to new CCW to have any reasonable opinion on what is better, all I hope is I never have to use anything.
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Old 06-23-2012, 03:32 PM
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When have you heard about a revolver jamming? Not never. It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry, so just carry a snub nose, so you get the best of both worlds.
I had a Taurus Model 415 2" Stainless .41 Magnum. Five shot, ported barrel, a true hand cannon; with certain types of commercially reloaded ammo (primarily lead bullets) the recoil was sufficient to cause a lightly (read not crimped enough) crimped bullet to move forward in the case enough to cause the cylinder to not rotate. At first I thought the cartridge OAL was too long but without shooting I could cycle the cylinder by hand. It didn't happen often but when it did it was a show stopper.

My nickle plated 4" Model 58 doesn't do that at all!
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Old 06-23-2012, 09:34 PM
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Duke, while there's a lot to be said for a revolver in terms of reliability, don't be fooling into thinking they never fail. After all, there was a reason the military made the switch back in 1911.
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Old 06-23-2012, 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Donn View Post
Duke, while there's a lot to be said for a revolver in terms of reliability, don't be fooling into thinking they never fail. After all, there was a reason the military made the switch back in 1911.
There are a lot of reasons but he mechanical reliability of the revolver was not one of them.

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Old 06-27-2012, 08:50 PM
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TexasArmed TexasArmed is offline
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The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better? The Revolver vs. the Pistol for self defense.  Which is better?  
Join Date: Jun 2011
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I wouldn't depend on a revolver for home defense these days. In my area the big thing is home invasion, anywhere from 3-5 guys heavily armed with pistols and AK's and you want to defend your family with a 5 or 6 shot revolver. Surrender isn't really an option they are there more for the rape and murder then money
Well, it is bad where I live but I have not optioned yet for a shotgun.
I own 4 revolvers, a S&W625-5 4" Long Colt 45, and a CA 44 Bulldog,
and two 38's. There is one way into my abode, and one way out, no side doors or back doors. So if there are 15 of them they may get me for sure,
but they have to come through one door. I also will not say I have not had a revolver fail, because I have. But I trust S&W Revolvers, and my CA Bulldog and I am more comfortable with revolvers. I carry two of them regular. I have not found it necessary yet to buy an AK either.

If the gangsters start moving in with AK's I probably will buy a Pump Shotgun. Till it gets that bad I am sticking with my Revolvers!
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1911, 45acp, 642, 681, beretta, bodyguard, browning, ccw, colt, commercial, flintlock, glock, idpa, j frame, k frame, l frame, lock, m60, military, model 16, model 60, sig arms, wwii

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