Hey All,

I got into a discussion today with a friend of mine, and we got on the topic of "why I choose to carry a revolver" when most people in my generation prefer auto loaders. I thought it might be interesting to hear any of the members stories...here's mine...

I've been carrying as a civilian ever since I left the Marine Corps, I have to admit it, I was a 1911 and a Glock guy for several years. My primary carry was a Springfield TRP 1911, I always kept up maintenance on her, cleaned and inspected on a regular basis...everything that needed to be done to make sure my sidearm was in top working order. So, I got to the range to sling some lead...unholstered the Springer, made clear, and loaded up to fire. I got my sights on target, squeezed the trigger...and...click...nothing. I cleared the round, looked like a light primer strike. Put 4 or 5 rounds down range with no issues, reloaded a magazine with my carry ammunition...and after 2 rounds...FTF.
Soon after that, I started carrying a 686...and never looked back.
There were 1000 things that could have caused the malfunctions, but it was always in the back of my head, and I just never really had trust in auto loaders again. Revolvers can malfunction, but statistical, they will do so a fraction of the time that an auto loader will.

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Silence is the virtue of fools

The decision to carry a revolver is a perfectly valid one. You get 5 or 6 or 7 shots pretty much for sure. For a private citizen (as opposed to a police officer) it is almost certain that it will do the job. I still sometimes carry a Colt DS (though most often I now carry a very small 1911 in .38 Super). I don't feel undergunned with the Colt, I just prefer the 1911.

Two J frames gives me ten rounds.

I wouldnt say its a Perfectly valid reason. It is a reason. It's kinda like having a check engine light on a model X car and never buying a car again.

That being said my model 28 will usually set off 2 or 3 out of 6 on the first try. Have yet to shoot a full 6 rounds. My former model 12 would bind and not allow rotation of the cylinder on 2 out of 6. Trigger would stop half way. If I let go and pulled again I could usually force it shoot.

The only positive to the cool "winter" weather here in SC, is wearing cover garments that allow my favorite 686+ carry. Unfortunately, its only a few weeks a year.

I have a number of reasons why I generally carry a revolver but I do sometimes switch to auto!atic pistols. Reliability is the main reason for my wheelies, along with a lifetime of love for them. Additional firepower requirements (situational thought process) moves me to a pistol.

I had mostly semi autos but then I went to the revolvers. I went for a couple reasons. One I just feel the revolver is safer against ND and over all safety. 2nd I feel the revolver is less likely to jam.
I feel if I need more than 5 shots I am likely not to live through a confrontation anyway. Besides I can carry speed loaders.
But to each his own for sure.

From 15 years experience training a few thousand students on the range I believe the revolver is 5 times more reliable than the pistol. I don't have any scientific statistics to back it up. Just a WAG based on observations. After all is said and done I carry a Ruger SP101 .357 with Crimson Trace on board.

I'm a reloader, I just don't want to run around looking for all the brass.

I'm 77 years old and in my experience the good old 642 with Hornady critical defense in the cylinder keeps my comfort level right up there.

Here in Michigan (even this year) we wear several layers of garments. One in my jacket front chest pocket and one on my hip keep me relaxed yet ready for the gas station would be carjacker. So far so good.

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Armed and Dangerous

The main reason I prefer revolvers for carry is that I tend to shoot them better. I never really pinned down why, but I've always thought it had to do with the rolling DA trigger pull giving me a better "compressed surprise break," as Jeff Cooper put it, IIRC.

Another big reason is dry-fire practice. I can't afford to go to the range as much as I like so I supplement with dry fire practice, which can be tedious with a semi-auto. I've always been concerned about bullet setback from chambering rounds in a semi-auto. When I had a Glock I would clear the chambered round and put it in a separate box to use on the range whenever I unloaded the gun for cleaning or dry fire practice. Probably a little overly cautious, I'll admit. But I never have to worry about that with a revolver. Open cylinder, dump rounds. When ready to go live again just replace rounds. No setback issues. Plus, there are not that many semi-autos out there that can be dry-fired in a relatively realistic way. If I wanted to get the proper Glock trigger feel with every dry-fire shot I'd have to cock the slide after every shot, not an action I'd want to have ingrained in my "muscle memory". With my revolver working the gun while unloaded feels the same as live firing, with the obvious exceptions of recoil and muzzle blast/flash.

As far as reliability, I personally think there's no real difference between revolvers and semi-autos, at least when comparing good quality brands. One thing I will say is that the stoppages the semi-auto users say are quick to clear generally involve the feeding/extraction/ejection cycle, which, for the most part, don't apply to revolvers.

A few other revolver advantages I like...

* I don't have to worry about the slide being pushed out of battery if I have to make a contact shot.

* I don't have to worry about a reciprocating slide getting caught in my clothing if I have to fire from the retention position.

* I don't have to worry about limp-wrist-induced stoppages due to injury or having to fire from awkward angles.

* It's easier to get a revolver that fits my hand well than a semi-auto.

I also like this article, even though I don't necessarily agree with every point: http://www.snubtraining.com/pdfs/Why...sBeatAutos.pdf

Having said all that, I would have no problem carrying a semi-auto if I had one that met my needs. I think either type of gun will work well in the defensive/carry role. People have different needs/wants and they can choose whichever tool best fits them. I think one's competence with the tool carries more weight than the type of tool chosen.

First off I love Revolvers. Love shooting them and love the way practicing with a double action revolver improves my trigger skills. As a result I tend to shoot between 100 and 150 rounds per week through one of my revolvers. As much as I hate to sound like a smart aleck my response to your post was you must not do much shooting with your revolvers. Because you name it, I have experienced just about avery fault that a revolver can produce. Misfires due to strain screws backing out, been there done that. Jammed cylinder due to powder debris under the extractor, been there done that. Jamming cylinder due tothe ejector rod backing out, been there done that. Misfires due to a short hammer nose on a Bangor Punta S&W, been there done that.

Now, I will admit that anytime I've had a mechanical issue with one of my revolvers I have fixed that issue and haven't had a repeat of issues like strain screws backing out. However, powder under the extractor is a continuing issue with any of my revolvers and try as I might to build a good ejection habit that particular skill is still evading me. Quite simply if I start rushing my reloads I get sloppy and usually get "bit" once or twice each range session.

However, in all the years I've been carrying my 40 caliber Sig P239 I have had exactly 1 fault in over 4000 rounds downrange. That fault was a misfire due to a primer in a round of Federal Champion that was missing the anvil. Needless to say I will continue to carry my P239 because it's proven to be far more reliable than my revolvers. In fact I am so impressed with how my first P239 has performed I have a nearly new spare waiting in reserve that's only been shot enough to confirm it's as reliable as my first.

I just returned from the range about an hour ago, I was shooting nothing but revolvers. First time I have do that in years. All shooting was done double action and I haven't enjoyed shooting that much in a long time. Give me a J frame and I am "pretty salty", until I run out of ammo anyway. I have quit worrying if I need more capacity, 5 in the gun and a speed strip, that's more than I have needed for the first 69 years anyway.

To avoid having to explain, I carry 1911s and Smith revolvers equally. Both have had to proven reliable, or I wouldn't carry them.

Shield 9, 9C, and Ruger LCR. Feel safe with all of them. Gotta say, love shooting the LCR.

I carried a 2" 36 for years.

Then heads started getting cut off and public places started getting shot up as part of certain "faith based initiatives".

At that point, I decided that five rounds of .38 Special and a reload weren't necessarily adequate. I now alternate between a 3 1/2" Citadel M1911 in .45acp and a Glock 19.

The 36 is good enough for any strongarm robber I'm going to come up against. Unfortunately, the threat has changed...

I own and have carried both, never a real issue with either. The one and only real reason I carry a revolver is..... I like them better and , well, I can. So I guess that is 2 reasons.

I had an identical problem with my 3" 65, which I got police surplus from CDNN.

Some genius had cut off the strain screw then screwed it all the way in, so that it LOOKED stock. I'd get random light hits, sometimes 2-3 a cylinder. Fortunately I found this out when I took it to the range SPECIFICALLY to test the reliability before I started carrying it.

My smith and I finally figured it out and replaced the butchered screw with a stock part, after which it'd been 100%.

This is probably somewhat true but there are only so many revolver manufacturers. You have current Ruger, Charter arms, S&W and old Colts. How many semi autos exist? That's the problem, people just lump them all in together. It's like saying sedans are more reliable than trucks. Some probably are and some arnt. Buying a cheap $150 semi auto and comparing it to a model 10 or 19 or 586 or Ruger SP101/GP/security special isn't fair. A work horse should be compared to a work horse.

Amazing. I just finished dealing with the exact same problem in my K-38. My strain screw had backed out about two turns. All my rounds were getting dimpled but no "boom". When I put the rounds in the accompanying Model 19 - "Boom". Tightened the strain screw and so far six cylinders of flawless performance from the K-38. Thanks.

Currently my carry piece is a Model 36. My Colt DS is still at Colt. When I get it back I'll start carrying it again. I am working up to switching to the 9mm Shield but I really like the DS.

due to illness and a cervical spine injury (a neck injury for all you rednecks/liberals) robbing me of some of my hand, wrist & arm strength.. I've gone back to using my old Colt Agent snubby as my everyday carry piece.. adding a nice lil S&W Chiefs snubby I'd bought my late mother in law back in 1987.. if I think I might need more than 6 Plus P .38spec's...If serious social work is pondered... I carry our little S&W mod 29 four incher... loaded with medium-warm .44spec loads in .44mag cases....with good Pachy grips on all three.. they are very controllable... even in fairly rapid fire.

I just don't trust my arms/hands strength to use my old C Series 1911A1 .45 ACP or our Browning High Power in 9mmp. If you have diminished strength...or worry about using an autoloader if you might suffer wounds or injuries... give the trusted old revolvers a good hard look.

The fella who posted above about his revolver not working correctly.. needs to have his pistol looked at & corrected by a good smith...not by an amateur parts changer... I'm betting a good smith can diagnose & repair his pistol for very little & get it back to him in short order...maybe while he waits...if he does keep some extra main springs & set screws on hand... parts often needed by a good smith to repair a firearm that was "fixed/tuned" by an amateur...

this is just the musings of an old fart... who after eating one heck of a good supper.. prepared by his lady of almost 37 years... with a good cold, pale ale in hand.. is prepared to solve the problems of the world or at least offer advice to you bums here.... Life is good & Our Father in heaven has truly blessed me.

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well

I like carrying my Shield but I'm much more accurate with my SP-101, haven't had any problems with either.

I LOVE my semi autos, especially my 3rd gens. However I will never carry one. Why? I have NEVER experienced any malfunction with a revolver. How many with a semi? I've lost count. My Md 649-3 in .357 is a gun that I can count on unequivocally. With that being said, to each his own.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Brother!! when I unholster my model 19 2.5 I don't worry about safety's, limp wrist,or if the lazer light is on. Here it comes ready or not.

I'm just a revolver guy...M36 or 3" GP100 most of the time.

I do carry my LCP when discretion trumps all else....but I am more comfortable with a revolver.

As stated above I also feel safer with them. The long, relatively heavy trigger is a big plus for me. It's what you get used to I guess.

Never feel under gunned with them.

Have both, carry both, (not at the same time). Wouldn't carry anything I wasn't confident with. Most days, when I'm going about normal business, my homely little Model 49 comes along. Very accurate in close quarters, easy to carry and conceal. A speed strip or two and I'm good to go.

I carry Snub Revolvers because I like Revolvers better, I'm free, and over 21.

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Two Handguns every day

I have both have probably shot a revolver more. I have carried autos pretty much the last 25 years. Decided I wanted a 3" 36 so I got one. Hammer pivot pin broke, catastrophic failure. First catastrophic failure I have had in probably 40 or more handguns I have owned. Called S&W they told me I had to ship it to them and unless I could prove I was the original owner it would be $75 and they would only cold blue the head of the pin. If I wanted it blued I would have to pay for a refinish. It is a IL with the funky alloy cylinder and barrel. I doubt it is worth the additional cost of shipping and repair.

I have read this thread with a high degree of interest, and actually tried to think this through.

Under normal circumstances, I would normally be in total agreement with the OP. However, since May '07, my life has redefined "normal". My rationale behind carrying has been forever changed, and comes from my role as a disabled, custodial dad in a world where the potential threat of robbery or muggings has been replaced by spontaneous riots and terrorism. (Disabled meaning a damaged arm and two damaged legs ... running is definitely out of the question.)

Chances are good that if I find myself in a situation where I have to exercise my CFP, there is an 80% or greater chance that my younger children will be present, in which case, my job is to keep them safe. Chances are that I will need to provide cover fire until I can get my children under cover, then some degree of direct precise fire to neutralize the immediate threat. My semi-auto pistols are single stacks, and can provide 7 to 10 rounds of firepower before a reload, depending on the magazine that I choose to use. I find that I can change magazines more instinctively than I can speedloaders, so I can focus more attention to the threat and my children. Additionally, I find that I can direct that firepower more effectively from my SA auto than a DA revolver.

I also understand that there is a damned good chance while trying to protect my children that I may catch rounds. I am comfortable shooting my semis either strong or weak hand ... shooting and reloading my revolver with weak hand only is a proposition that I don't want to experience.

Obviously, I don't want to experience a worst case scenario, but I have to prepare for it. Spontaneous mob uprisings and religious fanatics are happening too frequently, with little regard to the innocents they may encounter. In many respects, I wish that the threats still centered around the potential armed robbery or mugging.

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Judge control not gun control!

I have slowly become an auto fan (more by chance than anything), but I would never feel under-armed with a good example of a quality revolver. Anyone who really learns how to shoot a wheel-gun will probably come out okay in a real-world encounter.

Obviously, to each his own, but there is something I've noticed that may be worth pondering. I've seen a number of times that if someone can shoot a DA revolver, particularly a J-frame, really well, then he\she can usually shoot something like a Glock with aplomb. However, I've seen people who can run their Glock pistols like a boss act like they've never even seen a gun before if you hand them a J-Frame. Whether one chooses to carry it or not, I'm convinced that learning to shoot a J-Frame really well will improve most anyone's shooting with just about any self-defense firearm, carbines included.

Well said.

Fastest reload for a J frame is another J frame.

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USPSA CRO
Patriot Guard rider

Yep. My club has gotten so busy that I only brings revolvers unless I'm there very early in the morning. Plus the long revolver cartridges are a pleasure to reload and there is no need to worry about working up a reliable load.

As I've been shooting my revolvers more than my autos I've they're appeal as defensive tools has increased as well.

I could care less if some Glock-toting millennial in skinny jeans considers me a pumpkin roller for carrying an antediluvian wheel gun.

I really prefer the "roundness" of the snub revolver for a CCW and I shoot a snub K as well as a Glock 19 - M&P9C type auto. Someone is going to have convince me there is a real need for more than the 6 rounds in the gun and a speedloader (reloading is really getting way out there as well); I'm not a LEO and I don't work or live in the "hood"; think I'll get by.

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K & N S&W revolvers

I can't disagree on point 2. Point 1 is why I carry an HK P7

So then we have determined conclusively that a reliable revolver is definitely more dependable than an unreliable semiauto. OK, got it.

Wait; then wouldn’t the reverse also be true? A reliable semiauto is definitely more dependable than an unreliable revolver.

Seriously though, carry whatever makes you comfortable. My revolver is great until about 60 rounds in when the cylinder gap begins to crudify and bind. I carry it only maybe once or twice a year and only because it’s right by my hand when I’m walking to the mailbox or out to the car.

Best shooting most comfortable of my pocket guns is old school. 337 wearing magnas, a tyler with a wrap of vet tape around them for a little tacky. Loaded with 148gr Fioochi HP's. Finish looks like **** cause it's carried along with pocket stuff or in the center console but it goes bang every time

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Forum consigliere

I carry a sidearm daily, for work as well as off-duty. I have several semi-autos that I love to shoot. A Model 915 that's so accurate it's almost boring and has never failed in a little over 50K rounds, a Colt Combat Commander that is Singer sewing machine reliable, a custom 1911 that I built myself that I can put 8 in a 3 inch circle at 50 yards if I do my part, a 1076 that fits my hand perfectly and goes bang every time, and others as well. My daily carry? A 2 1/2 inch Model 19-3 in nickle. Why? Because it is one that I know deep within my soul that is reliable enough for my life to depend on and that I also know that I am deadly accurate with. It will shoot hole in hole groups out to 25 yards all day every day. I carry three Safariland speed loaders and two dump pouches with speed strips. That's 36 rounds of 158 grain .357 ammo. I've been in situations where that much ammo wouldn't be a drop in the bucket to the number of rounds I ended up shooting, but I'm confident in the weapon I carry, the amount of rounds I have for it, and most importantly, my skill in engaging targets with it. It works for me.

I have (and carry) both types. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and you should evaluate those to determine which is best for you and/or the expected threat.
I did not notice anyone mention what happens with bad ammo. Bill Jordan once wrote that he preferred revolvers over auto loaders because if two people get in a gun fight, one with an auto and one with a revolver, they draw and fire together and each has a bad round under the hammer, the guy with the auto dies. He has to change his grip and rack the slide, the revolver guy just pulls the trigger. Each way puts a new round under the hammer, but the revolver is quicker.
On the other hand, I think 8 shots is about the most you can get in any revolver larger than a .22, and double that and more are available in the semi-autos. Magazine changes are also much quicker for most of us than speedloaders, and sometimes quicker than going for the 2d gun.
Whadda ya need, whadda ya like? I sometimes carry a Starfire 45 ACP and I sometimes carry a Model 66 snub. I have even been known to carry a Kel Tec .32 auto.

I carry a revolver for one reason, it's a simple design. I don't have to think about anything but draw and fire.

steve

I carry wheel guns only. Simple and reliable.

But there is a difference between a check engine light and a vehicle that doesn't run.
I carry an old Police issue 19-3 or if I'm going some place with my Son an old 59. I only carry the 59 because Dear Son likes his M9.

I like and use both. Kinda like I am with boats, to some friends horror. I like motor boats and sail boats.
Wheel guns shoot. Good auto loaders shoot. I'm not a Glock snob, but I've never had one fail to fire for me yet. So, statistically, they've been just as reliable as my wheel guns. I do like the extra ammo too.
I enjoy shooting a revolver more, and find them to usually be more accurate.
That's just my experience.

I grew up a revolver shooter . Hunted with them still 39 years later and carried a snubby for 18 years . But carried semi-autos since they have proven reliable and lite weight and have a few many thousands of rounds with zero issues . Now I carry a 14 shot 40 with that weights a few oz less fully loaded that the OP's 686 empty or 11oz less in a skinny 7+1 pistol with a 135gr at 1400fps+ and 155gr at 1300fps + and in a more compact package . I don't see any reason to go backwards for defensive carry handgun but for handgun hunting give me a 8" barreled revolver firing a 170gr sp 357 at 1440fps or a 44mg afiring 140gr and better at higher velocity any day . They each have there place today .

OP - I notice you did not mention your glock giving you any issues and I'm not a 1911 guy . But did move up to 4" barreled striker pistol as there easier to rack over smaller models an with a far easier trigger to control than DA revolver . . I reload my practice ammo and use only premium ammo from two small ammo companies and just don't remember the last time I had any failure to fire in ether a revolver or pistol .

I usually opt for an enclosed hammer snub for carry, but like to have a high capacity autoloader available for home defense.

I'm not an LEO, so while out and about in public, my primary directive is to avoid/escape rather than pursue/engage and in that context I think a revolvers capacity sufficient. I also like the ECQ advantages of the revolver since the vast majority of likely civilian scenarios will be close-quarter and I think the revolver is more reliable in these and certain other circumstances. In controlled range conditions, I find very little difference in the reliability of my Glocks and S&W revolvers, but in an actual reactive defense scenario where one handed shooting, contact shooting and shooting from awkward positions are all a possibility, I think the revolver has a definite advantage.

In a home defense scenario, I still use the revolver as my answer the door/check the bump in the night/always immediately accessible weapon since these scenarios could still involve a ECQ counter-ambush dynamic, but if I have enough lead time I go to the Glock for capacity because I would realistically have to make a stand/cannot escape and there is a greater degree of control from my standpoint in the sense of choosing position, distance and being able to have a more optimum shooting grip/stance.

I earned "marksman" every time the 'Force asked me to qualify, but I didn't like the M-16 or any other long gun for that matter.

I forced my self to learn to knock the eye out of a gnat with a 1911A1 (built in '37 for the Coast Guard), but it was a struggle to do that well and be consistent.

A Smith -- j, k, n, or x -- with the right grip just seems to be an extension of my arm. It fits, it feels right, and I don't have to think about it. Pretty simple.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I like & carry both semi & revolver.I never had a problem with my Kimber Pro Carry 2 with Wilson mags.Never had "any"problems with my H&K PSP !I love my model 60 & 642 but shoot my Semi's better.If I could only choose one to edc....it would be a tough choice!
Jim

In my day in L.E. the revolver was it. I carried a 380 during undercover. Since that day I tried auto even did match with a 1911. I rebuilt myself. Today mine carry is my 686 or one of the many J frame.

Still target with a 6" 586 and hunt with a S&W 41 cal. The only auto is a Ruger 22 cal Mark 1 for turtles and snakes.

Always will a revolver man and Smiths