I realized that all the people stronlgy advising me against a gun I really love, had never shot it, and most did not even know it precisely.
I’m totally uninterested in stating it’s better than any other and fully agree with members saying that anybody pretending to have the best is lacking self-confidence and the true rule is to each their own.

"Easy to load under pressure."
I find that with ample practice, using speed loaders to reload a revolver can be just about the same as reloading a semi-auto under pressure. My practice routine: Purchase a pack or two of snap cap practice rounds for your revolver (Amazon). Safely practice using your speed loaders in various conditions e.g. low light, eyes shut (no light), while taking cover behind a wall or other barrier, standing, kneeling and proned-out. Practice loading while walking briskly through the house and train yourself to load while keeping your eyes in the danger zone - on your target. You should be able to use your speed loaders without taking your eyes off the situation. I practice inside my house. I dry fire, eject the "empties" and reload without looking down at my revolver. After enough practice, it become second nature. You learn the feel of the cartridge alignment characteristics pertaining to your cylinder and hand positioning.

With the barrel tilting downwards, I use my left hand to hold the cylinder with the tips of my fingers through the open frame and my thumb on the outside helping hold the cylinder, while cupping my palm and providing a guide for the speed loader coming in with my right hand. It's that cupping palm guide that is the key to inserting the cartridges smoothly and without looking. After some practice and some adjustments, you should find the 'just right' cupping slot that requires absolute minimal speed loader giggling for the rounds to align with the chambers.

So, drawing and dry fire practice (both double and single action) followed by speed loading practice. Do this until the routine become auto-reactive under pressure.

I carried a BHP backed up by a model 36 for over 40 years. On the days when I carried only one handgun, it was the 36. That choice was based strictly on experience. Now in retirement I pocket carry a 649-2.

A wheelgun for me just inspires more confidence than my plastic guns. It could just be a personal preference thing, who knows. I chose a 3” 686 as my primary sidearm for both ccw and open carry and farm work. Maybe I can or maybe I cant hit better with it than my autoloaders, but I feel more confident with a revolver than with my autos. Also, a revolver is just more versatile, there is no arguing that. Snakeshot to black bear loads and everything in between. It will shoot them all. I carry a backup gun and a speedloader in case 7 shots of .357 is not enough my backup was a bodyguard .380 but guess what came in today . . .

By the way, I am a young guy. Just dont want all you old revolver guys thinking you are a dying breed!

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Left the NRA. Joined the GOA.

I own both, My daily carry is a commander model 1911, but I still practice with my M 60 3 in. barrel and my 686 3in. barrel. I learned to shot a revolver. in the Air Force and carried one. I just like the 1911, I shot the 1911 well and I it only holds 7 rounds. Carry what you like and shoot best. We know the key to shooting well is shooting regularly.

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Carpriver.

IMO Revolver guys are better shots than the spray n' pray auto people with their bucket of bullet jamomatics. If you can't do it with six, you either need to learn to shoot or no amount of ammo will help you.

A good wheeler is hard to beat and they are NOT obsolete ! !

Maybe you could consider a 627PC w/2-5/8" barrel. It has eight (8) rounds. I love mine almost as much as my "bought new" 4in 686 No-Dash...

Back when I bought the 686 that was the other one I was looking at, I have had bad experiences with bead blast finishes and really wanted a 3-4” barrel. That is what made up my mind for the 686. It is a sweet looking gun though. If I carried it down where I live i think the humidity would rust that finish way too bad :/

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Left the NRA. Joined the GOA.

At the range, when I'm not under time pressure, I would agree with this. However, when speed and accuracy are paramount, I prefer the semi-auto.

Don't get me wrong, the revolver is a great tool. I'm just faster and more accurate with the single action semi-auto like the M&P or 1911. I'll take it one step further and say this is the case with most people. There are very few people in the world who are as fast and accurate with a revolver as they are with a semi-auto.

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Freedom isn't free.

Yeah, me too. However, I wonder just how long it would take to polish the bead blast away... hmm.....

If the 627PC gets too grungy I'll break out the rubbing compound. But doing that will/would lead to a complete gutting and reassembly. Think I'm a bit too lazy for THAT... Truth be told, if it comes down to that, I'll explore getting it professionally polished. Wonder if the S&W folks would do that for $xxx. Hmm...

My 686 is on it's third set of grips:

1. Now, the CTC red laser
2. For the rest of it's life, Pacmayrs
3. Still have the OEM Goncalo Alves that I only put on for pictures

Attached Images

627PC-and-686-No-dash.jpg (154.9 KB, 9 views)

As an instructor, I've seen guys and gals experience manipulation & handling issues with both wheelguns and self-shuckers.

There are advantages and disadvantages for folks for both types of handguns. Many of those "advantages and disadvantages" are more shooter-driven (familiarity and skillset) than actual equipment-driven, though.

Well, some folks like cars with auto transmissions, and others like manuals.

I like, use and carry both revolvers and pistols. Did that on & off-duty as a working cop for many years, and now do it in retirement.

It's about putting intentional and accurate rounds on-target. What's used to launch those bullets more or else becomes a footnote once the bullets are on their way and hitting something.

I've been trained as an armorer for a variety of different guns, including pistols, revolvers, AR's and 870's.

The fact that the different companies have created armorer "field" level maintenance and repair training seems to imply none of them are what we might consider "foolproof".

At the end of the day, though, it's still common to hear experienced instructors and armorers opine in agreement that the significant number of "gun problems" reported are more likely caused by something the shooter/user did (or didn't do, at least not correctly), followed by ammunition issues, and followed lastly by an mechanical gun problem. Depending on who you're talking to, the breakdown of these numbers usually runs (respectfully in order) something like 95%-3%-2%.

Pick something with which you're familiar, or are willing to become familiar. Learn it. Practice with it. Even consider getting some training with it. Even pick something in a nice color, if that's something that floats your boat.

Once the bullets are hitting something, what was used to launch them probably isn't going to change the results of their impact.

Every now and again, while making it obvious I'm setting aside some shooter's gushing enthusiasm (or obvious castigation of something someone else liked), some folks found it unsettling when I'd say something to the effect ... "Well, okay then, let's forget about the sales pitch and run some drills or courses-of-fire and see what you can do with your choice".

The target will tell the critical tale, once the smoke clears.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

These two sentences are where the rubber meets the road. We can talk all we want, but when the tack are down, can you perform?

Functional reliability is the first consideration. If the gun don't work, it's useless. Then, use/carry the gun that you can use the best. Everything else is a tertiary consideration.

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Freedom isn't free.

Bronco89- It doesn't make a damn bit of difference what your friends think of or tell you what to carry or why. Don't get hung up on what other people think or say. Shoot and carry what you shoot best and are most comfortable with. Just my two cents. Jim

Considering most leo never use their gun in performing their duty, more likely she just never felt the need to up gun. Reloading time alone for a leo is enough reason. Transition for a revo to glock is actually quite easy, same present & just press. An argument can be made for ccw revo carry but leo, on duty, uh no, not in todays semiauto underworld.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Not a LEO myself, but if I was and had my choice, I would want to carry both at once preferably with a da/sa auto.

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Left the NRA. Joined the GOA.

I have never heard of any on center fired ammo ..

But have heard of 22's being slow to fire .. a slight hesitation .. but those were years ago ..

Modern ammo I think have less chance of a mis fire or being a dud then it was 60 years ago when I first started shooting ..

Have heard more on getting a load with double powder load and the pistol blowing apart ..