Is there any shooting differences between a revolver and a semi pistol... Ive never been lucky enough to fire any revolvers... just semi pistols.. and just bought my 1st M&P 40 full size... but I was just wondering if there were any significant characteristics that would make me want to possibly own one sometime..

That's a VERY broad question akin to "Does a standard transmission drive differently than an automatic transmission?" The simple answer is yes ... revolvers shoot differently than semi-autos. However you won't be able to fully appreciate the differences until you compare the two handguns on the firing line. Once you've done that, you can start considering makes, models, and calibers.

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I'm with the banned ...

Go rent or borrow one and find out... I have both and each has strengths and weaknesses.

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M&PC FS BG Shield+ 642 686+

I love the utility of semi's but to me a revolver is a mechanical work of art, like a beautifully tuned mechanical watch.

yeah im going to the range over the weekend to put more rounds thru mine.. maybe ill rent one just to see what its like.. Any ideas or just grab any revolver then have and shoot one

Rent a 22 or 38. They're inherently accurate and you'll get the appeal.

Yes, because revolvers are awesome! Let me explain why and I will bet others will chime in too...

Revolvers are inherently more accurate (I am generalizing here).
They are much less likely to jam.
Revolvers are not finicky with regard to feeding ammunition. Wad cutters, SWC, HP, etc. all function well.
The design is durable and strong.
If you reload there is no stooping, crawling, seeking.
I shoot mostly revolvers in the winter months.
The feel of a good revolver is so nice. Don't get me wrong I like pistols too, but there is something great about a good revolver.
Try one out!

If you shoot .45ACP, then rent a .45 revolver. If you shoot 9mm, then rent a .38/.357. Try to shoot 4"-6" barrels as well as a couple snubs.

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I'm with the banned ...

I like ccw carrying the large frame magnum revolvers for self protection for me & my family. I feel that one pin point shot can be more deadly with a magnum revolver. I hope and pray I never have to use it but it's there and I can handle it if need be.

I just built a 1911a1 norinco it's a very accurate race level pistol. She shoots three shot clover leafs constantly at 25yds. She pops out the 45acp rounds like popcorn.

I'm good enough with either handgun. But I prefer the big heavy magnum revolver. Carry what you feel good with. It's practice, practice and more practice with either gun to master it. It's knowing your handgun, completely knowing your handgun and how it handles and shoots.
Let's face someday your life could depend on it.

Be safe, God bless, bigbill

I went to the range the other day and took my model 15-3 38 special along for a change...I have been so caught up in my semi's that I forgot how nice a revolver shoots...as was stated before they do shoot different and I was all over the place with the 38 to begin with...you have the right idea of renting some at a range...if you want to blaze ammo use a semi...if you want to shoot use a revolver....I like both and from now on will be taking my 38 to the range more often

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carpe diem
one day at a time

Huh, that explains why I like 3 pedals and 6 shots

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an actual conservative

It's been my personal experience that a good double action revolver shooter can pick up a semi and shoot it with relative ease.
A person who is used to shooting a striker fired semi seems to have difficulties shooting a revolver accurately.
I'm a revolver and manual transmission kinda guy.

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Keep on Chooglin'

The most common caliber is .38 special, so anything in that caliber would be OK. Try to get one with a hammer so you can try both single and double action.

Oh, and many of us carry small (J frame) revolvers, often in a pocket. They are nice to carry, but might be frustrating to shoot as your first revolver, so try something larger physically, if you have the opportunity, but stay away from the big bore revolvers for this first exposure..

Best of luck! I'll bet you have fun.

Model 10:



Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

I've only been shooting for a couple of years - all semi-auto pistols.
And then I picked up a nice 686-2 with the long barrel. And I'll tell you - that first shot, in single action, made my jaw drop (and I hit the target, a small clay). The trigger is just so nice. The revolver makes me a better shooter. I really enjoy it!

A month later I added a 629 with a 7 1/2" barrel....

It sure seems strange to read a post on the S&W board from a guy who's never shot a revolver. Guess some of us are getting old.

I resemble that remark . . .

But, my first post here was some time ago when I was first considering purchasing a revolver for my wife. This forum is the most logical place to visit for anyone considering a revolver. The advice I received was excellent.

Not only are there differences between shooting revolvers vs semi-autos, some revolvers shoot differently than other revolvers and some semi-autos are significantly different than other semi-autos.

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- Change it back -

Pistols have a spongy feel before it kicks that takes a little getting used to. Revolvers are more straightforward in their feel when shooting.

Each are different and enjoyable enough in their own right to have at least one of each.

Well put. I was thinking slippery recoil for the autoloader versus a one-piece bump from the revolver.

I like both, a lot, but only have revolvers now.

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Oh well, what the hell.

The average S&W revolver of whatever caliber is about as good a handgun as can be bought

The fundamentals of marksmanship are the same...i.e., good shooting flows from consistent application of the fundamentals: grip, stance, trigger control, sight alignment, sight picture, breathing and follow through.

At the heart of all good shooting is trigger control...you can fudge the others things, but effective trigger control is non-negotiable.

The difference between revolver and semi auto (and, as noted between different revolvers and between different semi autos) will be the feel of the trigger...how it is designed to operate.

To shoot a Glock well, you have to adapt to its trigger design. Likewise a 1911, a Browning Hi-Power, a Sig-Sauer, etc. Each of these semi auto pistols have a different trigger design, with a different feel. To shoot a revolver well, you have to adapt to its trigger design. And, yes, different revolver designs have differences in their triggers.

At bottom, though...trigger control boils down to activating the trigger mechanism without disturbing the sight alignment and sight picture. This principle is constant, despite design differences.

Revolvers feel different in the hand then pistols...there is a roundness to them. They are wheel guns! Pistols are flat and angular. Recoil feels different, as the action of the semi auto does absorb some of the felt recoil.

I like revolvers and semi auto pistols equally.

The more you like guns, the more guns you like!

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

Every shooter should own a revolver if only to experience it or a SA type for the history. If you reload or even if you don't reload, collecting spent casings can save you money for shooting. You can sell a bag of 100 once shot casings for about 1/2 box of factory ammo. A lot of indoor ranges (atleast where I live) won't let gather spent casings. They will themselves gather them to reload for resale.

Revolver shooter here. It just feels right. Nothing
wrong with semi's, just not for me.

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Goose
I'm still standing.