"My 500 ran dry so I reached into my boot for my little 44."

What? Haven't you ever heard of a New York Reload?! My 627PC 2-5/8" 8-shot revolver in a shoulder harness works great backup for my little hipster 5-shot small frame. And holds as much as some plastic guns...

I see that a lot of revolvers, other than the Airweights, are too expensive for me.

I would suggest a steel framed J. The extra heft of a 640 makes practice more enjoyable, leading to more practice. In a good holster that weight disappears. (If your father told you all guns should be able to fire in Single Action, as my wife's did, a 649 should do nicely.)

__________________
Certified Curmudgeon

You were happy with the semi-auto before so get one again. Bought right the M&P Shield has to be the best deal on a carry semi-auto as far as a balance of price, quality and shootability. I'm not sure how they sell them so cheap. They work reliably and for their class are reasonably easy to shoot and are accurate.

That said, I carried a revolver most of my career (mostly a 629 6") starting with a 66, and I'd much rather shoot a revolver for fun, except the little air weights aren't really any fun.

Yeah i went through periods of using a S&W 659, Glock 21 and finally a Kimber 1911 when the Dept quit supplying ammo for the 44. Plus I carried a 669 most of that time except my early model 60 years. But I'm a wheel gun guy at heart.

I have plenty of CCW carry guns and switch off a lot from a model 60 to a 629 Trail Boss (and now a 69) and from a P3At 380 (walks or beach) to a Kimber full size .45 (rarely - too big) to officers size 1911s (Springfield, or RIA) and even a Glock model 40.

But admittedly, mainly due to laziness on my part, the gun that ends up in my waistband the most often is the M&P Shield 9mm.

So for you, the OP, go for a cheap M&P Shield. Get something more fun to shoot later. A fairly accurate .22 plinker would be a great thing for a person not yet real familiar with guns.

Boy I did blather on. I didn't start it so don't blame me!

This is like 9mm versus 45 ACP. Before hey shoot, rookies like the 16-17 rounds of the 9mm wonder guns - it just seemed obvious I did too. After some familiarity and comparison, it was more obvious that if you were new to firearms and/or were not going to drill frequently with your gun, a revolver freed you from thinking about cycling problems or the safety under pressure. I understand that revolvers can fail too, but I have never seen it, and I see semi-autos fail to fire in the hands of new shooters every class. If you seriously train this can all be overcome, but I do not think the average concealed handgun carrier drills much. I recommend revolvers to people who have a gun to have a gun.

Just an added thought, FWIW: revolvers are extremely versatile, A medium frame .357 might be THE most versatile handgun there is.

You can shoot anything from .38 Short Colt to full-house .357s capable of dropping big game.

Revolvers are sure to go bang when you absolutely, positively need to use it. As a bonus, if you get a revolver, you'll be able to sit at the cool groups table during lunch.

Simply, pull the trigger it goes bang: if not, keep pulling trigger, if there is ammo on board, it will shoot. No, hang fires or magazines not completely seated.

Just my personal opinion...I think you need revolvers AND semi autos...they both have their place. I’ve taken apart many Kahr’s, Sig P Series, Various Glocks, and recently a few revolvers (still new to me). I love the strength and simplicity of revolvers over semi’s. No persnickety Magazines, extractors, ejectors...

GIGN Assault Teams leaders still use Manurhin 357 Magnum revolvers...You May recall some great pictures of the Paris Deli rescue team going in.

Revolver are more reloader friendly.

May I recommend a M92?



This one stays in my trunk in case of a sudden "disturbance."

__________________
Psalm 27:2

A lot of people I ride with carry LCP's. When I showed them how little pressure on the muzzle it took to disable the little semi, several are looking to get a good old 5 shot 38.

Living near the coast in FL. if you do a lot of riding you're gonna get wet. When riding I usually carry a Glock 27, just because I can dry it out better than a soaked revolver.

During the dryer season, I like a 642.

Autoloaders are great for ranged gunfights, but not as great for fighting/ close-quarter personal defense.

Why a Revolver ? Because I like them better. Why? I’m a J-Frame nut. That’s about all I shoot and carry. I have Two Semi-Autos. Haven’t shot them in a few years. I don’t miss them. I have a couple 7 shot 357s a 4” for Range fun and a 2” that my Wife likes to shoot and I carry it on occasion .

__________________
Two Handguns every day

I'm new here and I don't have any desire to get involved in some very pointless pissing match.

However, I have to partially but strongly disagree with the view that semi-autos fail often and revolvers never jam. Some semi-auto fail a lot and some are just ***. A decent semi-auto that the user has proven reliable on the range will be nearly as reliable as a range proven revolver. Of course neither a *** revolver or a *** semi-auto would be something to trust your life on.

And yes, I have seen S & W revolvers and some others lock up on the range and I've had it happen to me. Granted it's less likely with a revolver. However, in most cases a semi-auto can be put back in service with the ole tap, rack and go, whereas a locked up revolver will at least require a trip to the range bench, but likely more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm mostly a revolver guy but as much as I hate the aesthetics of Glocks, I've never personally seen one fail that couldn't be attributed to really bad reloads. Sure, I know it's happened. Neither my old 659 or it's companion 669 ever failed and that's after a whole bunch of rounds, especially the 669 which was my primary back-up and off duty for over 25 years as well as serving as my duty gun while on the Marine Unit, and it suffered the associated regular practice and qualifications as well as being loaned out to others for the auto transition course. Now I did try a 645 and subsequently a 4506. I thought they were both *** and got rid of them.

On the other hand, after I'd become an official dinosaur, on range day I beat the younger guys with their wonder 9s on the dueling tree with my 629 or 686 while using a quarter or less of ammunition. This happened on several occasions and they never beat me. However, I'm sure there had to be at least a couple of young guys on the Dept with semi-autos that could have smoked me.

All that to say a good proven example of either should be just fine while unproven poor quality versions of either should be discarded.

Carry what you can afford, feel comfortable with, shoot reasonably well and that you have proven reliable on the range.

Autoloaders litter the landscape with brass, HOT brass. This threatens the environment, and causes global warming. Much better to use revolvers, and keep all those icky shells to yourself. Think green!

__________________
Formerly Model520Fan

I hate to say it, but maybe there’s a good .38 that isn’t an S&W? And, therefore, less expensive? But still reliable! I think two of the big reasons I’m considering a revolver is the close contact advantage, and the fact that limp-wristing isn’t an issue. I can rack a 9mm, and I shot my 9c’s well. I tried a Shield a few years ago, and I hated it. I might be the only one who’s ever said that! ��. I couldn’t lock the slide back for cleaning, I had FTE’s, FTF’s, and stovepipes. It was horrible.
I just kind of like the idea of a revolver. I agree with the many who say that BOTH are the way to go! I just can’t afford two.

The problem comes to price. I have seen new 642s on sale for as low as $299. But typically, they are in the $450 range. I at finding the Shield 9mm as low as $300 new in my area. That is a phenomenal price for a name brand pistol. For your intended use, either would suffice. Go with what is most affordable.

__________________
otis

Charter Arms revolvers may be less expensive, and AFAIK they are equally reliable. See your local gun store (LGS).

__________________
Formerly Model520Fan

@OP,

There is a lot of great advice here, but there is also a lot of opinions being expressed that are a bit jaded. Chances are very good that you will get another M&P semi, because that is what you are most familiar with. Just remember to practice!

When you transition into a revolver, it will teach you to be humble, it will show you that you weren't as good a shot as you thought. I thought I was a proficient rifleman, then I picked up an O3A3 Springfield and it taught me how to shoot. I started with a 1911, but a 6" K38 Masterpiece showed me how to shoot a handgun.

Get your M&P and save for a revolver, either a 4" or 6", be it a Model 10, 14, or 15, save your brass and start reloading. Look for a used (but not abused) revolver for your first one. You can find a good condition Combat Masterpiece for under $400. Make sure the revolver has a hammer, then start shooting single action. That revolver will build your confidence and increase the range that you will be competent at.

__________________
Judge control not gun control!

I carried a ruger Redhawk in 44 mag ever since they first were offered. In 5.5” & 7.5” barrels shoulder holstered in stainless. The 5.5” in the summertime and the 7.5” fall and winter. With two speed loaders. That was about 88% of the time.
The other 12% of ccw carry is a cz82 in 9mm mak chambered da first shot, colt gov 1911 in 45 acp, chambered, cocked n locked. I really liked the cz82 with its double action first shot.

I been thinking about a backup pistol in a leg holster. A cz50 or cz70 would be nice.

For a 38 spec revolver the s&w combat masterpiece, 4” barrel is nice.
For a revolver in 357 magnum a used ruger security six would be ok.
For a double action first shot the cz 82, cz83, cz85db, are really nice pistols to begin with,pistols

I shot over 200 rounds of 9mm this afternoon in my various semi-autos. After searching through the grass for my brass, of which I probably recovered only 50%, I now remember why I like revolvers so much.

Yup for sure.

couldn't have said it any better...

Years ago when our state agency went from K frames to semi-autos we never looked back. Later, we switched again from S&W M&P’s and I received a 3rd Gen Glock Model 22 for uniformed duty carry and OMG was it ugly, but I never had a single problem. Same with the 4th Gen. I still own three revolvers, but while they have their faithful, in 2018 revolvers are widely regarded as an inferior platform for self defense when compared to duty grade semis except when your last name is Miculek.

When I lived in S.E. U.S. my personal carry was 9mm Glock w/light in a Galco Halo Holster. Since moving to Alaska I switched caliber to 10mm.

If I was to revolver carry again it would be back to my beloved 627 UDR with one or two moon clip reloads. Very capable platform with just enough heft for fast follow-up shots, fast moonclip reloads, and easy to drill at distance. If I had to go smaller an L frame 7 shot snub. To go smaller than that you’d better be close in as you’re giving up too much accuracy, follow-up double action performance, and capacity, which brings us right back to a 16 round 10mm or 17 round 9mm.

The last photo is a warm-up exercise, 9 shots, at an agency criminal justice training center, Glock Model 22.

Attached Images

	6947F07C-D86D-4205-9BF0-44DFA4F5B151.jpg (73.8 KB, 36 views)
	34F7A368-4ADD-42F6-9692-F90F64E73890.jpg (65.7 KB, 35 views)
	9E37FF4D-B083-4EBA-9CB5-C74D832B80E1.jpg (73.6 KB, 39 views)
	F861B8AE-4C84-40AC-BB79-246A8EEAA063.jpg (55.8 KB, 30 views)

Most revolver cartridges are superior to autopistol cartridges, with the exception of the .45ACP.

You should carry the platform you manipulate the best in the most powerful cartridge you can control. I have more confidence generally in the medium bore .357 and big bore .44s and .45 Colt and ACP. For all the adulation being heaped on the 9x19mm with the newest bullets I have less confidence in my issue 229R and soon to be issued G-19 than in any of the medium and large frame revolvers or Browning automatics- the 1911 and Hi-Power- to deliver the most adequate ballistic performance at any range more easily. Despite having tens of thousands of rounds through the SIG and Glock now, I can still hit more surely, easily and with more confidence with the other pieces. If stuck with the 9x19mm, the 1911, CZ-75 and Hi-Power are superior.

Both platforms have their advantages - & disadvantages.

For me, a finely assembled Colt 1911 aside, pre-lock S&W revolvers can't be matched for pride of ownership, reliability, & general shooting enjoyment. No need to shag brass at the range either.

Down side? Bulk, weight, limited capacity, & an absolute shortage of qualified revolver smiths.

SA's load faster, typically offer a superior firepower loadout in weight class, & generally pack (CCW at least) more readily.

Down side? After many years, I've never learned to trust a S/A magazine - for reliability. A hard jam - at the wrong time, will get you killed. Doesn't mean I've given up though. Currently using Tripp Research "Super 7" kits in Wilson 47D mags - for low profile 1911 carry, w/ Wilson ETM +P mags for backup.

Oh yeah, recently, after years of looking down by nose at plasti-pistols, I've acquired a Glock 19 Gen5 - for evaluation. Initial impressions? It's a phenomenally utilitarian SD weapon. So far 100% reliable, & easy to shoot "combat accurate". It is ergonomic - for my medium size hands. The Gen5 trigger is surprisingly manageable, w/ a trigger reset that is sweet - to say the least. Will I learn to love it? We'll see.

So what's my normal EDC? 90% of the time (in town), it's my M&P340 - loaded w/ .38spl+P Gold Dots, in a DeSantis Nemesis. It's very easy to carry, I trust it, & it's just too easy to drop it in my pocket on the way out the door. Is it tons of fun at the range? Not even close.

My solution to the OP's dilemma? Get both, as there is no "perfect for every occasion" solution.

__________________
Regards - GCF

When I last fired a Glock 19, it didn’t fit my hands as well as an M&P, but I haven’t ruled out a Glock. But they cost a bit more than an M&P, and aren’t any better, so...?

Why revolvers? Because the little voice in my head tells me to....

I have a collection of pistols and revolvers just because I can. Scoped 454 Casull for hunting, S&W 15-2 because I carried one in the Air Force and J frames as back-ups. However, semi-autos have higher round counts and easy change magazines for SHTF situations. Start with what you're comfortable with and can afford to own AND shoot (ammo ain't always cheap). One day, you too will have a collection of handguns and a closet full of holsters (the ones that just didn't work out).

I took a brand new GP100 357 mag to the range and second shot locked up the cylinder. Problem wasn't the gun, but rather an improperly seated factory round (major manufacturer). The range officer wouldn't let me fix the problem, nor would he allow me to bag the gun with hammer locked back. Fortunately, the range gunsmith came to my aid and fixed the problem (less than two minutes) at no charge. I've never had another problem with the gun or any ammo.

Capacity issues aside, I'll take a Glock over a 1911 any day of the week. They just aren't finicky about what they eat.

OTOH, as much as I like the high capacity capability of Glocks, I don't at all feel under gunned with revolvers.

I've seen several newbies take a new revolver right out of the box and begin blasting away over the years with no problems.

Having both (Sig 226 Legion and 938 along with a S&W 640 Pro [just got for the wife last week]) I find pleasures in each.

The Sig 226 is by far the more fun range gun with regards to lots of ammo (18 shot magazines), 9mm ammo pricing, looks great, and feels great.

The 938 being very small is not really the fun range gun. CC only.

The 640 pro is the first revolver I fired since testing a 686 last year. The 686 being larger is more fun, but the 640 pro was nice other than shooting 357 loads (ouch). Grips got replaced quickly!

A different spring would be my preference to lower the trigger pull. It is quite heavy out of the box.

I've never been able to get past the 5/6/7 shot limit on revolvers hence the reason I have SIGs. The wife loves revolvers for their simplicity.

WOW! SO many variables! First off don’t get a 642 or other light weight revolver. I have been shooting and carrying off and on for 50 plus years and the ONLY revolver I owned and hated was a 642. Whatever you get,it has to be fun to shoot!
As mentioned above, get ( if it’s your final choice to get a rev.) one that weighs at least 21oz empty with rubber grips in 357 mag that you can download to 38 special. You can take that to the range and enjoy shooting it.You Will Not enjoy 50 rounds through a J frame!
You need to shoot a lot to become proficient with any platform you get!

I have carried both rev. and pistols over the years. If I carry IWB it is a revolver or a DA/SA pistol with a decocker or a positive safety. OWB it doesn’t matter.

I also prefer a rev. With a exposed hammer.(more use options).
I would go to a range and shoot both platforms. Some people shoot pistols better than rev. and visa versa.
I have a Taurus M85 J frame size that is enjoyable to shoot and a S&W 360J that is not so much with +p ammo.
There is a lot of good info posted above,but give a lot of thought ( use/carry method ect.) before you buy if you are limited to only one gun. JMO

Good hunting in your quest to find the best gun for you.

Something to keep in mind is that over 90% of armed civilian self-defense encounters will/do take place inside 3 yards. Practicing accessing, drawing, deploying and dry-firing the weapon in this context is extremely important. More so than even live range practice IMO. The enclosed hammer has numerous advantages and is very formidable at these ranges.

In terms of live fire, the airweights aren't that bad unless perhaps you're using really hot ammo. The recoil is obviously more substantial than with an all steel model, but not prohibitive to putting an adequate numbers of rounds through it by any means. Massad Ayoob puts a lot of +P rounds through his even lighter 340 M&P and he is a slightly built, older man.