With all the problems I continue to read about on a couple of forums involving semi autos of different brands and calibers...mag problems causing feeding issues, recoil springs jumping their flange(dual type) ammo problems with a certain pistol, fail to feed, fail to eject fail to fire...and the list goes on and on. This makes me wonder if I wouldn't be better served by a six shooter-something like a mint Colt Python 357...yeah, that's the ticket!

In all sincerity, I never had any problems with my first 357-a Highway Patrolman model 27 nor with any Ruger SA or two M29's and a M25 45 Colt and others. I can't say that about the various autos I've owned over the past 30+ years, unfortunately. Just something I pondered while not having anything better to do tonight.

I have owned many pistols over the years. I just prefer to carry a revolver for the same reasons you just mentioned.

Or maybe a five shooter like the 442 on my belt right now (or any of my other j frames, or, in reality, my SAA which I would not carry with a round under the hammer).

On the other hand, most of the time I carry my XD9sc through which I have sent many hundreds of rounds of all types and kinds without any issues.

Ken

I carry both CCW as a pair all the time.

A Highway Patrolman is the workmanlike Model 28, not the fancy Model 27, but anyway.

Anyway, I've had a fair number of revolvers die on me or develop problems. I've never had a serious issue with a Sig or Glock.

Aloha,

Auto = Beretta, never had a problem with the 5 we have

Revolver = M-10, 13, 64 or 65 with Crimson Trace Laser Grips

Both.... but my usual carry revolver only holds 5.........

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- The Federalist #46 -

A Colt Python is a pretty big gun for CCW, if that's the plan. I do tend to agree, however, and personally prefer revolvers (I like the lightweight J-frames) for CCW purposes, although revolvers are certainly not immune to problems anymore than semi-autos are.

I've had 3 different revolvers fail on the range such that they were unfireable; (a Colt and a 67 that had a bazillion rounds through them, and a new J frame that didn't make it to 200 without a part breaking) any gun can have a failure. Use whatever you are comfortable & confident with and most importantly hit well with.

I regularly carry a 2" Model 36 or a 3" Model 65, as well as my various Glocks, M1911, and Browning Hi Power.

Revolver, auto, it's all the same to me.

The internet has a way of amplifying the problems that one person has (lets say failure to extract), then another person buys a used gun with an unknown history, that was probably dropped off of a building that does the same thing, then someone who doesn't know much about shooting is limp wristing their gun, etc. Just look at all the complaints and the bad reputation the Sigma has. While they aren't my favorite pistols and I have only shot a friends, they are reliable guns that will go bang every time you pull the trigger. In short, all guns are mechanical devices and can break at any time. Even the might "Glock Perfection" (sorry, I'm just not personally fond of Glocks) products have had reliability issues.

While it is true that semi-autos can fail for several reasons, so can revolvers. The biggest difference is that most revolver malfuctions cannot be repaired in the field. To counter this, whenever I am out for more than a few minutes, I will generally carry a primary and a backup gun, the primary being a semi-auto and the back up being a Mod 640-1. The best thing to do is to pick a gun you are comfortable and accurate with that has proven most reliable to you. Your shooting buddy may not like the brand or model you carry, but your shooting buddy isn't betting their life on your gun, you are.

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J.D. Roy

I was more or less teasing about the Python. A beautiful pistol but wouldn't conceal very well. I never had one but a friend did and I loved just holding and shooting it...the creme de la creme.

S&W has quite a few 2-3" pistols in 357 Magnum and I can't fathom that. I must be loud enough to knock the ears off a brass mule-sort of like Glock's 357 Sig in a subcompact version.

One of my old favorites was the model 21 in 44 Special and the Model 25 in 45 Colt. I had a 4" M29 but shot the Special in it mostly. Pistols, especially the N frame ones are quite large and I'd had to consign them to being a house gun rather using one for CC.

I love my 3rd Gen models and several Glocks I have shoot very good but now and then, I go back to my roots which was with the revolver and think it would be nice to have one again. Personally, I never had a problem with them other than once when first started reloading, I hadn't crimped a 357 reload well enough and the bullet crept forward, tying the pistol up. Other than that, no breakage of parts or other maladies you experience with autos.

I've had 1911's that wouldn't feed, would fail to eject, stove pipe, fail to extract, etc. Love them but, I wouldn't put my life on the line carrying one.

I prefer to shoot a revolver, but a small, flat semi auto is sure more comfortable to carry.

I plenty of both, I put on whichever feels "right" that day when I open the safe.

For semi-autos, I prefer single stack guns in either 9mm or .45. I carry four spare mags, but that's just Clint Smith wearing on me from my Thunder Ranch days. I feel okay with two spare mags, but never anything less.

For revolvers, I prefer 6-shot .38s or .357s in a medium frame (Colt D, S&W K, or Ruger GP/Security Six). I pack two (or more) speed loaders, and two speed strips. For pocket carry, I go J-frame with two speed loaders and a strip.

I never feel under armed for any situation, given the guns and the spare ammo. I've practiced clearing malfunctions in revolvers and semi-autos. I practice with both at the range, I have trained with both and I do not at a disadvantage with either. The semi-autos offer more capacity (8-9 rounds in my case) and a tad quicker on the reload, but the revolvers shoot a bit better.

To be honest, for carry, you aren't going to rely on one gun or one holster, so if you have an illusions about that, give them up. You're going to end up with eight or ten "carry" guns with two or three you always go for and eventually twice as many holsters as carry guns.

-Rob

I carry both; which type depends on circumstances. Keep them in good order, maintain situational awareness, and practice-practice-practice.

I carry both at the same time.I like my J Frame as my Primary and my P3AT as my BUG.

Horses for courses, or maybe I should say pastes for tastes. The problems of the "fighting automatic" have pretty much all been solved, and, well, we solved the issues of the "fighting revolver" a long, long time ago. What you choose depends on what you like more than anything else.

In my experience, guns seldom suddenly go bad if they've been good before. If you are likely to have problems with a pistol, they'll either show up pretty early, or show up when they've been run ragged-----and running a decent pistol ragged is a long, long process.

This question does not have a one size fits all answer.

A lot will depend on how the person dresses, their size and such.

The gun of choice can be undependable or unstoppable. I carried a S&W model 66 for years without a problem. Then I had to carry a Glock model 22 for several more and no problem. Finally I get to carry a S&W1911 with 5 inch barrel and it is the best gun I ever carried, shot or owned. Not a single problem in now over 5,000 rounds using various types of ammo. It fits flat against my side in a pancake holster and I trust it totally.

BUT what works for me may not be ideal for another. My 6'3" 260 pound frame allows a lot to be concealed.

I have found over the last 40 + years that it is not what you carry as much as the way you carry and it is not the gun you carry but how much you trust the gun you carry.

I carry6 revolvers because with my health problems due to type one diabetes, it is hard for me to rack a semi-auto pistol. I do have mainly S&W M10s and a M65 and Ruger revolvers from the Security Six to the Speed Six and GP100s 3 and 4 inch barrels and a Ruger SP101 along with a S&W 625-8. And I carry the 625-8 in a Maxpedition bag with holster. rz625-8

It's a toss up. Semi-autos have more malfunctions, but they are not all that common anymore. And are mostly easy to clear.

Revolvers malfunction rarely, but if something does go south it is rarely something that can be quickly fixed on the spot.

I think either can be a good choice. I have more experience with auto's and it is what I will continue to use for concealed carry. They are easier to carry and have more rounds. Either way you go just make sure it's a quality gun. For auto's I would look at Glock, M&P, HK, or Sig. In revolvers I'm sticking with S&W or Ruger but I'll use them in the woods not the urban jungle.

When I've ccw, I've mainly carried a pocket pistol....a Seecamp .32acp. It isn't much of round but it's a handy little gun. I like the all stainless design.

It's dispatched a couple of snakes and scared off a wild dog.

Accuracy is tough, though. No sights, narrow grips and double action only.


It's been locked away ever since I bought a 442 and a good pocket holster. Easily carried, much more potent, way better accuracy too. I'd love to get another for my wife.


When I'm hunting, though, I generaly carry something more potent. I'm not concerned with ccw then. It's usually a wheelgun, too, as I've not encountered a bottom feeder that offers the capability and trigger smoothness of a 29/629/57.

I've carried G21, G20 and new for this year is a G22. I've been highly impressed with the GLOCKS simplicity and reliability over the years. I've always run factory unaltered mags and never had issues. They may not be pretty, but they are excellent tools.

I've packed a few 1911's as well. I had a Kimber Custom that I wound up selling. The safety on that gun was just way too easy to swipe off. I should have sent it to Kimber for repair. I didn't feel good carrying it cocked 'n locked in open-topped holsters. I'm not a lover of thumbreaks...but felt better this way on that 1911.


I guess for the strong rounds that I enjoy firing and the crisp break of a Smith fired single action...I could be happy with only wheelguns forever...but I'm not going to give up my G22 unless someone made a crazy offer.

I have always been a revolver guy and have carried various revolvers since I got my CCW but have taken a on a new appreciation for auto loaders. I have begun to carry autos and like the flat shape and higher capacity. I like single stack 45's so it's 4 more rounds than the 642. I have not been able to make my Kimber 1911, S&W 4586 or Ruger P97 fail without really trying. I would and do trust any of them with my life. The 642 still finds it's way into my pocket when I run to the local store and around the house. It's just so darned easy to carry.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

I carry both most of the time. A J frame is always in the pocket, usually a 37, 442 or 642 with CT105's. I carry my cell phone in an ballistic cloth pouch with a speed strip behind the phone. As I am in the truck a good part of the day, a semi is always planted between the right side of the seat and the center seat cushion. Usually the semi is a 3953 or a 4053 in a holster attached to the seat belt coupling. I always have four spare mags in the door pocket in an open top mag carrier that is attached to the interior of the door pocket with a small velcro strip. The magazine pouch gives my quick access to the spare mags if needed while in the truck and the small velcro strip allows for a quick egress with spare ammo if staying with the truck is not an option.

Class III

Semi-autos have come a very long way, particularly in the last few decades. And there are many quality brands available at a very reasonable cost. I'm partial to Glocks personally and rarely have I had an issue with one. I am not against semi-autos in anyway, shape or form have taught them and currently carrying one on-duty (Glock 21 .45 ACP).

Having said that...

A gun is a machine. As such, it can malfunction. Be it a revolver or a semi-auto. There are probably fewer things that can 'generally' go wrong with a revolver. At least from the point of taking the gun out of action for an extended time or requiring a gun smith. A revolver can't 'fail to feed', stovepipe or double feed. If it has a dud round, you simply pull the trigger again. I'm speaking of 'common' things here. Additionally you have to make sure the various springs are strong or it may/can/will result in problems.

I don't feel 'bad' about carrying a Glock on-duty. It's fine and I'm confident with it and trained to clear any malfunction that isnt' of the extend to take it out of action and requiring a gun smith. With that...I carry a revolver off-duty.

Personal choice.

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Stay safe

Whichever auto I'm carrying..on or off duty...my constant companion is the 642 Smith with speed strips.

The only guns I don't trust, as a general rule, are the small semi-autos. Generally speaking, the smaller the semi-auto, the less reliable it is. The smallest semi-auto I have is a Glock 19.

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Centennial Every Day

For years all I wanted was revolvers and I still like them but over the last 1 1/2 years i've gotten in to auto's. I've gotten rid of all my wheel guns but and old Colt official police with a 5 " barrel. On the autos, I started with a Kel Tec P 11 and then got a Ruger SR 9, then a S&W Sigma in 9mm, a Kel Tec P3AT and for the wife, a Kel Tec P32.

I love the extra rounds of the big 9 mm's. I don't know about your area but around hear the perps are operating in 3's and
4's which makes the high capacity auto's more appealing. Having said all that...I still love the revolvers. All my auto's function with no problem.

I've not read any posts here other than that of the OP, so I'm not commenting on them. Every day, for years now, my primary carry has been an auto. I trust mine, and I make sure they work. My #2 gun is usually a revolver, but not for any reliability-related reason, but rather because that's what works best where I normally prefer to carry my backup. I carry revolvers as primaries sometimes, but I consider them no more reliable than my autos carried in the same role. Today, there is NO reason to prefer one over the other, all things considered. Revolvers fail, autos fail, both work better than most mechanical devices.

I don't have a Glock, otherwise I agree 99% (the Seecamp seems to be a exception)

I've also found the less you try to 'improve/customize' a semi-auto, the more reliable it will be.

No doubt, a revolver offers less chance of malfunction. Many things can go wrong with a semi but the odds of a well maintained gun going bad at the worst time is remote.

I carried both S&W model 19 and a 66 over the years and never felt outgunned or needing more. Still have both and would carry them if the need arose.

I also have a few Glocks and carried a Glock 22 for a few years without a problem. Would not hesitate to carry it today.

Got several 1911 type guns and recently bought a couple of S&W 1911 models. I would take on anyone at any time with a S&W 1911. Nothing I own or have owned is as accurate, confortable or easy to handle. It is better than my custom guns. It truly stays with me 24/7. I have total confidence in the S&W 1911 full size. No, it is not as trouble free as a revolver but I will put it against any revolver and not be concerned.

I like them all.

However, I carry a Glock about 90% of the time, usually a G31 in .357 SIG or a G17 9mm. I shoot the 9mm better than other semi-auto rounds, and I have no qualms about it doing the job it has been doing for over 100 years now. Besides, I'm most accurate with the 9mm, including any second shots. In the nearly 15 years I've carried and shot Glocks, I have never had a failure of any kind in any of them. From 9mm, .357 SIG, to .45 ACP and 10mm. No experience with the .40 so I can't comment there. A Ruger SR9 has also found its way into the rotation, and it has some advantages even over my beloved Glocks.

But I love revolvers too. Carry a 342 Ti frequently, and have a GP-100 4" that will be carried for serious purposes as soon as its holster gets here. Also carry an L-Comp frequently. Other than round count, I prefer to carry a Glock or SR9 because I tend to bang into things while on the job. Beating up a Glock is no problem, I'd hate to seriously scratch a nice Smith or GP! Don't want to even think about scratching a Python!

I am thinking about picking up a T*&^%s Public Defender just to have the capability of .410 shot for snakes when wifey and I are walking. I hate snakes. Really hate snakes. I mean like really, really bad.

The Highlander

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I hope I copied that right

I like to shoot both (although I have to admit the only semi-auto I own right now is a J.C. Higgins .22 pistol...I'm sure that will change, just on a revolver kick right now), but when it comes to ccw and what I'll have on me when the feces hits the fan, I want a revolver. In a "serious social situation" I know I'm going to be nervous and shaky, and I want simple...as it pull the trigger and bang. If no bang, pull the trigger again. No "tap-rang-bang-cuss-snort-dance" or any of that.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

That is an advantage of revolvers Jimmy. The Glock is similar as in pull to go bang, but I can't think of any simpler "failure" drill than to just pull the trigger again on a revolver.

That and the ability to tailor loads, like alternating snake shot and hollow points is something semi-autos can't really match.

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I hope I copied that right

I prefer the reliability, simplicity, and out of the box accuracy of wheel guns. Every single bottom feeder I have ever owned has had a malfunction of some sort be it from the ammo, the magazine or other. Now to be fair I have had failures on a two wheel guns over the years, once the ejector rod unscrewed and locked the cylinder closed, and one time I had the bullets creep and bind up the cylinder.

If jams were not such a common occurrence in semi-autos there would be no need for them to teach drills on how to clear them in defensive pistol classes like Frontsight. Fortunately 99.9% of the jams can be cleared very quickly, unlike revolver malfunctions that generally put you out of action.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

I have carried a gun most every single day for over half my life. Started with a Model 10 and a Model 36 for off-duty (was a LEO); then a Model 60 for off-duty; then a 14 shot 9mm for duty and CCW. Now retired, it's a 642 or 60 (usually) as my LEOSA creds don't allow for both semi-auto and wheel gun CCW.

That said, I have never experienced a gun malfunction that kept any gun in my hands from firing. That is, of course, other than "planned" malfunctions during training.

Like others, I believe quality, modern era handguns are so reliable as to render critical malfunctions rather improbable. (Now if you're toting a Jennings or a Glock that may be another story. )

Yes, I carry one (1) and only one (1) gun at any time. I do carry extra ammo.

Be safe.