CCW...Revolver or Semi?

msnbcnnbcbs · Apr 17, 2011

Hiya folks,

I'm debating on the pros and cons of revolver vs semi. I've looked over the bodyguard (.380 and .38) as well as the lcp/lcr and the m&p 340. I have an M&P R8, tried concealing it once, didn't work out.

One of the reasons I was leaning towards a wheelgun was that I have one already, and don't have to go buy another type of ammo. My concealed carry would probably be front-pocket, in jeans or slacks (I live in South FL). I'm slightly over 6ft, about 200lbs (a bit skinny).

I've read some reviews about the M&P 340 that say its not that concealable, but the thought of being able to use .357 magnum makes me giggle.

I'm open to suggestions, let me know if I've missed something.

Cheers

russp1 · Apr 17, 2011

When considering CCW guns for my wife and I, my first thing was something easy to conceal so that we would actually carry them all the time (a gun at home is of no value). While looking at all the various "little" guns out there, I just felt a small revolver would be much more reliable than a small auto and was willing to give up the one extra round and didn't feel most self defense situtations would involve rapid reloads. We both carry 5 shot .38 special S&W J frames and a spare speed strip.

pjpjr · Apr 17, 2011

I have been carrying for years and tried many. Recently I went through the exercise of picking a new carry gun, something smaller. I decided on an automatic and actually acquired a Glock 26 in 9mm. In my opinion perfect for what I wanted. I also carry daily a Seecamp 32 deep in my front pocket.

ContinentalOp · Apr 17, 2011

I had the same debate with myself when I switched from relying on my Glock to relying on my DA revolvers for self-defense. The biggest reason is that I simply shot consistently better with DA revolvers than semi-autos. I also liked the fact that dry-fire practice drills were a little more realistic with the revolvers than Glocks (no need to partially rack the slide between shots). I also enjoy shooting revolvers more than semi-autos (even my snub!), which translates to more motivation to hit the range.

There was also this article I came across that really piqued my interest in the debate. I'll say that I don't agree with every point mentioned, but it does give food for thought. I think I may have posted it elsewhere here, but I'll go ahead and post it again (FYI, the page numbering is a little out-of-whack...the last page is actually the first page...go figure...):

http://www.snubtraining.com/pdfs/WhyRevolversBeatAutos.pdf

Ultimately, though, you have to figure out what works best for you and your situation. You may shoot compact semi-autos better than revolvers. You may prefer the slimmer, faster reloads of a semi-auto. Or you may prefer the revolver's ability to make contact shots without jamming a positive trait. Try a bunch of different guns, if you can, and see what works for you.

foggood11 · Apr 17, 2011

russp1 said:
When considering CCW guns for my wife and I, my first thing was something easy to conceal so that we would actually carry them all the time (a gun at home is of no value). While looking at all the various "little" guns out there, I just felt a small revolver would be much more reliable than a small auto and was willing to give up the one extra round and didn't feel most self defense situtations would involve rapid reloads. We both carry 5 shot .38 special S&W J frames and a spare speed strip.

+1 with one exception - divorced and no longer married. But I am "crazy" about my 642!

Plus, when I pull the trigger, I am convinced it will go "bang" - every single time.

APS · Apr 18, 2011

Though my Keltec P3AT has run flawlessly since I got it, I simply don't fully trust the shrunk-down-within-an-inch-of-their-life mini pocket pistols. The smallest semi I fully trust is a G26 b/c it's just a shorter slide and frame of a proven full size gun. You might be able to pocket carry it, I can but it takes really big pockets and my belt has to be so tight I almost die.
Otherwise, I pocket carry an LCR. I've had 2 J frames (642 and 340M&P), and the LCR is just so much easier for me to shoot well.

hobby-gunsmith · Apr 18, 2011

revolver or semi

If you have little experience in shooting pistols, I would recommend a revolver. For a home defense or carry, at least a 3 inch barrel will be a better gun for either application. There are a lot of variables in a semi to deal with such as malfunctions and if you do not constantly practice, you can find yourself dealing with the problem while your adrenalin is pumping. With a revolver, if the round does not fire, you just pull the trigger for the next round to fire. It is simple to use but practice every day. Dry fire it a least 15 minutes a day, with snap caps, in your garage creating different situations starting at 7 yards with targets in different areas. Also, I would purchase a used .22 handgun and practice your sight alignment and trigger practice. The ammo is cheap and you can transfer the same basics to other type of guns.

Nick

chp · Apr 18, 2011

I carry both.

I mostly carry a Glock 26. When I want something smaller than the G26, I carry a J Frame either in the pocket or with the "Clipdraw."

When I want something smaller than a J, I carry a Kel Tec 3AT.

photoman · Apr 18, 2011

If the mission is front pocket carry, the Model 642 or Model 442 is the champ in my book. The M&P 340 is a wonderful gun but, honestly, I don't think you'll end up with .357 Magnums in it and the 642/442 is much less in price.

For pocket holsters, I recommend the Mika. I've used them for many years with excellent results.

USAF385 · Apr 18, 2011

I carry both. I have a 642 and a 38 BG. After putting enough rounds through it, I've become a big fan of the bodyguard... I really love the grip.. it's just so dang comfortable.

I also have a G27 that I carry very often. Both the revolvers and the semi auto have functioned flawlessly and I'm comfortable carrying either.

If you're familiar with and comfortable with revolvers, why not stick with them for now. You can always pick up a semi auto and get accustomed to it over time.

MOONDAWG said:
REVOLVERS

ADVANTAGES

7. Can be easily loaded and fired with only one hand in an emergency

I disagree with that one... the loading one handed part.

jag312 · Apr 18, 2011

Depending on the time and place, I carry both: a S&W 696 and a Browning BDA380. I carry them in a OWB holster. I used to carry the Browning in a shoulder holster, but the feeling of a lump under my left arm was uncomfortable. I practise with both, I know what ammunition they both like, and I have confidence with both.

luangtom · Apr 18, 2011

My EDC is either a M&P340 or a Model 340PD in a pocket-holster. I carry either the DeSantis Nemesis or FIST-K5. No problems with either in jeans.

RufusG · Apr 18, 2011

MOONDAWG said:
SEMI-AUTOS DISADVANTAGES

1. If the magazine is lost you have a single shot pistol ( you need to own spares)

2. Generally not as reliable as a revolver

3. Ammo sensitive; need a certain "power level" to operate properly

4. Will not reliably feed certain bullet shapes

5. Can be sensitive to dirt, gun powder fouling, pocket lint etc.

6. Anything coming in contact with it's moving slide can cause a failure

7. Immediate action clearing procedures can be difficult under stress

8. In an emergency they can be difficult to load and fire with one hand

9. Have a more complicated operating system to remember under stress

Every one of these items can be challenged, at a minimum, or are extremely questionable as to actual relevance. I'm not taking sides in revolver vs. auto as I carry both, but this list seems to have been developed by someone with a bias against autos. Unless I'm missing something, a semi can be reloaded substantially faster with one hand than a revolver.

Steve in Vermont · Apr 18, 2011

I carry J Frames for cc (36 and 640-1 w/+P ammo) and would never consider an automatic. I've been shooting for over 40 years and have never had a revolver FTF. I have friends, however, with various pistols and all of them, at one time or another, have experienced this. I need to know that, as someone said earlier, when I pull the trigger it will go bang.. every.. single.. time. Period. My life may depend on it.

38-44HD45 · Apr 18, 2011

In general, revolvers work a bit better for front pocket carry. The cylinder "bulge" helps keep the grip more accessible.

These discussions of relative reliability of autos vs. revolvers can get tiresome, but it always amuses me when folks insist that revolvers have it all over autos in the reliability department. Perhaps that used to be true, but assuming the use of a quality autoloader with appropriate ammo, the main reliability difference is that when an autoloader malfs, it can usually be cleared in a second or two. (You do practice malfunction drills, don't you?) When a revolver chokes (and they do), it often requires a trip to the bench to get it running again. Truth is, with good guns, proper gun maintenance and quality ammunition, there is no longer a significant reliability difference between the two.

Typically, I carry an autoloader as a primary and a J-frame as a BUG.

jlrhiner · Apr 18, 2011

RufusG said:
Every one of these items can be challenged, at a minimum, or are extremely questionable as to actual relevance. I'm not taking sides in revolver vs. auto as I carry both, but this list seems to have been developed by someone with a bias against autos. Unless I'm missing something, a semi can be reloaded substantially faster with one hand than a revolver.

actually, most of that list is a liberal interpretation of a comparison done by Hatcher in the early 30's. As I recall, some things have been omitted. And I agree about the reliability issue, Semi automatic handguns have been used in every military conflict since World War 1.

C Islander · Apr 18, 2011

I'm in the revolver camp. I carry a 2.5 66 and a 442. I do through a Beretta Centurion into the mix at times though.

wnr700 · Apr 18, 2011

MOONDAWG said:
DISADVANTAGES

1. Are a little harder to conceal due to their cylinder 's width

I have heard this from many, but have found it not to be the case.

Having carried both, unlike the squarish and boxy Glock 26, I find the uneven contours of a j frame to be the easiest to conceal for my body type.

However, limited capacity, recoil, reloading, and short barrel accuracy make this a tough beginners gun.

A Jframe takes alot of range time to become adequate. Mastery? Well, that takes an almost religious conversion.... and even then we sometimes feel the pull of the darkside.

For most anyone, I consider the Glock 26 to be the ideal CCW handgun. Unquestioned reliability, heavy enough to be a joy to shoot, more than enough capacity, and light enough to carry. Almost out of the box, this can be shot well.

I carry a Jframe because the Airweights give you the sense of a mousegun with a manstopper bullet.

I credit my improved snubbie skills to my Model 17 and consistently shooting a minimum of couple hundred rounds of .22 per range session. Eventually, it translates well to other revolvers.

Oh yeah... and if you have never shot .357 out of an airweight... your in for a BIG surprise!

My advice would be to take that money, spend a little extra, and buy a 442 or 642 and a used Glock 26.

ab4ka · Apr 18, 2011

I've been on both sides of this argument. Right now my primary ccw is a S&W 6906...I've shot it enough to know what it likes and doesn't like and I'm very comfortable with it. My secondary is a Kel-Tec PF9, same reasoning.

I've got a S&W 36 that I carried for a while, and before that it was a 638, but even with lots of practice I just couldn't hit anything with the J frame while I score decent hits with the semi-autos, which I why I switched back to them. Also, especially the Airweight, they aren't comfortable to shoot and I couldn't practice enough as my hand would hurt.

To me it's all about what you're comfortable with.

jtpur · Apr 18, 2011

You have lots of good opinions. In the end carry what you are comfortable with and carry it.....I tend to like revolvers, carry them concealed but also carry a keltec .380 because it conceals so easily. I take the gun with me that best fits where Im going, what Im doing, what Im wearing and how I feel on a particular day......and sometimes I even carry two guns......or take one big one with lots of ammo.....again the situation dictates what and how I carry.

CCW...Revolver or Semi?

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