What type of gun is better for self defense in a beginner: a revolver or a semi-auto?

I started, as a beginner, at the wee age of 8 or so +/-, with my dads 1911 and a 4" police positive. Started my wife at the range with everything I own...1911, Sig 229, Glock 17, 3913, 4" 19, 2.5" 19 and my 642...she has commandeered my 642. So I went out and replaced it with a 640 no dash .38. That 640 is slowly becoming my favorite personal carry piece. Oh, I am not going to let the wife shoot this one.
To answer the OP's question, give the Noob some options and let them decide, help them learn how to handle, shoot and clean their choice of sidearm. Go to the range with them and don't try to talk them into a certain gun.
I am no longer a Noob and have sold all my bottom feeder save for my 1911 Commander and I have carried a 19-4 snub for... oh the last 7-8 years now.
 
sirrduke2010 said:
I have rephrased the parameters of this question. We are talk a beginner. A person that has never worked with guns or had a gun before. My preference is the revolver because you don't have to worry about jamming as much, a round being in the chamber, and/or the safety being on. It is a point and shoot set setup where the ease of use in an emergency situation will benefit the potential victim.
Click to expand...

After reading every post in this thread I had to go back to see who asked the question, 'cause I didn't remember.

Then I got confused.

Is your question hypothetical, or are you the beginner you asked about in your OP?
 
Rustyt1953 said:
The OP left the forum 4 1/2 years ago so I wouldn't be in a hurry for a reply.
Click to expand...

Dvan's been resurrecting threads lately.

Dvan34 said:
Revolvers are considerably safer than Semi-Automatics. You can readily determine if they are loaded. Also if not a 'hammerless' they are not likely to fire when picked up if your trigger finger does not engage the trigger. If is is lying on the table and the hammer is back ? Definitely unsafe. A semi-auto unless it is a 1911 may or may not be safe. Some semi's have an indicator atop the slide to let you know they are loaded with a round in the chamber. A 1911 is relatively safe if the hammer is not 'cocked'.
Click to expand...

I was going to highlight the parts that I disagreed with, but then I realized I disagreed with the entire thing.

(1) Revolvers are not any safer than semiautomatics. Or more simply, no gun is any "safer" than any other gun. Safety is a thing that happens in your head, not in your hands. Any firearm (or automobile, or power tool, etc) in the hands of a moron is a dangerous implement.

(2) Checking whether a firearm is loaded is no more difficult whether it's a pistol or a revolver. Determining its condition for non-firing purposes (i.e.--handing it from one person to another) is similarly simple and straightforward.

(3) A "hammerless" revolver is functionally no different than a shrouded or exposed-hammer design. The hammer is simply concealed entirely within the frame. No matter what the design, if you keep your boogerhook off the trigger, a revolver in good function isn't going to magically go off. Mos modern revolvers (I'm always hesitant to say "all") are designed to prevent a discharge if the hammer falls without movement of the trigger/sear.

(4) A 1911 is no more safe than any other type of pistol. See #1--safety is a thing that happens in your head, not on your gun. Any modern firearm, equipped properly for CCW or defensive use, and in good working order, is perfectly safe so long as you follow the appropriate manual of arms.

(5) Similarly, a press check may be performed on many types of semiautomatic pistols, not just 1911s.

(6) 1911s are quite safe in Condition 1 status (loaded chamber, safety engaged, hammer cocked). The half-cock notch and firing pin return spring both act to prevent a truly accidental discharge (i.e.--through jarring, dropping, or the like, the full-cock notch of the hammer fails and allows the hammer to fall without movement of the sear). This is regardless of whether the manual thumb safety is engaged, or is unintentionally disengaged.
 
Go to a range, rent a couple of each, shoot them. Ask question "which one do you like more?" You have your answer.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Some very interesting opinions here. Having just went through this with my wife, I can say the best handgun is the one she chooses and will practice with. It's to her and your advantage to have her engage with a qualified instructor who will afford her the opportunity to load and fire a variety of handguns. It's important he/she provides the pros and cons of each type & caliber. I have semi-autos of the Glock variety and a few revolvers chambered in .357. In my attempt to get the wife involved, I would load the magazines or the cylinder, hand the firearm to the wife and let her go at it. Initially, she was very fond of the Glock 19. The fondness for the Glock quickly diminished when the instructor had her load the magazine and rack the slide prior to putting rounds down range. She ultimately decided a S&W 60 Pro was to her liking. I believe the revolver provides less opportunity for a ND, and, improves one's ability to master trigger control. Much easier to load and master the mechanics and puts rounds down range. Most of her ongoing practice is at 10 yards or less with her Model 60. The best part, is she did not pick a caliber for which I did not have ammo stocked up. As she becomes more proficient, additional training will occur.
 
Lost Lake said:
Think about this for a while.

EVERYBODY is a beginner once. Now we are talking about Army Rangers and Navy Seals who parachute down into enemy territory and fight for their lives......
Click to expand...

For every shooter who practices as much as an Army Ranger there are dozens who shoot less than once a year. While I don't agree with that, it's very common, and for that type of person a less complicated revolver might be a better choice.

By the way, the Navy seals used model 66's into the 1990's and still use 686's, among a variety of semi autos.
 
I think for the majority of us we hope we never have to pull the trigger on someone. That being said, years ago our home defense teacher answered that like this. "For someone not very experienced and quite frankly also the experienced person, a revolver gives that little bit of extra time to make that deadly force decision. You could always change your mind in the time it takes to pull that trigger through the action, whereas on an auto if you touch the trigger it's going to fire right then and now." Just something to think about. I carry a Makarov which is an auto and double action. Wife a 642 SW revolver.
 
Using a revolver for self-defense is acceptable. As a woman, a great handgun like S&W M&P Bodyguard is the best self defense for women or any lightest handgun will do for a beginner.
 
Depends on what the user calls "self defense." The overwhelming majority of people who buy handguns take them home, sometimes load them, and put them away. It is, to these people, a magic talisman to ward off evil. These folks are prime candidates for a good six shot K frame, Ruger GP series, or equivalent.
Even among those who shoot and practice, a revolver handled properly is a viable HD or CC firearm. Revolver dry fire practice is beneficial and translates to improved trigger control over most any handgun type.
 
sirrduke2010 said:
I have rephrased the parameters of this question. We are talk a beginner. A person that has never worked with guns or had a gun before. My preference is the revolver because you don't have to worry about jamming as much, a round being in the chamber, and/or the safety being on. It is a point and shoot set setup where the ease of use in an emergency situation will benefit the potential victim.
Click to expand...
Male or Female?
 
there is too many variables to give a flat answer .. the size and physical attributes of an individual may come into play .. some people are unable to rack a slide on some pistols while they can on others .. my wife can rack my Sig p238 but not the Sig P229, some do well with a safety while others never remember to take it off on the first shot .. some can shoot a striker fired pistol but a DA/SA might be pulled off target in Da ..

Its really all up to the individual and how well they handle either pistol .. the comments to try as many before your first buy is solid info and even then you my not eventually like the first one after buying it ..
 
I started with a full size M&P as my first gun. I go to the range twice a month to make sure I know my gun and am comfortable with it. I liked the semi-automatic because when you need fast stopping power, you have little time. Being able to get 3 shots off very quickly increases my chance for survivability. That was my theory when I bought it and I still prefer it over a revolver now that I am carrying a Shield.
 
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