Is the revolver now a 'hobby gun'?

This thread is going to upset some folks; it's not my intention. But this is something that's been bothering me for a while.

I've owned A TON of different handguns over the past decade. I've always been a revolver fan. I've owned old pinned S&W's, new ones, and Rugers. I've also owned many 1911's, and other auto loaders. After my post about my brand new 629 Crack or scratch in new 629? with a line that looks like a fracture on the cylinder, it got me thinking the following thoughts:

The old moniker that the revolver is a 'six for sure' while the autoloader is a 'maybe 15 rounds' (implying the autoloaders can misfeed or stovepip) seems to be either wrong, or no longer applicable.

Out of all the handguns I've owned over the past decade, the most reliable ones HAVE NOT been new revolvers.

1) I've had a new 686 3'' fail to turn the cylinder after 20 rounds at the range (pull trigger and cylinder didn't move).New 686p: interesting event
2) I've had that 629 with the possible crack in the cylinder from the factory.
3) I've had a brand new ruger sp101 seize up after 2 rounds Brand new revolver failure
4) Not to mention the countless new revolvers i've looked at in the store with canted barrels, forcing cones with burrs that occluded the barrel, etc.

Out of all the handguns I've owned, the most reliable were /are:
1) Colt 1911s
2) Beretta 92 series
3) HK USP series

I've had many Colt 1911's (4 Defenders, 5 different gov. models, and a Commander sized), and they all ran perfectly out of the box.

I've owned 7 different Beretta 92 series handguns. Every single one was stone cold reliable, never a malfunction.

I've owned 3 different HK USP models (full sized 45, full sized 9mm, compact 45). I don't yet have as many rounds through these as the Berettas and Colts, but so far, never a problem.

This is not to bash revolvers; I love revolvers. But it seems that in today's age, revolver makers are not producing them with the mindset that first responders will use them to defend their lives (because they aren't anymore). I'm currently dealing with S&W over a brand new 629 with what looks like a hairline crack in the cylinder from the factory. I'm reluctant to carry my new 686 for defense; just having a sour taste right now.

So, here's a question to consider: is the revolver now more of a 'hobby' gun, given that many autoloaders today seem to be made with more consistent QA?

This is not a troll post; just my current thoughts.

American1776 said:

So, here's a question to consider: is the revolver now more of a 'hobby' gun, given that many autoloaders today seem to be made with more consistent QA?

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I think it's a valid question, seems like the go-to for CC and SD are semi's of one sort or another. I like semiauto's, specifically 1911's, but I've dealt with revolvers much longer and have come to prefer them after walking on the dark side for several years. Not to say I don't carry a semiauto any more, but I'm carrying a revolver much more than I used to, and lately more often than a semi.

Capacity doesn't mean all that much to me, or not as much as it used to, as I have come to the conclusion that if in a situation where I need more than 12 (full cylinder and a speed loader), I'm not making it out anyway. I try to take a preventative attitude, which is, if it's going to take more, just don't go there. If TSHTF, then I have what I need for that scenario, I'll have more guns hanging off me than Carter has little red pills, but for simple SD and CC, my smallest wheel gun will do. As for new revolvers being less reliable, or poorer quality, I wouldn't know. My newest revolver is from 1980, and I've not had any function issues with any of them. I have, on the other hand, had a few with a couple of newer semiauto pistols, so given that, I should feel more comfortable that my revolvers won't let me down in a crunch. After all, a couple of hundred years of myriad police force use has pretty well proven they are dependable.

Hair Trigger said:

I think it's a valid question, seems like the go-to for CC and SD are semi's of one sort or another. I like semiauto's, specifically 1911's, but I've dealt with revolvers much longer and have come to prefer them after walking on the dark side for several years. Not to say I don't carry a semiauto any more, but I'm carrying a revolver much more than I used to, and lately more often than a semi.

Capacity doesn't mean all that much to me, or not as much as it used to, as I have come to the conclusion that if in a situation where I need more than 12 (full cylinder and a speed loader), I'm not making it out anyway. I try to take a preventative attitude, which is, if it's going to take more, just don't go there. If TSHTF, then I have what I need for that scenario, I'll have more guns hanging off me than Carter has little red pills, but for simple SD and CC, my smallest wheel gun will do. As for new revolvers being less reliable, or poorer quality, I wouldn't know. My newest revolver is from 1980, and I've not had any function issues with any of them. I have, on the other hand, had a few with a couple of newer semiauto pistols, so given that, I should feel more comfortable that my revolvers won't let me down in a crunch. After all, a couple of hundred years of myriad police force use has pretty well proven they are dependable.

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I'm not concerned with capacity much. I'm also not talking about older revolvers (which seem to be much more likely to work right). Back when LEO's carried revolvers, that's all there really was (bad guys usually only had them too).

The *new* revolvers seem to be the problem. I pay 800-1,000 bucks for a new revolver, and I might get one with a hairline crack in the steel, a wheel that won't turn or will possible seize up.

I agree with you on the older models: more care and attention seem to have been given to them because they were the only game in town, and they knew that LEO's would be relying on them. Not so much anymore.

Op do you believe gun manufacturers are treating revolvers as second class citizens or are today’s manufacturing processes just better suited to mass produce semiautos?


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Young people aren’t interested in revolvers. At least most of them aren’t interested. They are like leather holsters. If handguns are still around in twenty years, I think revolvers will essentially be collector’s items and curiosities us old buzzards drag into the range whenever we show up, if we’re still allowed to own and shoot them. Quality issues are just that. They have nothing to do with the soundness of the design or its utility.

I had a NIB Colt 1911 MK IV series 80 and never shot it and sold it last year.
I added the rosewood grips.



I bought this Glock M-36 4-5 years ago and it was junk and constantly jammed.
I gave it to a close friend along with the extra magazines, shoulder holster
and OWB holster who was very well aware of the issues I was having with it.



I have two S&W M&P 45s, a full size and a new Shield M2.0.
These are the only semi-autos that I own.

Both of these shoot flawlessly and I really enjoy shooting the full size one.

My EDC is a 642-1. Even the shield weighs more than I really care to carry.

Well very few, police departments or countries armed forced issue them as carry pieces. Technically the revolver has morphed into a sort of hobby class.

Interesting, I'm not a fan of auto-loaders but do have a few that I like.
Most of my revolvers are 20+ years old. the 2 newer ones have had issues. S&W 625 .45acp with light strikes(not ammo related)
And a Ruger Blackhawk that had parts fly off.,, Hmmmm.

rubiranch said:

I had a NIB Colt 1911 MK IV series 80 and never shot it and sold it last year.
I added the rosewood grips.



I bought this Glock M-36 4-5 years ago and it was junk and constantly jammed.
I gave it to a close friend along with the extra magazines, shoulder holster
and OWB holster who was very well aware of the issues I was having with it.



I have two S&W M&P 45s, a full size and a new Shield M2.0.
These are the only semi-autos that I own.

Both of these shoot flawlessly and I really enjoy shooting the full size one.

My EDC is a 642-1. Even the shield weighs more than I really care to carry.

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I had a glock 30sf (NIB) that constantly hit me in the forehead with brass (and no, I wasn't limp wristing it). Wasn't a fan.

SIG p220 (two NIB, recent models), both had stovepipe issues. Not a fan of them either.

peterGun said:

Op do you believe gun manufacturers are treating revolvers as second class citizens or are today’s manufacturing processes just better suited to mass produce semiautos?


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Both statements can be correct at the same time, and I suspect this is the case.

I have Smiths that I bought used in the 1960s which have never missed a beat.
When I go ambient hopefully they will pass down in the family. I expect them to continue to be reliable.
Otherwise they will make strangers happy with more years of reliable service.
As I have posted a number of times, I bought the Blue 19 new in Guam.
First New Smith I ever bought. Carried it in SEA.

All my revolvers work fine, but they're all between at least 30 and almost 60 years in age. As noted, the problems seem to be with more current production runs. I believe what I have will continue to perform admirably for as long as I need them to, and I have no real desire to buy anything new. As far as the original question goes, if something bad unfolds in my home I have no qualms about bringing a revolver into play (my 'ancient' Model 10 is in my nightstand), but since just about all LEO's and military personnel rely on semi-autos these days, revolvers may indeed be considered a hobby gun. However, if the manufacturers are going to continue to sell revolvers for upwards of $1K or more, they owe it to their customers to present a quality product.

I think that very soon you will see revolvers make a strong come-back due to the more strict gun laws that are starting to be penned. They soon might be the only practical handgun we will be allowed to buy.

Like I stated in another recent thread - time to practice better techniques and hit more with less rounds.

IMO, the revolver is by no means a hobby - different niches, but not done. Kimber’s foray into revolvers, and Colt’s return, show there’s a market...and then there’s the Korth crazy train. If QC on a new gun is an issue, that’s a point of sale issue (canted barrels, fit & finish); mechanical issues are a return once, refund after the repeat fail. The design issues are not confined to revolvers; ask Sig about that 320 drop test thing.

As far as self-defense goes, the market has spoken; the reliability of modern semi-automatics, capacity, and price, wins. The revolver remains capable, but in my view, the post-war years through the 1980s were the peak of the revolver’s utility. After that, the rise of the less-expensive polymer guns, hi-cap mags, better SD ammo, and CNC manufacturing, moved the SD market away from revolvers. Spray and pray aside, The better mousetrap wins.

I hope your 629 cylinder is a cosmetic issue. I’d return it; the odds of an inclusion or crack are low, but why chance it? If it’s cosmetic, that will buff out. As for the other reliability issues, some are individual ones, and then there were the Lear Siegler years.

In the end, it’s more a matter of what the buyer is comfortable with, the price, and the application. Hunting remains a primary niche for revolvers; SD is certainly viable. The inherent machining and assembly costs for revolvers sets a price point (I’m looking at you, Taurus); after that, it’s what’s available, and affordable. To me, the P&R revolvers are the S&W quality models; after those years, technology and costs moved the market away from revolvers in general.

Another revolver fan here. I've done the semi thing, but found that revolvers were more enjoyable. The newer revolvers don't reflect the quality and pride of workmanship that the older revolvers do, and semis are just guns without personality. It wouldn't surprise me that revolvers will be the only guns available in the future.

I trained with the M1911A-1 .45 pistol in the Army and carried one in combat. Then I joined the police and was required to use a revolver, so I did for many years.

After retiring from law enforcement my usual choice was a 1911-style .45 pistol. I also own and use Browning Hi Power 9mm, Sig P229 .40S&W, and several others fully capable for defensive carry.

Over the past couple of years I have experienced serious and painful conditions that have limited my strength and range of motion in the hands, arms, and shoulders. I questioned my abilities to handle semi-autos. Surgery has partially solved some of my problems, but not completely.

For everyday needs I have been using a 40-plus year old S&W Model 64 2" .38 Special revolver. No worries about strength or dexterity to clear a feed jam, racking a pistol slide against heavy spring pressures, loading magazines with stout springs, etc. I have enough experience and "muscle memory" with the revolver that I can easily turn in a good score on the range.

I don't consider self-defense to be something for a "hobby gun".

My point is that it is not necessarily one or the other, semi-auto or revolver. There are plenty of legitimate uses and needs for either type.

LoboGunLeather said:

I trained with the M1911A-1 .45 pistol in the Army and carried one in combat. Then I joined the police and was required to use a revolver, so I did for many years.

After retiring from law enforcement my usual choice was a 1911-style .45 pistol. I also own and use Browning Hi Power 9mm, Sig P229 .40S&W, and several others fully capable for defensive carry.

Over the past couple of years I have experienced serious and painful conditions that have limited my strength and range of motion in the hands, arms, and shoulders. I questioned my abilities to handle semi-autos. Surgery has partially solved some of my problems, but not completely.

For everyday needs I have been using a 40-plus year old S&W Model 64 2" .38 Special revolver. No worries about strength or dexterity to clear a feed jam, racking a pistol slide against heavy spring pressures, loading magazines with stout springs, etc. I have enough experience and "muscle memory" with the revolver that I can easily turn in a good score on the range.

I don't consider self-defense to be something for a "hobby gun".

My point is that it is not necessarily one or the other, semi-auto or revolver. There are plenty of legitimate uses and needs for either type.

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I have no issues with the older revolvers that you are discussing. I had two model 58s that worked perfectly. Same with a 1960's era model 36.

My original post, asking if the revolver has become a 'hobby gun' refers to the new production revolvers, being sold for 800-1000 dollars, many of which may or MAY NOT work out of the box.

My solution?
Buy pinned and recessed Smith and Wesson revolvers.
They work.

gregintenn said:

My solution?
Buy pinned and recessed Smith and Wesson revolvers.
They work.

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Yes, I agree with this. However: I've been burned before trying to buy these. (sellers who lie and misrepresent the condition of a gun). I've also had many good experiences, and regret selling the ones I had.

American1776 said:

Yes, I agree with this. However: I've been burned before trying to buy these. (sellers who lie and misrepresent the condition of a gun). I've also had many good experiences, and regret selling the ones I had.

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Your in a big club there, friend!