Revolvers vs Semi-Autos

[zenbiker]

I own both but after many years of experience I have to wonder whether the technology of semi-autos has offered a sufficient advantage over revolvers to place our safety and lives in the functioning of semi-autos. Even the very best 1911 pistols and other semis have a percentage of misfires and jams.
Yes, the beautiful single fire action of a well made 1911 is fantastic but I know of no one who has used a semi-auto for a long period of time who has not experienced any malfunctions. Then there are the springs, rods and slides that have to be maintained and serviced. Extractor problems, magazine issues, etc.
Fun on the range but when an intruder enters my house my .357 revolver will fire every single time.
I don't and can't carry in NJ but at my bedside, a loaded revolver will fire every single time!
Simplicity is a beautiful thing.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

My carry gun is a revolver but I do have a few auto loading pistols that I feel are reliable. I don't usually carry them though. (no, no glocks)

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I bet my life on a semi-auto everyday. It's a Springfield XD-45 Service model. I put it through rigorous testing before it got to ride along with me. I have complete faith in it. Having said that, my revolvers are never even questioned. Whether I strap on the 686 or drop the 640 in my pocket, I never give it a thought that they will not perform flawlessly if ever needed. I guess we all have that little smidgen of concern that a problem could arise with a semi, but when one proves to be extremely dependable, that concern becomes so minuscule as to be practically non existent.

 

[84CJ]

I have seen Revolvers malfunction as well. Maybe not as often but it happens. Quality and maint. is the key. Homework needs to be done with any type firearm. Even the single shots.

 

[GatorFarmer]

If you're at home, then you might as well have a rifle or shotgun. If you're a pessimist, stick a bayonet on the end and you also have a spear and a club to hand. Shrug.

Like anything else, the rest is a balancing equation between the relatively slighter (but not impossible, either mechanically or do to bad ammo) risk of a malfunction with a revolver compared to faster reload time, ease of field maintenance, and greater capacity of an auto.

 

[rchance]

I like both but prefer an auto. If everyone was the same they would only make one type of gun. I'm glad everyone's different and like seeing the different type guns everyone carries.

 

[2Loud4You]

I have 1 revolver, it locked up on me and had to be partially disassembled to work again. I have numerous semi-auto's, if they jam I quickly rack the slide and have a fresh round. Revolvers have a wonderful old school look and feel to them and I look forward to buying more but I'll stick with carrying a semi-auto for the reason I mentioned above. For those who say revolvers ALWAYS go bang when you pull the trigger, my 460V was the exception to that rule.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I trust the simple revolver. I own many semi-autos, but, for the most part, they are not my carry gun or my bedside gun.

If I ever have to use a gun for protection, I don't want to have any doubts. I've never experience a revolver "malfunction", but like everybody else, I've had plenty of failures with semi-autos...even the good ones...even the reliable ones.

I guess I'm old school. Simple is just better.

 

[29Wheelgunner]

I have carried both, and now I rely on my 640 Centennial to be ready 24/7.
Semi autos are great, but as I get older it's so much easier to pick up the brass from a revolver, out of the palm of my hand.

 

[sipowicz]

I carry my Flintlock because it works!

 

[cmort666]

I carry them interchangeably. I don't have preference for type, only make and model. I'm just as happy with my 3" S&W Model 65 as I am with my Glock 19.

 

[scooter123]

There was a time when the 1911 platform was very reliable. It wasn't that accurate but feed it 230 grain LRN and it would not jam. The reputation for jamming with these pistols popped up when people started to tighten them up for accuracy and started feeding it semi-wadcutters and then hollowpoints. Today's 1911's have mostly worked out those problems but they are still vastlly "tighter" than the original and are sensitive to grime and maintenance issues that the original didn't have.

However, there are semi auto's in production today that can probably match the reliability of a revolver if maintaned properly. I carry a 40 caliber Sig Sauer P239 and, despite feeding it whatever I can find, it has yet to jam on me even once in well over 1000 rounds downrange. It also points superbly for me and it's a bit scarey how well I can shoot it.

There is also the matter of proper maintenance. Revolvers probably require just as much mantenance as a semi auto, it's just a difference routine. Fail to keep either type of handgun in good working order and either type can fail when you need it to work.

Personally, I am torn between the two types. I like that every time I shoot in double action with a revolver that it challenges me, that there is always room for improvement. I also like the single action trigger in both my 67 and 620 and the 620 is the single most accurate handgun I have ever shot off the bench. However, my P239 points so well for me that it's a pure joy to shoot. It doesn't matter how poorly I am shooting with any of my other handguns, I can always shoot well with the P239.

 

[Faulkner]

Depend on what you are comfortable with, but after 10,000 trouble free rounds and countless hours of training I have no problem depending my life and that of my family on my Glock. Second choice would be my M65. They both go 'bang' everytime I pull the trigger.

 

[ingmansinc]

I would not doubt either. I carry a 642 or 638 because of it's size, but I would never be concerned that my 1911 would fail me.

 

[310Pilot]

I've carried both in harm's way (combat), and used both extensively in those situations. Yes, it was some time ago, but I am here to say that semi-automatics can and will suffer failures, including the 1911, usually at the worst possible moment, and the typical clearing exercises do not cure a number of the jams the darn things can use to vex you. This, BTW, with extensive and ongoing care and maintenance of the firearm. On the other hand, I have never had a mechanical failure with a revolver. In fact, there were more than a few times that I used my revolver to carry on when my semi-auto had jammed itself into uselessness, and I'm darn glad I always carried it back then. I now carry a 1911 (in .45 ACP, of course) frequently, but, if I'm carrying it, I always have a revolver on my person, as well. I do not carry any other semi-auto for protection (my S&W 39-2 is a joy to hold, points well, and is reasonably accurate, but it is just not anywhere near reliable enough to bet my life on). If I had to choose one or the other, I'd be carrying a revolver (and not one with a designed-in/built-in failure mechanism, i.e., internal lock - I don't and won't own one, from any manufacturer). For the gentleman who suffered a lock-up with his .460VR, I can only say that what he experienced (if a mechanical lock-up, not poorly crimped ammo jamming cylinder rotation) would not, likely, have been experienced with one of Smith's previous guns that did not include a lot of additional complexity, such as his. In fact, an experience such as that is definitely reason not to trust THAT gun, but should not be a reason to condemn all revolvers. I agree that semi-autos have, generally, improved significantly in reliability over the years, but they are still subject to failure, to a greater degree than most high quality revolvers.

 

[lalodad]

first post here,learned a lot. love all firearms but have mostly autos.by my bed colt 38 dective special smith 645 . 645,745,845,945,4506,4583,4006,669 beretta25 cal.

 

[Sebring Pop]

The only auto I will carry is the Colt Pony DA only. Nothing to fumble with just pull the trigger, just like a revolver.

 

[gizamo]

I work on both. Carry both interchangeably. I'm convinced the ultimate CCW piece is a DA semi. It covers all bases, including legal.

That said, I carry a revolver...

giz

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Ask a range officer.

 

[2Loud4You]

For the gentleman who suffered a lock-up with his .460V, I can only say that what he experienced (if a mechanical lock-up, not poorly crimped ammo jamming cylinder rotation) would not, likely, have been experienced with one of Smith's previous guns that did not include a lot of additional complexity, such as his. In fact, an experience such as that is definitely reason not to trust THAT gun, but should not be a reason to condemn all revolvers.

The screw on the right side backed out slightly, not even enough to be noticeable BUT enough to allow the cylinder to bind/jam then when I was able to swing it open, it fell out. S&W talked me through the repair and now it works flawlessly and I know what to check. I'd never carry it anyway, it's got a 5" barrel on an X-frame and weighs 4 lbs. empty. Add to that the hearing damage I'd incur just firing it, I'll leave it for fun shooting.