Can we show Revolver's are not as reliable as today's Semi-Autos

[bmcgilvray]

Been owning, shooting, and toting both revolvers and automatics since 1975. It matters not if a consensus may be reached on this question. I've satisfied myself that the revolver whips automatics in shot-to-shot reliability. I'm under no illusions that today's automatics are truly better than "yesterday's" either. They are cheaper though.

A 2nd Generation Glock 17 was acquired a few years back, mostly so I could hate on Glock in a more informed matter. Either the brand is perfection or its not. I'm gonna say "not."

Failure-to-extract. Just last month. Much amused. Don't know when a revolver laid down on me last but it probably had to do with experimental hand loads loaded so light that the bullet stuck in the barrel.

 

[nachogrande]

YOU CAN TRY.

But (I) don't think you can. YES, certain ammo issues can stop both platforms. The revolver has an advantage of going to another cylinder, (in many cases). When an auto jams you can't.

 

[Ribwizzard]

The key word is " reliable ", and it seems many have different interpretations of what that is.
To me, what is important, is a gun (already established to be in good condition) ability to be loaded and stashed either in a nightstand, a holster on your side, glove compartment in your car, tackle box, wherever, and when pulled out after how many whatever years, will go bang when needed.
With this criteria, a single shot break action pistol would probably be too dog, revolver 2nd, semi auto last.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I say, KISS! I love my 1911 pistols but seem to favor a revolver for any thing that may happen.....

 

[max503]

The only thing about revolvers that frightens me is the possibility of something getting under the star extractor. But at that point it would be empty, anyway.

 

[josywales]

Very timely topic for me, as I have recently caught the snub nose revolver bug. Many years ago, when they first came out, I grabbed a Ruger SP101 3 1/16" barrel. These were Ruger's test to see if there was a market for an SP101 in 357. Basically, these were repackaged SP101 .38 Special revolvers, with a barrel stamped "125 Grain Only". Great revolver. The most natural pointing revolver I've ever had, recoil straight back, with quick follow ups. Still, I never practiced much in DA.

So, a while back I picked up a Charter Arms .38. Extremely clean, in the box. Bang! To much snap, I'll pass.

Fast forward a few more years, on an impulse, I bought a Colt Detective Special. It's a slightly later model, with full barrel shroud. Darn accurate at SD distances and recoil is almost pleasant. What really shocked me was my DA shots were smooth and as accurate. Friend had his earlier Colt, without the barrel shroud, and it, too, treated me very well. So, I found an earlier model Colt without the barrel shroud, but with a hammer shroud and I grabbed it. Haven't shot it yet.

I did some reading, Pros/Cons, and all that. The Miami Shootout offered some lessons on the topic of revolvers. Perhaps partial reloads would have helped one of the agents. I can see it being hard to only reload a couple rounds in a firefight, but 2 rounds might have ended that battle sooner. There were no speed loaders in use either, which is a head scratcher, of course no FBI rifles on scene either, and we could go on and on. Oversights were made and it's a shame.

I started to think that DA revolvers were my future and I realized something. I have DA revolvers, DAO 3953, TDA 3913, 1911s, Glock, etc. There really isn't one of them that I can't shoot well. I really don't have to pick a "best" gun for me, jsut need plennty of holsters ; ) Gun to my head, if I had to pick, i think the 1911 wins, but only because of the trigger. Who doesn't love a 1911 SA trigger??? Glock would probably be the last gun I'd grab for.

Regarding the GP100 failure in the OP. If I recall, Ruger had a 7 shot revolver, which would not function with certain types of ammo. The rims on certain ammo brands "crowd" the cylinder and cause issues. Some Ruger fans were quite upset, some said, just stay away from certain ammo brands. Perhaps a testimony to the attention paid to the manufacturing of modern revolvers. Anyway, Google it, you can read plenty.

 

[Laketime]

In almost four decades of being involved in firearms , I have never seen a stock revolver with factory ammo not go bang every time. I cannot say that about past and present semi autos.

 

[SATX]

Revolvers and 1911s are fine if you are into them. JMB started a revolution in firearm design. His designs are carried on today in more modern semi autos that are far more reliable, and almost just as reliable as pistols but with a far greater capacity and faster reloads on average. Time marches on and so do I.

 

[michpatriot]

All of the semis that ive owned over the years have at one time or more given me reason to pause, and reflect on the reliability of them..I've done more repairs to, and polishing of ramps and breechfaces and mag spring swaps than i care to remember in the name of making that particular semiautomatic run, all the defensive shooting and criminal shooting videos I've seen over the years that show real footage of handguns in battle..the only malfunctions I recall have been semiautos jamming..many many examples. Ive never had a reason to not trust my revolvers they have always just run. I'll always trust a revolver over a auto in a fight for my life. But I do enjoy shooting semiautomatic pistols for fun... Just not for edc protection in my opinion.

 

[RobertJ.]

I think next we should kick around 9mm versus .45 Auto. Or better yet, "Is The .380 big enough for self-defense?"

I'll bring the popcorn!

 

[JayFramer]

Keep in mind their are still no-lock S&W revolver in use by corrections and security folks the nation over. I remember just last year seeing multiple Illinois Department of Corrections officers with Model 64s in holster at a Southern Illinois hospital on prisoner transportation duty.

 

[les.b]

Up next......

Which do you prefer...Blonds or Brunettes?...


And....


Ford or Chevy- which is the best?


Best Regards, Les

 

[bmcgilvray]

Mopar Les. The 440 V8 rotates the earth. Hah!

 

[Beemer-mark]

What pushed me to this post was watching a youtube video of a 7 Shot GP100 which could not close it's cylinder because some brass specs were a little too large. Maybe the rims expanded or were out of spec, but when a revolver can't be closed because of it's design when loaded the manufacturer has reached a new low.

So the ammo was out of spec and you blame the revolver?

 

[GerSan69]

Heh.
The most reliable gun is the one I have with me at any given time.
Other than that, I'm not wrapped so tight that I have to analyze what is, at this stage of my life, my hobby, and I choose not to ruin it with endless debates over configuration, ammunition, etc.
Y'all have a nice day.

 

[Radny97]

You can't limp wrist a revolver . . .
You don't have to mate your ammo to the strength of your slide spring in a revolver . . .
You don't get spring fatigue during lengthy times of storage with a revolver . . .

Sorry but revolvers are still more reliable. But they do still fail sometimes and i agree that semi-autos have come a very very long way,

On top of reliability, revolvers have other advantages that still make them relevant.
You can shoot all sorts of different types of bullet profiles. You can shoot a greater variety of ammo (500 fps to 1600 fps out of the same gun, shot shells, wadcutters, everything). Revolvers are stronger so you can shoot some really heavy ammo if you like. (454 Casull is my favorite heavy caliber). And revolvers are more accurate. (I know some will disagree with this one but please show me a handgun hunter taking 100 yard shots with a semi-auto . . . That's what i thought.)


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[Kiwi cop]

I have carried both revolvers and a semi auto (G17) on duty.

I have shot both revolvers and semi auto's (CZ 75 and 1911 derivatives) in competition.

I have trained both cops and pistol club members in shooting practices.

There are some cops I would like to take their G17's from and give them a revolver. There are some revolver competition shooter I would like to trade their revolvers for a semi auto to progress.

Revolvers are good for those who shoot and train little, provided they are properly maintained.

Semi autos are good for those who shoot and train a lot, given the more varied ways they can malfunction.

As to which is "better" out of the box to a trained and motivated person, well apart from changing grips and springs and a trigger job there is little to modify on a revolver.

On the other hand a carry semi can often benefit from full internal parts replacement, better magazines and replacement sights etc.

I would not like to be shot by either type of handgun.

 

[riverrat38]

We also need to consider which gun is the most reliable at stopping a charging Grizzly Bear! Failure here would be of the worst kind.
Best,
Rick

 

[sheppard]

The OP rejects revolvers because one cartridge was out of spec and hung up his GP100. He had an ammunition problem, not a revolver problem. From this one experience he makes a generalization about revolver lack of reliability. In the future he will have some problem with his semi-auto. Will he then state that semi-autos are not reliable and therefore he will stop using them. Perhaps he needs to get a sword.

 

[one eye joe]

I like revolver's. I enjoy shooting the and just looking at them, however, I no longer believe they are as reliable as a well designed Law Enforcement Semi-Auto.

I KNOW this is an opinion. I would like to back it up with facts but without an employee leaking information or a analysis of a revolver or long term tests we can't prove it.

It's not the lock in Smith & Wesson or the changing of manufacturing processes to MIM with all major manufacturers.

I still think they better serve a gun owning population that need a gun to stored in a home and ready for use but used seldom and given little attention.

However, I think the reliability of carried often and shot often Semi-Auto design used for LEO use is more reliable for a more active an well trained user.

The issue is basically the engineering and manufacturing processes used in today's semi-autos and their widespread use ensure manufacturers compete to win these markets and put their best products forward.

In contrast, Revolvers aside for security use in some cities in the US are consumer grade products. The LOCK demonstrates this. Even on competition models like the Competitor or Performance Center guns.

What pushed me to this post was watching a youtube video of a 7 Shot GP100 which could not close it's cylinder because some brass specs were a little too large. Maybe the rims expanded or were out of spec, but when a revolver can't be closed because of it's design when loaded the manufacturer has reached a new low. Unfortunately this is not new, I had a new Colt double action revolver fail to function with almost all brands of ammo 20+ years ago. It only held 6 rounds. Just before they stopped making revolvers. I can see why they stopped. Why ruin your reputation.

I no longer believe in revolvers...

I'M GLAD THAT YOU REALIZE THAT THIS IS MERELY YOUR OPINION, THAT CAN'T BE SUPPORTED BY FACTS---BECAUSE WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THAT'S ALL THIS IS ! ! !

BASED ON 60 YEARS OF SHOOTING SEMI-AUTOS AND REVOLVERS, IN BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN LIFE---MY OPINION STANDS IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO YOURS---AND ONCE AGAIN, JUST MY OPINION ! ! !

THE ONLY FAILURES TO FIRE A REVOLVER, IN THOSE 6 DECADES, HAVE BEEN RELATED TO A FAULTY FACTORY AMMO ROUND, ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS.....

THE FEW HAND PICKED, ANTI-REVOLVER VIGNETTES THAT YOU PRESENTED, ARE NOT FREQUENT OCCURRENCES, JUDGING BY WHAT I READ ON THIS FORUM, AND OTHERS THAT I BELONG TO--AND NOTHING THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED......

MUCH MORE FREQUENT ARE JAMS, FAILURES TO FEED OR EXTRACT, AMMO OGIVE SENSITIVITY, BROKEN EXTRACTORS, WEAK SPRINGS, OR MAGAZINE PROBLEMS, ETC, THAT ARE COMMON TO THE MORE COMPLEX MECHANISMS OF SEMI-AUTO PISTOLS---ALL OF WHICH, I HAVE EXPERIENCED......