DID THE SINGLE STACK 9MM KILL THE CARRY REVOLVER?

I believe this article starts out with a reported "fact" that is not factual. IME, few officers carried snub nose revolvers, 4", 6" and 5" being far more common. Detectives and other plain-clothed personnel carried snub nosed revolvers.
 
The only advantages i see to a revolver is being able to shot thru a pocket (no cycling slide) and its dummy proof (no racking of the slide just shoot). I own a 642 that my wife carries because its just an easy gun to operate. But thats where is stops. The double action of this gun and the recoil is almost too much. I would much rather have a Shield which is what i carry. Far easier to shoot, extra 2 rounds in 9mm and far more accurate in my hand without the dbl action trigger pull.
 
I don't think anything will ever 'kill' the carry revolver. It's a tool that continues to work, and work well.

While I have nothing against semi-autos (I own 3 Glocks and a Shield), I prefer revolvers because 1) for me, they are easier to carry/conceal, and 2) I can shoot them better than an auto.

These are the two that protected me for many years; Colt 357 for duty, S&W Model 49 for B/U and off duty. I still carry the M49 daily... it just works.
 

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Killed more than that: I carried and still love the pictured PC 627 for years; but a J Frame was for in close and only had 62.5% the capacity of 627, so I always hassled with a belt holster rather than pocket carry.

Now I belt carry the G-17 and when not holstered up (even as an 8-shot the 627 is 44% the capacity), I will pocket carry a G-43, as for me, the 43 can reach out farther than a J frame and with 28% more capacity chambered.
 

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I am now firmly resolved to go the other direction. I have a Kahr P9 and Sig 238 that I would like to replace with old-school steel J-frames. Something along the lines of a model 36/60 or one of the DAO or humpback variants if I stumble across one. I don't necessarily regret purchasing the semi-autos, but I have often found myself wishing they were wheel guns. My wife loves the little 380 and would protest if she knew I was seriously thinking of selling it, but she is somewhat recoil sensitive and can't shoot it worth a damn. She lacks the strength to rack a slide reliably – in particular on pistols with stiff springs like the P9. And I don't trust that she'll remember to take the 238 off safe or how clear a jam in the heat of the moment. She's just not into guns enough to retain this basic training. And as far as I'm concerned, I would prefer the heavier loads that can be used with 38 spl and the greater power that can be tapped as a reloader in that gray area between 38 spl and 357 magnum without having to step up to full magnum power (I've got a K-frame for that). Also, snake shot works better in a wheel gun. FWIW, I think the 9mm is a bit overpowered for the cartridge size and modern 380 is approaching this point, in particular for use in ever-smaller and lighter platforms. Also, as a reloader, I hate chasing my brass at the range only to find that someone else has already snapped it up.

While I was preparing for Irma's impending onslaught last week, I was kicking myself thinking that I ought to sell my pristine model 629 that only gets used for target practice and use the proceeds to buy two J-frames. However, I don't care if I packed it away and never pulled the trigger on that beast again, I'd miss the hell out of it. The compact and sub-compact semi-autos on the other hand, I'd miss those about as much as a hurricane...
 
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While I prefer a revolver as my primary carry, I like to back it up with a trusted semi-auto.

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340 Pro Series and 360 PD AirLite

My J frames are preferred when concealability is my paramount concern. but I also have a 547 in 9mm that carries well ISWB Appendix carry at the 2:00 position.

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K frame 547 3" heavy barrel

The 547 weighs more than the J frames and is a bit bulkier but points very well, and is a great instinctive shooter. It would definitely be what I would want to have in hand in any self defense situation.

But I would also like to have a semi-auto to back it up if 6 is not enough to settle things. Reloading a revolver in a gunfight is a good way to get shot so I rely on a NY reload if things ever get that bad.

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547 & 915 when "going heavy"

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360 AirLite and 3914 DAO when "going light"

Of course there are times that a single weapon is all I choose to carry and in those instances I'll likely go with a semi-auto. The Black Pearl has become a favorite:

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4516 Custom Carry Melted and Melonited

With this .45 and one spare mag I feel quite prepared for whatever I am confronted with. Other semi's I'm comfortable with are my 457 set up just like the Black Pearl with Big Dot combat sights and my 3914 DAO, also equipped with Big Dots:

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3914 DAO w/ Boker auto opener.

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So in my case the single stack semi-auto has not replaced my wheel guns as primary carry, but they have added to it and enhanced my ability to defend myself and loved ones from the evil that exists out there.

digiroc

Shoot Well My Friends

Good choice on both that semi auto Smith and revolver! I sometimes carry (2) "J" frames; one in my strong side front pocket in a DeSantes Nemesis and the other in a Bianchi at 4 O'clock with a couple speed strips. Both filled with BB 158gr soft cast +P's... Nothing like a New York reload! Holster choice is paramount just as much as practicing your draw. And lots of people are leaving the knife out of the equation. A good auto-blade knife, with a nice pocket/waist/belt clip is in its own right a formidable weapon at bad breath distances. Glad to see you're carrying a blade as well! Mine is a Kershaw with a 3.5" Tanto blade. Good choice on that "tac" belt as well. I have (2) that exact style. I find that it cinches up nicely with my holsters and is nice and wide to distribute the weight. I wear this style when I'm carrying the lighter revolvers but a BullHide Belt with an internal stiffener when carrying the Smith 625 or the 1911 Commander because they weigh 40+ ounces.
 
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Hello all! Personally, i do not think that the CCW revolver is dead. Proof to that, the few manufacturers that have been making such, still do. Who do they sell to if the trend is dead? on the other hand, the single stack 9mm has gained popularity as a CCW, but IMHO, not in the expence of the snubbies, but in the expence of the bigger double stack pistols that are out there, and certain people are pulling away from for obvious reasons. And lets not forget, that the single stack 9mm is not ground breaking news. they have existed all along, with much better speciments that those available today, (S&W 3913 -3914 and all their dao versions come to mind). I believe, it is rather the reliability of the offered ammunition these days, that makes small pistols good CCW candidates. Just like the semiautomatic shotguns in the past and their malfunction suffering. I see half a century old remington 1100 and browning Auto 5 operate better now with cheap shells, than they did with good shells 20 years ago. That said, I thing the revolver is not going anywhere. But I have been wrong before! LOL! :-)
 
Here it's the single-stack 9mm that's dead for I don't carry one. Revolvers, in the form of K-Frame, D-Frame (Colt), or occasionally J-Frame, and .45 1911 guns are favored.
 
eBay Kydex Holsters ...

Who makes those holsters digiroc?

An outfit called Detroit Kydex on eBay as "gunholsters" is where I got the one the 915 is wearing.

The K frame revolver's I got from "pinna09" also on eBay.

The holsters have the type of plastic clip I prefer. I don't care for the typical steel clip, I find they can come off my belt on draw at times.

What I look for is a clip that hooks onto the belt positively and can not be drawn with the weapon. (how embarrassing)

digiroc
 
Never bring a knife to a gunfight ...

... Nothing like a New York reload! Holster choice is paramount just as much as practicing your draw. And lots of people are leaving the knife out of the equation. A good auto-blade knife, with a nice pocket/waist/belt clip is in its own right a formidable weapon at bad breath distances. Glad to see you're carrying a blade as well! ...

Never bring a knife to a gunfight, unless it's a back-up to your gun. A good, one handed operation, knife is just one more tool in the tool box.

My appendix carry revolver is first to fight, but I prefer to have a semi-auto as backup to it. If a single stack, like my 3914DAO or 4040PD it can ride up front, weak hand side at 11:00.

A bigger or thicker semi like the Black Pearl, 457, 915, 59xx, etc would be small of the back carry, or in a belt holster at 4:00.

digiroc
 
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I have an LCR9 Pro and a G43. I also have a 642 and a 442 pro. I also have an LCR9. In the spirit of this thread, can you guess which is my go to?
 
@ the OP, and question, the long and short, NO.

I typically carry a 3" or 4" .44 mag. Sometimes a 6" barrel. I understand that there was a sense of personal defense, for choosing the 9MM...and the rounds are cheaper. However, let me relate a story.

My family has several hunting cabins and land...heck, I can hunt deer on my own property. Very blessed to have so many options between friends and family.

Well, about a year ago I visited with family and being a CCW permit holder, had my 642 on me, pocket carry and a 29-2 blued in my truck, stored properly.

Well, I got a bit turned around in the great woods on trails and had to use the restroom. Went about my business no issues. Hoped in my truck and as soon as I did and looked in the rear-view mirror...the biggest black bear I had EVER seen in my life walked across the trail, stopped, and looked towards me. Yeah, a 9MM or 38 is better than nothing if you needed it, I was glad I at least had something larger (.44 mag) that was somewhat accessible. Going on this family members property now I either CC or open carry (legal to do so here) the .44. No issues and the huge black bear just kept walking but was 'interested' in me and was giving me space but was plain' ol' curious.

If it were a life or death situation, in that case, I surely would not want a 9MM unless it scared it and the thing ran off. Note: I've noticed over the years that a truly big bear, black bear, will not run from a human but will be curious if in the middle of nowhere..............................
 
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