Do only "old"guys edc revolvers

[dwever]

Over the last 10 years or so while actively running a holster making business my experience was that about 62% of all new holster orders were for revolvers (nearly 1/3 of all new orders were for J-frame S&W's).

Yeah, perhaps because you didn't sell Kydex and Ballistic Nylon for our Glocks and other semi-autos.

 

[petepeterson]

I was going to debate whether or not 60 was 'old' but after I thought a minute I changed my mind.

In that minute, you probably forgot what you were going to say!

 

[silentflyer]

At 66 I may be nearing the fossil stage, but have carried a Model 19 4" for years, only own one Tupperware/springs wonder a Ruger LC9 for warm weather, when out on the Harley CC.

My experiences over the years have been less than reassuring with semi's, especially the plastic ones. The Colt 1911 and Browning HP being the exception, but they are the handiwork of John Browning.

 

[caleb4387]

Modern revolver manufacturers are hurting the adoption of the platform by new / younger shooters by too frequently delivering their products while still needing additional work, particularly action jobs. In the L and N frames, why would a new shooter in a store buy a revolver with a 13 lbs. DA pull, and an action that may not be smoothe? Ubiquitous Glocks and Kimbers feel fine in the store (the Kimber will malfunction later at the range post-purchase and typically take a couple trips to Kimber), and the Glocks are highly reliable out the gate.

Of my last three carry purchases below, all Perf Ctr, only the 627 couldn't benefit significantly from an action job at delivery, although it got one and still benefitted from it. The two L frames' actions, while pretty good from the stand point of smoothe and even, were 12 and 13 lbs DA, so they too got a stone, fit, and polish. And, stacking towards the end of the DA cycle was present on other samples I didn't buy but tried.

S&W's willingness to let their revolvers' actions leave the factory representing a fairly broad spectrum of tubby pull, smootheness, and cycle evenness make it a challenge for new shooters to discover the benefits if not joy of revolvers; because in the store customers experience what the revolver is not what it could be with some more work; and, arguably it is often work or QC it never should of left the factory without. While I've been satisfied with my last three S&W PC deliveries, sadly some of that satisfaction is simply from lowered expectations. Because each S&W went on for more work to TK Custom for defensive action jobs; but here's the thing, I never would have accepted that need in a delivered Glock or a Wilson Combat 1911.

All of this makes Clint Smith's words on his current Thunder Ranch web site an increasingly well kept secret, "In the hands of knowledgeable persons the revolver is more than an equal of any other defensive handgun."

Another thought on this....even a smooth k frame trigger or a well tuned revolver is likely to be a turn off for a new yoing shooter because they are conditioned to believe every trigger has to be ultralight and super short. Not to mention youre gonna have to use at least two mags in a fight...

 

[Comrad]

You'll be happy to know the majority in my state DO NOT use a revolver for EDC. The EDC of choice here is a sharp stick, I live in NJ.

 

[dwever]

Another thought on this....even a smooth k frame trigger or a well tuned revolver is likely to be a turn off for a new yoing shooter because they are conditioned to believe every trigger has to be ultralight and super short. Not to mention youre gonna have to use at least two mags in a fight...

Right. It is amazing how much marketing by tactical manufacturers are driving choices rather than actual need. I was talking to a small arms instructor from Ft. Campbell who said in civilian defensive carry you don't need a spare magazine for capacity, but for protection if the first fails.

 

[bassgunner]

I just traded in my 642 for a shield. Guess I'm not old enough yet. I do still have my 4 inch 64 though for oc or cc if I am wearing a coat.

 

[Horn]

A Better Carry

S&W Forum....(sadly)has become a forum for old,hobbling,gimpy,bad eyes(everyone complains about not being able to "see"sights) ALSO most have a "very"sick sense of humor
elderly "gentlemen"!!What happened to the YOUNG guys!!Where are the women shooters??How many secretly edc semis !!Any afraid of getting "banned"by the oldsters for admitting this!hee-hee!

In my active duty days the 38 spl. revolver was mandated. When I went into plain clothes I bought a S&W Model 39. (One of the early ones) I used a Yaqui slide holster. I don't think they were called "Yaqui" back then. That carried with less print and more comfortable than any revolver for me. I still feel the "flat" autos are better carries than revolvers. The revolver always seemed OWB and outside on the hip intended.
I haven't owned a revolver for decades. My EDC is a Shield. For out in the desert or mountains my P320 Compact in an OWB holster.
All this said, there is a warm fuzzy feeling looking at these photos of revolvers.
For those familiar with Spanish part of my email address is PoliViejo.
Each person should choose what firearm they wish. It's a personal choice.

 

[cbore]

Carried a five shot snubbie for years. I got caught in the high capacity crave years ago. Now my daily is a 686 3 inch plus. Seven shots more than enough

 

[caleb4387]

Right. It is amazing how much marketing by tactical manufacturers are driving choices rather than actual need. I was talking to a small arms instructor from Ft. Campbell who said in civilian defensive carry you don't need a spare magazine for capacity, but for protection if the first fails.

In a firm believer in that...I believe mag more likely to fail than anything and have to remove it to clear jam

 

[Guevera]

I hate to find I'm conforming to yet another Baby Boomer stereotype (born in '58), but I feel pretty confident with a 340PD in a kydex pocket holster.

 

[Kronos]

Well I turned forty this last year and all I carry is a semi,started with a SA! as a teen but here's a thought:

The Europeans started the whole semi thing back at the turn of the last century,by WWI the only Americans carrying any sort of semi was the military with the 1911 and the semi took almost another century to catch on with the public here!

So I've always had the notion that while the semi is common place now it's still a European thing at heart and the revolver is..well more then just an "old guy thing" more like a fossil thing

But what was the old saying? "a two rupee rifle in the hands of a child will still kill you"? yea a gun is a gun so a revolver will still work just fine for those that like them.

All I ask is shoot straight.

 

[krk92]

I'm in my mid 20's I carry a 66-8 or a 637 most of the time, a 4" model 29 while I'm hunting. Small town so I can open carry without hassel. Have only a few semi auto's don't feel the need or desire to carry them.

 

[mditurno]

I'm 48 and I EDC a 442. Some times I add a speed loader to the other side of my belt. I'm confident in my skill and if I cant get out of trouble with the set up then I doubt I could with any set up short of my AR15!

 

[TheHobbyist]

I'm 32 and carry a revolver, bought my first Smith & Wesson when I was 22. I personally know of many people my age and younger who own and shoot S&W's. I have mentioned the forum to them, but a lot are busy with taking care of their kids , family, and such.

 

[crazyphil]

I'm only 81. Do I qualify. With age comes wisdom. That's why I carry
revolvers. The manufacturers are building 4 to 5 times more semi autos
than revolvers now days, so I think I'm in the minority, but reliability has
always been at or near the top of the list for me when considering what I
expect in my carry gun.

P. S. To all you youngsters out there, I refuse to hold your youth
and inexperience against you.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

72 here and revolver fan. Been carrying this off-brand .44 special recently.

 

[Joe Hohmann]

Only us old guys are WISE ENOUGH to carry revolvers.

All you young whippersnappers can HAVE your silly, brass throwing, feed jamming

You forgot "Stove-piping".

 

[Yiogo]

I'm 67 and carry a J frame most of the time.
It fits my needs.
I would not presume to tell anyone else what to carry.

 

[getoff]

i'm not a closet semi guy. i have posted many times my like of glock, and more recently, my HK VP9. that said, i'm 45, and most days my 442 is in a pocket or ankle rig. pocket carry in a galco horse hide holster, ankle lite for ankle. i love my 442. but in the days of multi target threats, i feel better with my double stack. if i'm headed out to hunt, a model 57-5 mountain gun is my go to. if i choose to carry a revo, it'll be 2 airweights (442 and 437) or the ole' 686+. i too am not ashamed to admit i carry a plastic fantaistic, wonder 9... but would never give up any of my faithful, caveman revolvers.