I can only speak to the situations I have been in or worked. A revolver would have worked or did work just as well as a semi-auto. Most of them were short and quick with only a few rounds fired. That is a fact. If you are comfortable with a revolver and can carry it within policy, there is nothing wrong with doing so.
There isn't a perfect answer to this question and won't be until we are all armed with phasers. That is why even large agencies can't decide what is best and waffle from weapon brand to brand, and caliber to caliber.
The FBI went through a lot of testing in the aftermath of the "Miami Shootout" to arrive at the S&W 1076/10mm lite combination as the perfect choice only to ditch it when some agents couldn't handle it. The facts are that a .38 Spl. and a .12 Ga. were all that was needed to end that fight, if they'd been placed on target to begin with. That is easier said than done when your adversary is shooting at you and moving. The same could be said for the North Hollywood shootout. Well-placed headshots with almost anything could have ended that but once again, that is easier said than done.
My former department allowed us to carry almost anything we wanted. When I first started, folks carried .38s, .357s, .41s, 44s, 45s, 9mms, 45 ACPs, etc. As autos became more reliable, we saw more carrying 9mms and 45 ACPs. Then came the 40s. Most still carried 9mms, 45 ACPs or .38s. Most of the situations I saw were handled without having a mag change or a fresh speedloader. That is not to say something could happen that would require more shots but I never saw it.
If I were you, I wouldn't base my survival/victory strategy even on what I have just said. But I would base it on a system that I was required to use, or if I had the option, one that I was comfortable with. Then I would be certain that I practiced religiously, and kept my equipment, my body and my mind in excellent shape. Even this may not be enough. You must also develop a will to win; that you will not quit, no matter what. And lastly, always wear your armor. When you have done everything you can and still get hit, it may keep you in the fight.
Last, as has been previously stated, this is not a game. You cannot see what the course is and "game it" to your advantage. There is no "golden bullet", no perfect weapon or one way to do it.
Sorry, I didn't mean to get on a soapbox.
Added comment: While I was putting in my eight mile run this morning, I got to thinking about the cap and ball revolver comment. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't carry one today; but, I wouldn't want to face a pistolero like "Wild Bill" Hickock armed with a brace of .36 caliber Colt Navys even if I did have the newest wizz-bang auto pistol and a slew of magazines on my hip. That is ... not that I want to get in another armed encounter with anyone for that matter. The point is, if you are proficient with a revolver, you can certainly take someone armed with a new Grock and a 33-round stick.
Once again, sorry to rant and I hope no offense was taken by anyone here.
