I Don't Get It, Revolver VS Semi Auto Pistols?

[BabaBlueJay]

It's not so much the auto loader. It's the polymer construction. I have a Ruger MKII, S&W 41, 1911, Baby Browning Beretta Tomcat etc…. Steel construction just has character that polymer doesn't

We agree on that, I only had one polymer gun (SIG P365) and traded it for that reason among others. I am not a big polymer guy either.

My point is that the younger generation has seen these polymer guns in the media they are exposed to, so it's not surprising that's what they gravitate to. I'm a history teacher so I like older guns, but most people my age don't and I get it.

I think it's sort of why single action revolvers are popular with people who grew up with John Wayne and cowboy shows/movies. Those were the cool guns they saw on the screen. For this generation that would be the Glock/SIG/H&K plastic fantastics. Same concept in a different era.

The younger crowd wants to be John Wick, not John Wayne.

 

[sousana]

We agree on that, I only had one polymer gun (SIG P365) and traded it for that reason among others. I am not a big polymer guy either.

My point is that the younger generation has seen these polymer guns in the media they are exposed to, so it's not surprising that's what they gravitate to. I'm a history teacher so I like older guns, but most people my age don't and I get it.

I think it's sort of why single action revolvers are popular with people who grew up with John Wayne and cowboy shows/movies. Those were the cool guns they saw on the screen. For this generation that would be the Glock/SIG/H&K plastic fantastics. Same concept in a different era.

The younger crowd wants to be John Wick, not John Wayne.

I've got several "rooster shooters" OM Vaquero's, Uberti's, Colt SAA, all are in 45LC and all sport 4 3/4" BBLS, the sole exception is my Uberti Outlaw sporting a 5.5" bbl.

BaBa, I too love all steel auto's, mostly 1911's or BHP's mostly the Varient produced by Kareen, the Mark III with a built in beavertail as the standard BHP kills me with hammer bite.

Might I suggest you give these three a try, I'm not a big polymer fan but I absolutely LOVE these:

1. M&P Shield 9mm
2. M&P Shield 40 S&W
3. M&P Shield 45

 

[MetalMan]

I, too, have a definite affection for my revolvers...all steel frame S&W snubs in J and K.

While I haven't yet warmed up to the polymer guns, I might breakdown and consider the P365 at some point.

In the meantime, I do find myself carrying my Kimber Ultra Carry (Series I) with 7+1 more often than before...something about that big .45ACP hole in the barrel.....

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

N Frame and New Service revolvers and 1911s, do they make anything else? Haven't noticed if they do though a couple Vaqueros have snuck into my safe. Preferably .45something caliber.

 

[IAM Rand]

Had to change from a revolver to a semi. I would still carry the revolver off duty but, then along came the CSX. Still like a wheel gun but, damn it is comfortable carrying the CSX in plain clothes.

 

[IAM Rand]

Just remembered the other point I wanted to make. I think most people that have carried a revolver are more judicious with our shooting. Today, it seems like every Officer Involved Shoot that occurs, they are unloading everything they have at the suspect(s). I almost think that in the academy, they need to start with a revolver and then train on a semi-auto. Maybe if more agencies go to red dots the # of round thrown down range will go down.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I've got several "rooster shooters" OM Vaquero's, Uberti's, Colt SAA, all are in 45LC and all sport 4 3/4" BBLS, the sole exception is my Uberti Outlaw sporting a 5.5" bbl.

BaBa, I too love all steel auto's, mostly 1911's or BHP's mostly the Varient produced by Kareen, the Mark III with a built in beavertail as the standard BHP kills me with hammer bite.

Might I suggest you give these three a try, I'm not a big polymer fan but I absolutely LOVE these:

1. M&P Shield 9mm
2. M&P Shield 40 S&W
3. M&P Shield 45

I really would love to try any of those. I'll shoot just about anything to try it out but my LGS and range don't rent them. I would absolutely be thrilled to get a chance to shoot a shield in any caliber as an S&W fan

 

[Neumann]

How many pistol uses understand the need to "slap and rack" to clear a misfeed? Revolver can simply try again.

For self-defense, if six (seven or eight) rounds don't stop an attack, I'm not convinced twelve (seventeen or twenty-one) would improve the situation.

 

[bmcgilvray]

It's an "all semi-auto firearms, all the time" world with the current generation. And, I've been called narrow minded for not jumping on that narrow minded bandwagon!

They're the ones who are missing out on gratifying shooting experiences.

To think that I though we were suggestible in the "Dirty Harry" era. This crowd really is suggestible!

 

[LVSteve]

It's not so much the auto loader. It's the polymer construction. I have a Ruger MKII, S&W 41, 1911, Baby Browning Beretta Tomcat etc…. Steel construction just has character that polymer doesn't

You have to try a polymer gun that's a bit out there like a Grand Power or a Strike One. They have character all of their own.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I'll never understand the close mindedness of some people. I like all guns. Heck, I work on a military base. I see weaponry that most people only see on the internet.

My generation primarily had access to only revolvers. We grew up with them. Semi autos were around yes. But they were more expensive and hard to find.

It wasn't until the 70's when competition shooting brought semi autos to light. And then again in the early 90's with polymer guns.

I feel the same way about music. I learned at a young age that if I could learn to like different types of music I could fit in with different groups of people.

To this day I listen to my favorites like most people. But once in a while a change is nice.

But you won't catch me listening to hip-hop or rap or whatever you call it. It ain't music.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

It's an "all semi-auto firearms, all the time" world with the current generation. And, I've been called narrow minded for not jumping on that narrow minded bandwagon!

They're the ones who are missing out on gratifying shooting experiences.

To think that I though we were suggestible in the "Dirty Harry" era. This crowd really is suggestible!

I'm a Millennial and I exclusively own revolvers. I'd agree with your general point though and agree it's shame they are missing out.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I'm a geezer not a relic, thank you very much. Fifty years ago, qualified in the police academy with a model 10 out to fifty yards. Twelve years later, same model 10 qualified out to fifty yards in a firearms instructors course. Next eighteen years department and academy instructor. All the free bullets I could shoot. God, I loved that job.

I love revolvers particularly double action. A good D/A revolver shooter can shoot anything. Now the police academy are all auto's and twenty five yards. What's up with that? Not many skilled shooters coming out.

Yes I have some auto loaders, even two striker fired but I don't really trust them. I can shoot my Sig P210 as well as anything out there but my DAO revolvers is were I go for pure combat shooting mindset. It's fifty years of training and steady practice coming to the surface. It's to the point that between the draw and reload I fall into a zone that I count my shots, fit the pace to the distance and come out of the zone as I reload. It's kind of spooky as I look back on it. Yeah, I'm a revolver guy. And I don't want a twelve step program.

 

[JMalone]

My carry changes by the day. As a mechanic it's a semiautomatic at work everyday. It's under a shirt or in my pocket, and if I crawl on the concrete and skin it up who cares……lol.
Days off and in my local community it's a revolver. It's a comfortable carry and I love to shoot 'em.
Headed to the city with the wife and we're back to something with a little more capacity.
Fishing in the kayak and it's a Judge loaded with shot in case of snakes.
I'm all about having the right tool for the job

 

[Rustyt1953]

Of the 8 handguns in my safe only one is a revolver. 3 of those 8 are plastic. Reliable hole punchers all.

 

[rogerwnuss]

my housegun is a Colt Commander, my carry is a Springfield Armory 911, my other 7 handguns are older S&W revolvers. just cause.......

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I keep seeing more and more videos from young to middle aged people doing gun reviews on Youtube and they all start off the same. They flat out say they have never owned a revolver and know nothing about them and so on. Then proceed with the evaluation to their semi auto's which is usually good.

I am 67 years old my revolvers are my babies that I admire, my semi pistols are just tools that I never get excited about.

Just look at the forums here, the revolver forums have twice the views of pistols. What am I missing. Seems most people today think a revolver is a relic. Kind of ticks me off. Rant over.

Law Enforcement was 98% revolvers 50 years ago (when we were young) now the only LEOs who carry revolvers are the ones who were grandfathered in. (they started their career with a revolver). Remember when 38 Special was the least expensive centerfire caliber? Things have changed.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Shoot, carry and fawn over what you like.

I have yet to have a gun that I felt like having a smoke after using it.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I'm a geezer not a relic, thank you very much. Fifty years ago, qualified in the police academy with a model 10 out to fifty yards. Twelve years later, same model 10 qualified out to fifty yards in a firearms instructors course. Next eighteen years department and academy instructor. All the free bullets I could shoot. God, I loved that job.

I love revolvers particularly double action. A good D/A revolver shooter can shoot anything. Now the police academy are all auto's and twenty five yards. What's up with that? Not many skilled shooters coming out.

Same here but on the West Coast it was a Model 15 out to 50 yards. Basically the PPC Match 5 (60 rounds).

Today do you ever see anyone shooting a revolver on a public range? When I do they have the target at five or seven yards and every shot is single action. Also most youngsters who have revolvers do not know how to clean them to Police Academy Standards of 50 years ago. JMHO.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Sgt Rock, that least expensive CF? Yeah I remember paying $2. for a box of 50 reloads with trade in empties. They were smokey but worked. Police academy qualification at 50 was six standing barricade, six prone. 25 kneeling short barricade 6-6-6 strong, top, weak. We jogged between 50 & 25. I don't think that would be allowed anymore with recruits. I can't remember the rest, that part was easy.

My instructors course was run by the FBI. Passing was three consecutive 95% or better. That was tough. I was 35 by then and eyes on the downslope. Best school I ever had. 29 guys with revolvers, 1 1911. There I really learned to shoot double action. It all changed within the next two years.

Today I'm the only guy at a club range that regularly shoots revolver, always DAO. 7-15-25. This is disappointing because I shoot with a bunch of geezer cops. We all started with Smiths. They shoot those plastic striker bottom feeder things.