More confident with a revolver?

[sportzhound-gjd]

For some reason I feel much more confident with a revolver as my concealed carry and home defense weapon. I cannot quite pinpoint why. I have shot many revolvers and semi-automatics. I currently have a Glock 26 and a S&W 64 & 649. The Glock 26 is easier to conceal and carries more than double the rounds of the 649 (10+1 to 5) but yet I almost always to go the 649 when I can.

Anyone else out there feel the same?

The one time (4-5 years ago) that I heard glass smashing at night and thudding I grabbed my S&W 64 over the 3" 1911 I had at the time. Turns out it was the washing machine on silent mode and someone has left a water glass on top.

 

[Old cop]

I've posted many times about carrying a revolver over a semi auto in retirement. The big difference is if I was on the job today the semi auto would make more sense simply b/c it levels the playing field w/the bad guys.

This past summer I went through LEOSA qualification w/my J frame, surrounded by others shooting their Glock 23. That experience put things in perspective relative to what to carry as a police officer vs what to carry in retirement.

 

[deriter]

I feel more secure with the revolver because there are less things to go wrong with the revolers. Like the fire power of the semi, but have concern about jams, safeties if it has one, mag issues, shell does not fire, and other issues that do not come to mind. The revolver, just pull the trigger. Simple. But having said all that, I do carry a semi auto at least half the time.

 

[Reevolvers]

I personally prefer the revolver and feel much more confident carrying it over an auto. I am not a law enforcement officer nor do I spend time in a combat zone. That said the likelihood of me needing more than 5 or 6 shots and a spare safariland loader is pretty slim. Just love the simplicity of a revolver and I feel comfortable with my choice. I'm sure that auto guys feel the same about their choice too. Thats the great thing about choices!

Brandon

 

[Xfuzz]

I have tried to make it my policy
to be confident in whatever I choose to carry.
That confidence is gained by frequent practice
and owning quality firearms.

 

[silentflyer]

Generally what ever I point my Model 19 at gets a large hole in it...most every time, never had a miss fire or FTF..

 

[RussellD]

I carry different guns for different task. Maybe an air weight snubby in the heat of the summer or a Glock 19 under a light jacket when its cooler. I have absolute confidence in whatever is on my hip because I have shot it enough to know.

 

[tbgunner88]

I am just as confident carrying a quality semi auto that has been tested to ensure reliability as I am a revolver, but things can always go wrong with either.

 

[Continental Op]

I like the simplicity of the revolver both in its function and in my function. I don't get a lot of time to practice, so I insist on double action without a safety. A simple bump could engage the magazine release of an automatic, but ti is unlikely that the cylinder release could be engaged on a revolver. The automatic can be pushed out of battery if the muzzle is pressed into an adversary, but that's not a concern with the revolver. Especially with a Centennial model, there's very little that can keep it from working. I can easily change the grips on a revolver to fit my hand. I can hand a revolver to my wife or any other untrained confidant and they can use it.

 

[DevilDog72]

I have both and feel very good with either.... I practice to insure I can operate both equally well. I do not feel under gunned with the revolver at all if that is the underlying question. All that said, I like kick'n it old school with my 19-4

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have always preferred revolvers, not just for the reasons mentioned above but because I think they're better looking!

No, seriously, notwithstanding being better looking, I just like the simplicity, reliability, ruggedness, etc. I've carried both over the course of the last several decades so I'm comfortable either way but I prefer my wheelguns.

That said, if I think I need to have the firepower, I'll toss an automatic pistol onto my belt and be very comfortable with that choice. I don't go places where I feel threatened but I do go places where the likelihood of a certain type of person making an armed appearance is elevated and, then, I choose the firepower.

***GRJ***

 

[David R]

Main Daily carry is a 637 in an ankle holster. I like it, it gives me confidence. On other days, or in the motorcycle, I carry an LCP. I have an Officers model Lightweight 45. More confidence, but I do not carry it much at all. I just bought a Charter Arms Bulldog. Confidence to the max.

Nothing like a 44 in a Galco king Tuck instead of the 637.

It all depends on the day.

So yes, I do feel most comfortable with a revolver. If I knew I was in a bad area, I probably would carry the Charter or the officers model.

REALLY bad area like the bus station in Buffalo, my full size 45 with an 8 shot mag and one in the pipe in a shoulder holster.

David

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

For a "pocket" gun I have more confidence with a revolver for belt carry either one if I've shot it and know it functions well.

 

[Cal44]

In general, confidence is important in accomplishing anything in life.

There is confidence in your tool (gun in this case), but also there is confidence in your skills.

Skills are more important than the tools.

You can have the best camera in the world, and Ansel Adams could still take better pictures with an Instamatic.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I feel pretty comfortable with either, at least any auto that I would carry, but my preference is a revolver at least partly because I feel more comfortable loading it and unloading it in the house. When I did carry a Gov't Model daily, I mostly unloaded it only at the range, at a target.

Also, a bottomfeeder is not really complete without a 37 or a 40 or somesuch as a backup. That's how I see it. You are entitled to disagree, but I do have some range officer experience that helped me form that opinion. And I DO know that many modern autoloaders are better than most of the older ones. They also mostly aren't as "user-friendly."

I have no issue with those who prefer autos.

 

[USAF385]

I voted no. But that's not to say I prefer semi autos.

I'm confident carrying all of my carry options.

That's not to say I don't appreciate the advantages revolvers have to offer.

 

[m19862]

Many great observations here. Confidence in a firearm, from my perspective as a LE firearms instructor for over 20 years, means the weapon reliably functions and the nut behind it can hit what they are aiming at when the time comes.

I generally point out to officers that the primary duty weapon available to them is the Remington 870, then their sidearm. For off-duty carry one cannot beat a S&W revolver, though.

 

[CoMF]

Revolvers are what I first learned to shoot with, and also what I feel the most confident and familiar with. I can shoot autloaders fine, but not as well as my revolvers.

I'll sum it up thusly: I don't regret selling the autoloaders I once owned (Springfield Mil-Spec, BHP, G19) nearly as much as I regret selling a 3" M65. That pretty much says it all.

 

[DR505]

I'm in the group that likes and has carried both. I feel confident with either my semi-autos or revolvers. They all must be reliable or they don't stay around.

 

[Jessie]

Generally the revolver is less troublesome but if it does malfunction, there's usually no quick easy fix.
I've winnowed out any unreliable semi's I've owned and am satisfied with what I have now.
For the home, I prefer a revolver or safety-less semi, especially for night time. I like it simple when I have to get out of bed.
I really prefer them all the time anymore,since that's what I'm more familiar with now.
As stated above, the key is quality ( and I add familiarity ).

 

[shouldazagged]

I've owned and liked autoloaders, but have come back to revolvers. Initially that was primarily because there is less to go wrong and operation is simpler with the revolver. Now, in old age and with arthritis increasingly crippling my hands, I'm concerned that in a full red-alert, fertilizer-in-the-fan emergency my grip on an automatic might not be ideal, leading to limp-wristing. As long as I can squeeze a revolver trigger through its arc the gun will fire.

 

[Lt JL]

I don't have "carry options"; I carry the same thing every day. a Sig and a J frame.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I have both, pretty much depends on why which one would be provide confidence.

Revolver; less likely to jam or misfire. No feeding issues to consider. I just like the mechanics and looks of a wheel gun. Maybe a little harder to reload.

Auto; Holds more ammo (full size) I like 19 rather than 5 or 6 in a gun fight. (not planning one) Autos are cool in their own right. They are fun to shoot .

For carry; Either or, low round counts for a comfortable light auto evens it up with a revolver. Weight can be comparable.

So there it is, as usual, I can't make up my mind.

 

[bigsteve113]

I like and carry both autos and revolvers. I just like revolvers better!

 

[TucsonMTB]

Had to vote "NO" because of my fondness for 1911's.

Most often there is a J-frame in my pocket. But, my Kahr PM40 is easier to shoot and nearly as easy to carry.

So, the Kahr goes with me OWB on my bike. Road or mountain human powered bicycle that is. The motorcycles are history.

 

[Rangerpat]

I voted "Yes" because of the simplicity of operating and carrying my S&W 340PD, it's so light I sometimes have to double check that it is still in my holster.

My home protection firearm is a Colt 1911 Government Model which is the most favorite pistol that I own.

 

[drummer007]

For several decades I was an autoloader guy. About 10 years ago I sold my autoloaders and now only use double action revolvers. Two reasons for the change. 1) I have range-managed a lot of centerfire run & gun type matches and also bowling pin matches at our LGC and at every match one or more autoloaders hang-up for any number of reasons; revolvers, never. 2) Over the last couple of years I have been practicing open carry quick draw from the holster and after careful consideration, I voted the double action revolver design as least likely to blow my foot off during fast draw.

 

[remsandpets]

One each on opposite sides of the belt. Lol, it would level you out a bit for weight distribution.

 

[ironhead7544]

It is easier to carry spare ammo for the autoloader. These days, you may find yourself in a situation you did not plan for. I have been using the G26 since it came out. With a +2 mag bottom it has 13 rounds available right away with a 10 shot mag as spare for a total of 23 rounds. With CorBon 115 gr ammo I get 1260 fps. Recoil is light, much better than a lightweight J frame. I can still make good torso hits at 50 yards if I am forced to. I am former LEO and we had to qualify at that distance.

If I were carrying a revolver today, I would have at least 2 speedloaders and a couple of speed strips on me. Unless you are on fire or drowning, you can never have too much ammo.

I am really thinking about switching to a revolver when I am fishing. They are catching big gators on Lake Seminole, in the over 13 foot range. Might pick up a M66-8 or a M69.

 

[Amp]

This turns out to be a good poll. I would have expected more love for the semi. As for me, I like my chances with 5 shot in a wheel gun.