More confident with a revolver?
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Shorty 45 MK2
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Lockback
Member
I'm now completely an auto guy.
Back in the day, I used S&W or Colt revolvers for self defense. But I had terrible luck with my Colts, in particular: I had one lock up totally. It wouldn't index and as I recall I had a hard time even getting the cylinder to release so I could unload it. A friend had trouble with his N-frame Smith Model 25-5 too.
I also don't shoot revolvers nearly as well as I do autos. Between the long and heavy double action trigger pull and the high bore axis, they just don't work for me.
My current crop of autos run flawlessly and they hold much more ammunition and reloads are also much faster. I really respect those who shoot revolvers well and have stuck with them but they just don't work for me at all.
Back in the day, I used S&W or Colt revolvers for self defense. But I had terrible luck with my Colts, in particular: I had one lock up totally. It wouldn't index and as I recall I had a hard time even getting the cylinder to release so I could unload it. A friend had trouble with his N-frame Smith Model 25-5 too.
I also don't shoot revolvers nearly as well as I do autos. Between the long and heavy double action trigger pull and the high bore axis, they just don't work for me.
My current crop of autos run flawlessly and they hold much more ammunition and reloads are also much faster. I really respect those who shoot revolvers well and have stuck with them but they just don't work for me at all.
AZretired
Member
I carried a revolver for over half my career, when my dept changed to the auto (S&W 5906) I was a detective so I was allowed to carry a personal revolver. I was finally forced to change when they converted again to the Sig P220, but I always carried a J frame off duty. When I retired the autos went into the safe and all I carry now is a J frame. The auto come out at the range but I never carry them any more. Maybe if the Zombie Apocalypse...............
vito
US Veteran
Not sure if I can add anything new to the discussion, but I find I am pulled in opposite directions on which I prefer for carrying concealed. I have a bit more confidence that my 640 will go bang when I pull the trigger, but I find it easier to conceal and carry and accurately shoot my Ruger LC9s, which also carries 8 instead of 5. Then again, I really believe that if I ever need to use my gun for self defense it's likely that it will be at "bad breath" range and that one or two rounds will end the likely threat, so my 640 with Crimson Trace laser sights is my gun of choice. Then again, the small, flat Ruger with three dot sights slides right into my pocket holster and into my pants (even jeans) without a bulge and I can shoot it accurately at distances much greater than I can with the revolver (I know I should practice more with the revolver but for many reasons I have not actually done so). Then again, the 38+p cartridge, let alone a 357 mag JHP is more comforting than even the best 9mm round, in my mind.
My bottom line is that I trust the revolver a bit more than any semi, but I carry a semi at least half (if not more) of the time. For home defense use, I always reach for my Model 19 with laser sights and 357mag ammo, so maybe in the final analysis I am really a revolver guy.
My bottom line is that I trust the revolver a bit more than any semi, but I carry a semi at least half (if not more) of the time. For home defense use, I always reach for my Model 19 with laser sights and 357mag ammo, so maybe in the final analysis I am really a revolver guy.
stantheman86
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A Mossberg 500 stoked with 9 pellet 2 3/4" high brass 00 Buck and a S&W 581 , bone factory stock, loaded with 180 gr. Black Talon .357 with 12 more in speed strips ...I've since added a buttstock shell holder for the Mossberg so now I have 6 more shells on board.....seriously if you need more than this you need an Infantry squad.....
Revolver all the way, been shooting them since the late 80's and see no need to change now.
Semi Autos are great, with the way the world is now I think LEO's need .40 or .45 sidearms with 14 in the mag with 3 reloads, and an AR in the patrol car. This isn't the 1950's anymore, I realize that. But I'm not a police officer, I feel 100% comfortable carrying a revolver and I feel fully confident in my skills to reload that thing and get back in the fight if God forbid 6 .38's or .357's don't get me out of danger.....a 12 gauge for home defense, with my AR for backup at home but yes, out in the world I'm a wheelgun guy.
I also think it's about stubborn-ness, yes I'm 34 years old but still, I refuse to fold to the plastic fantastic tactical trend. That said I do carry an LCP as a backup or light carry gun but I don't enjoy it, it's just a tool that will dispense .380 bullets in an emergency and will keep me alive in an emergency. I have no pride in owning an LCP.
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I am more confident with a pistol than a revolver.
I have had pistols fail to feed on occasion due to bad ammo, over lubrication under cleaning and springs over the last 20 years, but the pistols were fixed easily.
I have had 3 revolvers fail with less than 50 rounds in one and 500 rounds in another. BOTH had to go back to the factory.
Revolvers are made like commercial products today. MOST of the reliability of a police/military gun is gone.
Semi-auto's designed for police work are the way to go.
I have had pistols fail to feed on occasion due to bad ammo, over lubrication under cleaning and springs over the last 20 years, but the pistols were fixed easily.
I have had 3 revolvers fail with less than 50 rounds in one and 500 rounds in another. BOTH had to go back to the factory.
Revolvers are made like commercial products today. MOST of the reliability of a police/military gun is gone.
Semi-auto's designed for police work are the way to go.
Although the poll is now closed, I cast my vote for the revolver. My first handgun was a revolver, a Colt Python that I bought in 1984. I still have it if that tells you anything. I recently bought a Sig P250 subcompact for its capacity and revolver-like trigger. The trigger is every bit as smooth as a good K-frame, and it's lighter than any revolver I've owned, but the pull is about 1/4" longer than my favored carry gun, a 2" model 64. Now, 1/4" may not sound like much, but I've got so much trigger time with revolvers that it really throws me off.
The other thing is that with my model 64 I can extend from high compressed ready with my eyes closed, and when I open them, the sights are aligned and on target--every time. The Sig? Not so much. To be sure, these are both training issues, but they don't breed confidence.
What isn't a training issue, however, is that the roll pin that holds the firing pin in place tends to back out with extended dry firing. I'm going to contact Sig, but I will probably wait if they want me to send it back as I've signed up for a defensive pistol class in March (no wheelguns invited), and the only other auto I have that would be realistic to carry is a Colt Commander. And that's not something I would feel comfortable carrying until I train with it a WHOLE lot more.
The other thing is that with my model 64 I can extend from high compressed ready with my eyes closed, and when I open them, the sights are aligned and on target--every time. The Sig? Not so much. To be sure, these are both training issues, but they don't breed confidence.
What isn't a training issue, however, is that the roll pin that holds the firing pin in place tends to back out with extended dry firing. I'm going to contact Sig, but I will probably wait if they want me to send it back as I've signed up for a defensive pistol class in March (no wheelguns invited), and the only other auto I have that would be realistic to carry is a Colt Commander. And that's not something I would feel comfortable carrying until I train with it a WHOLE lot more.
This is not.....
That is an option not often brought up in these discussions. .44 Special out of a 2.5" barrel. 5 shots. Hmmmmmmm?
That is an option not often brought up in these discussions. .44 Special out of a 2.5" barrel. 5 shots. Hmmmmmmm?
sgtsandman
US Veteran
It doesn't matter to me either way but everyone is different. If a person is more comfortable with a revolver, go with that or vice versa. As long as the person knows how to use it and practices with it, more power to them.
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JohnHancock
Member
My old man is a revolver guy so it obviously rubbed off on me. I carried a semi-auto (mousegun) for a couple of years, but never felt confident with it. I've had a 3 inch Rossi 68 as a bedside gun since my teens, so the 442 I carry now feels more familiar and reliable. Simplicity is a beautiful thing!
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