My #1 reason for choosing a revolver for SD

[one eye joe]

Although it's common to see the reliability and simplicity of the revolver touted as a reason for selecting it for self defense, I very rarely see mention of my #1 reason for choosing the revolver for this role.

Unlike a semi-auto pistol, a revolver cannot be knocked out of battery by pressing the muzzle into the target. I'm not suggesting pressing the muzzle as tactic, but in a fight, you don't always have total control. If you did, there wouldn't be a fight. If the assailant has you pinned to the ground, you may have no choice but to fire while the gun is in contact with him.

Why do you think this strength of the revolver isn't mentioned more often?

WHAT YOU SAY IS VERY TRUE. A STRUGGLE MAY RESULT IN A SEMI-AUTO BEING KNOCKED OUT OF BATTERY AS YOU DESCRIBED---MOMENTARILY. THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF A STRUGGLE WOULD BE CHARACTERIZED BY CONSTANT MOVEMENT AND THRASHING ABOUT OF BOTH PARTIES. AS SOON AS THE PRESSURE IS OFF, THE GUN WILL FIRE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THAT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE THROUGH LAYERS OF CLOTHING, WHILE GRAPPLING WITH AN OPPONENT…..
THE PISTOL INSTRUCTORS IN THE ARMY WOULD ASK TRAINEES HOW MANY SAFETIES WERE ON A 1911, PROMISING A WEEKEND PASS FOR THE CORRECT ANSWER. TO THE LAST MAN, EVERYONE IN THE CLASS WOULD GIVE THE SAME ANSWER--"TWO". THEN THE INSTRUCTOR WOULD POINT THIS FEATURE OUT, CALLING THIS "THE THIRD SAFETY" OF THE 1911, WHILE CAUTIONING TRAINEES NOT TO RELY ON IT, IF THEIR WEAPON WAS GRABBED…..
REGARDING WHY YOU DO NOT SEE THIS MENTIONED MORE OFTEN IN THE LITERATURE, THE ANSWER IS VERY SIMPLE. IT SELDOM OCCURS. AS FAR AS THIS BEING YOUR #1 REASON FOR CARRYING A REVOLVER--IMHO--YOU ARE GREATLY OVERESTIMATING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION MAKING. RATHER THAN CALL IT A REASON NOT TO CARRY A SEMI-AUTO, I WOULD CALL IT JUST AN ADDED, BUT RARELY CALLED UPON, BENEFIT OF CARRYING A REVOLVER. THE BENEFITS OF SIMPLICITY OF OPERATION, AND THE VERY HIGH DEGREE OF RELIABILITY WHEN SHOOTING FACTORY AMMO, IN A PROPERLY MAINTAINED REVOLVER (JUST A SIMPLE CLEANING AND AN OPERATIONS CHECK CONSISTING OF A FEW DRY FIRE PULLS) WOULD BE MINE AND MOST PEOPLE'S REASONS…..
THE US ARMY AND USMC, WHO ARE TRAINED TO ENGAGE THE ENEMY HAND TO HAND, HAVE USED THE SEMI-AUTO FOR OVER 100 YEARS, AS THEIR PRIMARY SIDE ARM, NEVER GIVING MUCH WEIGHT TO YOUR #1 REASON FOR CARRYING A REVOLVER---OTHER THAN TO GIVE IT LIP SERVICE IN BASIC TRAINING WITH THE 1911 (AT LEAST DURING MY TIME IN TNE ARMY--IT MAY NOT EVEN BE MENTIONED CURRENTLY, FOR ALL THAT I KNOW)……….

 

[chief38]

I carry a Revolvers as do MANY Members here. That said, for the younger generation, Revolvers have sort of fallen out of vogue and the high capacity Auto's are all the rage now. Some like having 10 - 15 rounds and carrying around a bigger, heavier and harder to conceal gun for that advantage of greater fire power.

Lot's of people like to emulate Law Enforcement and Military and the Auto is what they use. For us Civilians who are not in the line of fire and not wearing uniforms, the Revolver is still a reliable and viable self defense tool.

While I do carry a revolver and have for many years, if I were to go to war or was a Street Cop and wore a Pistol on my belt (exposed) I too would want an Auto Loader with a bunch of extra loaded Hi Cap magazines.

 

[Iggy]

And what did you teach them to do with a semi-auto?

Urp! Sonny, back in my day,we was more concerned with tommyhawks than we were about them auto pistols. Snort!
We advised trying to knock the slide out of battery, but that was risky at best.

 

[Geoduck]

I chose X (insert favorite handgun) because that's what I like, am most proficient with and it conceals relatively easy.

I carry a 1911 either full size or commander length because the I don't have a revolver that I can easily carry concealed. When I get one I will have to shoot it until I am as comfortable with it as I am my 1911's. I certainly wouldn't feel outgunned with a J frame loaded with decent ammo.

 

[rock_castle]

I don't own a revolver yet, but I really want a j frame. Call it a nostalgic old-guy thing. However, it will only serve as a backup to my G19 or Shield. I see no reason to limit myself to five rounds when I can easily carry two to three times that many. More is better, especially when it comes to saving my life or the lives of my family.

 

[bigsteve113]

I like revolvers 'cause they're cool !