My #1 reason for choosing a revolver for SD

[Continental Op]

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?

 

[regalsc]

It could be that the plastic guns are light & have gazillions of rounds capacity. I'm in a car all day & my revolver choice is a 340pd (no lock) & if I ever had to use it the ejected cases won't hit me in the face & neither will a slide be going back & forth.

 

[6518John]

Md. 36 Chief's Special

My son and I picked up a no-dash CS a few weeks ago in near perfect condition at a small gun show. I have not shot one in 35 years and was stunned. I know there is no fool like an old fool, and I am so behind the times with all the baby Glocks, Shields, laser sights, bobbed/no hammers, titanium, aluminum, polymer, plastic, etc. etc. firearms.

But I have a hard time understanding how concealed carry got so complicated. As said before I know I am ignorant of so many advancements, but I have difficultly seeing how one would need more that a little Chief's Special. I drop mine in my pocket and go. Five shots double action from the waist on a paper plate from the hip at 7 yards. With the sights at 10/15 yards. Same at 25 yards single action. Amazing little shooter.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

That is a big reason I carry a revolver as a BUG and sometimes a primary, plus for me they tend to carry and conceal easier than a similar sized pistol.

 

[Arik]

I'm assuming you're going off of what happened in Ferguson. If so Wilson fired more than 6 rounds. He had fired 2 rounds before there was even a struggle. One of the 2 shots hit Brown in the hand. So with a revolver you are already down to 4 and Brown had fired 6 more during the struggle.

While his gun might have gone out of battery for a sec he had, and needed more ammo.

I'd take the chance of having an out of battery slide vs having to reload in a struggle.

Another thing to add. That specific set of circumstances are very specific. Wilson had to have shoved that gun right into Brown. In a struggle the other guy could just as easily have pulled on the cylinder release. Even a little bit during a struggle can knock the cylinder out just enough. Remember it's a struggle, people are wrestling around

 

[TTSH]

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

Probably because the simplicity and reliability that you already mentioned are more than enough reason for those already so inclined.

 

[Bull100]

I got into trouble one night and had to fight for my gun. It was a Mod 19 revolver. The perp controlled the trigger and I controlled the cylinder No shots fired and I won and he went to jail/ If I had been carrying my Glock 19 and I was fighting for my gun one **** would have been fired. Even though I could have controlled the slide he had the trigger and He would have got off one shot. Who knows how that would have worked out.

 

[federali]

Theoretical Disadvantage

The possibility of putting a slide out of battery in close contact with an adversary is at best a remote disadvantage. It also usually implies a failure in situational awareness and tactics. In all the thousands of incidents published or discussed in various forums and police training, I've not heard of a single incident of someone putting his gun out of battery in this manner although it can certainly happen.

The J frame revolvers are wonderful little guns. I own one. It is a close range, personal defense weapon. If you're facing multiple adversaries or you're a retired LEO who elects to intervene in a robbery-in-progress, you are then very seriously outgunned. The late Sgt. James O'Sullivan was armed with a J frame: please see: http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/22/n...ife-sentence-in-92-killing-of-ex-officer.html

 

[forrestinmathews]

If the bores were bigger and the marksmanship standards were more stringent...the round count would be a non issue. Revolvers would be providing countless n'erdowells with a ballistic promotion to good and flawless pillar of communities across America. .44's and .45's are wonderfully unforgiving to things they impact and once the shooting starts we're done playing nice.

 

[Fastbolt]

I can only think of a couple instances I've learned about (not personally present for the incident) where a pistol was suspected, or determined, to have failed to fire because the slide's muzzle had been pressed against an attacker (and disconnected). It's just not something that happens often enough for me to worry about it.

FWIW, I've learned of many other things that have created failures-to-fire, stoppages and malfunctions during actual shooting incidents. Having a slide & barrel pushed back into disconnect just isn't high on my own list of things to lose sleep over. Besides, my training & drills include holding and firing handguns so such unwanted situations are minimized.

On the other hand, a revolver may not be exactly 'immune' to an extremely unlikely situation that could stop the cylinder from turning, either (aside from being tightly grabbed by an attacker).

I'd have to ask Mas, but I thought I remembered reading a magazine article many years ago where a magazine writer was shooting cattle (humane slaughter house shooting) and a close contact shot resulted in some bone and/or heavy tissue being blown back into the front of the cylinder, effectively filling the end of a cylinder charge hole and 'jamming' the cylinder's rotation.

Never say never.

Again, not something that keeps me awake at night worrying about it happening when I carry one of my revolvers.

 

[Iggy]

I use to teach recruits to grab the cylinder of a revolver and twist and pull the gun away from the bad guy. If you were lucky you just might be able to take his trigger finger off in the process.

 

[regalsc]

I use to teach recruits to grab the cylinder of a revolver and twist and pull the gun away from the bad guy. If you were lucky you just might be able to take his trigger finger off in the process.

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

 

[Arik]

If the bores were bigger and the marksmanship standards were more stringent...the round count would be a non issue. Revolvers would be providing countless n'erdowells with a ballistic promotion to good and flawless pillar of communities across America. .44's and .45's are wonderfully unforgiving to things they impact and once the shooting starts we're done playing nice.

Yea because everyone stands still during shooting and adrenaline never plays a factor. Hard to train with an adrenaline dump when shooting at paper targets.

Yea 45s are unforgiving. Tell that to the cop that was shot 6 times with a 45, including once in the head, and still killed his attacker

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

But I have a hard time understanding how concealed carry got so complicated.

Ain't that the truth!

The days of dropping a gun in your pocket and going about your business are like a distant memory. Now just to drive down to the barber shop requires a tactical seminar.

 

[scooter123]

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?

Because if you let an assailant get this close you have most likely already lost the battle. It's why all Defensive Training with a firearm emphasizes maintaining or gaining Separation. Allowing someone to get within arms length means you are vulnerable to a knife or being overpowered.

 

[shouldazagged]

Simplicity. Reliability. No safety to fumble. Not susceptible to limp-wristing malfunction. Can be fired more than once from inside a pocket if necessary. And yes, no worries of it being knocked out of battery. Sounds like a pretty good catalog of reasons to carry a J-frame, which I do. Nothing against autoloaders--I've owned and liked them. But in old age I like things simple.

 

[Watchdog]

...I am so behind the times with all the baby Glocks, Shields, laser sights, bobbed/no hammers, titanium, aluminum, polymer, plastic, etc. etc. firearms...But I have a hard time understanding how concealed carry got so complicated.

There you go. I don't think I remember ever having the words taken out of my mouth so completely. The "Keep It Simple" concept has gone out the window when it comes to concealed carry. Sometimes it just makes my head spin.

 

[John Rus]

My number one reason I like revolvers is if there is a dead round just pull the trigger again and BANG! I now it's rather remote with good ammo but it's nice to know that capability is there.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Yea because everyone stands still during shooting and adrenaline never plays a factor. Hard to train with an adrenaline dump when shooting at paper targets.

Yea 45s are unforgiving. Tell that to the cop that was shot 6 times with a 45, including once in the head, and still killed his attacker

You're right, my bad. What was I thinking? Revolver shooters are generally better marksmen. They realize that a limited number of bullets to get the job done means that they must make them count. I understand all about adrenaline and and how paper doesn't translate to "the real world" or "the street" or whatever Internet gunfights you've been in lately.

I'll take my Vaquero(s), my 625 or even gasps a j frame against ANY trench coat wearing keyboard commando or ne'er do well and BANK on the fact that my coffee will still be HOT when the "engagement/scenario/tacticool situation" is done. Too many rounds on board and not enough emphasis on hitting the center of the target makes Jack a dead body.

 

[Arik]

No no your right. Most people in a shoot out know they have a lot of ammo do they just kinda lob them Amy which way cause they figure that they'll use the first 8 - 10 rounds for fun and they'll start to get serious when they are down to 6 or 7. After all where's the fun in just ending it early when you have an excuse to see what your ammo does to different media.