Popularity of revolvers seems to be increasing lately.

I agree. I've never taken a shine to "black guns," whether they be rifles, shotguns or handguns and I think that SOME of the people who buy them possess vivid imaginations. I know that SOME of them also possess inferior shooting skills, if the shot-up ranges at my club are a testament.

There's a 6-man hold-up crew hitting gas stations not far from me. They're all presumably armed and shots have been fired by them. If you had no choice but to engage this crew with a handgun, would you rather it be a Sig-Saur .40 226 with an extra mag, or your Model 66?

God bless the guys who would take care of business in 5 shots with 5 more in a speed strip when I'd rather have 16 and 15 more in a magazine......As far as the calm and deliberate shooting vs. "spray and pray": I'll take the word of someone who has already been in some shootings that they'll stand there with a revolver and calmly place aimed fire on the target that is shooting a back at them with a hi-cap handgun or long gun. Anyone else is just bench racing.....
 
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I love my Smiths. They are real weapons. Especially the pre-locks. I do carry a 642 much of the time. But when I can wear a holster that I can hide, it holds either a Sig 228, a 229 (40) or a 226 (9mm). I'll take 13 rounds and a fast reload to 6 and a slower reload. It will likely never come up that I need to find out if I am right. But I think it's the right move.
 
There's a 6-man hold-up crew hitting gas stations not far from me. They're all presumably armed and shots have been fired by them. If you had no choice but to engage this crew with a handgun, would you rather it be a Sig-Saur .40 226 with an extra mag, or your Model 66?

God bless the guys who would take care of business in 5 shots with 5 more in a speed strip when I'd rather have 16 and 15 more in a magazine......As far as the calm and deliberate shooting vs. "spray and pray": I'll take the word of someone who has already been in some shootings that they'll stand there with a revolver and calmly place aimed fire on the target that is shooting a back at them with a hi-cap handgun or long gun. Anyone else is just bench racing.....

If I am ever dumb enough to take on a 6 man hold up crew I hope I have some hand grenades.
 
If I am ever dumb enough to take on a 6 man hold up crew I hope I have some hand grenades.

Who says you're going to have a choice? The following was only a two-person crew. What are you going to do if 6 guys walk in and start shooting people? Beg for your life? Calmly stand there with your revolver and kill the last two with one round? Like I said, God bless the guys who can take care of business with a revolver and the platitude that anything over 6 rounds is "spraying and praying". I usually don't carry more than a 5-shot J-Frame off-duty, but by the same token when I'm on duty I carry a hi-cap .40 and there are a lot better reasons as to why than because I subscribe to the "spray and pray" theory of gunfighting. I usually only carry a J-frame in the pocket NOT because I don't think I'll ever need something with more rounds but because I'm not usually willing to carry a larger gun in an OWB holster. This was not far away. I remember this one posted below like it was yesterday, and now we have 6-man holdup crews in the area too. I don't begrudge anyone who wants to be prepared for something beyond the "average" shooting by carrying a semi auto instead of a revolver because they want more rounds. The only reason I don't is convenience, NOT because I think "any more than 5 or 6 rounds is overkill".

WESTLAND, Michigan (AP) --A man opened fire at a convenience store after apparently botching a robbery of the business, killing four people and wounding two others before he and his girlfriend led authorities on a high-speed chase in their Corvette, police said.

The man shot and killed himself after crashing the car, while his girlfriend was arrested in a nearby back yard.

Police and prosecutors were reviewing evidence, including surveillance tapes from Neil's Party Store in this Detroit suburb, to determine what charges the 24-year-old woman should face. Police Chief Dan Pfannes said she could be arraigned as early as Saturday.

Pfannes said she acted as a lookout late Thursday as Michael Lamont Schofield , 30, fired one shot each into the two clerks and four customers.

"It was an absolute tragedy for those people," Pfannes said Friday. "It could have been me, you, or anyone."

While robbery appeared to be the motive, the suspects drove off before taking anything.

The pair led police on a chase before crashing the Corvette near a freeway interchange on Detroit's west side. They ran for about two blocks before officers caught the woman and Schofield committed suicide, police said.

Police believe the pair had robbed another convenience store earlier Thursday in nearby Oakland County, but no one was hurt, Pfannes said.

Killed inside the Westland store were a 29-year-old store clerk who was the owner's nephew and a 35-year-old customer. Two men -- one 63, the other 44 -- who had just parked near the front door were shot dead as the robbers were fleeing the store, police said.

About 10 family members and friends stood outside the store Friday while a cleanup crew worked inside.

Flowers and balloons that read "We love you" and "God bless you. You'll be missed" were placed next to the store's door.

Family spokesman Rudy Patros said the owner has had the store for 12 years and had been robbed about three months ago. He said the owner plans to reopen, but he did not know when.

"Nice, friendly people. A nice neighborhood store," neighbor Randy Rohoff said. "They'd give you a pack of cigarettes until (payday on) Friday. You brought (deposit) bottles in and they'd say, `How many?' They wouldn't count 'em."
 
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Well, after a long time I am coming back to S&W revolvers. I was on a semi-auto kick the past 8 years. In fact I have sold all my guns except a Remington 1911R1. I have a 686SSR on order and am excited. I know some of the guys I work with are really into the ruger revolvers lately. I hope this trend continues...because if there is demand then they will create new variations.
 
There are a few advantages of a revolver. You can load a center fire pistol, .38 / .357 or .44 / .44 mag, with different bullets in the cylinder. I do it all the time. Snake shot in the first two chambers and then hard cast. In the boonies there are numerous foot hazards, snakes. And of course alligators, and bears, ( two legged dopers too). The revolver is just more versatile and certainly more practical for a camper, fisherman or seasonal hunter.

Firepower is not their strong point but I never needed more than 4 shots in 63 years.
Same thing can be done with an auto...just load up the magazine with what you want.

I have more revolvers than autos...and like them a LOT more. 3" SP101, 4" 686-4p and a 6" 629-4 has me VERY happy with my revolver selection. Just got some Ahrends retro combat grips for my 686 and have a Lobo holster on the way. Love my wheel guns !!!
 
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Started handgun shooting with an H&R Mod. 929 "Sidekick" .22 revolver about 1972-ish, when I was 13 or 14. Scraped up money for a Ruger .22 auto pistol and loved it, too. Could shoot it more accurately, but noticed that only one of the two ever jammed. . . .

Have enjoyed plenty of revolvers and autos in the intervening 40 years. Currently, nightstand holds a 24-3 .44 SPL to check out suspicious bumps in the night. My 1911 is for quick response if I know I'm facing a problem . . .and can't get to my M-4 carbine :-)

My primary CC guns are a J-frame 32-1 and 33-1, 2" and 4" bbls., in caliber .38 S&W, loaded with 200g LSWC's.

Carried 1911A1 and M9 in Army career, and would want such autos for military or police work, given requirement to seek & pursue enemy, gangs of BG's, etc. More than happy with revolvers for civilian CC and secondary HD (drawers, desks, end tables, etc.)--they require only occasional cleaning & lube, and go bang every time. (Plus wife & daughters comfortable with them.)

IMHO, quality-built, well broken-in autos are great for aficionados and experts. Not so much for neophytes who devote minimal time to handling, training, maintenance, break-in, ammo selection, etc. Revolvers work great for civilian SD/HD for all 3 categories of shooters, however.
 
I guess I'm a "seasoned citizen" here - I turned 72 this year. I actually started shooting handguns with semiautos. My first handgun was a Ruger standard model, followed closely by a war surplus Ithaca 1911A1. I had never fired a revolver until I was in the Army; our arms room had some Colt .38 Officer's Models. The recoil impulse felt strange to me, and I learned that my grip on a revolver would influence the point of impact on these guns. They just took some getting used to.

On return to civilian life, I bought a Smith 1950 Target, basically so I could continue to shoot the plentiful .45 ACP rounds you could find for pennies back then. I had started to reload, and it was great not to hunt through the grass for your empties; you just ejected them into your hand or range bag. So I grew to appreciate revolvers. And then a couple of guys who worked with me had Smith Model 28s, and I was impressed by their ability to hit targets way out there. I traded off that Model 1950 (to my later regret) and became a magnum fan. I selected another Model 28 for my father, and reloaded ammo for both of us. I liked the versatility of the Model 28 - I could shoot .38 specials or full-house .357s; even custom-crafted shot loads for snakes and such. I got further and further away from the autoloaders and began to actively collect Smith revolvers.

Today, I own 68 Smith and Wessons. Of these, only 7 are semiautos - the rest, about 90%, are are revolvers. I love 'em, shoot 'em, and admire them for their workmanship. They are fun to shoot, easy to reload for, and are totally reliable.

At the gun shows, I'll walk right past tables of black plastic wonder guns. They hold zero appeal except as rather utilitarian and ugly implements. But if I spot a classic Smith revolver, I'm like a duck on a June bug to check it out!

Put me down in as being in the "revolver" camp. They just don't make 'em that way any more, and it's a shame.

John
 
Who says you're going to have a choice? The following was only a two-person crew. What are you going to do if 6 guys walk in and start shooting people? Beg for your life? Calmly stand there with your revolver and kill the last two with one round? Like I said, God bless the guys who can take care of business with a revolver and the platitude that anything over 6 rounds is "spraying and praying". I usually don't carry more than a 5-shot J-Frame off-duty, but by the same token when I'm on duty I carry a hi-cap .40 and there are a lot better reasons as to why than because I subscribe to the "spray and pray" theory of gunfighting. I usually only carry a J-frame in the pocket NOT because I don't think I'll ever need something with more rounds but because I'm not usually willing to carry a larger gun in an OWB holster. This was not far away. I remember this one posted below like it was yesterday, and now we have 6-man holdup crews in the area too. I don't begrudge anyone who wants to be prepared for something beyond the "average" shooting by carrying a semi auto instead of a revolver because they want more rounds. The only reason I don't is convenience, NOT because I think "any more than 5 or 6 rounds is overkill".

After shooting 5 with my "J" frame, I'd have to stick the last one with my K-Bar.:D

Actually, I understand where you're coming from. No offense intended.
 
Today, I own 68 Smith and Wessons. Of these, only 7 are semiautos - the rest, about 90%, are are revolvers. I love 'em, shoot 'em, and admire them for their workmanship. They are fun to shoot, easy to reload for, and are totally reliable.

Well said. Bud
 
My EDC has been a XD40SC for the past few years but of late I quite often CC a LCR-CT. Just today I bought a S&W 640 and I will most likely buy a S&W 642 from the same person who is cleaning out his safe. Neither of these weapons appear to have ever been fired.
 
I am back to all revolver for concealed carry..

Served in US Army Airborne Infantry, played with all manner of high-speed-low-drag weapons...

but for the up-close and quick methods of self-defense...

I am relying on my S&W 66 snub or my 340 M&P.

Glad to be back in the revolver fold!
 
I just returned to gun ownership a year ago. In the past I've had Ruger Security Six revolvers and Smith snubbies. Last December I got a good deal on a new 442 no lock. Great gun and stone-reliable. A few months ago, I bought my first semi-auto ever (I'm 56 years old). It's a S&W Sigma .40. I actually like this gun alot and have had no failures with 500+ rounds through it. However, I still prefer the feel of the .38 and I'm more confident in its reliability.

One thing that turned me off about semi-autos in recent years has been the movies/TV shows with gang-bangers and thugs firing their semis sideways and even upside down. Who needs sights? Hold it sideways and fire away!
 
I'll always prefer my revolvers to autos. Probably because i'm an old fart also. Well 51 but i have an "old soul". Just like the feel personally and the growing up watching them used in movies and such. My first handgun was a 7 inch "i believe", "maybe 7 1/2 or 8" model 19 nickel.
I loved that gun but pissed it away long ago. Shot a lot of rounds through that gun. It's why i'm deaf to this day. When your a teenager you did'nt worry about hearing protection. Duh.....What???
 
I am back to all revolver for concealed carry..

I am relying on my S&W 66 snub or my 340 M&P.

Glad to be back in the revolver fold!

Nice! Bud
 
OP,

Some of your observation maybe the current popularity in CCW and the cost effectiveness and simplicity of the j frame, which will lend some to
continue on and research and purchase other revolvers.
Myself I have always gravitated towards the revolver ecspecially the 640 no dash. In my humble opinion and the best way I can explain it is the phrase "Revolver-apple pie".
Yes limited in round count and sight radius but for the average citizen
who may not be a gunnie and chooses the right of SD, nothing to snag? and no safeties other then finger on or off the trigger point and squeeze.
The other reason for your observation may also be the great wealth of knowledge and tallent among some of our fellow forum members in this section along with awsome picture and collections.

Allright enough rambling I think I exceeded my 2 cents worth, more coffee please.

Carl
 
After shooting 5 with my "J" frame, I'd have to stick the last one with my K-Bar.

With all the fixing of things that don't seem to be broke in the world of handguns, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to put an integral bayonet on a J-Frame like they did way back when on some black powder guns....
 
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