Practical Advantages of revolvers over same caliber semi-automatics

[Ohsheepdog]

This could have gone to any of the revolver sub forums... We could use a general revolver sub forum rather than having to designate a topic to a certain time period.

I'm not looking for emotional responses like "it's what I've always carried" or "only a 44 will do" "plastic doesn't belong on guns," etc. My serious question is- if you're going to carry a certain caliber weapon, and have a choice between a revolver or semi auto (.40, 10mm, 45 ACP, etc.) what are the advantages of a revolver over a semi automatic?

I love revolvers, esp S&Ws of course, but am looking for a good woods/hiking gun. I restrict myself to several calibers for budget reasons, and currently have 40, 9mm, 38/357. I'd like to be able to fire ammo in both revolvers and semi automatics... I understand the limitations of moon clips, etc, and want a bigger caliber than the 357. I wouldn't mind adding 40, 10mm or 45 ACP for a revolver if I knew I could use it for both platforms (and it's an excuse to buy a new gun! [emoji56] ).

Most woods or hunting type revolvers I've found tend have a barrel of 4-6 inches at most. Semi automatics I have or have seen have 4-5 inch barrels... Given that the barrels are about the same length and a revolver only has a capacity of 6 or 7 vs 7 to 15 in a semi automatic, why would I want to carry a revolver assuming the semi is reliable under adverse conditions (Glock, Sig, M&P, etc)? Concealability isn't a concern.

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[Mack]

Same caliber revolver has no advantage over a good semi.

 

[Dave T]

After carrying one model or other of Colt 1911 for all but the first 9 months of my LEO career (for the academy and the first 9 months I carried a M28-2) and for ~15 years after retiring, I found the arthritis in my right (shooting) hand had swollen my thumb knuckle to where the 1911 frame pounded that knuckle until I no longer paid enough attention to trigger control…i.e. I was missing too much.

Switched to revolvers for 5-6 years and ended up with a 325 NG as my daily carry gun. Some months ago I took one of the Glocks we keep around the place to the range and found the wide, plastic frame did not impact that knuckle anything like the 1911 frame did. Bought a 4th Gen G30 and retired the 325 from daily carry. Why?

Because I have always shot semi autos faster and more accurately than revolvers. I shoot a revolver better than most if I'm deliberate (talking DA only here) but when the pressure is on the semi auto shines. The Glock trigger doesn't compare to the 1911 trigger…nothing does. But, it is about the weight of the best DA revolver triggers I've owned and the travel is considerably shorter. I just shoot semi autos, even Glocks, better so that's what I'm carrying. YMMV!

Dave

 

[Dale53]

I put 75,000 rounds through my 1911's during a five year IPSC period. I have great respect for them and my guns were real performers.

.45 ACP is one of my favorite calibers, too. However, for field use, the revolver has some real advantages. When you say field use, I immediately think of "possibilities". I have a pair of 625's and the Lyman 454424 (a 250 gr Keith bullet) can be safely driven to 900+ fps ahead of 7.0 grs of Unique. This is more than adequate for deer at reasonable ranges. That combination is NOT for the 1911.

That combination, contrary to "logic" also works very well for edible small game. I have taken cottontail rabbits, snowshoe rabbits, and grouse with similar loads and they work to perfection (head shots on close ones and "through the slats" on longer shots without excessive meat damage. My family always appreciated NOT having to pick shot out of their teeth when eating rabbits, etc.

While my 1911's have great triggers the 625's have better single action triggers (they have been tuned, too). This makes for more precision at difficult field positions.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

 

[Biggfoot44]

Revolver isn't sensitive to bullet shape for feeding. In many cases , revolvers can use loads longer than nominal COL , so long as they fit within the cylnder. Revolver is fully functional for any safe load , including light loads. Other than specialized target semiautos , revolvers are generally more accurate. Since woods and hunting use was mentioned , the SA mode in a DA/SA revolver , or of course in a SA revolver will be a better triger pull than most semiautos ( yeah , I see you customized 1911's , but most autos). I know this is a S&W forum , but have to point out the Ruger Blackhawks in the mentioned cals are really, really strong , and those inclined can produce some very interesting "Ruger Only" loads. I won't argue against the reliability of properly maintained and lubricated quality semiautos , but revolvers are much more tolerent of neglect and dust bunnies.

 

[ralph7]

Full wadcutters and gaping hollowpoints will always shoot out of a revolver and either sometimes or not at all out of an autoloader.

Biggfoot beat me to it.

 

[arjay]

I think the advantage in a revolver would be a heavier caliber than the auto is chambered for,say a 357 or a 44 mag.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Well, if you want a bigger caliber than a .38/.357 you've basically eliminated the 9mm. If there is a .40 S&W caliber revolver I don't know about it so that brings us to the .45 ACP.

If you're not concerned with round count, 6 versus 7, 8, or more, I can't see a real difference between a 4 or 6 inch barreled Model 25/625 in .45ACP with moon clips versus any 4 or 5 inch barreled automatic pistol in .45 ACP. Reliability under adverse conditions is perhaps the only argument that favors the wheelgun that I can think of offhand - and I'm a revolver fanatic so I always look more favorably on revolvers than pistols.

But, from the standpoint presented, and uses discussed, I don't see a big deal difference.

***GRJ***

PS:

From what you wrote I am presuming you will not be handloading. In my somewhat limited experience I have never experienced a problem in a .45 using hollow points - I understand the last couple of poster's remarks but gaping, open-mouthed, hard hitting rounds should work well in either gun. I'll also presume you won't be neglectful - revolvers always beat pistols if you neglect the guns but I don't think you will.

 

[Jinglebob]

I own an old style Ruger Vaquero Bisley in .45 Colt. For hunting wild hog in the brush I load 300 grain bullets on top of 14 gr. of Accurate #9. The round will stop a hog in its tracks. I couldn’t come anywhere close to that performance with a semi-auto.

 

[Muss Muggins]

If I understand the OP, we're to compare the advantages and disadvantages of a revolver and a semiautomatic handgun which fire the same caliber/cartridge. Just not enough common ground here. Revolver choices in semiauto calibers are limited at best, and often restricted to one or two viable firearms.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I don't think the auto's higher ammo capacity is really that much of an advantage in the field. You might run into multiple assailants in the woods but the chances of it are much less than in the city.

In addition to what has already been posted, a 625 can fire .45 Super for an increase in power without modification.

 

[fkienast]

Revolvers can be loaded every thing, "from bunnies to bears".

 

[Pizza Bob]

If there is a .40 S&W caliber revolver I don't know about it

Allow me to expand your knowledge base...

Behold the S&W Model 646 - .40 S&W. Only about 700 total out there (400 from the PC and 300 regular production). Built on the L-Frame.

You also seem to be forgetting the Model 57's, 657's and 610's, as well mas all the .44's, which are all considerably more plentiful than the 646.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[robertrwalsh]

Revolvers are operationally simple. They can only be loaded one way. they do not (usually) have a manual safety. You can't shove the magazine in backwards. You can't load the rounds backwards. If it doesn't shoot you pull the trigger again and it probably will. For someone who needs a firearms but it not a gun person the revolver has a LOT to be said for it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

The OP didn't ask for a comparison of advantages and disadvantages, he asked if there were ANY advantages.

 

[k22fan]

The O.P. does not mention reloading so a few revolver attributes I appreciate may not matter to him. Revolvers function over a wide range of recoil and bullet nose shape. The softest target loads and heaviest loads usually won’t work in an auto and most autos won’t feed sharp cornered SWC or WC bullets. Often when you try to introduce inexperienced and or young people to shooting they’ll do best with down loaded ammunition in revolvers. An auto’s slide movement is one more flinch inducing distraction for beginners to get used to. Also hunting down the cases your auto tossed into the weeds gets tiresome.

This is perhaps off topic, but IMO, if the O.P. wants protection from large animals he’d be better protected with more substantial cartridges than he lists and the few autos that fire those are expensive and heavy to carry.

 

[GetSmith]

IMHO the advantage to a revolver has nothing to do with the cartridge or capacity. From a mechanical/capacity standpoint a semi-auto may have an advantage over a revolver. From a practical SD application there are instances and types of people that a revolver will be better suited for.

Recently one of my female co-workers came to me asking about recommendations for purchasing a gun. She said her sister in law said she should not get a revolver. Of course I offered her a range trip to try one of my many guns but I told her to keep an open mind to all.

My first question for her was would she be willing to train with the gun? Would she commit to range time on a monthly basis at a minimum? She said no, It would probably be locked in a nanovault and sitting for years or her life time waiting for the moment that it was to be called upon. With that bit of information I said a revolver would be an excelent choice for her. In the heat of the moment without proper training a A semi-auto is more prone to a user malfunction than a revolver. Limp wristing can cause a FTF/FTE and without training your gun can end up in the bad guys hands to be used on you.

Also I prefer a revolver tucked by my seat when driving. If i'm trying to defend myself from a carjacking I think the revolver is a better choice. Again from a seated position with a seat belt on, in the heat of the moment a proper grip may not be possible.

Same thing if you are down on the ground with a bad guy on top of you. Your semi-auto with 17 rounds may only get one shot off.

These are just a few advantages to revolvers. Semi-autos are great I have 8 and 4 Revolvers. They are are tools that have advantages and disadvantages depending upon the situation. I like to carry both. Most of the time my Shield 9 with an M&P 340.

Pocket carrying a J-frame has many advantages. If you feel threatened its easy to inconspicuously have you hand on the grip of you gun at the ready. Hard to do that with a semi-auto unless you pocket carry and I have yet to find any 9mm and up semi-auto that pocket carries and easily, comfortably and reliably and the J-frame.

 

[brucev]

I have a 625-2 which I have owned and used for the last four years. Since 1980 I've own and used a slew of 1911's by Colt, Kimber, Argentine surplus, Springfield Armory, Rock Island. I've fired more .45 ACP ammo that probably anything else other than .22 LR and .38 Special. As I write this post, on the couch beside me is my 625-2.

A very well set up 1911 is capable of very fine accuracy. Many 1911's will feed ball and hollow point high performance ammunition with reliability. For shooting in games where speed is a premium, the 1911 generally gets the nod. If all you've got to fire is maybe 10 to 12 rounds, a 625-2 w/ moon clips is extremely fast.

When it comes to common 1911's, accuracy with selected ammunition may possibly run between 2-3 inches for 10 rounds fired at 25 yds. I have only owned this one 625-2, but I have fired this one revolver a great deal in four years. Firing SA I have no problems keeping 50 rounds inside the 10 ring of a B-27 firing at 25 yds. using common hardball ammo. I have not fired this pistol from a sandbag rest. All my firing has been with two hands standing up. At right at 50 yds. I have managed to hit a steel plate 48 out of 50 shots. The plate was one of those type used on top of a railroad tie for the rails to be spiked down.

I have a very nice RIA 1911 that a gunsmith kindly set up for me w/ good sights, trigger, etc. He did this work for a very nominal fee. With care I can just about keep all my shots in the 10 ring of the B-27. I cannot say that I can hit that steel plate as well.

It is not hard to develop good handloads for a 1911. If you shoot at a range, you may find it easy to recover your brass for reloading. The 625-2 has an exceedingly excellent trigger, both SA and DA. Whether fired at a nice developed range or simply fired in a field or the woods, recovery of brass is simple. I do not normally use moon clips as it is no problem to remove and pocked fired casings.

I have lately been shooting in a local match sponsored by the police where one is limited to a pistol with a barrel of five inches or less. I have given a lot of thought to using my RIA 1911. I just might do it. But, the truth is that the 625 may just be a better choice. Firing has to be done DA with a revolver. The truth is, the 625 in DA is very easy to use. The moon clips make reloading the cylinder and recovering brass a snap.

Adverse conditions can mean different things to different people. Glock is famous for functioning under the most arduous conditions, even to the extent of abuse. If you fall in a lake with a Glock on your hip, you can with not much effort shake out the water and then if necessary shoot it. Glocks are not known for match grade accuracy, which is true of a lot of semi-auto pistols. Some do better than others, but few give match grade results with ammunition that would be worthwhile for use on small to medium game.

If you fall in a lake with a revolver on your hip, you can shake it out like the Glock and if necessary shoot it. It is possible to get extremely good even match grade accuracy with many S&W revolvers. The 625 that I have is extremely effective right on out to 50 yards. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Ohsheepdog]

Thanks for the input so far, guys. If I wasn't clear, I want commonality in a cartridge between a revolver and semi auto . That pretty much limits me to 40/10mm/45. I'm willing to do without proven calibers like the 44, 45LC, 460, etc knowing I can shoot them in both platforms.
I'm an experienced shooter & instructor; I'm just curious what opinions or facts the revolver might have over an auto with similar length barrels & cartridge.
Is there a significant loss of velocity in a revolver due to the gap between the cylinder & barrel that isn't seen in a semi auto ?
You're correct, I don't handload, but can buy a variety of handloads in various calibers from friends. I can see how specific loadings in any of the 3 calibers could be made that would only feed in a revolver due to bullet shape...

 

[Frank237]

WHY would you LIMIT yourself to THREE cartridges?

And yes there can be a velocity loss due to pressure escaping between the cyl bbl gap.