Revolver better than auto for CCW?

[.460Fan]

lol at some of the posts. Thank goodness for humor.


I'm gonna take a fair minded approach on this.

With firearms if you give a small arm enough time or even just lack of maintainace, you will at some point have to replace a part at some point in time. It's the nature of mechanical objects and why people eventually buy another automobile. Mechanical engineering is mechanical engineering.

This being said, even the almighty AK-47 can and will run into problems. In fact, during the legendary North Hollywood incident, the robber's AK-47 stovepiped on him. Because he wasn't accustomed to this he reached for another small arm when all he had to do was rake his hand hard across the length of the rifle near the ejection port to clear the stovepiped cartridge out.

As for a revolver, it is engineered to have less moving parts than a semi-auto and by nature, less likely to fail. However, it will fail and a new part may be needed. Why? Because human beings made it.

I have a revolver, LOVE it. I have AKs and an AR, a Mosin Nagant 91/30, Remington 870 Express, a Taurus PT1911 and an XD-40 Service model. I've fired more than that and I'm a decent shot and I clean my small arms a lot. One thing I've found is that no matter what it is in the mechanical world, even firearms, if a human makes it you will eventually run into problems at some point in the coarse of time.

What matters when that happens and your life depends on it, is how you react and what you do. Because that will determine if you will make it out alive.

This is why I believe in practical shooting. Stuff like the el presidente drill will help you when you have more than one assailant. You also must learn to take down the guy that poses the most immediate threat to you or someone else at that time.

That's just my 2 cents.

So my over all opinion is that if it gives you enough confidence to prevail at defending yourself then by all means pack it.

 

[SgtSam]

I love these revolver vs semi-auto threads. Some wisdom, and a lot of humor. I, like most here, have a strong affinity for them both. Each has a place to be and a place to be used.

As for the "leave the scene" feeling. The greatest fear that I have in life is not finding myself back in 'Nam wondering if I'll get out and get home, not finding myself confronted by some bad guys, or even facing my ex-wife, but being embroiled in the "moth-eaten", justice for money system that is known as the American legal justice system.

When a BG preys on innocent people, in my opinion anyway, he's no longer a human being, but has now lowered himself to become nothing more than a rabid animal. And entitled to no better treatment than that normally accorded to such. I'm sorry if this offends some of you who believe human life is "totally" sacred. I believe so as well. But, BGs are not human in my book, but simply two-legged animals.

So, why would I want to hang around to be put through the wringer by a system that respects BGs more than their victims? Yes, it's always nice to hear that you'll get a "fair" trial, "fair" treatment, "fair" this and "fair" that. All to often it doesn't happen. And even if you somehow manage to survive the criminal "justice" system, you're totally at the whims and mercies of the civil justice system.

Yes, some of you are right that the system is usually good enough to track you down anyway, so that is the only reason that you should probably hang around. But, it has nothing to do with what is right and what is wrong. Only, as always, what is truely expedient.

As one crusty old senior citizen, 20+ year armed forces veteran, and cynical old fart when it comes to what other's think is "right" for me, I take full responsibility for my thoughts and actions. I know some of you feel the same way, and others don't. That, my friends, is one of the things that freedom is all about. And, as long as my thoughts and actions do NOT impede upon your freedoms, you really don't have any justified complaints to voice about them.

SgtSam
God Bless, Take Care, And Watch Your Back!

 

[.460Fan]

I'm gonna give an amen to SgtSam.

The way I look at it is that like an enemy troop, they knew the risks when they decided to commit a criminal act and one of those risks is always the chance that you could perish in that criminal act. It's just the way it is.

 

[DeadAye]

Revolver better than auto for CCW?

Yes!
Oh wait - No!

Oh wait - Depends

I cannot imagine putting myself in the position where I'd need to worry about brass being left at *The Scene* - But that's just me - NOT

 

[Nellybelle]

I carry a S&W mod 38 or 649. My J frame is not for use to stop the BG's who decided to rob McDonald's of their money. It is to use when the BG's decide to march my family or myself into the back room or freezer.

I have both auto and wheel guns. But I prefer the wheel gun. My opinion.

 

[Lt JL]

I am a S&W niche collector. I love them. Used to carry one or two. Now, though, I agree with Tommy Lee Jones:"Get rid of that Nickle-plated sissy gun and get yourself a Glock." If you are serious about defense, you owe it to yourself to have the best technology has to offer.

 

[Mule88]

I agree with the empty cases lying around, all I carry is a revolver, if you have to use 15 rounds in a situation, you probably should carry an assult rifle

 

[preventec47]

I cant believe all the wussies comming out of the woodwork
wanting to argue the difference between semi auto and revolvers.
Whiney this and whiney that.
If you're real serious about Concealed Carry you worry about your
"plastic" shells left behind.

see pics of my daily carry.
Dont leave home without it !

 

[augy]

My perfect carry gun would be a S&W 686-3 with a 2 1/2" barrel.

However, this is not practical for concealed carry during hot weather, nor is it light enough to be comfortable.

I find the model 38 bodyguard is one of the best for accuracy and concealability, but not as light as the 342.

IMHO, I carry a S&W 342 Ti and a Kahr PM9 in both front pockets to equal things out.
This way, I have the best of both worlds, a revolver that is reliable and a semi that is extremely accurate.
However, I would say the Kahr is as reliable as the 342, because it has not failed in 500 rounds with all types of ammo.
Jim in Tennessee

I'm totally happy with my choice.

 

[MitchellB]

Interesting subject and the debate will go on probably long after I'm dead and gone. However, I am old enough to remember when there were not that many "reliable" semi-autos around to be had. The old 1911 being about the best available and even they were often finicky. Even today, 1911 lovers often hot rod their brand new 1911s in attempts to improve it.
Therefore I too have always been a fan of revolvers and even to this day find the feel of a well balanced plow handled SA Peacemaker superior to anything stock off the showroom floor. My personal carry gun began with the tried and true .38 special (DA only) snub nose revolver and evolved into a .44 special (DA only) snub nose. They are a pleasure to carry and five shots of the .44 special in a reasonably reliable revolver was just as comforting to me as 7 shots in a 1911 that I would worry about jamming or forgetting to flip a safety lever off (or on) when excited. Even the old time big game hunters used to say they would rather have a dependable double barrel rifle knowing a quick 2nd shot was just a trigger pull away in a dangerous situation as opposed to the 4 or five shots available in a bolt action rifle that could jam in the worst of all possible moments.
However I have realized the dependability of certain semi-autos pistols (not all) have been refined over the years to equal even the cheapest revolver to the point that I now wanted to own one. The first good one I got was a S&W 622 about 10 years ago. I've shot the heck out of that little gun and never had a problem with it. It was not a personal defense handgun but it gave me the confidence in semi-autos that I never had before. Recently I got a SW9VE semi-auto as my main personal concealed carry/self defense weapon. Like many old DA revolver shooters, I wanted a gun that I could just point and pull, without safeties, hammers or anything else to worry about. Pistols like the Glocks, M&Ps, Sigmas and others were very attractive to me. My 9mm has proven to be flawless in operation so far and yes, having 16+1 rounds feels better than 5 shots. Whether on not I would ever need the 5 much less 17 is up for debate, but knowing they are there if needed is comforting to me.
But my .44 special snub nose is far from retired. It conceals easier than the Sigma and they are often interchanged depending on the attire. Lately I have been debating purchasing yet another semi-auto (probably another 9mm) in an even smaller configuration like the Kel-Tec PF9. However I'm wrestling with the idea as I'm wading though hours of reading about reliability issues with the Kel-Tec and other similar pistols as I did with my concerns over my Sigma's reliability hype before I bought it.

 

[Skeeziks]

There are semi-auto guys...and there are revolver guys. The semi-auto guys should have a revolver as a back-up, and the revolver guys should have another revolver as their back-up.

How's that sound?

 

[PDL]

I'll use whatever is handy at the time.
If I need a 15+ shot semi, I should have had a rifle. But sometimes, I like to cary a 15 shot semi.
I can deal with a 5 shot M36 just as well.
For those of you that need a spray and pray gun, I hope you've equiped it with tracers. A whole lot easier for follow up shots.
In combat, you take a combat weapon. In CCW, you carry either what you've got, or what fits the situation where you are.
And if you have to worry about leaving evidence, you shoudn't have taken the shot.
Not trying to cause an arguement, but if it's justified, it's Justified.
And as the DI in MP school told us, shoot for the extremities, but one story is easier to tell than two.

 

[7shooter]

There is an interesting article by Massad Ayoob in the Aug 2010 issue page 8 of Combat Handguns ( From Victim to Murderer ) that addresses the plan that has been raised here of picking up your brass after a legitimate self defense use of a firearm and then leaving the scene. Ayoob makes a persuasive arguement for not leaving the scene and for not doing anything that could be interpreted as lying. He discusses the legal principle that " flight equals guilt ". He also suggests that if the police, a prosecutor, or a jury thinks you have been dishonest about one piece of evidence then it is reasonable they might think you are being dishonest about everything else you say. Ayoobs' thesis is that a law abiding citizen can very quickly go from an innocent victim who used reasonable force to defend himself to a defendant. The article is available online and is well worth reading. Not a good idea to lie to the police or alter the scene.

 

[stevieboy]

Here are a few basics:

1. If you are involved in a shooting, either as a participant or as a witness, DO NOT LEAVE THE SCENE.

2. DO NOT DISTURB EVIDENCE. That means do not pick up brass or, even worse, attempt to conceal it. Tampering with evidence is a crime in almost any jurisdiction. You can be charged with that crime or with obstruction of justice even if you were otherwise entirely within your rights.

3. If you are involved in a shooting, either as a participant or as a witness, remain in place, call 911, and do whatever the police ask you or tell you to do when they arrive. This is especially important if you have discharged a firearm. That act makes you a suspect in a crime until the authorities have determined you acted within your rights. They will presume the worst if you act as if you are trying to conceal information.

Now, as to the OP's principal question. I've trained myself to be equally proficient with a semi auto and a revolver. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. I love the simplicity associated with firing a revolver and the fact that I can carry rounds that are more powerful than can be carried in most semiautos. However, the really small revolvers, like J-frames, tend to be difficult to handle and shoot well. The bigger versions are bulkier than semiautos. My favorite revolver is my Smith & Wesson Model 27. Carrying that gun concealed would be next to impossible, and even open carry would become fatiguing after a short period of time. Semis have the advantages of carrying a lot of ammo and of being light. But, the truly lightweight semis are as hard or harder to manage than the Smith J frames, and there are the added issues of reliability and complexity of operation.

Right now, my "go to" gun is my Model 36 no-dash (1973 dob). It is simplicity in itself and I'm perfectly comfortable with it, tiny front sights and all.

 

[jwk]

While I own a bunch of both, a Centennial fits in my front jeans pocket without being obvious. A 1911 of any flavor won't. Daily carry down here in south Texas where it is too hot for a covering garment is the Centennial. Occasionally I carry a KelTec but I hit better with the S&W.

Now if we had open carry in Texas that was well accepted by the general public, I am not sure whether I would carry an N frame or a 1911 but it would be one of those two in a BBQ gun version with a fancy belt and matching holster.

 

[beaverfever]

I live in FL where 8-9 months out of the year is tshirt and shorts weather, having a gun the fits in my pocket is important. any semi that fit that bill for me will most likely carry a weaker round with a similar capacity to a revolver. I'm all about bringing more gun than you need but considering the slim chance need to use a firearm I'm more concerned with printing/comfort than capacity. now when the cold weather rolls around the 14 round Sigma .40 gets its place but the .38 still stays in the pocket as well.

another benefit to me atleast is that I imagine a revolver would fair better in a dry, linty pocket than a semi with lack of rountine maintenance, this is just IMO though

 

[wheelinthesky]

I have both. Which one depends on various factors; i.e. weather, clothing, situation I'll be walking into.

I am confident with and in both my snubbie and my compact 9mm.

Not at all worried about casings.

 

[OIF2]

I cannot believe I'm reading that someone here actually is contemplating leaving the scene of a shooting after discharging rounds at another person. While it sounds macho to just walk away, I can guarantee, speaking as a retired LAPD Detective, that you WILL be caught and WILL be in BIG trouble. Remember Bernie Goetz in NYC? C'mon guys. A little less fantasy and a little more common sense. If you had a good shooting, you'll be OK. That also was my experience as an LA Detective.
Bob