elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
I carry two revolvers so one can cool down while I'm shooting the other one. [emoji41]
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Revolver vs. Pistol
- Thread starter Doc Holliday 1950
- Start date
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Backlighting
Member
Add to the above: no failures to feed, no failures to eject.
BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
- Joined
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As Bill Jordan said, Speed and Power are fine but Accuracy is final and skill -and will power-are paramount.
junglefighter
US Veteran
I just read all 3 pages(twice) and found this an informative and interesting thread.I would enjoy more posts on this topic and hope that someone will contribute more useful information and their ideas.Where I live,I CCW everyday,but I am in San Francisco approx. 3 months a year and there I do not.Mind set and awareness of your surroundings is one of the best defenses to learn.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Unless you have to reload. I've seen others and even had trouble myself ejecting spent brass. Then reloading is almost universally slower than a semi-auto.
There will always be quirks or issues with any type of mechanical device. The revolver is great, just not perfect. Same goes for any semi-auto. They both have their benefits and detractors.
medic15al
Member
Do you shoot other striker-fired guns such as the SD9 or M&P as well?
Triggernosis
Member
I would love to see the statistics on how often a citizen (and even police for that matter) have needed to reload a revolver in a self defense situation....particularly a quick reload.
If you want to play the odds to keep yourself safe, instead of worrying about how fast you can reload your gun, start carrying a vial of snake anti-venom in case you are bitten by a viper at the supermarket.
If you want to play the odds to keep yourself safe, instead of worrying about how fast you can reload your gun, start carrying a vial of snake anti-venom in case you are bitten by a viper at the supermarket.
Rastoff
US Veteran
If self-defense were only about statistical probability, why would anyone ever carry a gun or buy a lottery ticket? Yet, people carry and are saved because they carry. People win the lottery too.
Lou_the_welder
Member
Did you mean XD9? I had a xd40 tac and put a 9mm stormlake? Conversion barrel. It was an incredible gun. I sold it, in the "great caliber consolidation of 2011?" I don't know how many of you went through those. Just get rid of a whole caliber. Pretty dumb huh. Now I'm considering a CZ in a 40 or a 1911 in a 40. 40s were great. Ugh! I miss them.
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medic15al
Member
Did you mean XD9? I had a xd40 tac and put a 9mm stormlake? Conversion barrel. It was an incredible gun. I sold it, in the "great caliber consolidation of 2011?" I don't know how many of you went through those. Just get rid of a whole caliber. Pretty dumb huh. Now I'm considering a CZ in a 40 or a 1911 in a 40. 40s were great. Ugh! I miss them.
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Yeah I was wanting XD, Dang typing fad, like smokeless powder! LOL
I am very partial to 357sig and would like an M&P 2.0 compact or even one of the SD-9VE in the caliber.
Lou_the_welder
Member
And for the record:
It did bug me that I couldn't shoot 200 rounds(250 total;pushing it, burning my fingers) without the K frame overheating! Sure, I wouldn't choose 250 rounds to defend myself on a revolver- but IF YOU HAVE TO SHOOT 200 ROUNDS OR MORE ON A K FRAME FOR ANY OTHER REASON, it would definitely get my thumbs down and the full nod to a semiautomatic or a larger frame revolver!
Maybe I ask too much of the K frame....
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It did bug me that I couldn't shoot 200 rounds(250 total;pushing it, burning my fingers) without the K frame overheating! Sure, I wouldn't choose 250 rounds to defend myself on a revolver- but IF YOU HAVE TO SHOOT 200 ROUNDS OR MORE ON A K FRAME FOR ANY OTHER REASON, it would definitely get my thumbs down and the full nod to a semiautomatic or a larger frame revolver!
Maybe I ask too much of the K frame....
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Lou_the_welder
Member
My XD was a great accurate gun. I sometimes look at them now and want to buy it again. I shot 9 and 40 in mine. I think I might've shot the glock about the same- and the glock being a range gun had many thousands in it probably and was better than I imagined.
The only thing I did with my XD was the drop in barrel down to a 9 and two 9mm mags.
I really regret selling it. But everytime I want to buy one again- I end up with another revolver.
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Backlighting
Member
In an up close, defensive encounter, you will most likely not need to eject spent brass or re-load...5 or 6 shots should be enough, as stats show.
medic15al
Member
I had the XD-Tactical in 9mm and .45 ACP and loved both. They were very accurate and reliable. The 45 did bump me a tad uncomfortably it the web from the flat tang, tho.
Went to work for a county agency and had 3 month to replace my XD-Tactical 9 with an approved weapon and at that time had to sell it to do so.
I still prefer the XD original to the newer designs.
This quote is why I always cringe when a topic is posted and it is noted by someone "this has been rehashed over and over", "there are so many threads on this topic" or "learn to use the search function". Jeez. There is nothing wrong with these things being re-hashed. New perspectives arise. Old posters make new points. The OP has all information in one spot he can easily retrieve. I could go on and on. Oh, best of all, you also avoid the old standby "geez, necro-thread, you do realize this thread is x years old".
This is a good thread with many more good comments than moronic ones. That's also a plus.
RGVshooter
Member
I own a 4" 686 but it would not be my first choice in a carry gun although it is more than capable of "getting the job done". Main reason would be the 357 magnum. Although I am capable of shooting it accurately at the range, I have my earmuffs on and the targets aren't shooting back at me. If I did carry my 686, I'd load up with 38 special +P's simply because I can shoot 38 special faster & more accurately than 357 magnum. But if I'm going to use 38 special +P, then I might as well carry my 4" model 10 HB. But it's 98° outside in south Texas today, so I might as well carry my 642 snub nose 38 special. Which by the way, is my EDC.
The OP admitted that his G19 is easier to shoot and is more accurate. I owned/carried a G23 which is essentially the same dimensions/weight as the 19 except it's in 40s&w. The Glock 19 is what I would carry given the choices above.
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Whitwabit
US Veteran
The variables in ones life should dictate what you should carry ..
Where you live, what the main crime in your area is .. if there is gang violence where events happen with more then one Perp ..or more single robber type of crimes .. Living in a small town under 20-30 thousand with little to no crime .. shop lifting probably the one most likely .. Across the river there have been I think 15 murders so far this year and the crime rates there are all higher then the national averages ..
Myself I feel more comfortable with an auto with 10 or more rounds available .. but that is because of the crime not in the town I live in but all the towns around me .. which I end up having to go to to do certain things .. *Dr's etc ..
Where you live, what the main crime in your area is .. if there is gang violence where events happen with more then one Perp ..or more single robber type of crimes .. Living in a small town under 20-30 thousand with little to no crime .. shop lifting probably the one most likely .. Across the river there have been I think 15 murders so far this year and the crime rates there are all higher then the national averages ..
Myself I feel more comfortable with an auto with 10 or more rounds available .. but that is because of the crime not in the town I live in but all the towns around me .. which I end up having to go to to do certain things .. *Dr's etc ..
Notary
Member
While I am not a big fan of the Glock 19's, when you compare the size, weight, capacity, reliability and simplicity....it is hard to beat for concealed carry, especially when compared with a 686.
I have a 686+ with a 3" barrel that I purchased for possible CCW, but it resides strictly in the safe because of its weight, bulk and cumbersome profile.
I usually conceal carry other pistols, but I would have no reservation carrying my Glock 19 gen 4......
I have a 686+ with a 3" barrel that I purchased for possible CCW, but it resides strictly in the safe because of its weight, bulk and cumbersome profile.
I usually conceal carry other pistols, but I would have no reservation carrying my Glock 19 gen 4......
JagmanFL
Member
I recently replaced my Springfield Armory Range Officer Champion 1911 with an M&P Shield 9mm as my concealed carry. Sometimes I'll carry my J-frame .357. Between the two, I prefer carrying the 9mm Shield. The J-frame is a great little powerhouse, but only holds five rounds. I carry the seven round mag in my Shield with the spare eight round mag in my pocket. Plus, the Shield is so much more streamlined for conceal carry.
Lou_the_welder
Member
Yesterday my 686 jammed on me. I couldn't even open the cylinder- trigger wouldn't pull all the way back. So, I gave up trying to fiddle with it and gave it to the RO. He took it to the back and did something to it. Walked back, handed me my revolver and all the shells.
I think I shot maybe 4 cylinders out of it , to make sure it was ok....
When I was leaving, I was talking to that same RO. And asked him about the revolver. I said to him, and there are still people that say that revolvers are more reliable than autos huh! As he was carrying a glock by his side. He said he didnt have to work there long enough to know that revolvers aren't as truly flawless as some people believe.
It didn't take long for me to know this as a fact. Revolvers have failed me truly in almost every way. I sure do enjoy shooting them .
Anyone who believes otherwise, has not shot Revolvers long enough.
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I think I shot maybe 4 cylinders out of it , to make sure it was ok....
When I was leaving, I was talking to that same RO. And asked him about the revolver. I said to him, and there are still people that say that revolvers are more reliable than autos huh! As he was carrying a glock by his side. He said he didnt have to work there long enough to know that revolvers aren't as truly flawless as some people believe.
It didn't take long for me to know this as a fact. Revolvers have failed me truly in almost every way. I sure do enjoy shooting them .
Anyone who believes otherwise, has not shot Revolvers long enough.
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Rastoff
US Veteran
To every story there will be at least one who will offer up a report like this. The fact remains, revolvers are more reliable than semi-autos. This is not in question even a little bit, it's just the simple truth.
No one has said that revolvers are fail proof. Every mechanical device has the potential for failure. Even spoons have failed. That doesn't negate the fact that revolvers are more reliable.
There are advantages to the semi-auto that, for most people, outweigh the disadvantages. But to say that a semi-auto is more reliable is ridiculous and not looking at the real truth.
hostler
Member
I think everyone here(yes I said everyone) can agree that both revolvers and most modern semi autos offer an acceptable level of reliability under most circumstances. Obviously at the range reliability differences are so similar to be practically the same, At dart throwing distance, not an issue. At bad breath distance is when the circumstances turn weird or unusual and the revolver starts to excel. Pushed into the belly of the bad guy, inside of a pocket, weak hand, sideways or upside down, bad guy has a hold of the gun, mag ejected. If your mag gets ejected somehow your bullets have now completely separated from the firearm, you may have just one shot, depending on firearm you may have zero shots. I think that's where this conversation always ends up, the distance question. At a distance (several feet, a few yards) having more ammo would absolutely be an advantage, quick reloads could also possibly be an advantage. Within a couple feet distance, you aren't going to be reloading and you need a gun that will not be as effected by the circumstances/effects of grappling with the bad guy as a semi-auto is.
Oddly enough, if you need to shoot under water a semi-auto works better than a revolver. I was watching a show the other night where it was tested, apparently a revolver hammer slows down just enough under water to keep it from firing the primer, and the Glock they used not only fired once but continued to cycle under water. Who would've thought.
Oddly enough, if you need to shoot under water a semi-auto works better than a revolver. I was watching a show the other night where it was tested, apparently a revolver hammer slows down just enough under water to keep it from firing the primer, and the Glock they used not only fired once but continued to cycle under water. Who would've thought.
That's good, but my motto would be "reliably always trumps quantity" over "quality always trumps quantity".
There are beautifully made, quality guns that are not so reliable for self defense and guns that have a high ammo capacity which are very reliable.
I tend to agree that revolvers are generally more reliable and user-friendly then semi-autos as a group but I like and shoot both.
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elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
In about 60 years of shooting revolvers, my experience has been that if you do your regular preventive maintenance on one you won't have any reliability issues. The only problem I've had lately was with a company-issued S&W Model 686-6 (not my issued 686-6) that started getting a bit hard to open at the range. Everything from the ejector rod back checked out, so I turned my attention to the front latch. A few squirts of solvent, a bit of air drying, a short squirt of lubricant, and it was back in full, easy action. I had a talk with the "trained Glock armorer" about how to maintain revolvers.
Since I'm retiring Friday and there are less than a handful of revolvers in the hands of officers, I don't know that my advice was actually absorbed.
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I agree with Engine49Guy that a .357 in a small frame S&W is quite uncomfortable to shoot. I would rather be on target with a lighter load than off target with a hotter load.
Here in the far south with heat soaring, carrying ANYTHING could be uncomfortable, so, I stick with 642 or my Ashland 60-1 2" Target that can take a .38 Special +P+ if you wanted however the +P is just fine and quite controllable. I use a shot shell (snake shot) as the 1st out just in case of critters and crawlers which I am much more likely to encounter than an assailant.
If I had to reach for a .357 Magnum, sorry guys, that N Frame would be a chore to carry. The Sig P229 in .357 Sig, would be preferable to me.
Here in the far south with heat soaring, carrying ANYTHING could be uncomfortable, so, I stick with 642 or my Ashland 60-1 2" Target that can take a .38 Special +P+ if you wanted however the +P is just fine and quite controllable. I use a shot shell (snake shot) as the 1st out just in case of critters and crawlers which I am much more likely to encounter than an assailant.
If I had to reach for a .357 Magnum, sorry guys, that N Frame would be a chore to carry. The Sig P229 in .357 Sig, would be preferable to me.
Multiple Guns for the Seasons
I agree with Engine49guy. The Airweight 38 Special is the way to go. I carry the 642 (Enclosed Hammer) for the Summer and move to my 40 Compact for colder days.
Don't limit yourself to just one and done!
I agree with Engine49guy. The Airweight 38 Special is the way to go. I carry the 642 (Enclosed Hammer) for the Summer and move to my 40 Compact for colder days.
Don't limit yourself to just one and done!
Protected One
Member
Since you asked the question about SPECIFIC guns, I will give you a SPECIFIC answer.
First, I would eliminate the g43 because it's NOT the one you shoot best - by your own admission. That should be the first consideration in your decision: WHICH DO I SHOOT BEST?
Now that you're down to the 686 or glock 19, it seems that you favor the 686, but the question is...because you say it's a monster to carry ARE YOU LIKELLY TO ACTUALLY CARRY IT EVERYDAY? Be honest with yourself about this because edc stands for EVERY day carry. If the answer is "Yes", then your choice is pretty easy. And if you think you won't then I'd recommend going with the glock 19, and that's not a bad choice at all.
Congratulations!
Whitwabit
US Veteran
All my auto carry pistols have short reset triggers and am finding I am having the same problems as you with my new 686+ PC !!
I am short stroking it about half the time and any rapid fire probably better then half .. Its a hard habit to break since I am use to shooting autos these last few years ..
Shooting both My Beretta PX-4 and my Sig Leg P229 in 40 with the SR triggers I do fine .. but still short stroking the revolver ..
So won't be carrying it anytime soon and it won't be the bedside pistol for awhile till I am more use to the triggers full release to reset ..
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