Revolvers making a "come back"

[Delta Rose]

Revolvers outnumber semi-autos 3:1 in my safe...

 

[Drm50]

It frustrated a poster on one forum that I said I am better with wheelguns so much that he subjected me to a fair amount of abuse. Without having met me, he insisted that I would be better with what he termed more 'efficient' handguns.

I am a better shot with revolvers, and they are what I carry. Usually it is a K-, or L-frame, but I have also carried N- and J-frames and sometimes an old Colt D-frame.

Don't feel bad, I had similar go round the other day with a self appointed expert. Best thing to do is drop it and ignore them, they won't.

 

[75Vette]

I sure hope the young'uns start appreciating revolvers. One day (no time soon) I'll need to sell mine. I'll need some hungry buyers.

 

[LCC]

Most of us grew up watching the Lone Ranger, Bonanza, Palladin, etc. Two men walked into the street, draw and fire, one man fell and the other walked away. All we wanted for Xmas was that 'pearl' handled bright sixgun and holster, and never lost our love for a fine revolver, hence the safes full of them.
Majority of today's younger generations have grown up on absurdly violent video games and action movies, in which everyone sprays endless rounds from hi-cap handguns and auto rifles, with endless deaths per shootout. The featured guns themselves just tools for the violence.
If you asked the folks on this forum if they could only own one gun, it would likely be a favored Smith.357 4" that might be decades old, or took decades to find.
For the younger crowds, it would likely be a Glock 19 with an extended mag, available everywhere.
No, the revolver isn't making a comeback, it just has staying power for those still here, still loving them.

 

[Peak53]

This is GREAT news, if true! In fact, the uh... several, revolvers in my safe are celebrating the fact that they have not yet been confined to the dust bin of history like their owners (#COVID-19 vs. old farts). They are probably breeding in there. My daughter, who is set to inherit a bunch of 19th century technology has declared that these guns are NOT TO BE SOLD! I'm good with that. For example, no Glock will ever be allowed to speak to this Model of 1950 in 38-44. For the sake of full disclosure, I actually own one of the polymer striker fired things and it (9mm Shield) is pretty much OK, if lacking a soul is OK.

 

[cometpx4]

Revolvers

Last 3 guns i bought were revolvers. I have glocks, Berettas and a couple 1911's but I still love shooting revolvers. When you get it down, you find they are real accurate. 9 times out of 10 when I carry its a revolver.
I do think younger shooters are a semi culture (I am 56) but I also think there is a renewed interest in a good revolver

 

[federali]

It Depends on Who You Are

Law enforcement needs the firepower that semi-autos bring to the scene. When cops carried revolvers, there were too many cases of officers shooting a gun dry, then getting executed before they could reload.

While my sources are limited to what I hear on the news, I'm not aware of a private citizen shooting a gun empty, reloading and needing to continue firing. So yes, the revolver has its place and the majority of incidents will be solved with just a few rounds.

Nevertheless, although I have a 3" round butt Model 65 that I love, my carry guns are semi-autos. they can be reloaded in a flash if necessary and they are more comfortable in an IWB holster.

As for stoppages, assuming factory ammunition, most stoppages I witness at the range are user caused due to lack of training in proper gun handling. But, when a revolver suffers a stoppage, you're usually left with an expensive projectile to throw at your adversary.

 

[JayFramer]

So the gun rags are running out of ideas to talk about?

Reinventing the wheel(gun) I suppose.

 

[xring33]

Revolvers making a "come back"

JMO......gun companies touted automatics for high capacity and new innovations. I really think it was more ease of manufacturing, cheaper to make and higher profits. Revolvers take more machine time to make and have to sell for a higher price to make their margins work. Just to guess I would say you could produce more automatics in a work shift then you could make a revolver.


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[max503]

I asked my LGS why they didn't have revolvers. They said they can't keep them in stock. As soon as one comes in it gets sold.

 

[Stevens]

Just happens I have an equal number of each. Last bought was a revolver, I don't prefer one mechanism to the other.
Steve W.

 

[Pine_Worker]

Really never lost interest in revolvers. I pretty much have the metal Smith semi-auto collection taken care of and filling in the holes in the revolver collection now.

 

[gerhard1]

Don't feel bad, I had similar go round the other day with a self appointed expert. Best thing to do is drop it and ignore them, they won't.

How true. I stopped responding to him on that forum, and when I started back on this forum he said that he heard that I was on here and that if I didn't stop spreading false information here he'd have to register on this forum and straighten me out because I was 'dangerous'.

I googled his handle and found that he has problems on many different gun fora.

 

[Flyingfool]

My primary carry guns are a 1963 two inch round butt S&W Model 12-2 with a Tyler T-Grip loaded with standard pressure Winchester "Defend" .38 Special 130 grain hollow points and a 1976 four inch square butt S&W Model 65-1 with a BK Grip adapter.loaded with Speer "Short Barrel" .357 Magnum 135 grain hollow points. These are what I carried when I retired in August 2018. They served me then and serve me now.

I gave my blued 1982 three inch round butt S&W Model 13-3 to my son-in-law.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

I wish I was your son in law!

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

the gun world goes through many phases. I think were finally leaving the tactical era,and possibly heading back to revolvers. Everything old is new again

 

[WR Moore]

The vast majority of people who bought/buy firearms are doing so for recreational purposes. Or, at least they used to. The firearms then tend to get warm, fuzzy memories attached and seem to have "extra" properties, possibly that "soul" mentioned several times.

A couple of years ago I ran across a version of a revolver I'd first seen and coveted in about 1970, a round butt K frame with a 4" heavy barrel. The price was right, I needed a project and it came home. At my age I appreciate not having to pick up brass. Shooting it doesn't remind me of work.

OTOH, those who have firearms for different reasons tend to regard them as tools. Like the hammer noted above. You might come to have considerable affection for that special tool, but the associations may not be quite as rosy as memories of a fine fall day in the woods.

In the end, they all are, in fact tools.

And for the gent in post #37, a lot more defensive firearms than you might think get shot empty. They might not get reloaded because the user never thought they'd need to and didn't have a reload.

 

[Dougaz]

I've been shooting wheel guns for the past 30 years and during that time, have tried auto's just twice. of the two auto's, only my Colt 1911 remains but just this week at the range, I was the only one shooting revolvers. Every other mother's son was blasting away at less than ten (10) feet with an auto. And 100% of the range staff has an auto strapped to his/her hip so it seems the younger crowd still leans toward auto's.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Due to my fire in 2018 a lot of my gorgeous S&W revolvers (all K frame .38s) got water stained - not fire marked but water got into the safe. I couldn't look at them. So I sold them at my LGS as shooters. They did NOT last long.

And I still have more revolvers than automatic pistols and I keep revolvers around for home defense as much as pistols and I carry a J frame more than a small auto pistol.

I didn't realize that revolvers needed to "come back". People need to come back to revolvers!

 

[The Norseman]

Vogue

I have always liked S&W Revolvers and have been known to
dabble in Rugers, Uberti, and U.S. Fire Arms.

I am really comfortable with Revolvers. I shoot a Revolver far
better than a Big Bore Auto Pistol. In fact I have one Ruger
SR1911 Full Size 45ACP. It's been proven more accurate than I
can shoot it.

I do know when at the Indoor Range, I'm usually the only one
shooting Revolvers.

The Range Safety Officers say I'm about the only one that
shoots past 7 yards.

I usually tell them "That's because I only have Real Guns",
7 yards with a Revolver is way to easy and with my 1911 is a
stupid distance. They know that I like and shoot Revolvers.

To say "Revolvers are making a come back" I can't say that for
sure.

 

[RobertJ.]

I grew up shooting both, and will continue to shoot (and carry) both until I leave. However...

My revolvers outnumber my autos by about 4 to 1.

I walked into my LGS one day, and the gunsmith who was working there at the time (a young guy) said, "Hey, it's the revolver guy!"

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I guess the thrill of semi-autos is waning. I have noticed in ALL the gun magazines that they are writing about the "benefits/advantages" of a revolver, esp. the .38 Special. The latest mags are praising the penetration/stopping power of the .38 Special..its ease of carry, its "point & shoot" with moderate recoil. And its popularity with the "older,mature" citizens who may have difficulty "racking the slide" on a semi-auto. I find it interesting. I have always loved the feel, look and effectiveness of my .38 Special and am glad that others are now rediscovering this, too.

They gotta write "sumpthin" to sell those rags........

 

[skwchock]

I guess I am one of those "old guys" that like the look, feel of an all metal revolver. To me, they are works of art. They look great. The precision of the workmanship makes them stand out from all the semi-autos that are mass produced. The disadvantage is the weight, it is really hard to CCW with a 2 lb weight handing on your belt -- and it is hard to conceal as they "print" through your clothing.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I guess I am one of those "old guys" that like the look, feel of an all metal revolver. To me, they are works of art. They look great. The precision of the workmanship makes them stand out from all the semi-autos that are mass produced. The disadvantage is the weight, it is really hard to CCW with a 2 lb weight handing on your belt -- and it is hard to conceal as they "print" through your clothing.

I suppose that's an individual thing. I do believe most people can probably carry and conceal a larger gun than they think they can, though it typically does require a bit more committment and forethought regarding clothing and carry gear.

I used to routinely carry a 3" 65 in an IWB holster under an untucked shirt for 12+ hours/day, even in hot, muggy summer weather. It was well-concealed and comfortable, but I used a good quality holster and a good, double-layer gun belt to support it all.

Of course, not everybody is willing and/or able to do so, and that's all right. That's why J-frames were invented.

 

[Bradatlas]

I cut my shooting teeth on semi autos. Now, I don't look forward to shooting them like I do my revolvers. There's a place for both for me and my family, but I'm carrying a round gun more and more (j-frame or k-frame). I'm actually looking for a S&W 640 right now As far as training, I 100% believe that shooting a double action revolver improves my accuracy and ability with my semi autos. Just my two pennies... on

 

[otis24]

First rule of a gunfight is "have a gun". ANY gun! In today's times all guns are flying off the shelves. If you want one, you have to get what's available. Even if it is a revolver. Then, try to find ammo!!!! I love revolvers too! But in today's climate, give me a 9mm, subcompact, higher capacity. Any comeback we may be experiencing is probably older shooters who are buying just because they can.

 

[otis24]

Perhaps now is a good time to trade my Sig P365XL and my Hi Power for revolvers. One auto for two revolvers!!!!

 

[ruger 22]

I have used revolvers for well over 60 years. I carried a BHP backed up by a Model 36 for well over 40 years. Before that I carried a 3.5 inch S&W 357 5 screw, (wish I had never traded it). The latter was great but a bit bulky and heavy especially since I always had to wear a suit. The BHP was lighter, flat, and held more shots and was adequate for anything I would need since any need I ever had was totally very close range. I have always preferred revolvers but the BHP fit the niche perfectly as long as it was backed up by my trusty 36. Today I am retired and a mere 8 months from 80 years old. I daily pocket carry a 649-2 and when I go to the range I will occasionally take along my Model 28 4 inch along with my much favored model 17-1. As long as I live, I will keep the BHP and my old Ruger standard 22lr, but I rarely fire them nowadays.

 

[swage]

I can't speak of any renewed interest in revolvers by new shooters, but I can say as a newer person fond of the short barrel big bores, that they keep going up in price and I find myself paying top of the market to get the more desirable examples. The cost of admission is high and it keeps rising every year.

 

[Echo40]

Comeback?

When did they ever go away? Seriously, they've remained in production to this very day by just about every major firearms manufacturer that ever produced Revolvers to begin with, folks have continued to carry them all the while, and they still have a strong niche in the role of Wilderness Defense because they simply offer maximum power in the smallest possible package.

Sure, Semiautomatic Pistols are generally more popular, but I honestly think that has more to do with the significantly lower cost of polymer-framed pistols as well as the lower cost of ammunition when it comes to pistol cartridges. Because the most popular carry firearms tend to be single-stack subcompact pistols which only have marginally higher ammo capacity. If there were most inexpensive, ultra lightweight polymer framed Revolvers available like the Ruger LCR and Taurus 605 Poly, then I bet that Revolvers would be more popular among average shooters due to their greater ease of operation and greater power. (5-6 rounds of .38 Special or .357 Magnum vs 7-8 rounds of .380 ACP or 9mm Luger.)

 

[rwsmith]

It's possible......

That a lot of people who never had guns before are going for the simplicity of a revolver since defense is on their mind rather than different types of shooting.