Which can you fire faster: auto or revolver?

[Rick_A]

Never said average Joe. Google Texas Rick O'Shay. Or attend SASS End of Trail. Just saying, I have seen a bunch of em do it rather quickly, me , not quite there yet.

'

As the title says...

Which can you fire faster: auto or revolver?

 

[colt_saa]

Semi Automatic pistols are SLOW

Double action revolvers are SLOW, but not as bad as Semi-Autos

Colt SAAs rule when it comes to speed.

Here is a clip of the late Bob Munden (I am not this fast)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGZC60PCaiM

All my Heroes wore Six Guns

 

[Biginge]

Rick my man. I believe the op was speaking more in general terms of auto vs. Revolver. Not MY specific talent, or lack thereof. Only the best Sir.

Went back and re-read post. I stand corrected. I believe he does mean, me, the individual. Apologies extended. I shoot a SA faster than my autos. But, since this is in Smith Competitive Shooting I have no business here since Smith does not make a SA (I don't think). I will pay more attention in class. I will pay__________

 

[derek45auto]

I have considerable direct experience running the timer for shooters of all levels of competition, and no mortal is going to "outrun the action" on a properly set up semi or revolver. All else being equal, it is easier to shoot the semi faster........

+1000

semi auto

no contest

pretty sure Jerry Miculek shoots faster splits with a semi auto too.

make mine a 1911/2011

 

[OlympicFox]

I don't know whether it's just that I'm too old to be that fast anymore, or if my trigger finger is simply slower.

In any case, my splits with my M&P 40L (Apex FSS trigger with 2.1# pull) run around 0.23-0.25 seconds.

My splits with my 686 SSR (Apex Evolution IV with 4.9# pull) run around 0.27 seconds.

I just don't seem to be able to run the finger any faster than that.

So, most of my focus is on movement, transitions, etc. The good news is that my splits for transitions to nearby targets are only 0.01-0.02 seconds slower than my double-taps.

 

[gdnagle]

I have considerable direct experience running the timer for shooters of all levels of competition, and no mortal is going to "outrun the action" on a properly set up semi or revolver. All else being equal, it is easier to shoot the semi faster.
In addition to his revolver record, Mr Miculek does a demo with a 1911 holding the pistol in his left hand and "fluttering" his right hand on the trigger, which results in emptying the magazine at firing rates up to 600 rpm: machine gun territory.

For reference, a .1 split = 600rpm rate.

You can find splits below .15 at any Level 2 or higher USPSA match in the double taps, which is about 400 rpm.

The real contest is not how fast you can pull the trigger, but all the time you spend on the clock NOT shooting: draw, target acquisition, transition to next target, reloads, moving to next firing position, etc.
That's what you really learn under (simulated) pressure: smooth gun handling.

here it is now that's fast 27 rounds in 3.7 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFoM8S3JwZU

 

[Road Rat]

Bob Munden could fire a SAA faster than a .45 ACP.

Then, he was fast with anything........................

So, the correct answer is: SAA

 

[varmint243]

Without a doubt, I can shoot double action revolver much faster than a 1911.
We have fun shoots at my club
6x 8" plates + 6 round limit at 15 yards.
My best time with a 686 is 4.07 seconds
My best time with my 1911 is way beyond 6 seconds
Most of the posts here are opinions on stuff they have seen.
Mine is a back to back comparison on my own shooting.
I believe that was the original question.

This 686

This 1911

shooting was done during this summer

 

[tjpopkin]

Technically, an experienced shooter should be able to cycle a revolver faster than a 1911, since the revolver action depends on muscle strength and memory, while the 1911 depends on spring weight and load strength. My assumption is that speed shooting utilizes lighter loads (in the case of the 1911s light spring and functioning). Most shooters do not have the muscle memory or practice to be faster than a semi-auto…. but those that do….the revolver is usually faster. However, unless you are a revolver master shooter, like JM, loading the revolver is the weak link… fast but not like a mag change…
Tha being said, a good semi-auto shooter should be able to shoot 6, reload and shoot 6 in very fast time….my best was under 8 sec. on "El Presidente".. 6 shots on 6 plates with 1911 was under 3 sec.

 

[Old cop]

This past summer I qualified for LEOSA w/my Model 38. The other retirees were shooting their Glock 23 and got shots on target much faster than I did. Some of this was due to the reloading process b/c I ran dry after 5, but I'm convinced that if I were to return to LE today a Glock would go w/me.

 

[wbraswell]

As I recall, (I could be mistaken) Ed McGivern could cycle a S&W revolver a lot faster than a 1911. I believe that is with stock guns, and using one hand. I'm thinking his numbers were 5 shots in 9/20th of a sec. with the Smith, but it took him 1.5 sec. to empty the 1911. I don't know if that was 7 or 8 shots. Is my memory right? With a trigger finger like that, he probably didn't even need a gun to kill you with it.

 

[rwsmith]

I can empty either one.....

I can empty either one in a long eye blink, but the group size would need to be measured with a surveyor's transit.