Why did you choose a revolver over a semi auto for carry?

[cREbralFIX]

Oh, may I ask what you carry?

Hey luangtom,

I currently carry a semi-auto. Sometimes I back it up with a S&W 36 or Ruger SP101 (with 10 38/357 rounds total). I am preparing to carry a revolver for a full month. I'm contemplating using the new M27 (8x357) with 3.5" barrel. However, I really like the K-Frame guns with 2.5" barrel (the Night Guard series seems neat) or a 686+ with 3" barrel. I think the L-Frame is a good compromise between the J and N frames.

Of course, this is an excellent excuse to purchase the L-Frame.

I plan to carry two spare moonclips of 8x357 as soon as I can get into the shop to make the holders. I'll also pocket carry a J-Frame 38 and a bianchi speed strip.

I have an L-frame...Model 686SSR. It is quite
the shooter right outta the box. It is 4" and
puts them where you aim. It is the next step up
from stock, having some work done on the action,
chambers, etc., by S&W before it got to me. I am
awaiting a holster for its carry. I have Alessi
and High Noon for the J-frames. I carried autos
for most of my years in LE. However, it was the
J-frame that went with me everywhere then and
now. Bianchi speed-strips in the off-pocket.

I handled an SSR this weekend! Though I thought the flat sides on the barrel looked weird, I really liked how it felt. It has a great set of features like chamfered charge holes. Do the grips prevent twisting in the hand under recoil?

 

[luangtom]

Yes, you are correct. I have three other Smith's
and have had others, but this one is the best
shooter out of the box that I have ever had.
I have also tried some Pachmayr Compac Pro grips
on it....the ones that came on it hold better.
I may try some others, as the SSR grips are a bit
large for concealed-carry. You will not regret it
if you purchase one.

 

[ewayte]

Not to hijack this thread, but I recently bought the IDPA commemorative SSR and my first shot with it hit the 10x! SSR = self shooting revolver!

A great gun, but I would never carry it as I wouldn't want to take a chance on losing it to the local PD's evidence locker.

 

[luangtom]

Originally posted by ewayte:
Not to hijack this thread, but I recently bought the IDPA commemorative SSR and my first shot with it hit the 10x! SSR = self shooting revolver!

A great gun, but I would never carry it as I wouldn't want to take a chance on losing it to the local PD's evidence locker.

Just where are you that you have to worry about it becoming part of the evidence-locker? Don't
you have a CCW-permit?

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by luangtom:

Originally posted by ewayte:
Not to hijack this thread, but I recently bought the IDPA commemorative SSR and my first shot with it hit the 10x! SSR = self shooting revolver!

A great gun, but I would never carry it as I wouldn't want to take a chance on losing it to the local PD's evidence locker.

Just where are you that you have to worry about it becoming part of the evidence-locker? Don't
you have a CCW-permit?

It can happen to you, if the cops decide your shooting smells a little.

Do NOT carry any firearm that you cannot afford to lose.

 

[luangtom]

What I asked, is where he is and if he had a
carry-permit. I know forfeiture takes place.
I wanted to know who he was presenting himself
to and where.

 

[akfishguide]

I can offer no sound reason for my revolver preference except a possible nod in reliability over an auto loader. I just love my little model 37 and have no doubts about how it will perform and fuction if it is ever called to use in a sticky situation.

 

[PZ93C]

Because 7 rounds of .45 doesn't do anything 6 can't.

 

[kmrcstintn]

I like 'em alot more & I always seem to go through my semiautos for selling or trading alot more, so I opted to just without them for the long haul; revos all the way

just thought of a good example for ya...my latest stupid switch/acquisition was the outgoing of a great Beretta M-9 in 9mm for a Glock 23 in .40S&W; it was the 3rd trip to the range with the Glock...surpassing 300 rounds at this time; took my 642 for it's 3 month/50 round refresher;

put another 100 rounds through the Glock with hits in a 10" circle in the silhouette @ 15 yards...can't get used to the grip angle, trigger pull, and sight picture; I would use the Glock in defense if needed, but...

I pull out the 642 and proceed with practice and put my 50 rounds (2 handed, strong hand, weak hand) into a 6" to 7" circle @ 15 yards...the guys who watched me 'struggle' with the Glock were just plain blown at how comfortable I was with my snubby...I stated that I had always felt more comfortable with wheelies over bottom feeders...they stated that too many feel they need 10 or more rounds to end a gunfight and revolver shooters are a dying breed...I stated that I might be dying, but I'm dying with style

BTW: sold off the Glock to put cash back in the bank to help pay for improvements to the family's rifle collection (bedding, floating, trigger work, etc)

 

[gbrady]

I started cc with auto"s but went back to a little Mdl. 60 because no safety to take off and no mag to make sure it is seated. as I have gotten older I forget things. with a wheel gun nothing to forget

 

[cREbralFIX]

"Do not carry a firearm you cannot afford to lose."

True...but I view the firearm (and gear) as just one more expense. It terms of any sort of legal engagement, the gun and gear (figure $1000) is probably between 1 and 4 percent of the total legal cost. If medical bills are involved, then the cost of the gun will likely be trivial.

 

[Jim PHL]

I like both. But specifically for carry, a lightweight j-frame is the smallest, lightest gun that propels a round I feel confident with (.38 sp) and will fit in my pocket. As others have mentioned, nothing carries more easily in a pocket than a Kel-Tec in .32 or .380. I had a .380. My choice for moving away from that was not made based on simplicity, reliability or "sex-appeal", but was pretty much based on caliber choice. When I belt carry, I carry an auto.

 

[geoff40]

I shoot better with a revolver I think, and I like the caliber choices better. 6 shots statistically is plenty of ammo.

 

[TAC]

S&W currently produces 7 & 8 shot revolvers in .357 Magnum also.

 

[ewayte]

luangtom - What I meant by my statement is that I have other guns that would be easier to replace than my SSR. If a gun is involved in a shooting, don't you think the police would keep it, at least until their investigation is over?

As for having a CCW or where I live, that's really none of your business.

 

[TSW Guy]

"Do not carry a firearm you cannot afford to lose."

For me, I believe this means a weapon that has so much personal meaning or has monetary value that it cannot be replaced in the mind of the owner. For instance, a Registered Magnum or a Singer 1911A1 are great guns but I'm sure no one here would carry them over a pre lock 686 or Springfield Loaded which are by no means second string guns.

As for the topic, give me a wheelgun any day of the week. No ftf's, no fte's, no bad magazines, no having to replace recoil springs. My nightstand gun isn't my Sig, Nighthawk Custom or Hi Power, it's one of my Model 28 Highway Patrolmans(the one with the higher serial #).

If it's used it definitely will work but will automatically be taken as evidence where it will sit in property until the investigation is over but I'll have my other emotionally valuable Patrolman in the safe. If anyone has ever dealt with NYC property rooms, you know that there is a chance the weapon will disappear or get damaged in storage and fighting the city over it would be a losing proposition.

 

[luangtom]

Originally posted by ewayte:
luangtom - What I meant by my statement is that I have other guns that would be easier to replace than my SSR. If a gun is involved in a shooting, don't you think the police would keep it, at least until their investigation is over?

As for having a CCW or where I live, that's really none of your business.

I certainly did not intend to offend anyone.
I was just curious and wished some insight as
to where people live and what political-
correctness they have to deal with. States like
WI and IL, where they have no permits allowed,
come to mind.

 

[rigrig22]

My Model 36 gets the most CCW time I have an ankle and OWB serpa holster for her she's the best.

 

[Meeteetse]

Like most on this forum I have tried a great many semiauto handguns trying to find the perfect CCW gun, 1911's, Sigs, Glocks and a Beretta or two. What I finally decided is the one or type I keep going back to for simplicity and because I shoot them better is a good revolver. I have several, some too big to carry comfortably, but none the less I feel good with all of them. And, unlike semiautos, the manual of arms never changes.

Besides, if need be, my wife can handle my revolvers. She cannot rack the slide nor does she really understand autos.

Simple is better. Having fewer rounds to fire simply means I need to be a better shot.

 

[tom turner]

I've shot a lot of handgun matches in my day, and I've seen what works, what jams, what blows up and what breaks. Other than a guy with a POS Taurus revolver whose sights flew off and only match failures have been bottome feeders.

Frankly, watching autos choke under the stress of matches moved me away from the brass pukin' (if you are lucky) bottom feeders . . . and back to the good ol,' super dependable, wheelguns!

I've got a totally reliable, 8+ year old Kimber first-generation Ultra CDP lightweight officer's sized .45. It was a grand nearly a decade ago . . . meltdown package, night sights, accurate . . . a great gun.

However, a couple of years ago I decided to carry only wheelguns for a month. Strangely . . . the Kimber has rarely been strapped on again for CCW times!

My Keltec P32? Never, ever use it for a bug anymore either! Gosh, I ought to sell it!

TODAY?

A Model 37 Airweight in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster goes everywhere with me and I shoot revolvers extremely well.

It is backed usually by a M36 . . . or a 3" M65 . . . or a 3 1/4" chopped barrel M25-2, depending on the weather and season.

Every one has always gone bang. Always . . . and always will . . . and although sometimes poorer shooters sometimes get "lucky," I truly like my "odds" with revolvers . . . even my J-frames. Odds are quite high that the conflict will be over before either weapon is shot empty . . . so I'm gonna tote what I feel supremely confident in.

I suspect no one would like getting wacked up side the head with a "flyin' ashtray!"

T.

 

[TAC]

Originally posted by TSW Guy:As for the topic, give me a wheelgun any day of the week. No ftf's, no fte's, no bad magazines, no having to replace recoil springs. My nightstand gun isn't my Sig, Nighthawk Custom or Hi Power, it's one of my Model 28 Highway Patrolmans(the one with the higher serial #).
QUOTE]

There have been numerous FTF with revolvers. Especially the newer S&W revolvers such as the Night Guard series.

 

[jag312]

For years I carried a Browning BDA380, until I was told that I should carry something bigger. Actually, I was told that I would not be allowed to carry it anymore, and I should think about a 9mm or larger semiauto. Well, that's when I showed up for qualifying with my 696. A .44 Special is larger than a .380, and our rules did allow a centerfire, double action, 5 shot revolver. I'm authorized now to carry my 696 and my BDA380.

 

[mnhntr]

i was carrying an HK USPc in 357sig. I believe this is the ultimate auto self defense round. now i am carrying a 686 in a 6in barrel. why go from a compact auto to a 6in revolver? easy answer is accuracy. i still to this day would never question the reliability of the USP in 357sig but the accuracy of the revolver cannot be matched. i look at shootings like the kansas mall shooting and think, if i had to take a 60-100 yd shot trying to take a shooter out what gun would be the best for the job? i carry for protection and if you are being pinned down in a public place by a crazed gunman you may need to take the longer shot.

 

[Erik F]

I came back to revolvers after 20 years.

I was raised on rifles, and handguns were considered to be last-ditch, close range guns. Little credit was given to accuracy. Though I did train with revolvers, the two specimens I used were a Nagant and (IIRC) a H&R.

So, when I started carrying a gun as an adult, I went straight to automatics. I perceived revolvers as being inaccurate and having terrible triggers. To be fair, I'd also drunk the Kool-Aid about capacity. I got pretty good with automatics, and I still own a few.

Then I started noticing something. Most of the shooters who really impressed me were shooting revolvers. After talking to a few (and being directed to read Elmer Keith), I picked up a well-worn Model 15 for a pittance.

My first group out of that gun easily matched anything I'd ever done out of an automatic. I learned what a difference a good DA trigger makes.

I've never been a "fast" shooter in the sense people perceive it these days, but for speed work, I find I'm more in control with a wheelgun, and I find that nothing points as naturally for me as a K-Frame. It's easier to acquire multiple targets in succession.

Then there's the issue of reliability, along with the fact that I don't have to worry if a given loading will cycle. All said, I just feel more confident with a revolver than I do with an auto these days. Though I sometimes carry an automatic when I'm feeling randy, I still stick with revolvers most of the time.

 

[sw44spl]

I like wheel guns better also.I reload and its easy to dump the empties in a can than dig in the grass for them.

 

[justbob]

Like many others who have posted to this thread, I, too, started out with a wheelgun--an M19. We trained differently then. IMHO, we paid more attention to our human limitations then, and we did not delude ourselves into believing that new/better/more equipment would compensate for our inherently human shortcomings. "Technique trumped technology." For me, revolvers are the bolt action rifles of handguns.

I revere the venerable 1911, but an old workhorse .38 Spl. stoked with +p LSWCHPs exudes a certain confidence-inspiring comfort.

Versatility and reliability? German "Perfection" is for me my black plastic and ubercoated steel 9mm that I really want to like but absolutely refuses to run on the creampuffy UMC range ammo my local shootery mandates. Not so of any of my revolvers. Anemic .38 Spl. TMJ range ammo, shot loads, and wadcutters; .38 Spl. +p JHP carry rounds; screaming belchfire .357 Magnums: all can be mixed and matched in any order in any of my .357 Mag. revolvers. Pull the trigger and the gun goes bang as many times as there are live rounds in the cylinder. Brilliant.

It takes me longer to clean the smallest of my simplest revolvers than it does to clean the most complicated of my largest semi-autos--always.

For some, the revolvers "limited magazine capacity" is a deal breaker, and I can understand why. Even when I do my best, I still can print only a single pair of clover leafs per cylinder on the target before I have to swap the six empties for six loaded rounds. Bummer.

There are far worse things in life. YMMV

 

[maglvr]

I choose revolvers because, I find a gun that fires every time I pull the trigger to be highly desirable

I would much rather have 6 that will fire over 15 that may!

 

[Curmudgeon46]

I think the revolver chose me. My father, a Marine pilot, carried a S&W Model 15 in the Korean war. It's the first gun I fired at the tender age of about six. The night I left for Korea in 1967 he gave it to me and I carried it for the next two years on the DMZ. A Model 19 with a 2 1/2" barrel was my off duty weapon of choice during eight years in law enforcement.

Now, many years later my "home" and carry gun is a Model 15-3 with a 2" barrel. It just feels right and I've never had a revolver jamb on me. I can point-shoot with confidence that my round will go where I want it to and it will never fail me.

 

[bnewc75]

it goes bang every time

 

[marvin knox]

I like answering the question that always comes up when guys start talking about concealed carry.

"What are you carrying?"

"Snub nosed Smith and Wesson .357 magnum.........and you?"