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

[smousefam5]

I primarily carry a revolver (a 649-2) because if I ever have to draw, I want a DA trigger pull and I haven't found an auto with a DA trigger that feels as good to me as a good DA revolver.

 

[cREbralFIX]

Originally posted by luangtom:
I,too, was a part of Law Enforcement for over
thirty years. I am now retired. I carry revolvers
for various reasons. The multiple-attacker theory
is not one of them. Statistically, less than what
I carry in my J-frame is fired in an encounter.
So, I carry for ease and comfort of carry. My
revolvers fulfill that. I also am arthritic, so
the revolvers sit better for less pain in firing
and reloading. Sorta hard to work the slide on
an auto with gnarled fingers and joints.

Statistically...in the past....

Also, that's statistics and they don't describe YOUR fight, whatever it may be.

Don't rely on statistics to predict the future.

 

[luangtom]

I don't rely on the statistics now, nor did I for
over thirty-years on the streets. It is my OPINION
that I will not need more than my J-frame carries.
You have your opinion and I have mine. That is the
reason behind a forum. I thank you for your input
and just thought that I would give mine. Good
shooting. Oh, may I ask what you carry?

 

[David Kachel]

Originally posted by Benchrat:
Mr Win,

...We should avoid responsibility. We should blame the system for lacking justice, and take no responsibility for our actions. Our actions should not be reviewed by our peers.

We should take no opportunity to change or challenge that which is unreasonable, or unethical.

We should do what's easy, rather than what's right.

I understand the dilema, I just don't agree with your solution.

I'm no virgin. I know what a .45 tastes like.
It's sorta like sucking on a penny. Scars suck.

I'm a believer in HVLT (High Velocity Lead Therapy) I also believe in taking responsibility for any therapeutic technique I might employ.

That's just me.

I can't see myself ever fulfilling all the roles of judge, jury, and executioner.

and sleeping nights.

Mark

You have completely bought into the theory that the only authority on right and wrong is government authority. They are supposed to derive their power from the people. WE tell THEM what is right and wrong, not the other way around!

If you have to defend yourself, why on earth do you feel you need some wet-behind-the-ears prosecutor to tell you you're a good person afterward??? Bearing in mind that prosecutor is 99% likely to be interested only in making a name for himself and will be perfectly willing to knowingly and with malice aforethought, send an innocent man (that would be you) to prison in order to further his career. As proof I offer the entire judicial system for the last several decades. Pick a case, any case!

Don't you know whether or not you've done the right thing without someone else telling you?

As for me, if anyone is stupid enough to put me in a position of having to defend my life, I will do so without hesitation, viciously and with finality. Afterward, there is a big wide empty desert out there made just for dealing with the aftermath of such a situation. I will not lose one minute's sleep or spend five seconds wondering if others would have approved. I have no intention of helping some self-interested prosecutor further his career at my expense.

 

[Benchrat]

Mr. David Kachel,

I will never turn over autonomy to the state, or federal government. That right is determined by the individual.

Ideally, peer review is just that.
I have no need for someone else to tell me my actions are right, or wrong.

I do believe it's a mistake to move into the arena of vigilante.

That's wrong.

Mark

 

[TAC]

Originally posted by ewayte:
TAC, I hate to burst your bubble, but John Wayne did shoot a semi-auto in McQ. I believe it was a Browning Hi Power.

Yea, but thats when he got old and didn't know what he was doing.

 

[halco46]

I have a S&W 9ve,Great weapon and totally reliable. However...I live in Orlando,Fla which has now become "Hood City" with carjackings,home invasions,gangbang shootings and numerous murders everyday. It`s heading into "Summahtime" here with the temps in the upper 90`s and I needed something smaller to just slip in the pocket when I go out, that`s where the new S&W 642 fit the bill. With the larger 9ve in a shoulder rig I had to wear a large cover shirt to hide the butt bulge but with the 642 I just drop it in a pocket with it`s Uncle Mike`s Sidekick ISP holster and I`m good to go anywhere. Both of these S&W weapons are what I would trust my life with. Quality pieces that go "BANG" everytime,don`t jam and hit what I`m aiming at. The small automatics sometimes have FTE,FTF issues which may work out in time,adjustment etc. but the 642 is ALWAYS ready to go if I ever need it {And I hope not!}. I did a lot of research on various gunsites regarding small pocket auto`s and decided on the Airweight 642-2 in .38spl+P as my hot weather carry. I`m loaded with Remington 125gr+p shp`s which I consider good enough for any close range encounters. I also carry two Speedloaders of the same always. Please...Always carry Safe and Pay Attention to your Surroundings. Best!. hal

 

[David Sinko]

Being a police officer myself, I can say that our detectives are often confounded and aggravated when there are no shell casings left behind at the scene of a shooting. They are even more aggravated when the bullets pass completely through and leave nothing for the State Police ballistics experts to examine.

Cameras? Our mayor seems to think that cameras at all the intersections will eliminate crime. Fact is they are a huge waste of manpower and money and solve nothing except make the politicians feel good about themselves.

I have said it before and I will say it again - IF you Loc-tite all the screws on your S&W revolver and IF you use full power springs, your revolver will be more reliable than any selfloader that was ever made.

Dave Sinko

 

[FLA2760]

I started with revolvers in the early 80s; model 10, model 36 and model 60. I still have the model 10 and 60 but I let the 36 go (still regret it) so I could by a Glock27 in 2001. The Glock was to bump the 60 as my main CCW. I then bought a prelock 642 and that was a BUG to my Glock. Just last week I was at the range with the Glock and I had 3 FTF in 40 rounds, two were the 3 rd and 4th shot of the first magazine.This was not due to limpwristing, I had a good grip for sure. I had never had this happen before and I shot many rounds though this pistol. Interesting thing here is that a month prior to this also at the range my Glock failed to lock open when empty. I installed a factory new guide rod assembly and I bought a new Glock 9 round magazine. This was self defense ammo that I function tested with 200 rounds and no problem. My Glock was sent back to the factory for this and I expect it back in 3-4 weeks. I now CCW the model 60 and the 642. When the Glock comes back I am considering putting it into the safe and getting a .357 Nightguard. Glock "perfection" I don't think so, I trust the revolver more.

 

[doc540]

simple answer in my case:

I have to carry in deep cover using a SmartCarry holster.

A revolver provides an extra margin of safety when using a holster made of soft material and one which points the barrel at the top of your thigh when sitting.

I tried carrying a Glock 36 and even used the Saf-T-Block to no avail. I sold it for a S&W model 36, then a Colt DS.

I'm sticking with the DS for a while.

 

[eagle eye]

i detest chasing brass, i much rather use that time shooting.

 

[Bodie]

Been in love with wheelguns since I was real small. Carry a 686P 4" now and love it's accuracy, feel and versatility. For household defense you can use .38+P. During my numerous yearly forays in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Buffalo Bore 125 to 180gr loads give a lot of versatility you just don't find in a semi-auto.

As for the capacity argument, if you can't get the job done in 7 rounds, it just isn't going to be your day. Also, if you really want to play the combat reload game, with practice and moon clips you can match any semi-auto hot shot (check out the Miculek videos).

However, when all is said and done, you either did it right whatever your carry, or you're six feet under. I'd personally prefer not to be shot at with either a wheelie or a semi.

 

[joshua]

I prefer to carry a revolver instead of an auto due the the revolver are more accurate out of the box and there is no feeding device to worry losing spring tension. If you take a full custom auto and compare accuracy with a box stock S&W revolver with the same barrel length, the winner in accuracy will be the revolver. I've done this accuracy test many times and there was only one time the auto won where it printed 1.5" group at 50 yards. It was a $3000 custom 38 Super.

 

[jsm]

I think my decision to carry a revolver comes from a collection of reasons, some sound, others merely personal. Here's my story:
I grew up on revolvers. My father was a LEO, he grew up on revolvers. The first pistol I ever handled let alone shot was a revolver. My father being partial to them over semi-autos (don't get me wrong, I love a 1911 just like the next guy) I guess that rubbed off on me.
I enjoy shooting semi autos (1911 best of all) but the feel of a J frame in my hand is so perfect. I can draw and shoot accurately without trying (probably important in self defence) whereas with semi autos I seem to have to adjust my grip and get in the groove, so to speak. I also love the fact that a little J (right now a 37, but at times others) always finds its way into my jacket, pants, or shorts pocket. I like the diverse amount of ammo available, the ease of maintenance, ease of use, and ease of concealablility. Of course if my dad had brought me up on a Walther PPK or something else from that era of concealable pistols, maybe I'd be singing them praises too.

 

[cREbralFIX]

Originally posted by luangtom:
I don't rely on the statistics now, nor did I for
over thirty-years on the streets. It is my OPINION
that I will not need more than my J-frame carries.
You have your opinion and I have mine. That is the
reason behind a forum. I thank you for your input
and just thought that I would give mine. Good
shooting. 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.

 

[cREbralFIX]

Originally posted by Benchrat:
Mr. David Kachel,

I will never turn over autonomy to the state, or federal government. That right is determined by the individual.

Ideally, peer review is just that.
I have no need for someone else to tell me my actions are right, or wrong.

I do believe it's a mistake to move into the arena of vigilante.

That's wrong.

Mark

As I understand it, vigilantes both capture, determine, and apply punishment. I just don't see how not caring about others' opinions is stepping into that.

 

[Pontiaker]

I actually carry both, I have a 1911 in .45acp and two S&W revolvers on my permit currently...Its hard to get around a solid revolver going pop everytime though. I think my little 431 gets the most carry time.

 

[luangtom]

Originally posted by cREbralFIX:

Originally posted by luangtom:
I don't rely on the statistics now, nor did I for
over thirty-years on the streets. It is my OPINION
that I will not need more than my J-frame carries.
You have your opinion and I have mine. That is the
reason behind a forum. I thank you for your input
and just thought that I would give mine. Good
shooting. 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.

 

[The Big D]

I have a simple reason for choosing a revolver. I choose a revolver (SW 642, to be specific) in fair weather when wearing minimal clothing. At other times it's a H&K P7-M8. 99.9% of the time they are in a belt holster (IWB or OWB).

The reason is practical carry. The 642 has an alloy frame and is somewhat rust/corrosion resistant. It is very light. The P7 is neither.

Be safe.

 

[sunday bill]

My reasons for carrying revolvers?

I shoot'em better in a hurry.

I shoot'em better slow-fire (except for my old Hi-Standard Supermatic)

I trust'em.

In my hands they are much more manageable while offering the power level I desire.

I don't like chasing brass.