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

[Geronimo Jim]

I have had and seen to many jams in semi-auto's to feel real comfy carrying them. Feel much more secure with a wheel gun.

 

[smith revolver cop]

I've carried both, on and off duty. I "grew up" with revolvers, and I find them simple, reliable, and versatile- .38 target wadcutters or .357 magnum hollowpoints out of the same gun. Maybe even in the same cylinder! I'm comfortable with a revolver, especially one with my favorite Herrett's stocks. Just as a side note- I had to qualify at the range last night. I did "okay" with my duty gun, a .45 Para LDA, but I shot 7 points higher (on the same course) with my off-duty gun: a model 442 with HKS speedloaders. (If the department would let me, I'd still carry my model 65 as a duty gun!)

 

[Wakatomika]

The revolver can be fired in many situations when a semi auto would be reduced to being a single shot(eg. from a pocket or from under the pillow) . Revolvers with a shrouded or internal hammer, since they do not rely on ejection of the fired case and feeding of a new cartridge, will fire when enclosed and even up side down. I tend to pocket carry most of the time. Possibly if I weren't just too cheap to buy a good IWB holster it would change my choices. Revolvers have a "lumpy" profile which tends to conceal that profile in the pocket. A semi auto profile is flat and tends to look just like a gun when carried in your pocket. A pocket holster will help some with the profile but will do nothing about making a automatic pistol fire in all situations / positions. These reasons are the ones that compelled me to carry a revolver. My poor little PPKs just pines away in the safe, looking racy. What I tend to carry most is a 638 Smith&Wesson loaded with 125grain hollowpoints. It is light, accurate, and even kind of cute, in a deadly way.
Wakatomika

 

[Chubbs103]

For a long time I carried what I was told to...either a Sig or a Beretta. When I started carrying on my own it was with an SP101 .357, because it was the only thing concealable I owned. I've since started spending more money on better leather and have found I can carry a full size 1911 IWB in Florida. The 1911 fits my hand very well and I like the flat shape for IWB carry. On the flip side, I'm currently looking for an Airweight Centennial or Bodygaurd because I don't think there is a better pocket carry option.

Of course I'm not sure immediate action items even exist for clearing revolver malfunctions.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Like 431PD, I have arthritis in my hands. The only semi-auto that I can manipulate competently is an HK P7 (your grip actually improves with recoil, plus, it's pretty kid-proof.) I find myself going to my S&W 625 in .45ACP more and more. It's big, easy to manipulate, and the moon clips make loading and reloading pretty efficient. I used to shoot both equally well, but old age brings (some) wisdom, and I really prefer my wheel guns now.

Good luck,

Dave

Originally posted by Marshal tom:
I thought it would be interesting to find out the reasoning behind choosing a revolver for house, concealed carry, pocket carry, etc over a small semi auto being flatter, easier to reload and faster to reload under stress, more rounds available Blah-blah-blah? Also, how many of you carry a semi auto with the revolver as backup, or carry a semi auto most of the time? Who switched from a semi auto back to a revolver and why?

 

[Drail]

Cause only really cool guys carry revolvers.

 

[glypnir]

Originally posted by CW3PA:
Revolvers aren't as sensitive to different loads & immediate action drill is as easy as pulling the trigger again. Besides I like the look & "feel" of a wheel gun.

I hope that camera was on a time release with a safe thing behind it. I would hate to be the photographer if you had a twitch.

Although that brings up an advantage of revolvers that no one has mentioned - a real double action pull - even pressure for quite a while, not like some of the so-called double action semi-autos.

I haven't decided which I like better yet, myself.

 

[RGS]

90% of my shooting is with revolvers, but I carry a 9mm. I "like" my revolvers better, but CCW is potentially nasty business that isn't over after the gun fire stops. I don't want to loose a prized revolver to an"evidence" locker somewhere maybe miles or states away from my home.

I use a blue CS9. It is steal, blue and single stack. It is smooth and thin, no hammer spur, has a beveled mag well. It rides hammer down with decock lever up for instant DA first shot. It can ride on me for months and get loaded with lint, dead skin and still function. It conceals easily under a tucked shirt so I can be in any environment.

It doesn't shoot as well for me as my beloved .41s, but stoked with 115gr Corbons, it will get the job done.

A friend offered me a good deal on a nice 3" M65 a while back. I had intentions of making the switch to the little .357. I may still, but have not as of now.

 

[kone]

1) Knowing that when I pull the trigger, the (revolver) is going to fire.

2) Easier to conceal as opposed to a full sized auto or even compact auto; fits in pocket.

Can conceal pocket autos chambered in 32 or 380 (p32/p3at) but 38 spl +p beats them.

3) Shrouded hammer or enclosed hammer (638/40) allows one to fire from the coat pocket w/o presenting the weapon.

 

[Afterguard]

My favorite carry gun is a M&P340 stoked with .357 HydraShocks, carried in an Uncle Mike's pocket cozy. I like the J frame 'cause every time you pull the trigger it sends a bullet down range. Tiny little thing with a terrific bang. When it's cold enough to wear a jacket (which isn't often in NE Florida) I'll sometimes carry my Kimber Raptor Ultra II 1911, cocked & locked in a Galco paddle holster. However, I still feel more comfy and safer with the .357 in my pocket.

 

[Dusty Miller]

There's just sumpt'n really reassuring about the heft of a 4" 629. Sure, a .380 ACP is a LOT easier to carry but if my assailant turns out to be 6' 12" tall and weigh about 350 LBs and he's stoked to the gills on meth, PCP, or horse, (or some combination of the three) with a few shots of JD thrown in for kicks and grins then I want to be firing a gun with some major THUMP!!

 

[Dusty Miller]

Originally posted by RGS: I don't want to loose a prized revolver to an "evidence" locker somewhere maybe miles or states away from my home.

Handguns are expendable tools and I'd be GLAD to spend $900 to replace it if it saved my life.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

My weekend gun is a 1911, but my "all the time" gun is my old 649 38 special body guard.

I can hide it anywhere, and fits my pocket real good. I won't worry about FTF or FTE issues and there is no slide to rack.

Just point and shoot. No safeties, locks, or complicated mechanisms. My house guns are revolvers too.

If I go to bad areas then the 45 and 38 is dragged along.

 

[jwk]

My everyday, everywhere carry is a .32 auto that rides in my front jeans pocket without printing. Since most of the year here where I live it is too hot for a covering garment and I can't do the sloppy untucked shirt mode of dress, the auto better fits my needs. While a .32 auto isn't the best stopper in the world, I don't know anyone who really wants to look at the business end of same.

My new truck gun is a M64. Why? It won't rust. I don't have to worry about magazine springs taking a set. It is always going to be ready to run. If it gets stolen, I won't be happy but I lost $300, not a bunch of money and not something that I had much of an emotional attachment to. If I had been able to pick up a M65 that cheap, I would have preferred the .357 over the .38 but either one is going to do the trick if I do my part.

Out in the boonies when I am stumping around, I carry a wheel gun ocasionally in .357 but usually in .44 or .45. If I have to shoot a feral hog (have to have a batch of pork chops) I prefer something with enough whoop to do the job. While a .45 auto will do so at close range and I assume a .40S&W would also, why?

Finally, a roundbutt S&W with a set of wood hogue (no finger groove) stocks just feels right in my hand. This is especially true in the N frame guns. While I do own autos and shoot them on a regular basis, S&W just feels better. By the same token, there is also a cool factor. I don't care how nice it is or how expensive, a 1911 is well, a 1911. I like them and own several but a 1911 compared to a M624 is akin to a cute lady standing next to my beautiful wife who I love and care for dearly. You get the picture.

Jim

 

[jwk]

Glypnir -"Annoy everyone, be a left-wing gun nut."

Glypnir,

Love that quote. You are right it does annoy everyone. I am a gun loving, trial lawyer. If you think that makes my gun friends nuts, you should see what happens when I talk about gun issues with some of my very liberal friends.

Jim

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Arkan:
Once in awhile i'll get the itch to carry my 4" stainless .357 revolver. Can only do it with heavy clothing on, during the cold months.

Don't know what you are using for holster and belt, but with what I use I carry a 4" Model 65 and can conceal it with a medium weight t shirt or loose fitting polo. Easily.

Having smooth, rounded wood grips is key as they let the light fabric slide over the gun without printing as you move.

 

[RichardC]

Anyone who can claim their revolvers have never messed up just isn't shooting enough.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

Reliability and safety. That's the only reason.

 

[gunfan]

Reliability and safety. (Have I heard this before?)

It works for me!

Scott

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally posted by CW3PA:

I'll up you one caliber.