Why do YOU carry a revolver?

This article was probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest, reasons I decided to carry revolvers (aside from the basic fact that I tend to shoot them best). It lists 25 reasons why revolvers are better than semi-autos. While I don't necessarily agree with every point, it was thought-provoking.

http://www.snubtraining.com/pdfs/WhyRevolversBeatAutos.pdf

In addition to the reasons in the article and many of the more common reasons that others have cited, I carry a revolver because:

*They don't require magazines. One less thing to worry about.
*They have a lower cost for reliability testing with carry ammo. 3 or 4 cylinder-fulls (15-24 rounds depending on the gun) and I'm confident with its reliability as opposed to 200+ rounds of carry ammo with a semi-auto.
*They're more adaptable to dry-fire drills. Anything I can do live fire I can do dry fire with a revolver, minus the blast/flash, recoil, and holes in the paper. Ever try practicing a double tap with a Glock dry-firing? It goes like this: trigger press, hold back trigger, work slide just enough to reset trigger, re-acquire grip, release trigger, trigger press.
*Limp wristing is not a factor in proper functioning. I believe that if I'm ever forced to defend myself, it will most likely be from a close-range ambush-style assault. I may not be able to get a solid grip on the gun or I may have to fire from an awkward angle, either of which could potentially turn a semi-auto into a single shot pistol.
*Contact shots won't take a revolver out of battery. While training may overcome this issue, I believe the natural tendency will be to jam the muzzle into the attacker and pull the trigger.
*Reliability. This can be a controversial topic. But consider this. Semi-auto advocates say that when a revolver goes down, it's much worse than when a semi-auto goes down and is not as easy to resolve. However, most of the easily-cleared malfunctions that semi-autos experience are usually related to the feeding/extraction cycle, something that revolvers don't experience with the exception of a fail-to-fire due to bad ammo. In that case, you have to tap-rack-bang with a semi-auto versus pulling the trigger on a revolver.
*Snubs are easier to retain in a disarm attempt. The J-frame snubs are often regarded as being one of the most difficult weapons to take away. I recall Mas Ayoob saying the same thing about 2" K-frames. This also applies to...
*They have a better grip size. I have smallish hands. A Glock 23 is about the biggest gun I feel comfortable holding, but it's still much less comfortable and secure than holding a K or J-frame grip.
*They have better in-holster gripping. A semi-auto is flat up against the body when carried in a concealment holster. A revolver will leave a small gap for the thumb, making the initial grip easier to obtain.
*They conceal easier. The hardest part of a gun to conceal is the grip. I could conceal my K-frame revolver much more easily than I could ever conceal my Glock 23 when wearing the same style holster and wardrobe despite the "fat" cylinder.

Now, this is based on an assessment of my own life, where I go, how I conduct myself, and my typical routines as well as how much of my resources I can dedicate to practicing. If my situation were different than I might come to different conclusions and decide that a semi-auto was better suited to me. Other people will have different criteria that needs to be met and a revolver may not meet their needs. But it meets mine.
 
I carry a revolver because

1. Hundreds and hundreds of handgun matches clearly showed me that I shot faster and more accurately with revolvers . . . than with automatics. I've tracked my data for many seasons to understand this clearly.

2. Many times the very fastest centerfire scores from all the stock competition classes (including autos) came from the REVOLVER shooters . . . and I generally won the revolver classes in the area matches I've shot.

I finally realized I needed to stop drinking the gun magazine "kool-aid" about the latest/greatest high-cap bottom feeder being so wonderful. Gun writers sometimes do this when the advertisers are buying all the ad space to push their brass pukers with mediocre accuracy and triggers.

The hardest part was the first week or so I tried to go without my little CCW .45 auto for a full month . . . but that was years and years ago now!

Thus, I feel MUCH better protected with a S&W revolver in my hands!!!
 
Because I might have to shoot my horse if he gets too fractious when I am on him/her.

LittleJoeandTaffyintheGila.jpg
 
But I don't know who Broderick Crawford or the other guy is either.

Broderick Crawford was an old time movie actor and Jack Webb starred in the old Dragnet TV show. ~ "Just the facts, maam."
 
There are only two places where I currently carry revolvers. One is pocket carried ultralight J-frames. These are my constant companions, and they back up various Glocks when and if I feel I need more firepower.

The other place is outdoors in bear country. A 329NG for backpacking/hiking, or a Ruger Alaskan when weight isn't an issue.

Otherwise....I have a safe full of revolvers that only see range time these days.....
 
This is one of those questions I've never really thought about, so I had to for a few minutes. I suppose "because I have them."

So the next question would be, "Why do you have them."

Well, I have them, because when I was a "kid" revolvers were what everybody had. The semi-auto boom was just getting started as I was getting my first handgun. Because I had no money, I used to spend hours looking at Gun Digest, and The Shooters Bible and wishing. "I'd like to have that one...no...THAT one...no wait...this one." Eventually I wished I had one of everything in the book. Most of what was in the book were Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers.

So now I'm trying to finally get them.

Might as well carry them.
 
In May, two friends and I, took the concealed carry for the state of New Mexico. One of my friends carries a Glock 23, his first handgun and the one he is most comfortable with. The second one doesnt have a designated concealed carry because he is more concerned with the name on the side or how cool it is(one of those guys who think if H&K dont make it, they dont want it). So he is on the fence on what to get.

I carry a 442 because it is reliable, small, and comes in a statistically backed cartridge. I could care less if it is not the sexiest or coolest pocket pistol out there. I care more about proven success and build quality.

Its in my pocket now!

...an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.
 
When I visit my local gun shop...No one ever ask me much of anything.
Oh, the owners might fetch me a cup of coffee sumtimes.

Might get a "How ya doin?" from some of the older folks, did have a kid talk to me once...He kept stairin up at me,
I thought he was lookin at my hat. When I couldn't stand it no longer I ask, "Son do like my hat?"
His reply, "Mister you shur got a lot of hair in yer ears!"


Come on say sumthing...
Keith11-2.png


Su Amigo,
Dave
 
Dave,

Do you have a twin brother who lives in Florida that was also a LEO??

You look exactly like a fellow who comes to out local shop!

It's uncanny!:)
 
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