Engieman
Member
Why revolvers? Because the little voice in my head tells me to....
Why get a revolver instead of a pistol?
- Thread starter spirit4earth
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rafbentwaters
Member
I have a collection of pistols and revolvers just because I can. Scoped 454 Casull for hunting, S&W 15-2 because I carried one in the Air Force and J frames as back-ups. However, semi-autos have higher round counts and easy change magazines for SHTF situations. Start with what you're comfortable with and can afford to own AND shoot (ammo ain't always cheap). One day, you too will have a collection of handguns and a closet full of holsters (the ones that just didn't work out).
rafbentwaters
Member
I took a brand new GP100 357 mag to the range and second shot locked up the cylinder. Problem wasn't the gun, but rather an improperly seated factory round (major manufacturer). The range officer wouldn't let me fix the problem, nor would he allow me to bag the gun with hammer locked back. Fortunately, the range gunsmith came to my aid and fixed the problem (less than two minutes) at no charge. I've never had another problem with the gun or any ammo.
Dan Christopher
Member
Capacity issues aside, I'll take a Glock over a 1911 any day of the week. They just aren't finicky about what they eat.
OTOH, as much as I like the high capacity capability of Glocks, I don't at all feel under gunned with revolvers.
OTOH, as much as I like the high capacity capability of Glocks, I don't at all feel under gunned with revolvers.
smoothshooter
Member
I've seen several newbies take a new revolver right out of the box and begin blasting away over the years with no problems.
Timeless
Member
Having both (Sig 226 Legion and 938 along with a S&W 640 Pro [just got for the wife last week]) I find pleasures in each.
The Sig 226 is by far the more fun range gun with regards to lots of ammo (18 shot magazines), 9mm ammo pricing, looks great, and feels great.
The 938 being very small is not really the fun range gun. CC only.
The 640 pro is the first revolver I fired since testing a 686 last year. The 686 being larger is more fun, but the 640 pro was nice other than shooting 357 loads (ouch). Grips got replaced quickly!
A different spring would be my preference to lower the trigger pull. It is quite heavy out of the box.
I've never been able to get past the 5/6/7 shot limit on revolvers hence the reason I have SIGs. The wife loves revolvers for their simplicity.
The Sig 226 is by far the more fun range gun with regards to lots of ammo (18 shot magazines), 9mm ammo pricing, looks great, and feels great.
The 938 being very small is not really the fun range gun. CC only.
The 640 pro is the first revolver I fired since testing a 686 last year. The 686 being larger is more fun, but the 640 pro was nice other than shooting 357 loads (ouch). Grips got replaced quickly!
A different spring would be my preference to lower the trigger pull. It is quite heavy out of the box.
I've never been able to get past the 5/6/7 shot limit on revolvers hence the reason I have SIGs. The wife loves revolvers for their simplicity.
WOW! SO many variables! First off don’t get a 642 or other light weight revolver. I have been shooting and carrying off and on for 50 plus years and the ONLY revolver I owned and hated was a 642. Whatever you get,it has to be fun to shoot!
As mentioned above, get ( if it’s your final choice to get a rev.) one that weighs at least 21oz empty with rubber grips in 357 mag that you can download to 38 special. You can take that to the range and enjoy shooting it.You Will Not enjoy 50 rounds through a J frame!
You need to shoot a lot to become proficient with any platform you get!
I have carried both rev. and pistols over the years. If I carry IWB it is a revolver or a DA/SA pistol with a decocker or a positive safety. OWB it doesn’t matter.
I also prefer a rev. With a exposed hammer.(more use options).
I would go to a range and shoot both platforms. Some people shoot pistols better than rev. and visa versa.
I have a Taurus M85 J frame size that is enjoyable to shoot and a S&W 360J that is not so much with +p ammo.
There is a lot of good info posted above,but give a lot of thought ( use/carry method ect.) before you buy if you are limited to only one gun. JMO
Good hunting in your quest to find the best gun for you.
As mentioned above, get ( if it’s your final choice to get a rev.) one that weighs at least 21oz empty with rubber grips in 357 mag that you can download to 38 special. You can take that to the range and enjoy shooting it.You Will Not enjoy 50 rounds through a J frame!
You need to shoot a lot to become proficient with any platform you get!
I have carried both rev. and pistols over the years. If I carry IWB it is a revolver or a DA/SA pistol with a decocker or a positive safety. OWB it doesn’t matter.
I also prefer a rev. With a exposed hammer.(more use options).
I would go to a range and shoot both platforms. Some people shoot pistols better than rev. and visa versa.
I have a Taurus M85 J frame size that is enjoyable to shoot and a S&W 360J that is not so much with +p ammo.
There is a lot of good info posted above,but give a lot of thought ( use/carry method ect.) before you buy if you are limited to only one gun. JMO
Good hunting in your quest to find the best gun for you.
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Something to keep in mind is that over 90% of armed civilian self-defense encounters will/do take place inside 3 yards. Practicing accessing, drawing, deploying and dry-firing the weapon in this context is extremely important. More so than even live range practice IMO. The enclosed hammer has numerous advantages and is very formidable at these ranges.
In terms of live fire, the airweights aren't that bad unless perhaps you're using really hot ammo. The recoil is obviously more substantial than with an all steel model, but not prohibitive to putting an adequate numbers of rounds through it by any means. Massad Ayoob puts a lot of +P rounds through his even lighter 340 M&P and he is a slightly built, older man.
In terms of live fire, the airweights aren't that bad unless perhaps you're using really hot ammo. The recoil is obviously more substantial than with an all steel model, but not prohibitive to putting an adequate numbers of rounds through it by any means. Massad Ayoob puts a lot of +P rounds through his even lighter 340 M&P and he is a slightly built, older man.
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