Why I carry a revolver...

[Retired Chief]

I have (and carry) both types. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and you should evaluate those to determine which is best for you and/or the expected threat.
I did not notice anyone mention what happens with bad ammo. Bill Jordan once wrote that he preferred revolvers over auto loaders because if two people get in a gun fight, one with an auto and one with a revolver, they draw and fire together and each has a bad round under the hammer, the guy with the auto dies. He has to change his grip and rack the slide, the revolver guy just pulls the trigger. Each way puts a new round under the hammer, but the revolver is quicker.
On the other hand, I think 8 shots is about the most you can get in any revolver larger than a .22, and double that and more are available in the semi-autos. Magazine changes are also much quicker for most of us than speedloaders, and sometimes quicker than going for the 2d gun.
Whadda ya need, whadda ya like? I sometimes carry a Starfire 45 ACP and I sometimes carry a Model 66 snub. I have even been known to carry a Kel Tec .32 auto.

 

[spm]

I carry a revolver for one reason, it's a simple design. I don't have to think about anything but draw and fire.

steve

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I carry wheel guns only. Simple and reliable.

 

[shotgun693]

It's kinda like having a check engine light on a model X car and never buying a car again.

But there is a difference between a check engine light and a vehicle that doesn't run.
I carry an old Police issue 19-3 or if I'm going some place with my Son an old 59. I only carry the 59 because Dear Son likes his M9.

 

[Jessie]

I like and use both. Kinda like I am with boats, to some friends horror. I like motor boats and sail boats.
Wheel guns shoot. Good auto loaders shoot. I'm not a Glock snob, but I've never had one fail to fire for me yet. So, statistically, they've been just as reliable as my wheel guns. I do like the extra ammo too.
I enjoy shooting a revolver more, and find them to usually be more accurate.
That's just my experience.

 

[hardluk1]

I grew up a revolver shooter . Hunted with them still 39 years later and carried a snubby for 18 years . But carried semi-autos since they have proven reliable and lite weight and have a few many thousands of rounds with zero issues . Now I carry a 14 shot 40 with that weights a few oz less fully loaded that the OP's 686 empty or 11oz less in a skinny 7+1 pistol with a 135gr at 1400fps+ and 155gr at 1300fps + and in a more compact package . I don't see any reason to go backwards for defensive carry handgun but for handgun hunting give me a 8" barreled revolver firing a 170gr sp 357 at 1440fps or a 44mg afiring 140gr and better at higher velocity any day . They each have there place today .

OP - I notice you did not mention your glock giving you any issues and I'm not a 1911 guy . But did move up to 4" barreled striker pistol as there easier to rack over smaller models an with a far easier trigger to control than DA revolver . . I reload my practice ammo and use only premium ammo from two small ammo companies and just don't remember the last time I had any failure to fire in ether a revolver or pistol .

 

[Mister X]

I usually opt for an enclosed hammer snub for carry, but like to have a high capacity autoloader available for home defense.

I'm not an LEO, so while out and about in public, my primary directive is to avoid/escape rather than pursue/engage and in that context I think a revolvers capacity sufficient. I also like the ECQ advantages of the revolver since the vast majority of likely civilian scenarios will be close-quarter and I think the revolver is more reliable in these and certain other circumstances. In controlled range conditions, I find very little difference in the reliability of my Glocks and S&W revolvers, but in an actual reactive defense scenario where one handed shooting, contact shooting and shooting from awkward positions are all a possibility, I think the revolver has a definite advantage.

In a home defense scenario, I still use the revolver as my answer the door/check the bump in the night/always immediately accessible weapon since these scenarios could still involve a ECQ counter-ambush dynamic, but if I have enough lead time I go to the Glock for capacity because I would realistically have to make a stand/cannot escape and there is a greater degree of control from my standpoint in the sense of choosing position, distance and being able to have a more optimum shooting grip/stance.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I earned "marksman" every time the 'Force asked me to qualify, but I didn't like the M-16 or any other long gun for that matter.

I forced my self to learn to knock the eye out of a gnat with a 1911A1 (built in '37 for the Coast Guard), but it was a struggle to do that well and be consistent.

A Smith -- j, k, n, or x -- with the right grip just seems to be an extension of my arm. It fits, it feels right, and I don't have to think about it. Pretty simple.

 

[Sayoc01]

I like & carry both semi & revolver.I never had a problem with my Kimber Pro Carry 2 with Wilson mags.Never had "any"problems with my H&K PSP !I love my model 60 & 642 but shoot my Semi's better.If I could only choose one to edc....it would be a tough choice!
Jim

 

[cbore]

In my day in L.E. the revolver was it. I carried a 380 during undercover. Since that day I tried auto even did match with a 1911. I rebuilt myself. Today mine carry is my 686 or one of the many J frame.

Still target with a 6" 586 and hunt with a S&W 41 cal. The only auto is a Ruger 22 cal Mark 1 for turtles and snakes.

Always will a revolver man and Smiths

 

[Donn]

I still sometimes carry a Colt DS (though most often I now carry a very small 1911 in .38 Super). I don't feel undergunned with the Colt, I just prefer the 1911.

Always good to meet another man who appreciates a 38 Super.

 

[S&W Fan]

To avoid having to explain, I carry 1911s and Smith revolvers equally. Both have had to proven reliable, or I wouldn't carry them.

This works for me. The four caveats I have is that I still can't reload a revolver as fast as I can a semi, the semi is much easier to conceal in warm weather for my build and style of dress, I'm quicker with follow up shots on the semi and the semis I own are equally reliable as my revolvers.

During colder weather I'm just as likely to have a round gun on me as a flat one.

 

[Old cop]

After over 40 years of carrying a J frame off duty and into retirement I recently started carrying the M&P .380. I've run over 600 rounds of everything through it w/o a single hiccup. But . . . I have to admit that in the back of my mind is the nagging feeling that something could go wrong at the worst possible moment. On top of that my issued .38 saved my butt on more than one occasion during my 30 years as an LEO. After reading all this the .38 may return to my pocket, leaving the tiny .380 for those times when I need deeper concealment.

 

[Kanewpadle]

My Glock 19 has been the most reliable gun I've ever carried. But my SP 101 is often carried in a jacket pocket as a second gun.

I like both.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I have shot and carried revolvers for a long time. I have never had a failure to fire with any of them. They have always been S&W's. I did buy a Colt .45 Government a couple of years ago. It has never malfunctioned in any way so far. I carry it occasionally. I have noticed by reading the gunsmithing section of a few 1911 forums, that almost everyone with FTE's and FTF's, or any number of problems, were having problems because of some upgrade or mod. that really don't perform well with the rest of the design. Mine will stay stock except for the mainspring housing which was composite and I put a flat steel one in. Original springs fit right in. I still carry my 37 no dash more than any gun I have. I don't really know why but I am better with it than my 4" 65. I love that little J frame. Even though the 1911 has proven to be reliable, I know in my heart that my revolvers are the ones to trust in a life or death situation.
Peace,
Gordon

 

[DR505]

Why carry a revolver? Because I haven't yet seen an autoloader in .45 Colt.