Why Revolvers/Wheel guns

[BB57]

.../
/...Where as ,with the revolver you only need to see where the gun shoots.
5 or 6 if you are a fair shot, and if the shell goes bang..
AND if the rounds stick , you still get 5 or 6 etc for sure before
attention is needed.

You also need to confirm that the bullets don't start backing out of the cases under recoil. That will jam the cylinder and reduce a revolver to a paperweight. It's not an issue with a .38 Special and it isn't much of an issue with .38 +P, unless it's a very lightweight revolver. However it's a big deal in .38 +P+, .357 Magnum and .38/44 loads.

Personally, I also check to make sure the load is not producing large amounts of partially burnt powder residue. The fairly large and gritty residue from colloidal ball powders fired in a short barrel revolver can fall on the inside of the extended ejector star during the ejection process, and then prevent the ejector star from retracting enough to allow the cylinder back into the frame with the fresh rounds. When that happens, it's a real bear to clear under stress and time pressure.

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I'm a revolver fan and carry one more than half the time (basically fall, winter and spring). However, I've demonstrated both these failures to people who have assured me that a revolver will not jam.

 

[Buford57]

Call it nostalgia if you like, but I carried revolvers through most of my LE career. I learned one manual of arms (two if you count the 870) until I could load, unload, reload in the dark, on my back, on my belly, with either hand. To this day I tend to reach for the 642 before the Shield and when I do I open the cylinder, check the loads and then go out the door with confidence. I could not possibly live long enough to become that familiar with another system.

I have nothing against the Shield, but the 642 feels like an old and trusted friend despite the fact that it is not one of the guns I carried on duty. About the last old and trusted friend left on this side of the turf.

Any mechanical device can fail. I've had the hammer nose of a Model 28 shear off during practice. It happens and when it does no amount of tapping and racking will put it back in commission.

 

[pasound]

For the home, especially at night, I prefer to know there is a S&W wheelgun close at hand. I know I won't have to think about what to do if I have to fire it. I have several semi's - my favorites are my RIA .45 1911, and my .45 Ruger American. But I have a 9mm double-action-only as well, a SCCY CPX-2. Decent shooter, and feels like a revolver with every shot fired.

 

[DonD]

Traditionally, Power ! was an advantage of revolvers . Today, it's a little more ambiguous , least ways with some parameters along the lines of more or less belt carry- able , and reasonably controlable , and not very painful , for a fairly competent shooter . i.e. disregarding Desert Eagles , Automags, and X Frames as outliers .

The 4in medium frame .357 mag is still the handgun with the widest amount of absolute versatility . But .357Sig , .45Super , and full power 10mm all reach very credible levels of power and performance .

It's still is about power. No semi auto can come even remotely close to a S&W 500 Mag. The 500 has twice the energy of a DE50 and far greater versatility, can shoot any kind of slug. Shoot lead slugs in a 50DE and expect a fouled gas system and a difficult cleanup. Don

 

[Amp]

Why does not matter as much as because you like them.

 

[jtcarm]

Dunno, don't care, I just like em.

Check that, I LOVE them!

 

[Moo Moo]

I love Revolvers and Semi-Autos equally however since my lower back injury and subsequent 3 level fusion, I have difficulties bending over and picking up those damn cases. So at present, revolvers are my preferred centrefire option. (If I didn't have to reload, it might be a different sorry however the price of ammunition in Australia makes it a necessity).

 

[dubshooter]

I just came back from the range, teaching a bunch of new officers carrying their semi autos.

They were shooting from the 15 and 25 yard line at steel. Hitting 1/5 shots. When they were loading, I pulled out my j frame from my pocket, hitting steel from ~40 yards where the ammo was stacked. 5/5, each reload.

You have to work to learn to shoot a revolver well. After you do that, it transfers over to other types of guns. Can't necessarily say the same is true for the 17 round semi auto guns.

 

[cmansguns]

Blame my passion on youth and early TV

Growing up we had no TV in the house. A distant relative had a TV so folks would take us over on Sat/Sun to view TV shows occasionally. Movies were a dime (not including popcorn).
Of course me and my buddies were always playing cowboys n Indians, war, etc. and every Christmas there would be some kind of cap gun rig under the tree for me and my brothers, sometimes single western revos, sometimes double rigs, sometimes 1911 style Army rigs, etc..

My first legal handgun was a Ruger Bearcat. The TV/Movie influence was already there though so I knew that as soon as money could be found I had to have real revolvers (big bore..or at least bigger bore), so the fun began:

1911's like John Wayne, Lee Marvin carried in war II movies

Model 29 like that guy in that San Fran cop movie- can't remember the name...Westwood or Northwood or something like that

Model 36 (or Colt DS) like real cops carried ala Dragnet

Victory WWII 38 like flyers had (William Holden-Bridges at Toko-Ri).

as for semi's I still like them especially Browning Hi-Power and my recent find of a S& W Model 39-2 even though I am beyond (looooong beyond) emulating old TV heroes...that 39-2 shoots better than me, and still it is mostly revos that get to the range more often. Ruger single six seems to be more desired by the young family shooters than the semi's so maybe youth is still attracted to the old days via heritage or something in the genes.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Back in high school, I was a hard-core follower of Jeff Cooper and thought John Browning's 1911 hung the sun and moon. My first handgun was a .45ACP Colt Commander obtained through the mail! (My dad signed the order!) Nothing much changed through college, marriage, and the Army except I discovered that my wife couldn't get past semiautomatics "shooting back." The flying brass was a deal breaker for her. I'd had some revolvers, but the 4 inch S&W Model 629 loaded with .44 Spl Winchester Silvertips was her sweet spot.

Then, the Army betrayed me by adopting the M9. During my last tour in Europe, I got a letter from the Corps Chief of Staff authorizing me to carry my personally owned CZ-75 OR 3 inch Model 65 concealed on or off duty. (I had one of THOSE jobs.) After I retired, it seemed that S&W revolvers (and some cowboy guns) proliferated.

I retired again and was back in uniform with a badge and an issued S&W Model 686-6. My officers all carried Glock 22 .40 S&W sidearms. They kept asking why I was carrying a revolver. I asked when the last time they shot a higher qualification score than I did (same exact course of fire). When I retired, again, last year I kept carrying my 4 inch S&W Model 65-1.

My wife got sick a few years before I retired, and suddenly my shooting partner couldn't operate her S&W Model 681 with any confidence. With her inability to assist in our defense and our need to travel extensively for her medical appointments, I picked up a S&W Model 469 with a magazine or two and later a Ruger LC9s with extended spare magazines. The little Ruger is my EDC with the 469 being the "highway gun."

If it was just me, and it may come to that, I would just keep carrying the 65-1.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[Johnnu2]

REVOLVER..???? You mean like THIS...?


YUP, I like them the most...

 

[Johnnu2]

But on the OTHER HAND..... I like to see THIS.....

Apologies, I just needed to show them...

 

[quaduser]

For home defense a wheel gun is the most reliable but the fewer number of rounds concerns me. In a SD/HD scenario it's probably going to be at night and in the dark. Sure, one or two shots might be the end of it, but if it isn't... reloading a wheel gun in the dark doesn't sound like a road I want to travel. I used to have 940 loaded with Federal 150 gr micro HST's on my bed stand. I still do, but next to it is a Beretta short pull CX4 with a 30 round mag loaded with Federal 124gr HST's. Plus it has a Streamlight TLR-2G that couldn't fit on any wheel gun and is indispensable for any "bump-in-the-night" scenario.

Another thing to keep in mind for home defense is magnums are deafening and will blind you at night. 357's (and up) are therefore out for me. 38 specials have some passable HD loads but 9mm has much better stopping power. Hence, the reason my 940 is still on the bed stand...

 

[BB57]

For home defense a wheel gun is the most reliable but the fewer number of rounds concerns me. In a SD/HD scenario it's probably going to be at night and in the dark. Sure, one or two shots might be the end of it, but if it isn't... reloading a wheel gun in the dark doesn't sound like a road I want to travel. I used to have 940 loaded with Federal 150 gr micro HST's on my bed stand. I still do, but next to it is a Beretta short pull CX4 with a 30 round mag loaded with Federal 124gr HST's. Plus it has a Streamlight TLR-2G that couldn't fit on any wheel gun and is indispensable for any "bump-in-the-night" scenario.

Another thing to keep in mind for home defense is magnums are deafening and will blind you at night. 357's (and up) are therefore out for me. 38 specials have some passable HD loads but 9mm has much better stopping power. Hence, the reason my 940 is still on the bed stand...

Reloading a revolver with a speed loader is done by feel with your eyes always on the threat during the day time. In the dark it's done EXACTLY the same way.

That suggests you're doing it wrong. Google "stress fire revolver reload" and learn what it's about and why it works well for pretty much any revolver/cartridge combination.

If you only shoot .38 Special from a revolver with a full length ejector rod you might also consider the FBI reload. It's slightly faster, but not as positive with the longer and higher pressure .357 Magnum cases that can stick in the cylinders, and it exposes your middle finger to a potentially hot forcing cone.

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In terms of sound levels, a standard pressure .38 will generate about 158 dB at the shooter's ear. In comparison a standard pressure 9mm will develop about 160 dB, and a .357 Magnum will develop about 163 dB.

Since sound energy doubles every 3 dB, the .357 Magnum is twice as loud as the 9mm, or in percentages is 200% as loads as the 9mm. However, that 9mm is still 167% as loud as a standard pressure .38 Special.

For home defense where you expect to shoot inside, a .38 +P revolver load is arguably the sweet spot. Noise/sound energy is primarily an artifact of pressure at the muzzle, or in the case of a revolver also pressure at the cylinder gap.

The .357 Magnum and the standard pressure 9mm both operate at a maximum average pressure of 35,000 psi, thus the relatively high dB produced. In contrast the standard pressure .38 operates at 17,000 psi, less than half the pressure of the .357 Magnum and the .38+ P operates only 3,000 psi higher at 20,000 psi, still well below the .357 Magnum and 9mm.

Consequently, the given terminal effectiveness and noise levels, the .38+P is probably the sweet spot.

As an aside the .45 ACP was favored by tunnel rats in Vietnam as it was both effective and comparatively quiet at 157 dB. It's a much better choice than a 9mm for home defense, from a noise perspective, as it is half as loud as a 9mm in the same barrel length and about 33% quieter than a standard pressure .38 Special.

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If I were going to keep a .357 Magnum beside the bed, I would also have a pair of electronic earmuffs beside the bed as well. They are handy as you can turn the volume up and hear what's happening in another room better than with a naked ear, and if you have to shoot, you've got ear protection.

 

[ultratec00]

For me, it comes down to application. For a woods environment, revolver wins hands down. While there are some autos with potent cartridges, those are few, bulky, pricey, and not common. Summer time 686+ scenario, first two cylinders are loaded with shotshells for snakes, the rest hollow points. Shot shells and autos may/may not be compatible and if you happen to see an varmint that needs dispatched, cycle the slide to eject what shotshells you have before chambering a more adequate round.

Self defense where weight and concealment have priority, auto is my preference. No offense to those who like their 38 snubs, but a compact 9mm is typically more shooter friendly, has just as much punch, and easier to carry concealed. Back in the day, reliability was an issue, not so much nowadays as long as you purchase a quality firearm.

 

[jtcarm]

Quote:

"After the moon clip was invented, why all revolvers weren't designed for them, I'll never know."

My take on this:

It is a pita to use moon clips on a hunting/ trail/ranch carry gun that you wish to top off before it is empty. JMHO

There are 1/3 clips for tactical reloads, but veteran LEOs I've trained with don't like moons because they're prone to bending.

A sure way to jam a revolver is to reload with a slightly bent moon clip.

They're great for fast reloads in action shooting games, but not much else.

 

[AZretired]

I started in LE in 1978 carrying a S&W M-19 and it spoiled me. I also carried a personally owned M65-2 that I still own and shoot. In 1994 I was dragged kicking and screaming into the world of autos when we were issued the 5906 that I just hated. I was the in the last group in my department to convert. As a detective I did have some other options (not revolvers though) so I bought a Glock 19 which for an auto was much better than the 5906. I was allowed to carry a J frame as a backup/off duty weapon.
When I retired 13 years ago I put away the plastic and now I carry a 642 daily and occasionally a 2" M64. I do not feel under armed.

 

[Donn]

This cuts both ways with me. Very fond of revolvers. To me, they're mechanical works of art, and I'm pretty good with one. However, I'm better with an auto loader, that's what I carry. Should the worst ever happen, I want to be better.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My decision on picking a revolver vs auto are purpose driven...............both can be great and have niches the other can't fill as well as the other IMO.... as has been covered in many of the posts above.

I started out shooting revolvers and autos with my Dad about 55 years ago....... he carried a revolver but also had a Model 41 as his rimfire competition gun with the Dept Pistol Team..... centerfire was his 6" Colt New Service worked over including adjustable sights by King's.

Shot almost exclusively revolvers till about 1988.... a lot of DAO. got my first centerfire hi-cap auto in 88 ..... a Beretta 92 Compact 13+1

To this day I tend to carry a .357 revolver in Penn's Woods or other outdoor activities........

Personal Defense in the Burbs of the Burgh since 1990 finds me carrying a Smith 3913 at 7+1.... fairly light and flat to carry IWB and easier for me to carry a extra mag vs. a speedloader.

If the SHTF or TEOTWAWKI or Zombi apocalypse....... I'd opt for a long gun with a 30 rd magazine..........backed up by a________________

 

[ContinentalOp]

I started shooting handguns over 20 years ago with a semi-auto, a Beretta 92FS that I still have and fills the home defense role. Now my primary EDC is a semi-auto*, a Beretta PX4 Compact. However, I still pretty much consider myself a revolver guy, and carried revolvers almost exclusively for the past 8 years or so before the PX4. For the most part, I like the simplicity. One look and you can tell if it's unloaded or not, no need to manipulate magazines and/or slides. Need to make safe? Swing out the cylinder. For someone like me, who likes to do a lot of dry fire practice, it's easier to load and unload the gun without any concern for bullet setback with semi-autos.

I've also found that I tend to shoot better with DA revolvers. When I worked as an armed guard I qualified with 9mm, .45ACP, and .38 Special/.357 Magnum (for some reason, qualifying with .38 Special also meant I could carry .357 Magnum...*shrug*). I used my 92, a 1911 (70 Series Gold Cup tuned by King's Gun Works), and my issued S&W Model 10. Every time I qualified, I shot consistently better scores with the 10, even when it was the last gun I shot that day. I always attributed that to the "roll" of the trigger, which seemed to give me more of a "surprise" break than SA guns. It's one of the reasons I've found myself gravitating towards hammer-fired DA semi-autos for self defense over striker-fired or SA guns.

As far as reliability, I think it's pretty much a wash if you choose a good quality gun, maintain it properly, and use compatible ammo. FYI, there are malfunction-clearing drills for revolvers besides pulling the trigger again.

Someone mentioned reloading revolvers in the dark. It is very possible to train yourself to reload without looking at the gun. I've practiced reloads, using both speedloaders and strips (speedloaders are obviously going to be faster and easier), while keeping my eyes up and looking at my environment. It's just a matter of using a method that incorporates physical indexing.

For self defense, they each have their strengths and weaknesses. You just have to figure out which works better for you. Or, be like me and carry both a semi-auto and a revolver.

Oh, and here's a pretty good article that gives some food for thought. While I don't necessarily agree with every point, I think it's worth checking out.

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

* FYI, I still carry my snub revolver on occasion as a primary/only gun.