A follow up question from the "semi or revolver for SD" thread

M

_Muad'dib_

New member
After reading the Semi or Revolver for 1st SD gun I had a question for those more experienced than I. The majority seemed to recommend revolver 1st and then move on to semi. Use the revolver until you've mastered the semi platform. So the question is a bit vague but how would you describe sufficient experience using the semi before you would recommend someone using it as their self defense weapon?

I have collected a few handguns up to this point but haven't shot them nearly as much as I should. I'm beginning to do that now and was wondering what number of rounds/drills/practice/etc it takes in your opinion to carry a semi for self defense?

Thanks for your help and answers.
 
IMHO, a revolver is the best platform to start a complete noob on, at least for the first few sessions and particularly if they are nervous/intimidated. For someone who is skiddish and completely inexperienced, the loading/unloading process of a wheelgun is a simpler concept to pick up and understand.

That said, once you've gotten over the noob nerves, I think one or both platforms can be pursued. It just depends on what you like. Some relatively new shooters might prefer semis, while some experienced shooters prefer wheelguns and vice versa.

I recall I initially prefer semis, but it didn't take me long to gravitate to revolvers and that is where I've been ever since.
 
quote sufficient experience using the semi ... unquote

....... for self defence.

People on this site tend to be experience, knowledgeable, and opinionated about firearms.
Me too, at least as far as the opinionated part is concerned.

If you own Semiauto pistols, but do not own revolvers, than as soon as you can control one of the semi-autos you have sufficient experience to use it for self defence.
Control - hit the target you are aiming at. Do not hit the person 100 yards behind and 10 feet to the left or right of the target.
It might be me.

First rule of a gun fight - Have a gun (that you can control).
If that means you can only use a .22 semi-auto, see rule one.
.
 
this might work

Go to www.uspsa.org
Use the club finder.
Go visit your local club.
See if their experience makes sense.

Competition (we all were new once) gives on enhanced safety and gun-handling skills, provides practice, and gives your shooting purpose.
Plus, most folks get better, AND have great fun.


It's really not the gun......
 
As long as you can hit your target, and not fumble and wonder how it works, either will work fine.

There are few, if any firearm designs that I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying with a couple hundred rounds down the barrel...as long as it's reliable, and I can hit my target with it.

Daryl
 
While I have both semi's and revolvers, after close to 60 years of shooting, and 40 years of carrying, I still prefer the revolver, mainly because of the reliability.
 
My $.02....

I have collected a few handguns up to this point but haven't shot them nearly as much as I should. I'm beginning to do that now and was wondering what number of rounds/drills/practice/etc it takes in your opinion to carry a semi for self defense?
Click to expand...

#1 rule: Have a gun. Know how to operate it. Know When. Have your gun accessible to you. Always.

A fat lot of good it would do you to have a gun and be unable to operate/access it, or shoot someone when you did not have to/ were not legally justified in doing so....

A whole safe full of guns won't save your butt if you can't do the necessary at crunch time.... either because you have not prepared or did not carry your gun.

That said, decide on a Carry gun (having several you are familiar with should make this easier). Carry it. Practice with that gun. Dry fire. Malf drills. IPSC or IDPA is not "The Real Thing", but it lets you shoot under pressure..... it will help.
 
It depends on the person. For a casual gun owner, a revolver's more straightforward manual of arms is probably more preferable. By a casual gun owner, I mean someone who will invest the time a resources to become at least reasonably proficient with a firearm, but shooting is not a primary interest for them.

For a more dedicated shooter, however, a semi-auto is a more viable choice. My reasoning is that the more complicated loading/unloading procedure and manipulation of safeties and slide releases (if present) require more familiarization and thus more time and resources.

If you are willing and able to devote the time and resources to becoming intimately familiar with your semi-auto of choice, then go ahead and make the switch if you wish. Honestly, if you're willing to devote the above mentioned time and resources, I see no problem with starting out on a semi-auto. If, however, shooting is just a casual interest to you, I think you're probably better off with a good revolver.

Also, there's absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to revolvers. I am a fairly avid shooter that started out with semi-automatics. I now, however, prefer revolvers for a variety of reasons. Different strokes for different folks you know.
 
As was said, . . . it depends on the person. I know some folks, they shouldn't be trusted with a pointed stick.

I have met very few folks, however, who cannot be trained for one or the other (revolver vs sa) and generally, they have a quickly acquired preference for one or the other.

The one they prefer is the one they will usually shoot best with, . . . so that is what I suggest for them to use.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
When you feel comfortable enough you can handle and shoot it in a high stress situation where your life could depend on it, you have only a matter of a few seconds to be able to handle and shoot something with it accurately, while handling any malfunction that may occur in the meantime.

Otherwise, it's as good as having a rock.
 
I think for those of us 60 and over .... maybe 50 and over there is a prejudice in favor of the revolver. Growing up with the books of Elmer Keith and Bill Jordan, Skeeter Skelton the revolver was the reliable handgun.

Keep in mind that 40 years ago legal cc was the exception. Most states didn't allow it so portability and concealment were not as big an issue for the average citizen.

In the past twenty or so years with the majority of states allowing cc and the improved technology of the semi, increased firepower and easier concealment the semi has come into it's own.

I still love revolvers but I have gotten to where I carry semis. I think learning on one is as good as another as long as someone teaches the correct fundamentals. Once you've honed your skills plenty of practice with your carry weapon is the way to go. Just IMHO.
 
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