Advantages of revolvers over semi autos

In my carry rotation both semis and revolvers have a place. In the woods to protect against four legged creatures, revolver. In the Urban Jungle with two legged predators, semi with extra mags (for the herd savages).
 
Well the fact of the matter is that today you hardly ever see any police departments using revolvers and Army officers don't use them either. They all use semi autos. So if the professionals use semi autos it stands to reason that they are taking the place of revolvers.
 
as I said each has a purpose, a cop or military personnel need/want a high capacity gun I know I would. but I live in a rural area and crime rate is very very low ,I feel safe with a revolver but if I lived in say oh Chicago it would be high capacity semi...
 
Some people in law enforcement, whether active or retired, still carry a snubnose for concealed carry while off duty.
 
Typically- simplicity, power, and reduced ammo sensitivity.

You could toss in reliability, but that usually generates long arguments. :)
Denis
 
Like everyone has already said. A double action revolver misfires, squeeze the trigger again. A single action cock the hammer again.
A semi auto take the gun out, of play, pull the slide back to hopefully eject a bad round. More than likely a stovepipe, or jam, that requires more attention, and perhaps dropping the gun and pulling your revolver backup.
Lot of departments won't use reloads, take chance, for this reason.
Not that anyone's reloads are bad.
Speed loaders and a six or seven shot double action is just about as quick as magazine change too. Revolvers just won't handle 13 to 20 rounds.
there was on .357 that was seven rounds, but i don't remember what revolver that was.
If a .22 magnum was counted as viable there are ten shot double actions.
I know I shoot more accurately,now, with a six inch Colt Trooper.
 
Waking up from slumber, revolver takes a long deliberate trigger pull. Revolvers are easier to load for, and you do not have to bend over to pick up the brass.

Being accused of too rapid firing is easily defensed by saying "it's just a revolver, how can you rapid fire it" :)

Like semi- autos and revolvers, but for me a semi is much easier to conceal with greater firepower.
 
I can't think of any practical reason for ME to choose a revolver over a semi. I've not found revolvers to be any more reliable and I can always find a semi of comparable power that is smaller and easier carried. The only time I would choose a revolver over a semi is if I need magnum power in a large frame, longer barreled gun.

But that doesn't mean semi's are the right choice for EVERYONE. When my wife decided she wanted to carry a gun I objectively let her try as many options as possible and was brutally honest about all of the advantages and disadvantages of each gun. I let her decide on what as best for HER. She chose a S&W 642. That was the gun she was most comfortable with. That isn't my choice, but as long as she likes it and has confidence in it then I'm good with her choice.
 
I seem to recall quite dimly that one of the very first magazine articles I ever read about guns was on the same subject, and that was around 70 years ago. It is nice to see the old traditions continue. But I have to wonder if it will ever end, short of the anti's melting all guns down to make statues of Obama.

Jim
 
Revolvers can handle many types of ammo and the .22 is a perfect example.
A .22 revolver can function on anything from BB caps and Shorts to Hyper-Velocity and even .22 Magnum if it's a convertible with Magnum cylinder.

Most .22 autos are set up by the factory for .22 High-Velocity only. Some will function on Standard Velocity.

Trigger Pull is very light on a Single-Action revolver and even double actions with a hammer can be cocked and fired as a single-action.

Most .22 autos have a harder trigger for safety reasons.

I have more .22 autos than revolvers at the moment but if you look at it with versatility in mind, the revolver could be a very wise choice for a cabin gun or survival situation.

Here are two pictures, one with the ammo I can use in my Heritage revolver and what works in my Ruger MK-III auto.


 
Last edited:
My brother in law is pretty high up in California Highway Patrol. I had an LCR in 357 mag and while he was checking it out he told me that many or maybe even most of the officers he knows carry an LCR in 357 mag as their BUG. Revolvers still have a place in law enforcement, mainly due to some of their advantages.
They definitely fall well behind semis in capacity and a bunch of other areas, but they also have some major advantages.
 
For an experienced shooter who practices a lot, they're both good.

For someone who buys one for HD, goes to the range once or twice, and then leaves it loaded in a drawer for years or decades, a revolver is. a MUCH better choice.
 
Revolvers vs.Autos?

Whoa!! Such a good thread,Even I can't add a thing.But so fortunate to have and love Both! Thanks all,Skeets:)
 
Whoa doggies....let me warm up the popcorn maker and visit the beer cooler...this is going to be good...especially if the plastic framed, bottom feeder, spray and pray crowd join in....just a thought; the OP might have posted this over on the semi-auto forum for few more laughs!

Revolvers, uber alles!!! Rod
 
Semi autos are reliable to the point that they are probably the best choice for ccw and home defense (other then rifle or shotgun). But there is just something about the revolver, in how it is made, that, to me, is just breathtaking. At minimum, i like to have a revolver as a back up or to carry one as a woods or camping gun. I don't know, maybe I'm old school.
 
I seem to recall quite dimly that one of the very first magazine articles I ever read about guns was on the same subject, and that was around 70 years ago. It is nice to see the old traditions continue.

Howdy

Only about 50 years ago for me, but I share the sentiments.
 
Back
Top