Are we with the times?

Z

ZVP

New member
Don't get me wrong, I'll never switch to Semi-Autos but after shooting with my Brother-in-Law and his .45's and now his new XDM 9mm, I have to ask myself," am I outgunned with my Chief and my Model 10?" The basic armiment on the streets is a large capacity 9, 40 or even .45. Now these shoot fast, reload fast and are pretty concealable!
What's a Revolver Man to do?
My inital instincts tell me to pratice heavy and get to where the first or second shot puts em down. Secondly, reloading is an art! It dosen't matter if you use Speed Strips or a Speedloader, you have to learn to reload quick!
I bought some 8 shot Speed Strips and tried loading 2 holes, skipping nd leaving an empty, then loading 2 more, etc... This gives you a pretty accurate way to hit your chambers quickly!
I usually carry at least one Speed Strip because they carry so flat, and carrying 2 is just about as easy.
Heck, I am not beyond considering a Single Action as adequate protection, though it is a lot slower. All you need is the first shot to be a good one no matter what action you choose! I have a nice 1880's style Sholder Holster for my 4 5/8" Vaquero! Suprisingly just a light sweatshirt conceals it!
Alertness and attention to your surroundings, an adequate self defense caliber is needed, and proficiency with your gun are just some of the combinations you'll need to compete on todays streets!
My only complaints are that my old arms get tired and I start to loose accuracy and my eyesight is worse in the dark these days.
ANy opinions on my choice of how to reload and any practical suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks,
ZVP
 
Technology has marched on, but human behavior and anatomy are the same. You are making a choice that comes with some significant disadvantages and a few advantages. The choice of the Model 10 is interesting considering the advantages of night sights.

However, you're on the right track with training. Practice rapid fire and reloading very quickly. There are some tricks to operating the revolver in a self-defense. I highly recommend you attend a two day defensive revolver course with a revolver instructor. You will learn all sorts of tricks that most trainers who focus upon semi-autos don't know.

Check out Michael De Bethencourt's information on the defensive use of the J-Frame. He recommends the use of a six round speed strip with four rounds loaded in the middle. It is a fast method for getting the revolver back into action with two or four rounds. The number is dictated by urgency. Try to attend one of his courses if you can.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Snubtraining

Also check out Ayoob's videos on the revolver:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=massad+ayoob+revolver

De Bethencourt also has some revolver articles that would interest you.

And, no, don't carry a single action. There is no need to handicap yourself in a ridiculous way.
 
Last edited:
I'd say that depends a lot..do you take a capacity hit..yes.but you gain in the reliability department if a semi jams it can be a time consuming process to fix however a revolver is a simple pull of the trigger..I'd say for concealed carry in relatively safe area a revolver is great chances are any situation you would need it would be against 1 possibly 2 people I'd say its adequate if you are.on the other hand if you start talking about a war zone environment where you may need to trust your life to your sidearm every second of the day then no a revolver doesn't cut it based on capacity alone..or on the other hand you could be like me and enjoy the best of both worlds I love both my revolvers and semis
 
The proper question is: Are the times with us?



My wheel guns work just fine, thank you. Not too many bottom feeders are running 100+ yards on game animals.

When it comes down to social work I hope I never have to use a gun. Should it happen, I'm going to be in serious trouble if I need more than two rounds. Sure, we can all dream up scenarios but it's exceedingly rare to see a third round required.
 
I run a revolver very well, but I run an auto better. I realized that I was handicapping myself with a double action revolver in a defensive situation after the first 6. I have so many years with 6 shooter revolvers less or more gives me trouble.

I want every advantage I can get because most SD situations you will already be reactive. You need to regain initiative from the attacker that is gonna be tough to do with a single action six gun against a Glock.
 
Don't get me wrong, I'll never switch to Semi-Autos but after shooting with my Brother-in-Law and his .45's and now his new XDM 9mm, I have to ask myself," am I outgunned with my Chief and my Model 10?"
Click to expand...

I have to wonder.

CCW is very fresh and new, here in this People's State. I took off on my evening walk with my holstered Undercover. I went a different direction in my marginal, very "edge of the 'hood" neighborhood. The weather is warming (finally!), and the "wildlife" was out in force.

I'm thinking I might want something with more capacity.
 
Skill is 10x more important than what exact roscoe you pack.

TEN TIMES MORE IMPORTANT.

By far most self defense shootings are over in a few shots.

And if you are good, I do mean a good fast shot, it really don't matter what you pack as long as it's quick and easy to get into action.

That guy with the SAA, if good, will do fine.

Hickok used a pair of cap-n-balls to shoot down FIVE MEN who ambushed him and he had no reload ability while his .36 Colts had the power of a .380 ACP.

Deaf
 
My 2 cents:
I've extensively used autoloaders for matches and training.
But when it comes to self defense, I just can't get past relying on old reliable - the revolver.
Use what you know and trust, what ever it is.
As clumsy as they are to carry, it's hard to beat speed loaders for fast reloads.
Or even a second gun - like Wild Bill.
I knew a guy who carried three.
Two for himself and one for a friend.
 
Skill is 10x more important than what exact roscoe you pack.
Click to expand...

I would also add that your mindset to actually use your gun if needed is equally important. It reminds me of an article I read a while back where basically the theme was:

" You are the weapon, the gun is a tool "

Link: https://www.gunup.com/advice/you-are-weapon-gun-tool

That said, I carry a 5-shot revolver loaded with .38+p as my daily carry piece. I do own a semi-auto 9mm that is small enough to conceal and has twice the rounds... but for me, I'm most comfortable with the revolver and shoot it better then the semi. That is the choice I made for myself. Everyone will have to make the right choices for themselves when it comes to training, mindset and the tool they will use.
 
There is something very comforting about the weight and feel of a quality revolver on my hip. Skill with the weapon is far more important than what the weapon is.
 
I'm an old guy, so have strong revolver attractions. Over the years I've often carried J-frames, K-frames, etc. But I have also carried convenient semi-autos, 1911's, some of the new single-stack guns, etc.

I continue to search the news for examples of real self-defense cases in order to justify my choice of firearm. NRA's American Rifleman runs a page of recent cases, USCCA magazine does also. And I watch our own local news.

So far, I have seen no cases of people needing to defend themselves against armed gangs. Either on the street or at home. The usual attack seems to consist of one or two home invaders, or robbers in a store. Most of the time it's just one.

Counting up the rounds fired in defense, it is most often just one, or two. Many times none. And sometimes the number is given as several.

(Of course, instances of "active shooter" in the gun-free zones, or instances of terrorist attack fall outside the norm--so far. I don't go to the typical venues for that situation.)

So, objectively it seems that a revolver with a reload should carry one through OK, in reality. By the same token, I've never read that anyone said they were glad they didn't have more ammo.

My conclusion is that if I handle my revolver skilfully, and carry at least one reload, things should work out.

Oh, and it goes without saying, don't go to foolishly dangerous places, like the "bad end of town", don't do stupid things like engage in road rage, etc., etc.
 
Let the police and military be 'with the times'. I'll stick with my little .44Spec Bulldog for intown protection and my Single Actions for the woods. I just don't see a need (here) to armor up with with 100s of rounds of ammo.
 
It comes down to your confidence ....and your competence ....with the revolver vs the semi-auto / and all of us are different ( and my eyes, shoulders, hands, are not getting any better either).

But capacity is not really the issue in my view..../ can you draw and put a double tap on target 99% of the time - at 3 yds to 8 yds....on a full sized silhouette target ( with tactical accuracy -- nipple to nipple and a rectangle down to belly button area )..../ draw and double tap in 3 sec ...or maybe even 3.5 or 4 sec might be ok / but if you can't then you need more training...

But I would make the same argument with the semi-auto ....draw and double tap in around 3 sec...if not, you need some range time and practice..
-------
For me a semi-auto means a 1911...so in .45 acp its 8 + 1 rds / in 9mm its 10 + 1 rds...and a reload.../ and same argument ....
-------
I don't feel undergunned with a 4" revolver ( like a S&W model 19 or 66 S&W ) with 6 rds of .357 Mag / and a reload....but I practice with them almost every week.../ same for my 1911's....

So test yourself with a timer ....you and a buddy go to the range / and evaluate !
 
Should it happen, I'm going to be in serious trouble if I need more than two rounds. Sure, we can all dream up scenarios but it's exceedingly rare to see a third round required.
Click to expand...

The trouble is, none of us can rely on what happens "most of the time" if we find ourselves in a "some of the time" situation that requires us to defend ourselves with a gun and needing more than two shots to close the deal. In my capacity as an le investigator for the better part of thirty years, I've had the occasion to interview more than a few folks who have had the misfortune of being involved in a gun fight. I can assure you that no one to date has ever complained about having too many rounds on board-and, yes, it's not that unusual to need more than two (or more shots) to survive a shoot-out; all "probability statistics" aside.
 
For duty, heck yes - you are way under gunned. As a civi going about their daily business? It'll do the job most likely. Personally, I carry both these days. The revolver is my BUG.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top