first gun/broke arm/should i concider a revolver?

F

futuremillionaire

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i posted this here because although i have never owned a handgun, i tend to like semi-auto's over revolvers.

i am about to buy my first home defense handgun and thought because my goal is to quickly get a concealment license i should get a gun that compact enough and of large enough caliber to do both.

heres my delima- i have a badly broken arm from an auto accident and it will be a long time before i can shoot with my dominent hand or pull back a slide.
the gun will be for my wife and i both. the thought has crossed my mind to get a revolver so i could operate it one handed so as to stay the primary defender of my family should the need arise before i am healed. (just moved to Miami) my only real concerns with revolvers are load capasity and reload time. i know i probably would never have a legal reason to unload more than 6 bullets into one or more attackers so should either concern be a real issue for it's cc or hd role? can a fast loader solve the reload issue? should i let my wife carry the gun untill i'm healed? another thought: can i gain a little more element of surprise on an attacker by cocking a revolver in it's holster and pulling it out ready to fire (lets say while pretending to reach for a wallet in pants or a purse)? also, my situation begs to question- is a revolver a wise choice cocidering an attack could leave you without thu use of one arm? any thoughts would be appreciated-thanks
 
I think a revolver is a great solution. I don't know what your reload times will be like with a broken arm, but with a speedloader, it would only take a few fingers to manipulate it. And revolvers are pretty much ambidexterous. Most semi's aren't.
 
A revolver is a great CCW or HD option. I'd look for a Ruger or S&W revolver with at least a 4" barrel. If you opt for the .357, you can always practice with .38 specials.

As far as reloading, and its doubtful you'll need a reload (although I do carry reloads when I carry a snub nose), Bianchi speed strips are great but speed loaders are even quicker.
 
Welcome to TFL.

All things considered I'd also recommend a revolver for you. Perhaps a J frame Smith and Wesson. Reloading with one hand will be difficult.
If you really want an auto with higher capacity then you can operate them with one hand by racking the slide against an object say like a desk or table edge or even carpet. Just something to consider. Good luck and get well.
 
I don't see anything wrong with a good revolver. The capacity and reload issues are vastly overstated IMHO as I've yet to see a documented case of a legally armed U.S. citizen being seriously injured or killed because his gun ran out of ammo. Also, a revolver is not susceptable to a jam because of "limp wristing" (this may be an issue if you have to shoot weak handed). If you're really worried about reloading, I'd invest in some Safariland Comp I or Comp II (depending on what type of revolver you get) speedloaders as these don't require you to twist any knobs like the more common HKS type.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=12497&title=COMP%20I%20SPEEDLOADER
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=12498&title=COMP%20II%20SPEEDLOADER

another thought: can i gain a little more element of surprise on an attacker by cocking a revolver in it's holster and pulling it out ready to fire (lets say while pretending to reach for a wallet in pants or a purse)?
Click to expand...

This is a very bad idea. Instead, just get a good quality DA revolver that doesn't require you to cock the hammer.

If I was you, I'd find a nice used DA revolver like a S&W Model 10 (these can typically be found in the $200-300 range) and then buy the semi-auto of your choice once you've healed up. Even if you prefer a semi, a good revolver is something that's always nice to have around.
 
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A revolver should be shot double action at self defense ranges, cocking a gun under stress is a bad idea, cocking a gun in the pocket is a VERY bad idea.

If you have enough dexterity in your broken arm to handle a speedloader, you should be ok. Another possibility would be the "New York Reload"... a second gun.

If you were here, I would take you to the range and let you shoot some different guns to see what you could handle. Do you have any shooting friends? Is there a commercial range that rents guns? Is there a shooting class available in your area?
 
thanks everyone for your help. that just confirms what i already felt was my only choice. now to do a little research. i also need to read up on what to look for when purchasing a used gun because i have a budget of around $300. any links or sites with this kind of information?
 
thanks Jim i wish i were close. no, i don't have friends that shoot but have access to ranges and classes. i already know the types of features i want. i now will have to begin looking for the revolver that is of a quality manufacturer which falls into my price range used.
 
Go to the Revolver forum on this site and look for the revolver check out on the top by Mr. March. It has great information.

You may want to consider a S&W model 10. It is a great, affordable gun. You should be able to find them used on gunbroker.com or auctionarms.com priced within you budget.
 
You need to shoot a few revolvers before you purchase.

Agree that DA is the only way to defense shoot, and revolvers are better for those that have a limited ability to train. Reloading one handed takes practice regardless of type.

Now the bad news, most revolvers are more difficult to shoot accurately in alloy frames and often require more finger pull strength. Yes, if you have a hammer you can cock, SA is an easy trigger pull, but not wise for SD, and doesn't change the second shot DA if needed. This is the reason to try before you buy.

Though heavier, you might find a midsized revolver that it 357 capable, and shoot 38 specials. There are often many good used former police revolvers that many find to be the perfect "home" gun.

Hope you heal quickly.
 
A Suggestion

Given your situation, I would recommend the revolver, let's go with a .38spl so no big recoil. But, with good SD ammo you will be good.
Now, one other addition in your case, I would seriously consider adding a set
of Crimson Trace grips. That way, you or the wife wouldn't have to even sight
the BG in, just put the red dot on him and stop him. Some say, just being targeted with the red laser dot, will send the intruder off and running.
A short barreled .38, some are very light weight also. Personally I'm a S&W fan, but there are many good ones out there.;)
Regards,
SN
 
Ruger SP101 (revolver) with 3" barrel would be my choice in your situation. Good caliber for home defense; small enough to carry concealed easily; can shoot .38 caliber at the range for fun and practice for you and the wife.
 
i'll keep checking the suggestions but i'll prob switch to the revolver thread so not to break any forum rules. thanks again everyone.

i am too novice to have any brand loyalty. (just want quality)

i plan to get as much practice in as possible so i need a gun that is durable through prolonged use.

as it is for defense: easy operation, good identifiable sights, and accuracy are important to me.

i really want to train using sights, but the wife is really big on the laser grips and i can certainly see where they might prove valuable in an emergency situation.
 
Yes, the revolver is a great choice here.

Not only will YOU not have to worry about racking the slide, but your wife won't either. Lots of women don't have the upper body strength to rack the slide on an auto. They have to train to develop the right technique.

If you buy a revolver and the worst happens, you OR your wife can use the gun with no worries.

Later, when your arm is healed, you can get an auto, and your wife will still have the revolver.

Do not cock the revolver early. Draw it and just squeeze the trigger if needed. When a gun is in single action, it is pretty easy to fire it with very little pressure. This has been such a problem for some police forces that they mandate double action only type actions on all their pistols.

I started with autos. I shoot them more accurately and more quickly. But revolvers have a charm that is impossible to ignore. They somehow seem more pure. They don't deaden the recoil or make too many demands on the shooter. No safety or magazine problems to worry about. No worries about causing a jam due to limp-wristing. No picking up brass. (if you ever get into reloading)
 
Maybe another idea is to find a 9mm or .45 auto revolver that uses moon clips. That would be a pretty fast, easy reload. Plus, later on when you buy a semi-auto, you could find one that shares ammo with the revolver.

If you plan on going the utilitarian route anyway. Most of us don't.:D
 
i like revolvers, they just feel more deliberate to me. You have to really want to shoot someoen with a revolver. I feel like under pressure, you're more likely to accidentally shoot someone with a semi auto.
 
Get the dynamic duo. A double action revolver for your one-handed use and shotty with an 18 to 20 inch barrel for the lady. Nothing says home defense like a well placed shotgun.
 
Dont forget you can lock the slide back on an auto pistol. you can just leave it cocked and locked or leave it empty with the slide locked back and have no problem with one handed operation. that is if you are set on an auto. I agree that a revolver would probably be your best choice here but if you find you dont like them an auto pistol will not be impossible to use/reload one handed
 
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