For home/personal defense would you choose a pistol or a revolver
- Thread starter chrisintexas
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SFsc616171
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Home defense firearm
What feels good in the hand, at the counter, after a few rounds, does it still feel comfortable? Rent if you can, and try them all, if not for the experience.
Yes, a semi-automatic pistol requires a little more study, and a lot more 'if's', than a revolver. Find Clint Smith videos on YouTube, and you will see videos on all the intricacies of both revolvers and semi's.
In the dark, a revolver has less 'switches'. True, they hold less than a semi, but it is NOT the amount of lead downrange that counts, it is WHERE they are going! So, six for sure, or more for maybe or sure, is your choice.
Mind you, any firearm in the dark will have muzzle flash, and a bang! How will that play, in your reactions?
Revolvers give you all the reaction impulse in your hand, whereas semi's 'process' some of that in their machinery functions, i.e., slide movement, ejection and loading of next cartridge. Semi's require a specific "not-less-than-X-cartridge load", to make the machinery work, whereas revolvers do not.
I wish you well with your choice.
What feels good in the hand, at the counter, after a few rounds, does it still feel comfortable? Rent if you can, and try them all, if not for the experience.
Yes, a semi-automatic pistol requires a little more study, and a lot more 'if's', than a revolver. Find Clint Smith videos on YouTube, and you will see videos on all the intricacies of both revolvers and semi's.
In the dark, a revolver has less 'switches'. True, they hold less than a semi, but it is NOT the amount of lead downrange that counts, it is WHERE they are going! So, six for sure, or more for maybe or sure, is your choice.
Mind you, any firearm in the dark will have muzzle flash, and a bang! How will that play, in your reactions?
Revolvers give you all the reaction impulse in your hand, whereas semi's 'process' some of that in their machinery functions, i.e., slide movement, ejection and loading of next cartridge. Semi's require a specific "not-less-than-X-cartridge load", to make the machinery work, whereas revolvers do not.
I wish you well with your choice.
To GAZ in NZ,
I think the answer to your questions is best chalked up to a cultural thing.
Here in the U.S. most of us were brought up thinking that self sufficiency and the ability to protect your own, were not only important, but a God given right and obligation. We are taught not to rely on government or police forces for our protection. In other places (say NZ) around the world people are enculturated to think differently. The fact is, human nature, is human nature regardless of whether you are in the U.S. or New Zealand, and the truth is, people like me question how someone could ever be more content living in a culture that is solely dependent on government and police forces to keep them alive...and have accepted a way of life that has taken away not only their right to self-preservation, but has also indoctrinated them into thinking and believing that helplessness is the proper state of man. Likewise, I would never want to reside in a place like that. Just as you indicated above, your comments were not intended as an insult. You were just asking a question, and providing you opinion on the subject. I'm simply doing the same here, no offense intended of course.
I should add...if there is a violence problem in the U.S. is not because of guns. It more likely is the result of a government making poor economic decisions, and the people most impacted by these decisions being oblivious to the root cause.
That said, I do not believe that the population of the U.S. is anymore inclined toward criminal behavior that anywhere else in the world.
I think the answer to your questions is best chalked up to a cultural thing.
Here in the U.S. most of us were brought up thinking that self sufficiency and the ability to protect your own, were not only important, but a God given right and obligation. We are taught not to rely on government or police forces for our protection. In other places (say NZ) around the world people are enculturated to think differently. The fact is, human nature, is human nature regardless of whether you are in the U.S. or New Zealand, and the truth is, people like me question how someone could ever be more content living in a culture that is solely dependent on government and police forces to keep them alive...and have accepted a way of life that has taken away not only their right to self-preservation, but has also indoctrinated them into thinking and believing that helplessness is the proper state of man. Likewise, I would never want to reside in a place like that. Just as you indicated above, your comments were not intended as an insult. You were just asking a question, and providing you opinion on the subject. I'm simply doing the same here, no offense intended of course.
I should add...if there is a violence problem in the U.S. is not because of guns. It more likely is the result of a government making poor economic decisions, and the people most impacted by these decisions being oblivious to the root cause.
That said, I do not believe that the population of the U.S. is anymore inclined toward criminal behavior that anywhere else in the world.
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Gaz,
Home invasion robberies and rapes occur just frequently enough in "good neighborhoods" that the prudent man keeps a weapon available. Sometimes a robbery turns into a murder for the sheer thrill of it. Sometimes murder is the goal of the home invaders and we have no way to determine intent before the crime. Again, this happens just frequently enough to keep those people who pay attention to such things on their toes.
Home invasion robberies and rapes occur just frequently enough in "good neighborhoods" that the prudent man keeps a weapon available. Sometimes a robbery turns into a murder for the sheer thrill of it. Sometimes murder is the goal of the home invaders and we have no way to determine intent before the crime. Again, this happens just frequently enough to keep those people who pay attention to such things on their toes.
There is no safe place on the planet and we all are responsible for our own safety.
Anything can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone.
God forbid anyone should ever have anything happen to them where one needs the firearm for defense. Hopefully it won't happen, but like anything else having the tool to do the job when necessary is paramount. Being able to protect your self or loved ones and others is something I would rather be able to do than not.
The gun is a tool like many others. With the gun or any tool comes great responsibility.
Being killed by four footed or two footed beasts is not on my bucket list.
Needing the tool for other possiblities is also paramount.
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Being a helpless victim anywhere or helpless victims means one has nothing they can do about their situation. Having a tool to do the job gives one the ability to be other than a victim and be murdered.
I go with either a Ruger SP-101 in .327 Federal, a Taurus 856 (six shots), or a Rossi 462(six shot).
On occasion a .44 Special Taurus 431 gets the nod.
Now that winter is on the way I want my holes large and the .44 Special will and does do that to its target.
What is a innocent life worth? To me everything as a morals and ethics demands.
One other thing. Guns are pulled to stop an attack and the attacker is stopped without a shot being fired. Professor Kleck and Professor Lott have documented this for many years.
I would not count on a attacker/s to run or give up, but it helps if they do. Be prepared to follow up and shoot if the actors decide not to stop.
Anything can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone.
God forbid anyone should ever have anything happen to them where one needs the firearm for defense. Hopefully it won't happen, but like anything else having the tool to do the job when necessary is paramount. Being able to protect your self or loved ones and others is something I would rather be able to do than not.
The gun is a tool like many others. With the gun or any tool comes great responsibility.
Being killed by four footed or two footed beasts is not on my bucket list.
Needing the tool for other possiblities is also paramount.
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Being a helpless victim anywhere or helpless victims means one has nothing they can do about their situation. Having a tool to do the job gives one the ability to be other than a victim and be murdered.
I go with either a Ruger SP-101 in .327 Federal, a Taurus 856 (six shots), or a Rossi 462(six shot).
On occasion a .44 Special Taurus 431 gets the nod.
Now that winter is on the way I want my holes large and the .44 Special will and does do that to its target.
What is a innocent life worth? To me everything as a morals and ethics demands.
One other thing. Guns are pulled to stop an attack and the attacker is stopped without a shot being fired. Professor Kleck and Professor Lott have documented this for many years.
I would not count on a attacker/s to run or give up, but it helps if they do. Be prepared to follow up and shoot if the actors decide not to stop.
Obviously, being a Vietnam vet, . . . I am biased toward the 1911, . . .
But there is one undeniable factual difference that only comes through experience: a problem that surfaces with a revolver that prevents the weapon from being used, . . . is a problem that will at best be fixed ina few minutes, . . . but will most likely take a gun smith to fix, . . . BUT, . . . many times the problem with the semi auto is fixed with a mag change or working the action.
Revolvers were replaced by the military for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with price or budgets: they simply are inferior to semi auto pistols in a combat environment.
May God bless,
Dwight
But there is one undeniable factual difference that only comes through experience: a problem that surfaces with a revolver that prevents the weapon from being used, . . . is a problem that will at best be fixed ina few minutes, . . . but will most likely take a gun smith to fix, . . . BUT, . . . many times the problem with the semi auto is fixed with a mag change or working the action.
Revolvers were replaced by the military for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with price or budgets: they simply are inferior to semi auto pistols in a combat environment.
May God bless,
Dwight
peacefulgary
New member
It depends...
.357 magnum Ruger GP100 in the kitchen.
.45 auto XD in the bedroom.
.357 magnum Ruger GP100 in the kitchen.
.45 auto XD in the bedroom.
Single Six
New member
Actually, I go back and forth between the two. Personal defense: Sometimes, my stainless Ruger P-90 .45 ACP, other times, my stainless 4" Ruger GP-100 .357 Mag. Home defense: First and foremost, Remington 870 Marine Magnum 12 gauge, backed up by either the aforementioned P-90, or my stainless 4" Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt. Hmm...stainless, and Ruger...yeah, I have my preferences.
I go with revolvers at home because anyone can use them at any time of day or night. I figure that if the worst should happen I want the easiest manual of arms.
Gas, from reading this and other forums you may get a weird impression of the USA. Keep in mind that a lot of people here are gun nuts so they are going to have a bunch of guns just because they like them. Thats not a problem because people do mostly behave themselves here when it comes to firearms.
However, lots of people do keep a gun of some sort in the house for defense in the event that it ever should be needed. Lots of people also carry them for the same reason. After all, what good is a gun in the safe when you are being raped on the street? Most of us will never ever need them, but what is wrong with being prepared? Some do need them and they have used them to save their lives. What's wrong with that? Btw, it's not paranoia or fear that drive the vast majority of us to keep a gun around. It's just looking around and realizing that something could happen so in the off chance it's better to e prepared. For me, I didn't bother carrying a gun until I had a daughter. Then, when she arrived I realized that if I was ever car jacked with her strapped in her car seat I would never get her out and they would take her. A gun is about the only tool that I know of that could help in that situation. Does that make me a crazy paranoid American? Chances are I'll never need it but it's my personal obligation as a parent to provide for her every need which includes food, shelter, clothing, education and of course, protection.
Gas, from reading this and other forums you may get a weird impression of the USA. Keep in mind that a lot of people here are gun nuts so they are going to have a bunch of guns just because they like them. Thats not a problem because people do mostly behave themselves here when it comes to firearms.
However, lots of people do keep a gun of some sort in the house for defense in the event that it ever should be needed. Lots of people also carry them for the same reason. After all, what good is a gun in the safe when you are being raped on the street? Most of us will never ever need them, but what is wrong with being prepared? Some do need them and they have used them to save their lives. What's wrong with that? Btw, it's not paranoia or fear that drive the vast majority of us to keep a gun around. It's just looking around and realizing that something could happen so in the off chance it's better to e prepared. For me, I didn't bother carrying a gun until I had a daughter. Then, when she arrived I realized that if I was ever car jacked with her strapped in her car seat I would never get her out and they would take her. A gun is about the only tool that I know of that could help in that situation. Does that make me a crazy paranoid American? Chances are I'll never need it but it's my personal obligation as a parent to provide for her every need which includes food, shelter, clothing, education and of course, protection.
carprivershooter
New member
A short barreled 20 or 12 gauge shotgun loaded with the best buck and ball ammo you can afford and for back up any pistol you handle well. For me I have a hallway to cover and a shot gun well clear it very nicely. Don't forget to practice, practice, practice with whatever you choose to defend your home with. learn to shoot on the move and with your off hand.
Pistolgripshotty
New member
Why only have one...revolver in the right hand and pistol in the left.
SteveBonning
New member
I went through the 'evolution' previously mentioned. Trying to decide on my first handgun for HD I originally was considering those great looking auto's, perhaps a Sig P250 in 9mm. After months of learning about handguns, I ended up choosing a GP-100 revolver for all the reasons mentioned--point and shoot, very little to go wrong, could sit in my sock drawer for years and still fire, if I miss him with the bullet the fireball will burn his ass, you-name-it.
The GP-100 remains my primary home defense weapon and only leaves the house to go to the range for practice. I may carry any of my other weapons, but the Ruger stays home loaded and ready. Since then, I've added a 20 ga and 16 ga shotgun to the HD arsenal and consider them just as valuable.
The GP-100 remains my primary home defense weapon and only leaves the house to go to the range for practice. I may carry any of my other weapons, but the Ruger stays home loaded and ready. Since then, I've added a 20 ga and 16 ga shotgun to the HD arsenal and consider them just as valuable.
RedBowTies88
New member
Neither.... I prefer carbine's to pistols or revolvers.
That said... between the two it's whichever one i happen to grab first
That said... between the two it's whichever one i happen to grab first
This was answered very well on a similar thread. I wasn't the one who answered, but I'll paraphrase. It isn't fear so much as a sense of self-reliance. This attitude is an occupational hazard for crooks here. One reason that most burglaries occur on unoccupied dwellings during the day.