I Can't Seem To Break Away From Carrying A Revolver

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Joe_Pike

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I've carried a 642 for a long time. It's nothing special, but I trust it. I carry it any time I am wearing jeans or casual pants. If I am wearing sweats I'll carry an LCP even though I would really rather be carrying the 642.

I can't tell you how many small 9mm autos I have picked up thinking I was going to make the switch to get the extra two rounds only to sell them before I even shoot them because I can't get to the point where I will give up the 642. The only mini-9 I have left is a CM9. I keep thinking I want to move to a 9mm because ammo is cheaper plus I get the extra two rounds.

I know revolvers can fail, but they are not really ammo sensative like some of these mini-9s can be. I basically can go buy any self defense ammo and I am good to go (yes, I know POI can change with different bullet weights and such but they will still go bang and be pretty close).

Anyone else try to switch and then just give in to the revolver?
 
Having grown up when the revolver was still the standard for police, "...because autos jam...", I may be biased, but I have never used other than a revolver for concealed carry. I own and shoot three autos, .45 Combat Commander, .38 Super Combat Commander, and a Browning H.P., and have owed small 9MM, but I want the simplicity of a S&W 36, or Taurus 85 snubbie for pocket carry. They have no safeties, are always ready to fire. No worries about malfunctions. In short, I have never been tempted by an auto for concealed carry.
 
When I was younger, I pocket carried several different autos. The first was a Heritage Stealth. It was easy to shoot and it carried ten rounds of 9mm. One day, the striker assembly flew out the back while shooting and was lost in some brush. The next firearm I tried to pocket carry was a Taurus PT145. Fully loaded, it wore out pants pockets quickly so it got traded for a Marlin rifle. The next auto in my pocket was a G26. The G26 is easy to shoot accurately but its shape didn't lend itself to a smooth draw from a pocket. I still have the G26 but it gets carried in an OWB holster.


The only firearm I pocket carry now is a 642. It doesn't weigh much and is easy to draw from a pocket. I have it with me almost all the time.
 
I've owned probably a half dozen j-frames. Sold them all after buying, shooting and carrying my PM9 for a while.
Bought a 637 about a year and a half ago, to give the j-frame another chance. It is a neat revolver, but it ended up living in the safe; my PM9 is still in my pocket. :)
 
I am a wheel gun fan also. For CCW I cary a 329 S&W or an air weight J frame. At present I have 4-44 mag. wheel guns, plus several other wheel gun in different cals. but have only owned 1 semi auto centerfire in my life.
 
I love wheelguns and my range days are typically 50% on either platform every single trip. I choose to carry a semi-auto however.

My pure belief is that each guy can & should find his own comfort zone. For me, that means the chance of pistol failure exists -BUT- is quickly and naturally rectified. The chance failure I have experienced with revolvers or not easily rectified and usually become some problem that must be rectified much later and usually at home. Common? Definitely not. Real? For damn sure certain.

Even still, I believe the next guy armed with his favorite revolver is well armed and I'm extremely happy that another good guy has chosen to go armed among us.
 
dahermit said:
Having grown up when the revolver was still the standard for police, "...because autos jam...", I may be biased, but I have never used other than a revolver for concealed carry. I own and shoot three autos, .45 Combat Commander, .38 Super Combat Commander, and a Browning H.P., and have owed small 9MM, but I want the simplicity of a S&W 36, or Taurus 85 snubbie for pocket carry. They have no safeties, are always ready to fire. No worries about malfunctions. In short, I have never been tempted by an auto for concealed carry.
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I am in this camp. I have owned various semi auto's including a couple of 1911's. Every time I started to carry one I would become extremely uncomfortable . Probably irrational but real never the less. I have finally wised-up and given up. I will stick with revolvers for carry....just don't trust a semi, ANY semi.
Ymmv!
 
Carry what you are comfortable with. You like it, you trust it, and will probably do better with it than with something else. If the 2 extra round are really that important to you start some serious reloading drills. With enough serious practice and confidence in your abilities with a fast reload the extra 2 round may not be a worry anymore.
 
My EDC gun is a S&W 649 in .357. I shoot it well, it shoots exactly to point of aim with 125 gr .357 ammo, and it hits hard on the receiving end.
 
I carry a revolver because I like revolvers.

If I ever happen to need something else, well, I'm just having a really bad day.
 
I've never been "high speed - low drag". More like lots of drag no speed - but anyway...

I've carried autos for work a lot. I can train people on autos and if I think I'll need more than my J frame can supply I carry a Glock - or I don't go there.

Unless your job puts you in harms way - carry what you like, are proficient with and will carry all the time. All the other internet / gun rag / gun show noise is just that - noise.
 
and if I think I'll need more than my J frame can supply I carry a Glock - or I don't go there.
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I need one of those "see in to the future crystal balls" that you have! :D

I think your option #2 "I don't go there" is the right option

I always find it humorous when folks carry "light" or "go heavy" depending on their perception of possible threat. :confused: One of my friends routinely drops a .22 Mag NAA minirevolver in to his pocket when he runs down to the gas station to fuel his motorcycle or get food for the lawn mower. I think that idea is ludicrous.

This is kind of like selecting WHICH spare tire to drop in the trunk depending on the terrain and weather, or which fire extinguisher to keep in the garage depending on the project of that particular summer.

I swapped a Glock 19 that I didn't care for to a local forum buddy for his Smith & Wesson Model 60, a J-frame five shot .357 Magnum. It was a very nice revolver. And he had bought it new and liked it a lot. And it was interesting when I went to meet up with him for the transaction, because he told me that he would likely be the only 6-foot-7, 300+ pound guy waiting for me in that parking lot for our day time transaction.

He liked that Model 60 and .357 Magnum ammo. But when he, being of his size and stature was approached and then surrounded by THREE young men, he found himself reconsidering his 5-shot J-frame.

To the best of my knowledge, he still carries that Glock 19.
I shot the J-frame for a while and later sold it. It was interesting, well made, and absolutely NOT something I enjoyed. Away it went.
 
I've been a "revolver man" from when I first shot my Dad's S&W Model 37 when I was a kid.

I'm 23 now, so you don't have to be an "old timer" to have grown up with and love revolvers!

Truth be known... I carry a S&W 642 as my EDC and use a Ruger GP100 .357 magnum for home defense... so all my defensive handguns are in fact revolvers, and you know what? I feel just fine about that. :cool:
 
I am the same. I very much prefer to carry a 38 or 44 snubbie. I will carry my tiny 380 if it is the only thing I can conceal in light summer clothing, but I never feel quite as confident in it. I have been shooting for over 35 years. I have had the admittedly rare semi-auto problem due bad ammo. I have never had a revolver failure. Other people have had other experiences, but my own confidence level is based on my own experiences.
 
Many have tried to switch but also many depend on the reliability of a revolver. It's stated all over this Forum, no need to repeat the why's here.

A good semi auto is just as reliable but it takes work and testing to get it where the revolver is judt out of the box!
I particuarilly prefer the snubby about 75% of the time and a 4:HB Model 10 the other 25% open carry.
The Model 10 is superblly accurate S/A and in good hnds, just about as good, D/A! Not my hands...
For me the 4" HB is just right for it's great sight picture good sight raduis and large grip.
However, the little Model 36 CHief is suprisingly accurate, hits HARD for a small gun, and shoots a wide variety of ammo! It conceals easilly and carrys any way easilly.
Learning to shoot it well is a task but not insurtable.
The ONLY semi-auto I completelly trust is my little Berrets 21 .22 LR Rimfire, It's flawless!
I'll still carry the revolvers.
ZVP
 
I have no doubt that if the need arrises, I will be shaking full of adrenalin, and probably not able to think well about mechanical details of the gun I carry. I don't want to have to remember whether the safety is on or off, or whether there is a round in the chamber. I want to pull it out, and pull the trigger, and hear/feel the report each time I do. I carry a .35 snubby hammerless.
 
I own 3 1911's, a springfield XD9 sub compact 9mm, a 380, and some others...what do I carry every day?? Smith & Wesson Model 36 snubby, made in 1995. I just love the gun for CC, and grew up in the old school days when it was thought to be the best, and in my opinion, still is..Occasionally I carry the XD , but for the most part, its the 36, with a speedloader..I feel confident and more than safe with it.
 
If the caliber is adequate, then carry what ever feels best to you. Being able to fire quickly and accurately makes up for capacity.
 
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