In a Quandary.....open to suggestions

W

wpsdlrg

New member
I'll throw this out to the gallery and see what comes back.....


I have noticed lately that I am having a great deal more fun shooting my auto pistol than my revolvers. I have a 9mm auto (Stoeger 8000L, if anyone is interested) that I am now getting very used to - and starting to shoot very well. I find that when I choose a gun to carry, it is almost always the Stoeger.

My revolvers include a 1986 Smith Model 10-8 (3" HB, my favorite version).....which is a terrific handgun. I also have a Taurus 851 (small- frame) revolver....which has been a great gun (quite accurate and totally reliable for around 1850 rounds).

I handload 38 Spl. for the two revolvers.....I do not handload 9mm Luger (because it is relatively cheap).

I find that I have become somewhat indifferent to the revolvers. If anyone said that I'd feel this way a year or more ago.....I'd have said they "have rocks in their head". Most days, when loading up to go to the range for target practice.....the revolvers are an afterthought.

I particularly don't much care about the Taurus, so that one is probably on the way out. I intended to use it as my primary CC gun, but frankly, the Smith carries just about as well (and I have no problem concealing it).

What I am wrestling with is whether I might want to get rid of the revolvers (and 38 Spl.) altogether.....and get another 9mm pistol to compliment the Stoeger. The Stoeger is a KEEPER - no doubt about that. IF I did get rid of the revolvers, I WOULD get another auto......because I DO insist on having a spare for general use and CC, just in case (and to take the load off of the primary handgun). If I do that, I would most likely get something similar sized to the Stoeger (which is a Compact, but NOT pocket sized), so that the two could be interchanged for CC.

I don't really have any interest in another revolver model/ brand - the Model 10 Smith is my favorite....and I can't ever see topping it.

This thread is NOT really about which auto I would choose, if I dropped the revolvers....but I certainly don't mind suggestions. It is REALLY about whether I want to keep or drop owning/ using revolvers. Also, I have had a couple of 45's.....and I don't want another. And I don't really care for the 40 S&W cartridge. IF I get another auto, it would be 9mm, so that I would have only 1 pistol cartridge to deal with (for both guns)- just my particular peccadillo.

The leading contenders for autos (replacements for the revolvers), in case anyone cares..... are, in no particular order : The Sig-Sauer P2022, the Sig-Sauer P250c (I REALLY like the DAO on this one)......and the Beretta PX4 Compact or Sub-compact. I have also considered the Beretta Nano - but I consider that one too small and too specialized toward CC - so that one is probably out of the running.

Oh and this is MOST LIKELY an EITHER/ OR situation. IF I DO get another auto - then the wheel guns go away. If NOT, then probably only the Taurus goes away. I have been through 6 handguns in the past year - and I have sworn to myself that I will NOT increase the size of the stable to more than I have now (and likely only TWO for the future). So the "keep the revolvers and get another auto too" comments will not be of help.

Anyway, what say the peanut gallery ? Any of you guys (who have both revolvers and autos) ever have this dilemma ? If so, how did you resolve it ? Members of the gallery should feel free to chime in - I am completely undecided about this - and tearing my hair out (and I don't have much left, at my age). Maybe a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. opinion would help me to decide.....

Thanks !
 
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It's not a dilemma for me. I have a Ruger Single Six (.22LR "cowboy" sixgun, if you're not familiar with it) as a plinker; a Colt Detective Special in .38 Special because, well, because; a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt because I couldn't afford a Colt SAA; and an Armscor M200 (a .38 Special clone of the Detective Special) that was bought for my wife.

I carry 1911s. Period. The revolvers are safe queens, there just to fill out the "revolver" aspect of a well-rounded assortment of firearms.
 
My own thought on the matter is that you should do what you like.
If you like shooting autos more than revolvers, aren't interested in building a pistol collection, and aren't overly sentimental about them then why keep the revolvers around?
I have neither the space nor inclination to keep a bunch of guns, so I only keep them as long as I enjoy shooting them.
 
Another thought for "Do what you think will suit you the most". However, what will your thoughts be if the revolver bug ever returns? Yes, the Tauri will be around, but how often do you see a 3" Model 10 Pre-Hilary Hole? And a year, or 5, or 10- how much will they have gone up in price? Do what you think is best, but personally, I would have to think long and hard about ditching the Smith.
 
I would vote for getting rid of the Taurus and adding another auto that you like. That wouldn't increase the number of handguns you have. If you are really set on going down to 2, do what will make you happy. Personally, I wouldn't part with the Smith but that is just me. If it doesn't bring you joy or fill a need and you are sure you wont want to replace it later then it seems like you already have your answer.


Personally, I haven't had this delima. I like both, enjoy both, and they also fill different roles for me.
 
I have a criteria for my firearms. I must enjoy shooting them or they go down the road.(other than those passed down to me by my dad and grandads). What others think or like makes no never mind to me. I suggest you do the same.
 
Hang on to the revolvers. You will swing back and forth on your fav., you shoot bottom feeder for a bit then just for giggles take out a wheel gun and all of the sudden they are the most fun to shoot.
 
I am not a young man. I have several revolvers and several autos. I find that there are cycles with preferences. Sometimes revolvers, sometimes autos. There have been times when I have traded/sold a jewell to obtain something new. I still do, but not nearly as much as I used to. I find myself shooting revolvers more in the winter because brass is hard to find in the mud or snow. A good blast with some stout 44 mag loads can be fun once in awhile. Running 200 rounds through my 4506 or gold cup is very satisfying. Never forget to throw in the 22 for fun.
I tire with something but I won't sell it now. Be patient.
 
I believe God made man's hand to fit the butt of a revolver. I'm a revolver man from 'waaay back, and enjoy my sixguns.

The revolver never throws my brass into the mud, dirt or, whenever we are favored with it, snow. It keps it right there in the chamber until I punch it out, right into the palm of my hand. And when my target is way out yonder I know I can still hit it out beyond the 200 yard mark, if there were any 200 yard marks.

If you like your auto loaders, I won't quibble with you
on the subject. Buit for sheer joy of shooting, I'll take my sixgun hands down!

Bob Wright
 
Any of you guys (who have both revolvers and autos) ever have this dilemma ?
Click to expand...

Abso-freakin-lutely NEVER had that problem!:D

Of course, I look at it differently than you do. You have apparently decided how many handguns you wish to own, and, if I'm reading this right, would even be ok with just two, provided they were the "right" two. Is that right?

Well, based on what you have written, another 9mm for ammo commonality. But, which one? I would suggest that you look at the features you like about the Stoeger you really like, and either A) chose one with similar features, or B) chose one with very different features, to learn and evaluate.

From your post you aren't a collector type person. I am, after a fashion, so my viewpoint is of limited value to you. I like getting different guns, and finding how they work in my hands, both as examples of a type, and as individual guns.

I have single shots, SA autos in calibers ranging from .32ACP to .45 Win Mag, DA autos in the same range, DA revolvers in .38/.357, .44 Mag, .45acp, and .45 Colt. And, of course, .22LR in all action types except DA auto.

S&W, Colt, Ruger, Browning, Walther, Mauser, Luger, IMI, TDE, LAR, Wildey, Coonan, T/C, Webley, Savage, Stoegers, and others are a fun thing for me, and while I have traded, I haven't sold anything in years.

Ask yourself this question, do I now, or am I likely in the future to have a need or desire to do anything else with a handgun than defense/ccw and practice/plinking with it?

It would help with suggestions if you tell us the 6 handguns you have been through and didn't see worth keeping, and why. That way we would know which classes & types to avoid suggesting.

Some ideas come to mind, such as replacing your revolvers with a .22LR version of your 9mm auto (or something as close as you can get) for low cost practice with a similar platform.

OR you might go in a completely different direction, and get a revolver that isn't in the defense/ccw class. A single action in .357 with a longer barrel, perhaps. Something you can shoot just for the enjoyment of it (aside from practical applications). Perhaps a Ruger convertable in .357 Mag with the 9mm cylinder. Or go all the way to .45 Colt and play cowboy (participation in cowboy action games is optional).

or consider a truly pocket auto...

another thing to consider is that if you are ever involved in a defensive shooting situation, you will probably lose your gun to the evidence room, at least for some time. Having a backup version (or something very similar) of your main duty piece allows you to be re-armed with something familiar while you wait for due process to grind its way through so you can (hopefully) get your primary piece back.

There are many directions you can go, and a little more direction from you would give us a much better idea what a useful suggestion would be. You've already spelled out a number of ways not to go, so what really interests you? And what do you think your wants are, as opposed to your needs?
 
Sell nothing! Ever!

When I started down this road of handgunning I was completely an auto guy. My wife bought me a 1911 Colt Delta Elite in 10mm. Don't really need much more than that, right? Well, as time went by, I found that my interests changed and so did my weapons. I currently have 7 autos and 3 revolvers, a couple of the autos are same caliber and two of the revolvers are. Couldn't be happier and whenever we go to camp, the wife and kids and their friends love shooting all of them.

I like having guns in many different calibers as they each serve different roles. None of them are safe queens and they all get shot when we go. I have two that I typically carry concealed every day (not at the same time). They are all also ready to go into the bag should it be necessary to leave in a hurry for whatever reason. By bringing all of them, I am confident that I will be able to find ammo along the way for most of them. By no means am I a dooms dayer, but I also believe in being prepared and self reliant. By having both autos and wheelguns I feel confident that I could take care of my family and would have no problems scrounging what is necessary to do that.
 
I agree with 10-96. The 3" Model 10 will only gain value over time. Unless you just have to sell it to buy an auto, I would suggest holding onto it. The Taurus would be easier to replace, if you started to miss it some day.
 
From your post you aren't a collector type person. I am, after a fashion, so my viewpoint is of limited value to you. I like getting different guns, and finding how they work in my hands, both as examples of a type, and as individual guns.
Click to expand...

Same here. I like (and use) all types and kinds of firearms and have always been fascinated with guns. Though I'm not a "collector" per se, I have a lot of firearms I've "accumulated" over the past several decades and I've never had the "dilemma" you are afflicted with. So, whereas 44 AMP suspects that his viewpoint will be of "limited value" to you, I'm pretty sure, given my mind-set and obsessions, that my viewpoint will be of absolutely no value to you-but, of course, that didn't stop me from offering it anyway...:)
 
I had this issue for a while. I got my Coonan Classic and never really shot much else for a while. I started looking at a Glock in 45acp but after thinking about reloading a new round decided against it.

If Glock ever releases a 357 magnum ill probably buy it. I found I am not partial to revolvers or automatics. I am partial to the 357 magnum. I think I was shooting the Coonan so much because it was different.
 
Me?

I'd sell the Taurus and buy a Ruger MkII.
Then you would have two semi-autos with similar actions (although the trigger will be a bit different, the fundamentals are the same).

More importantly, you will be able to buy ammo for ~$15/550 rounds. That buys a lot of practice time, and proficiency.

Even if you handload, putting aside the cost of loading gear, you cannot put 9mm ammo together for anything close to that price.
 
Not a problem with me. I'm an auto guy. Oh, there were tons of revolvers that I wanted when I first got into guns, starting with a Ruger Security Six and ending with a Dan Wesson Pistol Pac. Never got any of them except one-a Ruger Redhawk, just because I still believe it to be the most beautiful .44 Magnum ever produced, though I did almost trade it on a Colt Anaconda once. It is my only revolver in a sea of autos and a few specialty pistols, and I'm quite happy. I'm not against revolvers, I'd still like to have a small frame in .327 Federal or .32 H&R mag. They're just not that important to me.

I see you prefer 9mm. I've got 2 myself. Great round and a lot of fun.
 
ditto to goodshot.

I too go in cycles. auto, to revolver, to single shot to black powder. I move from big bore to 22lr. Standard rounds to pure handloads.

Hold on to the piece you will probably go back to it in the future.
 
If you wanted to sell one of the wheel guns. I'd sell the Taurus. You'll regret getting rid of your S&W.
 
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