Most dependable gun type

The poster said no "brands" but still people try to sell theirs as the best. lol:)
I say eventualy you should own and shoot both revolvers and semi autos then choose your favorite most reliable. With my experience my revolvers have been flawless but I did have one semi auto that had a perfect track record with no problems as well. So in my case the revolvers have a better track record over all. But I do greatly appreciate the advantages both auto's and revolvers each offer.
 
Those with a semi worry about mag failure, jambs or running out of ammo or such.

It appears those with revolvers do not worry about anything.
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That seems to be true. Including running into a situation that involves multiple opponents or the need to reload.

Yes, I know, the odds are against it.
 
if youd asked me this question 2 years ago i would have said revolvers are more dependable, but since having had 2 recent revolvers fail on me.....id say its a tie. If something goes bang in the dark id reach for my shotty first.....close 2nd is my glock 22, its an old police trade in......no telling how many round are thru it and ive put probably 1000 thru myself and it always goes bang.
 
Even though I currently carry an auto, I am going to say a revolver is the most dependable. I have had jams with autos, but never with the 8 different wheelguns I have fired. I miss my Ruger SP101 :(
 
Even though I currently carry an auto, I am going to say a revolver is the most dependable. I have had jams with autos, but never with the 8 different wheelguns I have fired. I miss my Ruger SP101
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It's not unusual for semi-autos to go many thousands of rounds without a hitch. Several hundered without cleaning. Can a revolver do that?

First graduating class of Texas DPS using new Sig P226 .357 SIG's went thru 300,000 rds without a single malfunction of any kind for any reason.

No revolver in the world would make it thru a semi-auto torture test. Or even thru 1 cylinder, where parts of the test are concerned.

Yes, when it comes to feeding, the revolver works with all ammo and feeding is not an issue. But revolvers have their weaknesses. The powder residue under the ejector star has already been pointed out. I've broken two firing pins (noses) from S&W's. One a M13, the other a M66. One dry firing, one on the range.

I think sometimes we suffer from "the one I prefer is the best" syndrome. It's ok to prefer revolvers. I like them myself and sometimes arm myself with a J-frame Airweight when at home, and usually as a BUG when I'm not. I've come to like my LCR for that purpose. I carry two guns in my 6th decade because I'm either getting paranoid or smarter.

Summary: Both semi-autos and revolvers have areas where they're both more and less reliable than the other and it's OK to prefer and carry either one. And for no other reason than personal preference. They've both saved lots of lives, and I wouldn't feel inadequately armed with my M66. I feel better armed with a SIG or 1911.

Just my thoughts on the matter.:cool:
 
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As a kid growing up reading all of the gun magazines I could back in the 60's you'd have thought only wheelguns were any good as far as reliability and accuracy. Maybe they were back then, maybe not. Everybody knew that the .45 autos were wild and wooly, loose as a goose, barnsides were typically safe, but if you were lucky enough to connect, it supposedly put a 45/100s hole in the front and a fist sized hole out the back. If you were lucky and didn't limp wrist it.

I had 2 uncles who were cops in the 50s & early 60s, and they followed this mantra, while my Dad's brothers all swore by their .45 autos.

Fortunately for me, I liked both. Still do. Both pretty reliable.

I suppose you could limp wrist a revolver, but to what end?

Durable? In 1904 I believe the German Navy went with a semi auto (nice looking one too) soon followed in 08 by their Wermacht (when did the Swiss start using that particular semi-auto? 1900 IIRC?). 1911 brought the US Army into the modern age of said back and forthing, springs sproinging, brass flying, magazine changing device (all while on horseback?!?!?!) with only a few moments of semi-auto interruptus (usually in times of war, but not always). So that makes about a hundert years of someone thinking they're onto a good thing, even tho I bet there was a lot of griping during the transition.

Accurate? Could go either way here. Tighter tolerences do tend to muck up things like reliability once either design gets dirty and gritty.

I personally thank the good lord that sights today have evolved a bit as well, since my eyes seem to be devolving.

Most dependable gun type might just depend on how well you keep it clean, checking the odd bits and pieces every now and then to see if replacement is warranted.

That and using quality ammunition.
 
For semi auto you can not beat a glock, I have trashed the hell out of my 2 and they just keep going, But I sure love my custom 1911s.
 
Non issue. A modern quality handgun is so damn good as to make the argument moot. I think revolvers won out at first because the system was more simple but most semis are so good now that they are every bit as reliable and probably even more durable (meaning function when dirty, sbused etc) as a revolver. Really a good semi may even be better because when the slide is closed it is almost sealed weher as a revolver can always ger junk in it. I wa of the thought a revolver was better for home def for someone not exp with guns because it is straight forward and to a point this may be true but considering anyone that has a gun really should be trained on it and practice with it a semi is just as good. The real issue is traing not what gun you use. If your 60yo granny needs one OK maybe a revolver but anyone that can get to a range and become proficent (yeah that can;t be spelled right) with their gun can realize the advantages of a semi. The other side is for HD only a revolvers simplicity may win out since you really do not need to factor in operation under adverse conditions or when abused and 6 shots should be plenty to get the job done. My point? Training with whatever gun you pick will go much further then being oblivious and having a simple gun. Look at it like this. A seal with a cross bow will win over a 60yo granny half busted on plum wine holding a 12gauge evey day of the week lol
 
Assuming proper maintenance, good ammo, and a quality firearm, both are quite dependable. I do believe revolvers are slightly more reliable since they're less dependant on ammunition type, magazines, and firm grip, but the difference is pretty small. Don't let anyone try to tell you that any gun is perfect as I've seen a Glock and a Sig jam and a S&W revolver that wouldn't fire. Just realize the shorcomings of your chosen platform, train for the worst, and hope for the best.
 
agreed.

I think people put too much stress on what gun is most reliable or accurate. Most are more accurate then the person shooting them and more reliable and durable then any conditions you are likely to subject them too unless you are an operator in seriously adverse conditions.

I have for many years been into sportbikes (motorcycles) and there is for ever a debate on what bike is "best". Any modern sport bike has vastly more capability then almost anyone can possibly use on any road. The weak link is always the riders ability not the tool.
 
I really don't think one can say either [autos or revolvers] is better. It might be said that one is better for a particular person, based on many factors, but certainly not a definative difference between the two platforms.

Personally, I like them both. I am a better shot with autos, find the very reliable and easy to clear in the event of a malfunction (though they are rare.) That said, I tend to carry a revolver more. I am more comfortable with them, prefer to not have to worry about un/chambering a round, and don't like to carry spare magazines.
 
I think if I were in Afghanistan right now, I'd consider the auto-pistol more reliable. I think intended use has some bearing on reliability.

For a seldom touched, home defense weapon, I think a good Smith or Ruger revolver provides as close to 100% reliability as you are likely to get. But I think our military got it right when they went (for the most part) to the semiautomatic pistol. In tough, hostile conditions, either type of weapon can fail but given a choice, I'll take my chances with an auto-pistol. I don't know that my first choice would be the M-9, but that's a different topic.
 
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