Revolver or Pistol

I'm in the "Real guns instead of wheel guns" camp, but do have a couple of them old timey revolvers too! :D

I con't carry revolvers, or hunt with them, but I do enjoy the occaisional range trip where I don't have to bend over and pick up brass. :D

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Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!
 
My first gun is also a .38 revolver and I like it much but time comes that we want to use more sophisticated weapons or just for a change. Perhaps there are times that there is a trend for revolvers and vice versa.
Some said, revolvers are less prone to jamming, some said, pistols is easier to clear jams. Others said, revolvers is slower to load or limited feeds. But this is overcome by modern revolvers with 8 to 9 rounds and good reloading practice by shooters respectively.
To Hi-Caps is not that important with regards to pistol bec. once the standard 7 rounds mag is finished another 7 rounds can be inserted fast (it is matter of training).
In my area, there is a revival of revolvers and they can be seen competing with pistols. Man, I am delighted to see those having long revolvers hanging on their waist with several reloaders. It reminds me the old-old west movies.
 
I'm willing to place a small bet that I have shot more kinds of auto pistols than most folks have ever heard of, but my preference in a carry gun is a .38 Chiefs Special or a Model 19 revolver. I don't plan to encounter a gang of 100 insane fanatics armed to the teeth (I know, I know, but I'm playing the odds) and figure 5/6 shots and a speed loader are plenty. Also, with a little luck and one BG, I think I can make the first shot the only one.

Jim
 
I've only used autoloaders from a dozen or so manufacturers, have used them as duty weapon and like some of them.

That said, I consider the autoloader an offensive weapon and the wheelgun a defensive weapon. Many of the reasons covered above.

I am not convinced that the LEO hit percentages are particularly applicable. All too many LEOs are not shooting enthusiasts and only practice the minimum required to maintain qualification. I maintain that a shooter who practices diligently will be able to score very well with either wheel or semi auto. Even under stress. Double action revolver shooting is an easily acquired skill. It can be very fast and very accurate.

I am confidant in my back up J frame and my .357 or .44 snubbies will do it all out to any defensive range. My 6" model 19 is always eager for open carry and will definately reach out and touch something, hard.

Sam...follow me, I know a shortcut
 
As I was looking over the posts it dawned on me how to solve the revolver / Auto situation. Carry a Auto as your primary and a revolver as a back up. If it was me I think I would go with a Wilson Classic .45 and a Wilson revolver.(Slicked up lil Model 66 with a 2 1/2 in barrel in .357) That would be a dynamite combo in my opinion.(though I don't know if he still makes those revolvers since the S&W sellout)(Maybe with a Charter Arms or a Taurus instead) Just a thought.

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***Torpedo***
It's a good life if you can survive it!
 
Was forced to go from the 1911 to DA revolver as an LEO/FA instructor so decided to master it to the extent possible. (I had read Ed McGivern's book.) Properly used they are more reliable than ANY semiauto, can actually be fired faster, and in 4" .357/125, hit very hard. I can shoot mine better on a bad day than I can a semiauto on a good day--which is what 20 years with one gun will accomplish. The DA revolver suits the average shooter well and will keep up with a master shooter as well. You can't beat it for versatility. Today I would probably opt for a Glock in .357 SIG for duty; but as a retired LEO the DA .357 revolver is still my personal choice.
I flirt with all sorts of other things but this is the one I rely on.

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Revolvers have far more power in a practical sized package than any auto [a 4" 44 mag is about same wt and size as a 1911]. A 5 shot 45 Long Colt or 475 is beyond the dreams of autos. Auto's are tougher and easier to shoot well with speed. Not to mention easier to hide.

The revolver's cylinder is easily damaged if dropped or smacked against something hard, while a well designed auto would just get a ding or scratch from the same treatment.

I do think that either a 9mm or 45 acp with a 41 mag/44 mag/45 Long Colt+P makes a lot of sense.
 
Interesting debate but when you look at most of the firearms classes taught to civilians across the country, the pistol predominates.

Even when folks really carry revolvers like my beloved 442, we show up with big rigs
for 1911s, Sigs, Glocks, etc and a belt full of mags.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sigmund:
A Police Foundation study found that LEOs in street fights using revolvers hit their targets with about 25% of their shots. I have seen estimates that the hit rate for semi-autos is 65-75%. Except the first shot out of a magazine, which is shot DA, which has a hit rate of about 25%, same as DA revolver. [/quote]

With respect, I strongly disagree with this analysis. Several recent TFL posts suggest many contemporary LEOs are disinterest in firearms, do not maintain their weapons frequently or with care, do not practice rigorously, have little more than minimum weapons proficiency (if that), and -- most important -- hit their target only about 10 percent of the time. Current experiences in New York City and Philadelphia seem to verify that abysmal accuracy rate. All of this is with semiautomatic-armed police forces.

On the other hand, "old timers" armed with revolvers may tend to be LEO handgun experts. Extremely accurate shot placement is their forte. Revolvers have inherent weaknesses -- capacity certainly is one -- but putting many rounds beyond the target where innocent citizens are at risk seems to be a "spray and pray" phenomenon usually related to autoloaders, not revolvers.
 
FUD,
Good post. :cool:
I'd prefer a revolver for precision shooting (Colt Phython 4") and long range hitting ( S & Klinton Highway Patrolman in 5" ), but unfortunately, they do not conceal real well, except in certain types of rigs.
Although I like my semi-auto's, I grew up on revolvers and I believe I can get them into action faster...maybe it's the cowboy in me? :) and I'm from Hawaii. :cool:
 
I love autos, but when it comes to self defense revolvers are what I reach for. I find revolvers more accurate, easier to draw quickly, and more useful for point shooting. More importantly, I keep them on hand because less proficient family members can easily use a revolver. I also think of my autos as a little more offensive than defensive. My favorite revolver is the Ruger GP100 and I really like the way it field strips like an auto for cleaning.
 
I carry a semi-auto but occasionally hunt with a revolver. For a guy my size, a 1911 is easier to conceal. Otherwise, I would have no problems trusting my life to a revolver.

To each his own.
 
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