I voted revolver because they're classic, simple, reliable, and more aesthetically appealing. Semiautos have their own advantages, and I even use a particularly reliable one for defensive purposes currently, but I will probably always have more of an affinity for revolvers overall. Maybe growing up on Westerns and old cop shows and movies have had that effect on me, I don't know.
Revolver or Semi Auto
- Thread starter Rjeezie
- Start date
wheel gun for me
Count me among the revolver crowd, but not just any revolver. I prefer the old S&W .357 that I learned to shoot with. I have other revolvers but none are quite like the 65. I do like semis (apart from all that flying brass) and will probably purchase a kimber most likely in 45 acp soon. Simply, quickly, reliably, putting rounds downrange, for me, nothing beats the mod 65!
Count me among the revolver crowd, but not just any revolver. I prefer the old S&W .357 that I learned to shoot with. I have other revolvers but none are quite like the 65. I do like semis (apart from all that flying brass) and will probably purchase a kimber most likely in 45 acp soon. Simply, quickly, reliably, putting rounds downrange, for me, nothing beats the mod 65!
While I like semi autos, I just shoot revolvers better. After almost 15 years of shooting I find myself taking my revolvers out of the safe to shoot just because I'm better with them, and I have far more fun with them. I'm trading my semi's way, and I would never have dreamed that when I started shooting.
engineer88
New member
I voted revolver. If it were not for light weight 5 shot snubs I would suck it up and carry my glock 26 every day. However a small .38 in the pocket or stashed iwb with a clipdraw is just so easy. And there is just something about the simplicity and reliability.
All that said I do carry an auto in compliment to a snub 90-95 percent of the time, whether it is a glock 30/26 or a keltec P32/P3AT/PF9. Heck every once in a while the snub pulls pocket duty so the PPK/S can go iwb (when I wanna be pretty, hahaha!).
Crud, this thread reminds me, I need to buy another snubbie, maybe a 438 or a ruger sp101 to go with my 637. I just can't decide!
All that said I do carry an auto in compliment to a snub 90-95 percent of the time, whether it is a glock 30/26 or a keltec P32/P3AT/PF9. Heck every once in a while the snub pulls pocket duty so the PPK/S can go iwb (when I wanna be pretty, hahaha!).
Crud, this thread reminds me, I need to buy another snubbie, maybe a 438 or a ruger sp101 to go with my 637. I just can't decide!
engineer88
New member
I am actually surprised how close the results are in this honestly. I thought in this day and age automatics would dominate on such a poll. To be fair, I started with automatics but the more I shoot, and slow down revolvers fit the bill more so. The capacity is nice to have, but I am getting better with a handgun and I appreciate the ability to use a handgun with one hand only. A lot of these double-stacks make that hard. I think in a self defense shooting there is a decent chance that one hand/arm will be busy. I shoot my revolver one-handed better then any of my autos.
Besides guys, come on, this common revolver is sexier than all but the fanciest of automatics:
Sorry but somebody had to start slapping some pictures in here.
Besides guys, come on, this common revolver is sexier than all but the fanciest of automatics:
Sorry but somebody had to start slapping some pictures in here.
With a revolver, I somehow feel "connected" to the past when people were very pragmatic about guns, shooting and survival. From the frontiersman to the shopkeeper to the lawman.
A revolver, while simple to operate, demands skill of its operator. It requires more than just shooting skill. You have to identify and prioritize your targets. It's limited capacity means you learn to move to cover or concealment quickly and early. There is no false bravado of standing there and pumping 15 rounds at your target.
And it may be my bias,
but there is something intimidating
about looking at the business end of a revolver.
Especially a big bore wheelgun.
Revolvers can also deliver very decisive power
on a wide range of targets
from moderately compact packages.
Plus there is something about the graceful curves of a revolver
that is eye appealing and more satisfying than the typical
square, blocky look of bottom-feeders.
I still like my 1911's, S&W 39's, Beretta and others.
But when I reach for a reassuring grip,
it usually has a revolver attached to it.
A revolver, while simple to operate, demands skill of its operator. It requires more than just shooting skill. You have to identify and prioritize your targets. It's limited capacity means you learn to move to cover or concealment quickly and early. There is no false bravado of standing there and pumping 15 rounds at your target.
And it may be my bias,
but there is something intimidating
about looking at the business end of a revolver.
Especially a big bore wheelgun.
Revolvers can also deliver very decisive power
on a wide range of targets
from moderately compact packages.
Plus there is something about the graceful curves of a revolver
that is eye appealing and more satisfying than the typical
square, blocky look of bottom-feeders.
I still like my 1911's, S&W 39's, Beretta and others.
But when I reach for a reassuring grip,
it usually has a revolver attached to it.
No vote
As I own and enjoy many of each. As well as single shots!
What I did find interesting was the focus of the reasons given. The OP didn't specify anything other than which one you liked best. No mention of "for what".
The auto pistol fans tended to focus on the firepower, speed of reload, CCW, and even combat. The Revolver fans focused on other things, power, accuracy, trigger pull, reliability, etc.
But nearly all of it, on both sides tended to focus on the defensive use of handguns more than hunting, target, sport, plinking, etc. Perhaps that's just the nature of the majority of the members posting?
Since there was no "for what" in the question, then to me its open to everything one can do with a handgun. I like .22 autos more than .22 revolvers, generally. I have a collection of magnum auto pistols. And Ruger Single actions. S&W N frames, and a Sig. 1911A1s, and a Webley. And others as well.
I like a lot of them, each for what it is, and for what it isn't.
As I own and enjoy many of each. As well as single shots!
What I did find interesting was the focus of the reasons given. The OP didn't specify anything other than which one you liked best. No mention of "for what".
The auto pistol fans tended to focus on the firepower, speed of reload, CCW, and even combat. The Revolver fans focused on other things, power, accuracy, trigger pull, reliability, etc.
But nearly all of it, on both sides tended to focus on the defensive use of handguns more than hunting, target, sport, plinking, etc. Perhaps that's just the nature of the majority of the members posting?
Since there was no "for what" in the question, then to me its open to everything one can do with a handgun. I like .22 autos more than .22 revolvers, generally. I have a collection of magnum auto pistols. And Ruger Single actions. S&W N frames, and a Sig. 1911A1s, and a Webley. And others as well.
I like a lot of them, each for what it is, and for what it isn't.
44 AMP said:
Well, that's simply what handguns are most often used or at least intended for (the purpose of defense is always in mind even if most actual shooting is against paper or inanimate objects). I imagine that the same (perhaps to a lesser degree) would be true of shotguns in this day and age, albeit quite a bit of hunting and sport shooting is done with them. While handguns certainly can be used for any other purpose you like, long guns are generally more effective for everything else. Obviously it's the handiness of the handgun that makes it ideally suited for personal defense, since it can more conveniently be kept on one's person at all times. And even for home defense, it's less cumbersome than any long gun in confined quarters, which has its advantages.
oneounceload
Moderator
More hunting ammunition is sold for shotguns than any other; while more target rounds are shot. (Target shooters tend to reload.......a LOT). I would suspect an inverse relationship to handguns regarding main purpose as regards this thread
This is crazy! I actually never thought it would be this close, as well as a lot of the reasons why people prefer one over the other. I think it's awesome that there is such diversity. Like I said before, I only have a Xd .40 right now, but my next handgun I plan on getting is a revolver. I figure everybody should have both.