Revolver Vs. Automatic
- Thread starter ninjatoth
- Start date
I carry both (pocket-sized pistol and mini-revolver as back-ups; primary pistol or revolver in belt holster). Each has its place in my CCW options. My preference is for a revolver, due to the simplicity of operation and the variety of ammo types it can handle. But the "automatic" can offer higher capacity and quicker reloading capability.
chris in va
New member
I tried to do the revolver thing, but after shooting a couple boxes of 357 out of an SP101, I realized there's no way I could do follow up shots with any accuracy, and downloading to 38+p would be the same as 9mm+p (roughly), so I sold it and got a Kahr.
Revolver wins for me and the reasons are:
RELIABILITY
Power factor of common rounds
Accuracy is USUALLY better in same length barrels
Autos have one advantage:
More bullets
The chance of needing more than a couple of rounds in a SD situtation are slim. So IMHO there is no advantage of an auto.
RELIABILITY
Power factor of common rounds
Accuracy is USUALLY better in same length barrels
Autos have one advantage:
More bullets
The chance of needing more than a couple of rounds in a SD situtation are slim. So IMHO there is no advantage of an auto.
engineer88
New member
"To me, cleaning my Glock is a LOT easier than my S&W
As for size, check out the Rohrbaugh 9mm pocket gun
As for moon clips, the old 547 in 9mm didn't have moon clips, and 45 auto rim doesn't need them either.
capacity CAN be an issue, yes, and probably the one main thing going through most folks' minds, especially the crowd that thinks spray and pray is the way to go...
Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages - personally, I own both and like them both equally"
Cleaning my Glock is easy to get apart and all, but there are a lot of crevices so, my revolver wins to me.
Rohrbaugh too pricey for my blood. Nice though for sure!
Charter has new rimless revolvers coming out, but it is Charter...may give 'em a shot after a year or so of everyone beta testing for them.
I did choose both, I just tend to carry the revolver often, though usually I have a small semi as backup, so I had to choose both to be fair.
As for size, check out the Rohrbaugh 9mm pocket gun
As for moon clips, the old 547 in 9mm didn't have moon clips, and 45 auto rim doesn't need them either.
capacity CAN be an issue, yes, and probably the one main thing going through most folks' minds, especially the crowd that thinks spray and pray is the way to go...
Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages - personally, I own both and like them both equally"
Cleaning my Glock is easy to get apart and all, but there are a lot of crevices so, my revolver wins to me.
Rohrbaugh too pricey for my blood. Nice though for sure!
Charter has new rimless revolvers coming out, but it is Charter...may give 'em a shot after a year or so of everyone beta testing for them.
I did choose both, I just tend to carry the revolver often, though usually I have a small semi as backup, so I had to choose both to be fair.
srt 10 jimbo
New member
Although I have more then 3 of each, Nothing puts a smile on your face like letting go with a auto.
Mark Milton
Moderator
Generally speaking, for shooting purposes I prefer the sixgun.
After all, the whole point of shooting is hitting what you aim at and with the revolver's solid frame and fixed barrels, you usually get groups that the bottom feeder boys can only dream about, especially when burdened with that tactical tupperware so many of the are so irrationally fond of.
All the boasts and bragging in the world won't get past the fact the barrel is usually a moving part in most autoloaders.
The sixgun is the bees knees for reliability in real world conditions too. rotate, lock up, fire-repeat is a lot simpler than fire-unlock-extract-eject, reload-lock-repeat.
Then there is the power factor. You get a lot more usefull power out of a modest size revolver than with the autoloaders.
On the other hand, the bottom feeders make good carry guns because they are flatter in many instances, allthough the modern generation of wide slide chunky high capacity guns is getting away from that.
Also the autoloaders are often lighter than the comparible sixgun. A 1911 is a lot easier to carry concealed than a 625.
The polymer popguns are as light as a j-frame in some instances.
Magazine capacity is pretty meaningless. Most self defense shootings are over in three rounds so you can get into two gunfights a week with a revolver before you absolutely have to reload- providing you can hit what you aim at.
The autoloader seems to stand up to abuse better than a wheelgun. Drop it in the mud, just take it apart and clean it out.
After all, the whole point of shooting is hitting what you aim at and with the revolver's solid frame and fixed barrels, you usually get groups that the bottom feeder boys can only dream about, especially when burdened with that tactical tupperware so many of the are so irrationally fond of.
All the boasts and bragging in the world won't get past the fact the barrel is usually a moving part in most autoloaders.
The sixgun is the bees knees for reliability in real world conditions too. rotate, lock up, fire-repeat is a lot simpler than fire-unlock-extract-eject, reload-lock-repeat.
Then there is the power factor. You get a lot more usefull power out of a modest size revolver than with the autoloaders.
On the other hand, the bottom feeders make good carry guns because they are flatter in many instances, allthough the modern generation of wide slide chunky high capacity guns is getting away from that.
Also the autoloaders are often lighter than the comparible sixgun. A 1911 is a lot easier to carry concealed than a 625.
The polymer popguns are as light as a j-frame in some instances.
Magazine capacity is pretty meaningless. Most self defense shootings are over in three rounds so you can get into two gunfights a week with a revolver before you absolutely have to reload- providing you can hit what you aim at.
The autoloader seems to stand up to abuse better than a wheelgun. Drop it in the mud, just take it apart and clean it out.
For close quarter defense work, where a long gun is not an option, I believe the revolver is a better tool. A clean, well maintained,thoroughly tested Colt, S&W, or Ruger double action revolver, loaded with the best factory ammunition, is more reliable in conditions typically found in very close quarter U.S. urban battles. Typical conditions include: one handed shooting, contact shots, shooting behind cover, awkward positions. With the revolver, no limp wristing problems or slides hitting something to worry about. With great probability, it'll be 5,6,7, or 8 for sure depending on your revolver.
I believe this to the point of carrying an 8 shot revolver as a police officer. I've got an AR-15 and a 12 gauge ready to go when it's time to be offensive.
That being said, the revolver is not for everyone. I'll concede the fact that the revolver holds less rounds and is much slower to reload. But there are a few creative ways around this like a second gun and speed loaders or moon clips (thoroughly practiced with).
I believe this to the point of carrying an 8 shot revolver as a police officer. I've got an AR-15 and a 12 gauge ready to go when it's time to be offensive.
That being said, the revolver is not for everyone. I'll concede the fact that the revolver holds less rounds and is much slower to reload. But there are a few creative ways around this like a second gun and speed loaders or moon clips (thoroughly practiced with).
After considerable research on the subject I decided to buy a Ruger revolver in .357 as my first handgun. It's purpose was for home and self defense. It gave me a sufficiently high caliber for that purpose with the versatility to use .38 ammo for practice and training. I was convinced that it's better for me for home defense than a semi-automatic because it's far less likely to malfunction in the heat of battle.
Since I acquired this gun I have acquired one more revolver and seven different semi-autos. I like each of them for different reasons.
Since I acquired this gun I have acquired one more revolver and seven different semi-autos. I like each of them for different reasons.
davlandrum
New member
That is like asking which I like better, a dirt bike or a street bike? They are both great, I just use them for different things...
But I am just a fan in general of things that go "bang"
But I am just a fan in general of things that go "bang"
I did the same thing.I wanted a .357 that I knew had enough power to keep ready to go at home,yet that I could do alot of plinking with using .38s.I live in a rural area and do not carry,so I really didn't have a need for an auto,just needed something big n shiny to scare off the occasional burgular.If I carried a gun or lived in a violent urban area,I would feel differently and got an auto
personal preference: revolver
I thought I preferred semi-auto until I shot a revolver the first time. Now I'm definitely a revolver person - except there's a tiny Glock out there waiting for me to buy it.
One of my favorite things about revolvers is that I don't have to sweep up my brass at the range.
I thought I preferred semi-auto until I shot a revolver the first time. Now I'm definitely a revolver person - except there's a tiny Glock out there waiting for me to buy it.
One of my favorite things about revolvers is that I don't have to sweep up my brass at the range.