Revolvers vs. Semi-autos...

T

TheRaskalKing

New member
Which do you prefer and why?

I like revolvers a lot, but for practical purposes I definitely prefer semi autos. My regular shooting buddy and I brought this discussion up on the way home from the range yesterday. The only time I think I would prefer a revolver as a sidearm would be somewhere like Alaska where Grizzlies were a real concern. Then I'd want a 500 mag on my hip and a big rifle in my hands. Other than that and just having fun at the range with a revolver, I can't think of a reason to have a revolver instead of a semi auto.
 
Which do you prefer and why?
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I enjoy shooting anything!!!

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I still think revolvers have a place in full size guns with long barrels. They take advantage of the magnum chamberings extra power and accuracy for long range shooting and hunting.

For personal defense I cannot think of a single reason to choose a revolver. From short barrels you are getting less velocity from magnum rounds than is possible from 9mm pistols that are more compact, lighter and with 2X-3X as many rounds available.

Even for large bears I wouldn't think a revolver is a significant advantage over a 10mm semi auto. If I were contemplating a 500 revolver I'd just as soon carry a short barreled rifle. It would be easier to carry, be more accurate and powerful. Handguns are supposed to be small and easily carried. A 4" 629 is my limit, or I'd just as soon have a rifle.
 
I like the revolver for pretty much everything but Bullseye pistol.

If I was to go back into police work, I'd choose a revolver, probably my Model 28 which was my service revolver when I was in LE.
 
I carry an auto as my EDC, but I carry a revolver on occasion also. Each has their uses (ie; I wouldn't use a claw hammer to shod a horse and I wouldn't use a farriers hammer on nails)
 
I changed from revolver to pistol a few years back for carry purposes, but there for me there will always be something about the feel and look of a nice revolver. I don't own a revolver at the moment, but that could change at any time.
 
While I own and enjoy both, I strongly prefer a revolver. Reasons that I prefer a revolver include the following:

1. Very simple manual of arms which is preferable during a high-stress situation. A revolver's simplicity also makes it more practical for other members of the family who are less experienced with handguns.
2. Immune to grip-induced malfunctions and being pushed out of battery
3. DA triggers that require conscious effort to pull, but are smooth and not detrimental to accurate shooting in my hands
4. Less sensitive than a semi-auto to bullet weight, profile, or ammo power level
5. More rounded contours which I find easier to conceal.
6. Greater adaptability to varying hand sizes and shapes with aftermarket grips.
7. No magazines to worry about getting lost, damaged, or worn out.
8. Offers the best power-to-size ratio of any handgun type. Even from a short barrel, a .357 Magnum can push a 158gr bullet faster than a 9mm can push a 147gr bullet from a fullsize gun and very few reasonably-sized semi-autos can equal the power of a .44 Magnum revolver with a 4" barrel.
9. Misfires require only another trigger pull to rectify.
 
Revolvers are the only handgun I carry in the woods..... reliable, simple and no magazine to possibly loose.

For EDC I used to carry nothing but revolvers until I purchased a S&W 5946 DAO pistol way back when they came out.

I now rotate back and forth between a J frame and a Springfield XD depending on the season and attire.

Semi autos do carry more rounds and are quicker/faster to reload but if it werent for a DAO , or the XD type of trigger/safety system on semi autos that are available now I would still carry only a revolver for EDC.
 
I'm a semi-auto guy, but eventually would like to own a couple of revolvers. IMO a reliable and reputable semiauto like a Glock or Smith&Wesson would work as reliable and easy to use as a revolver (with proper training of course).
 
I have recently become a huge revolver fan, but I still hate small j frame sized revolvers for carry. They are difficult for me to grip properly at speed and the long DA pull leads to less accurate shooting for me. I love service style revolvers 4"-6" barrel in 357, 38, 41, 44 etc..., but for most concealed carry situations I'll take a 4" semi with 10+ rounds of capacity.

I carry an XDM 3.8 in 9mm, a CZ 82 and a CZ SP-01 so my preference is pretty obvious. I like 9mm and the more capacity the better. I used to carry 1911's and even sub compact XD's and glocks, but I just prefer a mid sized gun for carry, the grips are easy to fit my hand on quickly and they are easy to control in rapid fire situations.
 
I am very comfortable with both,Have shot thousands of rounds with both
So I have no real preference. Its all good.:cool:
 
I prefer revolvers for rimmed cartridges and autoloaders for rimless. The notable exception among my guns are the rimfire autoloaders.

I know they make bottom feeders for rimmed catridges like the .357mag and revolvers for 9mm, and 10mm. I just don't have any use for them.
 
Except for the reliability factor I realize there is no significant quantifiable reason to prefer a revolver over a semi. And the good semis are pretty realiable once broken in. I have both and understand the appeal of each but I do prefer revolvers. The 5 or 6 round capacity is troublesome but it forces you to work harder on control and accuracy, especially with a small-frame snubby, which adds more challenge to the fun of shooting them. And for some people revolvers just have more personality which does count. If I was a LEO I would definitely carry a high capacity semi but I'm not, just a collector and enthusiast who happens to CC and given my lifestyle, etc pretty much any problem I might encounter isn't going to count the rounds in my gun when I point it at them. I just practice and train to use the gun for what it is designed for so I'll be confident that when I pull the trigger it will do what it is supposed to do.
 
I prefer centerfire revolvers for one and only one reason, I hate locating and picking up brass. Other than that I'd shoot anything.

LK
 
Gun Safe - Nov 2009 001.jpg .... for just a casual look inside a couple of shelves in my safe...( semi-autos on top shelf / all .357 mag S&W on 2nd shelf ..) ....

I like both revolvers and semi-auto ( or some semi-autos ) like 1911's and Sigs..../ why eliminate either ....there are a lot of fine guns out there !

Here are some of my 1911's ...
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80954&d=1335564140 - a pair of Wilson Combat 5" guns at lower left, a Baer at top left - and a couple of Kimbers to the right in a 4" and 5"...

View attachment 81231
Here are some of my collection in S&W .357 mag revolvers.... model 19's,
66's ( all in 4" ) , a 686 6" and a model 27 6"....
 
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