Semi-Auto or Wheelgun. When did you know?

I simply don't remember a time when I've not been fascinated by firearms, and especially by the role that they've played in world history. I suppose that's why I'm so interested in military firearms of days gone by.

But where it REALLY gelled for me was the first time I picked up a Smith & Wesson revolver.

It was a Regulation Police I frame in .32 Long. I realized as I was holding it that it looked like a revolver should look, and it felt like a revolver should feel.

$200 or so later, and I was on my way towards building a collection of Smith & Wessons.

I have semi-autos. I like them. I even now have a Colt Official Police. I like it.

But none of them come even remotely close to making me feel how I feel about my Smith & Wessons.

For those of you who have known me for a long time, that will give you some indication as to why I was so upset when S&W signed its deal with the devil in March of 2000, and why, to this day, I still consider S&W to have gone out of business at that time.
 
For me, it all comes down to the trigger.

My first handgun was a 1911, although a pretty cheap one. I learned to manage that trigger pretty easily.

My next handgun was a Colt Trooper. While the DA trigger is reputed to be one of the best, in my hands, under time pressure, I am much better served shooting that thing in SA mode, as only hits count, and I can't miss fast enough to be competitive..... I've tried it DA at bowling pin shoots and IDPA, and have always gone back to SA.

For Carry, I have not figured out how to carry a revolver IWB, either. Have given up on the wheelies for serious tasks.
 
For me, there was a lot of romance involved in my decision on a carry gun. I simply grew up believing that I'd never be allowed to carry a handgun concealed because "regular people" never got such a license, but I always figured that I'd go back to my formative years and carry the caliber I've always loved-- the 10mm Auto.

When carry became a reality for me, I picked the most carry-viable 10mm on the common market, a Glock 29. That was a personal struggle because I have never liked Glock pistols. I still don't, but I do like this one and I shoot it well and we get along famously. I hope to never own another Glock, and I'm not kidding.

I also absolutely love revolvers and the first two handguns I ever owned (one being the first I ever purchased with my own money) are both revolvers, and I still have them. Love revolvers, but don't care to carry one. I prefer the carry-ability of something blocky and flat, and though I don't feel overly restricted by the limit of capacity, I do feel "open" by the advertising of just how many shots I do have at my disposal.

The one thing that always occurs to me when the revolver vs. semi topic comes up is that rhetoric annoys me. Certainly, semi-autos are more prone to a stoppage of some sort, but that is a problem that can typically be mitigated. Revolvers, generally speaking, don't struggle with the ammo they are fed... but it seems ludicrous to me that folks contantly speak of revolvers as if they are as simple as a knife and nothing could ever go wrong.

Fact is, revolvers make use of very intricate lock work and run like a watch. And if something goes wrong with a revolver, it's not a simple tap/rack to get running again. Even some simple hiccups with revolvers can be fight stoppers. A high primer, a bullet that has jumped crimp, even the simple loosening of an ejector rod can/will tie up a revolver so badly that it will take time and maybe even tools to rectify.

Revolvers get even less reliable when you start talking about some of the budget guns that seem to have many quality control issues.

Bottom line for me is that anyone who chooses a proper revolver is likely to be very well served by it, but if they choose it because of "ultimate reliability", they only have themselves convinced of this -- the reality may be much different.
 
I look at my Model 10 and I say, how are you going to malfunction? Then I look at combat reloading techniques and say, I'm not that fast with a speedloader, a mag will always be less complicated
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Actually, revolvers can malfunction. Ejector rods can come loose, timing can suffer, and there are ammunition issues that can lock up the works. That said, those things are much rarer than the stoppages we see with automatics.

Reloads will almost always be slower, though that margin can be shaved down with practice. Frankly, reload speed is pretty low on my list of priorities in a defensive arm.

I want something I know. I want something that points naturally, works when I need it to, has a good degree of power, is controllable, and shoots well. For me, that's a S&W K-Frame revolver 90% of the time.

I've got a few automatics I really like, and that meet those criteria, but like some other folks here, I grew up on revolvers, and when the chips are down, I'm most confident with them.

(It's also worth mentioning that they are phenomenal training tools. If someone on the range is having trouble, I can eject my carry loads, drop in some mild .38 wadcutters, and hand it off to them.)
 
Great thread folks! Lots of info to digest...although it's kinda making my decision for our (wife and I) first center fire handgun harder. :)
 
Excellent thread so far. :cool:

but like some other folks here, I grew up on revolvers, and when the chips are down, I'm most confident with them.
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That about sums it up for me as well. I'm only 24, but I didn't even touch a semi-auto until after my 21st B-day (no I'm not kidding). The first time I picked one up I had no clue how to operate it, the guy behind the counter had to show me how to lock the slide back :o. I started shooting revolvers when I was around 9 or 10 IIRC, and still shoot that first one very frequently (H&R 732), and it's still my favorite handgun to shoot :D. Revolvers just feel more natural in my hand because it's what I'm more familiar with. I feel like I shoot them better, and whether or not that's true is irrelevant IMHO because the feeling of it instills more confidence.

That said, I often find myself CC'ing a semi simply because they do have some very desirable qualities. Do I enjoy a semi: yes, but not nearly as much as a revolver. Since I got my CHP in '08 I've probably carried my LCP more than anything else, despite having invested far more money in other firearms that are also perfect CCW choices. Oh well, you live you learn. ;)
 
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I'm loving all the opinions here. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for. There are surprising amount of wheelgunners here.

A quick note to those who said both. To me it's a matter of mastery. I may change my mind, but I want one gun that I know inside an out.

The thing I'm running into now is that I'm much more consistent with my revolver. I can pick up the gun cold and steady shoot a four inch group. I'm not like that with my semi. I pick it up and my first mag is 8 inches. BUT after about 40 rounds, I get down to 2 inches with my semi. I never get that tight with my revolver. I think it might be an issue with practice for my semi, and is probably an issue with my big chunky blacked out revolver sights.

Also, to the person who brought up training. Shooting revolver in DA is not easy. I like knowing that I've overcome that challenge. I think shooting a revolver is DA is the best trigger control training a person can get. That's why I bought it, to train on, but now I'm finding that might want to just stick with it.

Really interesting, everyone. I like justifications. I also hadn't really considered the revolver malfunction issue, probably because I've never experienced one, but it's a good thing to think about.
 
It was an easy choice for me, I've never been able to shoot revolvers in DA worth a darn. Even the long, squishy trigger pulls of DA autos are easier for me compared to the long, stiff pulls of most revolvers.

I think it's because I started with pellet guns (short, crappy trigger), moved on to shotguns (short, decent triggers), and then was completely spoiled by an Anschutz shooting on a rifle team. Didn't shoot much DA until my 20s, and by then I was ruined by sweetsweet SA.
 
Growing up, I was exposed to and shot both types so I didn't really have a preference when I began buying guns myself. Had things gone to plan, my first handgun would've been a Webley Mk. V but, unfortunately, the gun was gone by the time I got the money together. As things worked out, my first handgun was a CZ-52 followed fairly rapidly by a Walther PP and CZ-75. All three are nice guns that I like and still own.

My fourth handgun, however, was a S&W Model 28 and the first time I shot it, something just clicked. Nothing within 30 yards seemed to be safe from me and the smooth, rolling DA trigger is eminently more manageable in my hands than the longer, rougher DA trigger that most semi-autos seem to have. The extra power of the .357 Magnum, and later on in my collecting .44 Magnum, was also very appealing to me and from that day on, I've leaned much more heavily towards revolvers.

That's not to say that I don't still own and enjoy semi-autos. I currently own several semi-autos in calibers including .32 ACP, 9mm, 7.62x25, 10mm, and .45 ACP from makers including S&W, Walther, and CZ but they always seem to be outnumbered by my revolvers. My revolvers include examples from S&W, Webley, and H&R and have formerly included models from Taurus, Ruger, and Colt. Revolver cartridges which I own or have owned guns for include .22 Long Rifle, .38 S&W, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, and .44 Magnum.
 
The first time I handled a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece,,,

The dark clouds parted,,,
A warm ray of sunshine bathed my hand,,,
An angelic choir sang a chorus of psalmic music.

But seriously,,,
I started on a 1911 as a kid.

The first time it jammed up on me,,,
I became a "Six for Sure" guy.

I like and carry my new semi's,,,
I'll always trust my revolvers a teensy bit more.

Aarond
 
I'm still a bit torn between the two. My first handgun was a Colt pre-MkIII Trooper; but sold it and didn't buy another handgun until I got my 1978 Colt Python. When I was in the service, it was all 1911's, all the time, and I really got to like them.

I stayed very static, and only bought a couple of handguns until I retired. At that point, I started buying again, and at first, it was a mix; a Colt Gold Cup, S&W Model 49, Kimber Ultra Carry, and 2 Browning High Powers in .40 S&W. Of late, I find I like the revolvers even more. In the last three years, I've only bought revolvers, concentrating on S&W N frames, but adding another Python, and a couple of Colt DS's. When the right one comes along, I don't hesitate to add a S&W K frame (Model 19's, and a 3" Model 65 are favorites).

I would hate to have to make a choice.
 
Each have their own niche and I like both revolvers and semi-autos. However, for carry, it's semi-autos just because they are flatter, lighter, & higher capacity.

To me, revolvers are the perfect hideaway guns 'cause they always go bang, and if it doesn't just pull the trigger again. I guess I was influenced by an old movie some guy was forced to dig up a buried stash and had a 357 hidden in the briefcase. Opened the brief case, grab the gun, turned around and and bang... Yeah, I know...movie...but still :D
 
I have so far carried a bunch of semi's and also a S&W 686 2.5". I really do love the S&W, the trigger is incredible, its very accurate in my hands, and is pretty easy to conceal. However, about a year and a half ago I pretty much switched to carrying a semi (Glock 26 until a couple months ago when I started carrying a Glock23. For me it came down to the lower weight, much higher capacity, almost as good reliability( I average about one failure per 5k rounds with my Glocks), and the fact that I can draw, soot, and reload much faster with the Glock. If I did not have alot of options, I would feel very confident carrying the 686, but if I ever had to use my gun, and live through it, I would very much regret having the S&W taken away and having who knows what happen to it. I can go down the street and pick up another Glock in 10 minutes, not so much with the S&W. I have shot so many thousands of rounds through my Glocks that they are like my default setting, my reactions and instincts are based on the Glock and while I am open minded and willing to give other guns a try, nothing works better for me than my Glocks. The only problem I have with the Glock is learning to clear malfunctions, I go months without one, and its hard to get practice clearing something that almost never happens. And another point is that I shoot alot, and cleaning the Glocks is so easy and fast compared to the revolver that its a welcome benefit.
 
I started as a revolver guy but morphed into someone who is comfortable with either. I still love revolvers but I'm also able to appreciate a good 1911. As fas as my CCW it varies along with the seasons. The hot summers months I carry a pocket Ruger LCP. Cooler weather leads to my Smith & Wesson 637 and cold weather lends itself to my 1911.

All are good and I'm comfortable, and confident, with each of them.
 
Well, I've gone full circle.

I got my first carry permit in 1969 and my concealed carry was a 1953 S&W M&P 2" 38spl. Since then I've carried other revolvers but mostly semi-autos in various calibers.

Now I'm back to carrying a snub nose .38. A Ruger LCR .38spl +P to be exact and all is well with the world once again.;)
 
I have carried for over 30 years and carry a SP 101 now. I went through the semi-auto period with several 1911 and even tried a Glock or two. Still think they are ugly but they do work well. I tried Sigs and S&W along with Rugers and it all came down to one thing.

I have never had a wheelgun fail to fire. I can't say the same for the semi-auto. Every one that I have had failed at one time or other. How about at the end of the day you are so glad that the gun was there if you had needed it and you discover that the mag has disengaged. Sometime during the day you bumped the mag release. You only had one shot not the many you thought. When you drew the pistol the mag fell out. I can tell you it is a sick feeling.

How about the times at the range you had some type of misfire or when you were practicing your draw and your thumb missed the safety. If you should get in a struggle with a bg all he has to do is keep a hand on your gun and keep it slightly out of battery. Not so with a wheelgun. If I can get it pointed in the right direction once I can pull the trigger.

Down here in Florida I have trouble with my carry guns rusting. I have to clean them every day due to sweat etc. That SP 101 looks as good as the day that I got it. You will not convince me that a .357 won't protect me and mine as well as a .45 or something else. Besides, if I run out of ammo that thing is heavy enough to damage whoever I hit with it.

I laid out several guns and holsters and kind of kept track of which one I picked up the most. The sp 101 in a paddle won hands down.

But you need to pick what you like and just stick with it. You can learn to shoot any gun well if you put in the time and send enough rounds down range. I try to shoot at least 100-200 per week and I can pretty well hit where i aim. Maintain the gun as if your life depended on it because it may in the future.
 
Down here in Florida I have trouble with my carry guns rusting. I have to clean them every day due to sweat etc. That SP 101 looks as good as the day that I got it. You will not convince me that a .357 won't protect me and mine as well as a .45 or something else. Besides, if I run out of ammo that thing is heavy enough to damage whoever I hit with it.

I laid out several guns and holsters and kind of kept track of which one I picked up the most. The sp 101 in a paddle won hands down.

But you need to pick what you like and just stick with it. You can learn to shoot any gun well if you put in the time and send enough rounds down range. I try to shoot at least 100-200 per week and I can pretty well hit where i aim. Maintain the gun as if your life depended on it because it may in the future.
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Sounds like you have really thought about what you carry and have picked what works the best for YOU. Well done, good choice, and solid thinking. The 101 is a very good carry gun, its like the Glock of revolvers, in a way. Good price, excellent design, great for carry, and reliable. No frills, no nonsense, just put the rounds down range as effectively as possible. If I was to switch to relvolvers that would be on the top of my list.
 
Wheelguns don't do it for me. I don't find any of them to look as attractive to me as a semi-auto. Of course my first pistol was a series 70 Colt, Nickel with Mother-of-Pearl grips with the state seal of Texas in the grips. Very sexy.

When I was looking for a carry gun I tried revolvers. To me the cylinder makes them too thick and bulky for me to conceal. And there is the 6 shot thing. So I picked a slim, high cap 9mm.

I only have 1 revolver. A .22 that I shoot snakes with.
 
I've carried and shot both auto loaders and revolvers for many years now, yet I keep coming back to the .357 Magnum revolver for all my shooting and S/D needs. Revolvers are generally simpler to use, just point and shoot, less likely to jam, and with speed strips or speed loaders fairly quick to reload. On a good day I can shoot 6, load 6, and shoot 6 in 15- 20 seconds and keep all of my shots in a 3-4" group at 30 feet, so I'm happy with that

I do believe that auto loaders have two semi advantages, they are generally flat so they will slip into your waistband, and they generally hold more rounds from the get go.
 
I would say I went with revolvers when I purchased my first N frame S&W. Model 27, 5 inch barrel built in the late 60’s.
It was the trigger, there is nothing better than a good N frame S&W, unless it’s a Colt Python. But then again my 70’s Gold cup is unbelievable and my Hipower is,,,,,
My point is it really not revolver or semi, it’s the gun it’s self.
Take my Glock 26, Crappy trigger, plastic crap, ugly,,, but when I carry it’s the only one I carry any more. The main reason is that it works for me, it’s very fast and second shots are very easy to keep on target.
 
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