Semi-Auto or Wheelgun. When did you know?

My first handguns were revolvers. A cheap German single-action .22 I bought used when I was a teen, then a string of S&W .357s and .44s in my twenties and thirties.

They are all gone now, and all my pistols are semiautos for the last 20 years or so. I doubt I'll go back to revolvers again.

Interesting how one's tastes change over time.
 
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.
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That basically sums it up for me. I can operate a medium or large frame revolver (particularly S&Ws, Rugers and Tauris) on an instinctive level, whereas I have to think more when shooting an auto or compact revolver.

And that's what it comes down to. Go with the weapon that (1) you will carry, (2) is reliable and (3) is most natural and instinctive for you.
 
I have all kinds of handguns and feel confortable and confident with either, up to a point. Semi-autos are usually easier for me to conceal on my person, So when I want a resonably powerful weapon for CCW, I usually choose a lightweight commander type 1911, but in my car I might have a Glock model 22 in 40 cal.

At home on my headboard and nightstand will lay both a 5 inch series 70 Colt 1911, and a Smith and Wesson N-Frame in 45 ACP with a few extra full moon clips.

But if my clothing choices dictate, I might be carrying a little 5 shot J-frame 38 or even a Colt Pocketlite in .380 possibly with a Ruger LCR for backup, other times it might be a Kimber 3.5 inch 1911.

And sometimes it might be a singleaction 45 colt, and frankly if the chips were to fall, I would probably rather have that 45 colt singleaction then all of my smaller guns, until I get to the bigger semi-autos.

But if I am out of doors, I usually prefer a 4 inch Model 29 revolver in 44 mag.

So, as you can see, it just depends, I know the advantages and weeknesses of all of them, and none are perfect, but some are more perfect then others, based on a blend of power, and concealibility needed at the time. Sometimes a .380 in your pocket is better then a Glock 22 back at home, I can shoot them all pretty good, but sometimes I can only carry a little gun, but I feel better carrying a big when I can, even if it's a singleaction peacemaker.
 
I have a whole mess of semi-autos, but just one revolver. My one revolver is a Ruger GP-100 in stainless with a 6 inch barrel. It has been a great gun and is very reliable. .357 mag, especially in a 6" barrel is not the most practical thing in the world. I bought it mostly as a hunting backup (which I have yet to do). For carry or home defense, it is semi-auto all the way. I like the way semi-autos feel in the hand and the way the point is much more natural for me. I like the lighter and shorter pull of the trigger compared to the revolver's long, heavy pull. Revolvers in single action (especially the GP-100) have very nice trigger pulls, but cocking back the hammer isn't usually all that practical. Semi-autos are much faster to reload and most of them hold more rounds in the mag. The recoil for semi-autos is also less for the same powered round due to the cycling of the slide. For carry, semi-autos are slimmer since they don't have a big old cylinder. You get more barrel length with semi-autos for the same overall length guns since the cylinder sits farther forward then the breach of a semi-auto. Semi-autos are so reliable these days that the reliability issue is almost non-existant. Besides, the rack-tap-bang, drill will clear out most issues very quickly. I guess I'm just partial! ;-)
 
I own seven S&W revolvers and one Semi-auto hand gun, I guess that say's it all for my preference in hand guns. I was LEO for 32 yrs and in the earlier years we carried revolvers and for the last five years were Issued Simi-autos. I preferred the revolvers and had more confidence with them. IMHO it is what one feels more confident with that counts.
 
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My father let me start shooting when I was barely able to hold up a Winchester .22 short pump action that weighted about 6 pounds. I think I was about 5 years old.

I remember getting a "Shooter's Bible" each year and looking though it almost daily wishing I could have so many of the S&W revolvers.

I got my first concealed weapons permit in New Orleans, LA back in the 1970s. It was called a "Special Officer's Permit". It was a "may" issue type. I carried a 5 shot .38 Spl J-frame S&W. After carrying that a couple of years I read about The American Pistol Institute, also referred to as Gunsite where Jeff Cooper taught his Defensive Pistol Technique.

I packed up my Cold Gold Cup and about 1000 rounds of .45ACP FMJ ammo, and a terrible floppy holster for it. I went out there thinking I knew how to shoot. I'd been shooting for over 20 years.

Boy did I learn that I knew soooooo little. There was so much to learn I could not get it all in that 5 and one half days. I had to go back again to learn what was taught in the basic 250 course. I went back again for the 350 course and again for the 499 course, and again . . . .

One accomplishment of which I am proud is to have earned an Expert certificate upon completion of the 499 course.

After attending Gunsite, I switched from the J-frame to a 1911 (I think in 1978 or 1979). I bought a rough but serviceable 1911 Government series 70 model. I sent it to Robar to be refinished and then to the Gunsite gunsmith to add some features.

I have been carrying a 1911 since then (over 30 years now), I did switch from a .45ACP to a 10mm auto after the 10mm became available.
 
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Long ago my first handgun was an auto, though it was a .22, a Ruger RST-6. My second handgun was a total 360 from that, a Ruger Redhawk in .44 magnum. I had always wanted a .357, specifically a Security Six, but when it came out, the Redhawk to me was the most beautiful revolver ever made and finding one in .357 was an exercise in futility. It is still the only revolver I own. Once I got bit by the 1911 bug I was hooked and I even sold my first of those back in 1989. But that was for another 1911, so I suppose I knew along about 1987 or so that I was an auto guy. 1 revolver, 1 single-shot, all the rest are autos and I don't expect that to change much at all. There's simply too many fine autos out there I haven't bought yet.
 
I often carry one of each. It varies for me, but I'm more of a revolver guy.

One thing I did numerous times was .... rapid shoot at a target at 25 yrds, and see which one's I could shoot the fastest and the most accurately at the same time. Every time, the revolvers won out.
 
I am in the both camp with a lean towards revolvers. When I am fully loaded up, a jframe in the pocket and a 45 or 9mm on my hip makes me feel really comfortable. I tend to think that if the altercation goes down at extreme close range I will try to go to the revolver as it cannot be pressed out of battery and if I have some distance my higher capacity automatic comes out. Obviously the vast majority of self defense scenarios will align with the first of the two that I just mentioned, so that almost makes the revolver my primary. Add in the fact that I can have my hand in my pocket ahead of time and it is a very useful tool.

I practice with both, am comfortable with both but I do lean revolver and somewhat often a 357 magnum SP101 replaces that automatic on my hip. But then again I have been told many times by different folks that I have an "old soul". Never really knew what that meant exactly, but I do love the classics and am a sucker for anything with good history.

I think either way you will be ok if you are confident with it as others have stated previously on this thread.
 
I see no reason to limit yourself if you have the means. I have some great examples of both.

If I could only have one, it would probably be a medium sized semi.
 
I have a split personnality when it comes to handguns.

When I carry a revolver I am a totally revolver. When I carry a semi auto I am totally semi auto.

I carry which ever feels like the situation demands.

My background is Military with some LEO. I basically carried what the department dictated.

I am a big guy and conceal my 1911 or DW 4" equally well. My Roys orginal pancake holster is the deciding factor in my carry decision. It doesn't print and allows for a smooth draw with less interference from clothing.

In short my position is that the holster choice is as imporotant as the weapons choice for concealed carry
 
On some things I have a strong opinion, on some things I really don't have a side, and to be honest on the Revolver/ Auto issue I don't have a side to be firm on. I think the 1911 is the best auto ever, and for revolvers I say "if it says S&W on the barrel, buy it". To me it all comes down to what do I have in mind for today? For concealment a S&W model 36 is great, for a car gun a S&W 5906, too big to conceal but 15 rounds of 9mm is hard to beat. And for bump-in-the-night, no handguns at all...a short barrel 12 gauge pump. Every pistol has its spot and purpose, don't try to over-reach what you have and be ready.
 
I'm not really in either "camp" since I own both. For carry guns I prefer a 1911. I bought my Kimber about 7 years ago and never looked back. I do have a model 36 S&W that I carry on occasion, mostly when I'm in a hurry and just want to shove the 36 in my pocket. Without a doubt I shoot the Kimber better than the model 36. I also find the Kimber more comfortable to carry (I don't find pocket carry comfortable) I use a Desantis IWB holster and I'm good for the day. I would consider a revolver for everyday carry if I found the right one, I just haven't been looking for a carry revolver since I bought my Kimber.

Stu
 
I really enjoy both. Revolvers are probably my favorite. I own an RG .22, and a .357 Blackhawk. They are very fun range guns. If I ever get real good with the .357, I might take it deer hunting one day. I also love their simplicity. But I do like semi autos, but I'm new to them. I have an AK pistol and just got a Baby Desert Eagle. Now, I do like 6 shots but the idea of holding 16 rounds is just crazy. I doubt and hope I'll never need any of these 16 shots but that's 10 more than I would of had. Revolvers will always be with me, and so will my autos. I like a variety of guns anyways.
 
To be honest, I've never owned a revolver. I always have wanted one and I've even decided on getting a .357 multiple times and then gone to the shop to get it and left with something totally different. When it comes to handguns, automatics just sort of "click" with me. I pick up a revolver and I can't help but wish the trigger were lighter and more crisp, or that it were lighter, or held more rounds, and the list goes on. I do like them, though, and it's on my list of things to add to my collection at some point still, but I just keep finding things I like more.

In a nutshell, automatics have just always turned me on. Revolvers only have on occasion.
 
I probably should have added in my previous post that when it comes to .22lr handguns I prefer autos, I always feel like I spend more time reloading than shooting when it comes to .22 revolvers. In a big bore this doesn't seem to be an issue since I shoot a bit slower.

Stu
 
When I began buying and loading and shooting my own guns in the early 80's those gun-rags made an instant mall ninja out of me. I mean, who don't like fire power, right? Semi autos rule!

At least I thought so. Fast forward a few years and turned around to look at my collection and I only own two semi-autos, a Colt gvmt 45 and a Ruger MK II. There's a pile of revolvers both single and double action where all my (sic) firepower should be. I suppose sub consciously I like horsepower more than firepower.
 
Why anyone would intentionally own only revolvers or only semi autos is beyond me. Everyone needs multiples of each by golly.
 
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