I have to agree with Pluspincs statements.
If you own a semi-auto the hasn't jammed, or malfunctioned in some way then you simply haven't shot it enough. Don't get me wrong, I like SAs. I carry one off and on duty. However, the facts remains that due to their more complex design they just can't be as reliable as a revolver. There's simply a lot more to go wrong. I currently carry my Kimber Custom off duty. This was only after firing 1000+ rounds through it without a malfunction. I'm not saying that it won't jam because it will, sooner or later. However, my long experience with the 1911 allows me to quickly clear the piece during a malfunction so I feel comfortable depending on it. I shoot a lot of reloads too (my own) but wouldn't dream of depending on them for serious purposes. I use them strictly for training and I advise anyone else to do the same.
When a semi-auto of good quality malfunctions 99.9% of the time it's one of two things, the mag or the shooter. Too many people immediately trash their factory mags upon purchase and buy that latest, greatest wonder mag that you can stuff one or two more rounds into. Did the factory mags work, or did you even try them ? The 1911 is a prime example. John Browning designed that mag to hold seven rounds, not eight or nine. I learned long ago to stick with factory mags. One or two more rounds just isn't that important. I also prefer to stick with things that have a long well proven track record. Is the .40 S&W a good round? Probably. Is the .357 Sig the best thing since sliced bread? Maybe (but I doubt it). Is the Glock the best pistol on the face of the earth? (see the aforementioned response) When these things have been around and doing their job for several decades then I'll give them serious consideration. Until then I'll stick with what works instead of going with the flavor of the month.
Other than the mag the shooter is invariably the problem. Limp wristing is a common problem, but how many of us macho men are going to admit to that? Most new gun owners make their first (and possibly only) purchase
based on what they see their local LEOs carrying, or what they see in the movies. Sales of the Beretta 92 tripled after Lethal Weapon, the same for the S&W Mod. 29 after Dirty Harry. The average gun owner (most of you don't apply, else you wouldn't be spending time here
) is better served with the simplisity of a revolver. As much as I hate to admit it, so is the average LEO. That's a matter of training though, or a lack thereof.
As for all of the guns flying apart around here? I would suspect that a lot of shadetree gunsmithing is to blame in a lot of cases. However, who's going to admit to it? "I was tinkering with my new pistol and that sear wouldn't budge. I pryed on it with my screwdriver and it broke. This gun's a piece of s*@t !" I don't think we'll be seeing any posts of that nature.
One more thing to remember is that anyone can write a book or call themselves a "master". With the internet it's even worse. Anyone can put anything they please online. Surf the net and enjoy, but take it with a grain of salt. Let your own experiences be your guide.
If you own a semi-auto the hasn't jammed, or malfunctioned in some way then you simply haven't shot it enough. Don't get me wrong, I like SAs. I carry one off and on duty. However, the facts remains that due to their more complex design they just can't be as reliable as a revolver. There's simply a lot more to go wrong. I currently carry my Kimber Custom off duty. This was only after firing 1000+ rounds through it without a malfunction. I'm not saying that it won't jam because it will, sooner or later. However, my long experience with the 1911 allows me to quickly clear the piece during a malfunction so I feel comfortable depending on it. I shoot a lot of reloads too (my own) but wouldn't dream of depending on them for serious purposes. I use them strictly for training and I advise anyone else to do the same.
When a semi-auto of good quality malfunctions 99.9% of the time it's one of two things, the mag or the shooter. Too many people immediately trash their factory mags upon purchase and buy that latest, greatest wonder mag that you can stuff one or two more rounds into. Did the factory mags work, or did you even try them ? The 1911 is a prime example. John Browning designed that mag to hold seven rounds, not eight or nine. I learned long ago to stick with factory mags. One or two more rounds just isn't that important. I also prefer to stick with things that have a long well proven track record. Is the .40 S&W a good round? Probably. Is the .357 Sig the best thing since sliced bread? Maybe (but I doubt it). Is the Glock the best pistol on the face of the earth? (see the aforementioned response) When these things have been around and doing their job for several decades then I'll give them serious consideration. Until then I'll stick with what works instead of going with the flavor of the month.
Other than the mag the shooter is invariably the problem. Limp wristing is a common problem, but how many of us macho men are going to admit to that? Most new gun owners make their first (and possibly only) purchase
based on what they see their local LEOs carrying, or what they see in the movies. Sales of the Beretta 92 tripled after Lethal Weapon, the same for the S&W Mod. 29 after Dirty Harry. The average gun owner (most of you don't apply, else you wouldn't be spending time here
) is better served with the simplisity of a revolver. As much as I hate to admit it, so is the average LEO. That's a matter of training though, or a lack thereof.As for all of the guns flying apart around here? I would suspect that a lot of shadetree gunsmithing is to blame in a lot of cases. However, who's going to admit to it? "I was tinkering with my new pistol and that sear wouldn't budge. I pryed on it with my screwdriver and it broke. This gun's a piece of s*@t !" I don't think we'll be seeing any posts of that nature.
One more thing to remember is that anyone can write a book or call themselves a "master". With the internet it's even worse. Anyone can put anything they please online. Surf the net and enjoy, but take it with a grain of salt. Let your own experiences be your guide.
