What's your Fancy

I carry a Revolver - actually, I do not currently own a semi auto

I have extremely arthritic hands. Years of playing guitar, martial arts training, as well as just, "bad luck." Have wrecked my hands. I simply can not rack a slide.

BTW, if you attack me, are you going to care that you have not been shot with a Glock 19?

Seriously, I don't think an attacker is going to care too much what gun they were just shot at with...
 
I now have owned and fired both Revolvers and Pistols. My question is what would you rather carry for Self Defense out in the real World??
As always, all responses are welcomed and expected.

I normally carry an XDS 45, with the 5 round short mag and one in the chamber. An equivalent revolver is going to be quite a bit larger.
 
I am old, live in the country, only go into a very small town to buy groceries. I carry an S&W M36 snubby in my right-hand pocket via a Bianchi pocket holster. I wear suspenders with no belt. Unobtrusive, simple (no safety to find and switch-off. Not going to stop any bank robbery, rescue anyone...just mind my own business. I don't want the hassle of carrying anything bigger.
Pretty good advice. Rod
 
.380 Russian Makarov. Easy to conceal under a loose shirt, very rugged, and none of my Maks ever had any issue.

The two EGs and Bulgy are a bit too nice for carry.
 
If the world still seemed as sane and normal as it appeared to me 25 years ago- I would still carry a S&W 19 or something similar.

But it ain't. I even quit carrying my ATI Commander, and went to a double stacked CZ. Now most recently (like this week) I retired my CZ75 D PCR for a P10C. So I guess it's a semi auto now except for the rare occasions I get to go as far away from civilization so as to not be able to see it.
 
I just feel much more comfortable with my tuned and smoothed "Smith". I hit very well with it at 50 feet, so the 27 paces threshold is no problem, should the need to deal with "center mass" ever come to fruition. I hope it NEVER does.

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Old debate and similar answers. To summarize:

1. For the most likely - one opponent incident - a smaller gun like an LCP or J frame in the pocket seems like a choice.

2. Such a gun in a pocket is easy to carry.

We thus accept the limitations of the gun as our risk analysis says it will handle most.

Is this risk analysis valid - we've discussed that before in how many rounds, etc.

On the other hand:

1. Might be in a more intense incident like a rampage.
2. You can flee (good plan)
3. You can say that you are unable to deal with such because of personal lack of skill.
4. You think that you want your chances to increase over the J frame 5 shots are up and oops, the speed loader unloaded in my pocket. That is not unknown.
5. Thus a reasonable carry is a full sized semi - Glock 26 to 19 (or equivalent - not a Glock fan boy plug) and an extra mag. Maybe two mags.
6. Belt carry for both - OWB, AIWB, IWB - your physique interacts with such.

Really into it:

Carry a bug of some sort. 4 mags. Whatever.

How to know what to do?

Test yourself - find a good tac class, find a good revolver BUG class. We have them around here in TX. Shoot matches that are more 'tactical' with the bigger gun vs. the smaller and with the BUG.

Saying you can hit the target on the square range is nice but you need the stress and movement and reloads to have a better analysis.

Decide how your performance interacts with your analysis of risk.

My view - the semi and one mag is the EDC. The J frame, pocket gun when defined by dress or sloth as an exception.
 
I like my Ruger Sixes, Ruger LCR and S&W 36.
I like my PPK/S, Bulgy Makarov and CZ-82.
I like my NAA mini mag.
I love my Ruger .357 Blackhawks.
Based on local forecasted weather conditions and my planned activity, I get dressed, then choose something I can easily conceal.
If I could only have one, it would be a revolver...please don't make me try to choose which one.
 
If I'm carrying IWB, I prefer a single stack semi-auto because it's thinner and thus more comfortable. But for some reason I prefer a revolver when pocket carrying. More often than not I end up pocket carrying.
 
I love revolvers and 1911's, but, Lord help me, I went over to the dark side several years ago and now daily carry striker fired polymer guns. Mostly I carry a Shield, but during the winter I have been known to bring my Glock 19 with me wherever I go.
 
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I carried a revolver out in the real world every working day for years, and would still be comfortable doing so. About 30 years ago, I had the option of continuing to carry a .357 revolver, or transitioning to a 9MM semi-auto. I went to the semi-auto. So I guess like most, I fancy the semi-auto. Still, I'm comfortable in the real world with either....
 
Seems like we've had this conversation before.

I go with pistol, I've never carried a revolver, probably never will.
It's simple really.. capacity.. even if that wasn't the case.. reload speed.

With that said I've known a few people with limited hand strength and I recommend revolvers in those cases.
 
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