Why do you prefer a Revolver to a Semi-auto??

I am surprised no one has mentioned this:

You don't have to worry about losing/damaging your magazines and subsequently owning a very complex single shot (or perhaps it won't work at all).
 
Reliability, Accuracy, Power: these are all some of the best reasons that I prefer a revolver. However, they are not the most overwhelming. A revolver has an elegance about it that most autos these days just don't have (particularly a vintage Smith & Wesson). They are machined from solid steel and hand fitted and timed. They harken back to an age when guns were a labor of love by skilled craftsmen and not a lifeless hunk of metal and plastic that was molded and stamped by a robot. Of course, I own autos as well but most of them are older designs made of milled blued steel and not alloy and polymer. I am increasingly alone in my appreciation for these fine old firearms. I think I am the only 18-year-old I've ever seen actually look in the revolver section at my local gun shop. Even shooters many years older than me seem to be losing touch with this concept. It is really kind of a shame to watch someone spend five or six hundred dollars on an auto when they could get a $250 used revolver that would probably better meet their needs. Hopefully, we are not such a dying breed and these beautiful old shooting irons will be enjoyed for generations to come.
 
Just got back from putting about 300 rounds through the GP-100. While I was there I met some nice guys with quite an auto arsenal. One guy let me shoot 5 rounds out of a semi auto HK 12 gauge.. two misfeeds. Another let me fire about seven rounds out of a .40 cal.. only one misfeed. I had 300 flawless rounds, only problem was fitting the .357's after firing a bunch of cheap lead reloads.
 
I'm a bit of an old fashioned guy, so I like revolvers for their more 'old days' look, but I carry a snubbie revover most of the time (by far) due to weight, size, and reliability as compared to semi-autos. no jamming issues, no feeding/ejecting issues, etc. (however, i'm not prejudiced, I love the look of many autos, and love what they have to offer as well.)
 
1. for reloaders you don't have to chase brass.

2. it will function with wide variety of ammunition.

3. they look really cool.


That being said I think my CZ-75 should be given "honorary revolver status" for it's reliability :D
 
I like and dislike examples of each. Love the Browning Hi-Power, don't like the Glock 17 (personal choice, not knocking the design).

Actually, I'm trying to think of a revolver I've fired and didn't like, and it's proving difficult. I didn't like the recoil of the S&W 640, but I still think it's a nice revolver.

jmm
 
I haven't really started "preferring" revolvers until lately.

I have owned a number of 9mm autos (and also an auto in .45 ACP). I still own a Browning Hi-Power Practical, which is a very nice "classic" autoloader. However, my love affair with revolvers started when, about five years ago, I traded a couple of old military bolt guns and $225 at a local shop for a used, but LN condition, S&W 686. Imagine my glee when I could FINALLY hit something with a handgun! The accuracy was astounding to me. Basically, if I point this gun in the right direction and make a nice squeeze on the trigger, it will hit in the black. Period. That was with .38's. I finally loaded up a cylinder full of .357s and discovered what a powerful, accurate revolver can do. People say the .45 ACP has power, but nothing like the raw blast of a .357. Now, I'm hooked. I still enjoy shooting my Hi-Power but, when it comes to wanting to hit my target or make myself look better than I really am with a handgun, the 686 is my weapon of choice. And, the 686 is the weapon that is within arm's reach of my bed in the rare (and hopefully never) event something is ever needed in the middle of the night in a defensive situation. Yes, I am very proficient with loading, unloading, and using the controls on my Hi-Power during broad daylight shooting outside. However, I feel much better about being able to operate a revolver correclty if ever needed at 2 a.m. in the morning, in the dark, half-asleep but with adrenaline pumping though my system.
 
i have always liked revolvers. i bought an auto because i really did not now anybody that had a revolver. when i got the auto; and some friend i had just met said lets go shooting. they have revolvers. 2 of the are 25 years old and they have a 686 and a gp100. man was i hooked. i love magnums.
IMHO i think the revolvers look better in ss and blued then any auto. next would be the colt auto ss.

plus i shoot a lot better with a 4in 686 then a 4 in auto. maybe it only me.
 
One of the things I have found interesting is that a Gunsmith I know carries a Colt Detective in his shop.

Now here is a guy who has been working, repairing, shooting guns for over 30 years, but with all of the available guns that have come across his work bench, his shop and retail business, what does he carry and rely on!

The Revolver!

Although I enjoy shooting my autos, for the home, the revolver just sits there quietly waiting for that "bump" in the night...might only get six rounds off, but if they hit, boy, is that gremlin gonna be sick!
 
I own both,but I like the look of the Revolver,The way the cylinder rotates and the clicking noise it make as loads the next shot.It feels alive to me,you hear every thing.:)
 
I like revolvers for the simple reasion

That they are simple and less parts to fail.
Triggers are most of the time much better and I like 44 SP and I havent seen a auto in 44 SP:p
 
You will notice several posters mention how easy it is to handle brass, one even says his brass goes straight from gun to box. Believe it or not there have been people killed in shootouts because they trained to put their brass away before reloading.

Revolvers work fine and I have had fewer failures with them than autos but revolvers do fail and when they do it is usually in a big way and your not going to get it running again fast enough. Let me list some failures

High primers--cylinder won't turn

Bullet moves forward at recoil from rounds left in cylinder-cylinder won't turn

Unburned powder falls in bolt opening-cylinder freewheels

Worn hand--cylinder out of time

Empty case under extractor during ejection--ouch


Plus any number of gun abuse problems also inherent with autos.

If you choose a weapon it is good to maintain it in a masterful fashion because when you need it it would be a shame to get killed because of a dirty gun.

25
 
Steel Wheels

Very enjoyable and instructive discussion. Thanks to all. I was just wondering, sort of to myself: I wonder if the same folks who are fond of wheel guns also drive vehicles with manual transmissions. All my cars and guns have this in common: wheels. :rolleyes:
 
LOL, sdj wrote, "I wonder if the same folks who are fond of wheel guns also drive vehicles with manual transmissions." Jeep Wrangler, 5 speed. I'm getting more and more retro...someday it'll be black powder and a horse and wagon.
 
model 25,

I agree with you...revolvers can and will fail if not properly maintained. I think it is foolish for anyone to not clean their gun after every session if it is the gun that their life depends on...come to think of it, you never really know what gun could be the one that your life depends on, so it is a good idea to maintain all of your guns. It's pretty much just like cars: if you take care of it, it'll take care of you.
 
I love both. Just picked up a 92FS Italian Inox and looking to get yet another Beretta. However, I just put Pachmayr grips on my new 36LS and can't believe how nice the gun looks. Plan to shoot it tomorrow in fact.:D For me, revolvers are the better carry choice as they're more reliable, not affected by limp wristing and don't jam.
 
Model 25,

I'm new to revolvers, but arent these three problems you mentioned MUCH more common with cheap ammo or reloads, which you shouldn't use for SD anyway? Just saying they would rarely cause a problem in a well-maintained revolver with quality ammo in a life and death situation. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

"High primers--cylinder won't turn

Bullet moves forward at recoil from rounds left in cylinder-cylinder won't turn

Unburned powder falls in bolt opening-cylinder freewheels"
 
Bullet moves forward at recoil from rounds left in cylinder-cylinder won't turn
Click to expand...

Actually, crimp jump is a problem that can occur with factory ammunition in most ultralight (scandium, titanium, etc.) revolvers. It's recommended that people test their carry loads to make sure the bullets won't jump crimp and lock up the cylinder.
 
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