Why don't revolver carriers worry about capacity?

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How about one solid reason the self-loader would not cover more ordinary situations than a revolver. Just one reason. Reliability? Many of us have shot hundreds if not thousands of rounds through our Glock's without a malfunction. I trust the ugly things.
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I can think of some reasons why revolvers are superior to autos for self-defense. I can think of some reasons why autos are superior to revolvers for self-defense.

All the self-defense guns I have "on duty" are autos, so maybe I'm not the best person to argue that autos won't work for self-defense.
That depends entirely on equipment and skill. I reload a revolver as fast or faster than most reload a semi.
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It's still slow "comparatively" because it involves more actions, and more complicated actions. It's clearly possible to practice a lot and get very good at it, but an equal amount of practice with a semi-auto would make a person faster and the reloads would also be more sure because the alignment of the mag to the grip frame is simpler than the alignment of all of the cartridge noses to the chambers.

Just to be clear, I'm not arguing against using revolvers for self-defense, just pointing out that revolver reloads (given equal skill and practice) will be slower than autopistol reloads.
 
In my use, the revolver is a personal choice, based on 50 years of experience with it. For those weaned on the auto-loader the opposite may be true. No worries...we each choose what works for us...I'm not, nor ever have been an LEO. Though I have spent considerable time in combat, on the ground in a Special Forces unit, and in flight operations. But...neither has much bearing on my current circumstances.

I live on a small farm in KY; my trips to the big city are a dozen or less per year...I carry daily for my own enjoyment and the needs of farm chores. Given those environs, a good revolver carried in an OWB holster in what used to be called the "FBI" position, suits me just fine. I carry autos, on occasion, but a revolver's capacity and operating mode on balance, do nicely. While I do carry autos on a semi-regular basis, their increased capacity and manual of arms, not to mention the scattering of their brass, are not positives...they're often detriments.

I like 'em both...but find that capacity is not a major concern...I don't envision the OK corral scenario as even a remote possibility given my life choices.

YMMv, Best Regards, Rod
 
Just to be clear, I'm not arguing against using revolvers for self-defense, just pointing out that revolver reloads (given equal skill and practice) will be slower than autopistol reloads.
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Absolutely, but not as bad as he was trying to make it.
 
Load the revolver faster than an auto?

What sort of training are we talking about.:confused: You cannot blame us ordinary humans for being skeptical. It's hard to sell the idea that this fast loading of a revolver is regularly possible. That is, for the average person, The fact is undeniable that the usual pick of auto has to with more rounds and, by reports, easier to shoot. Are there any US police forces of any size that still use revolvers? Also, I can get tons of statistics that the world is flat.:rolleyes: Can you tell me how to load a revolver with "one in the pipe?"

When I reload my revolvers fast where does the brass go? Does the brass jump back into the speed loader? When I took my carry class the instructor made the point that dead people have been found with a handful of fired brass. He did not quote statistics so that must have been untrue to leave the brass on the ground.

G23: My G27 was stolen. Got a dynamite deal on the G23. Really like the compact more than the sub compact. My speed loader is a G22 magazine.
 
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I don't "worry" about capacity in the sense that I don't lay awake at night anguishing about it, but it is a consideration. That being said, it is but one of many considerations and there are other attributes of a revolver that, for me at least, outweigh capacity on my list of priorities.

Reliability is one. Now we can argue until the cows come home about how reliable modern autos have become and I will concede that, with good ammo, good magazines, proper maintenance (cleaned and lubed regularly with springs periodically replaced), and proper shooting technique they are very reliable. That being said, we don't live in a vacuum and I personally prefer my gun not be so dependent on so many variables. If there's another big panic buying event, I needn't worry quite so much about whether or not my revolver will "like" the only off-brand ammo that's available. If I have to shoot from a less than ideal position or grip, I needn't worry about slides being pushed out of battery or limp-wristing. I don't need to worry about how long it's been since I changed my magazine springs or if my feed lips might get damaged without me noticing it.

Caliber is another consideration, revolvers for a given size and weight are more commonly available in more powerful calibers than semi-autos. For a variety of reasons, I often prefer to carry a more powerful handgun and I can carry and conceal my 4" .44 Magnum just as easily and comfortably as my full-size semi autos (at least in the carry methods that work for me).

Accessibility is another factor, in many of the carry methods I prefer (especially pocket carry) the shape of a revolver's grip makes it much faster and easier to grasp when I draw.

Finally there is shootability. With a revolver that's set up the way I prefer (trigger, sights, grip, etc.) I can simply shoot it better than I can a auto. The shorter, lighter trigger of many semi-autos requires me to make a conscious effort to slow down and reaquire my sight picture before firing again lest my accuracy go to pot. The longer, heavier stroke of a good DA revolver trigger slows me down just enough to reaquire my sight picture yet is smooth enough not to be a hindrance to accuracy (I've never found a DA auto trigger as smooth as a good revolver).

Now, please remember that these are my priorities and yours may be different. Neither platform is really better than the other, they're different tools and are best suited for different situations. While I carry a revolver more often, my nightstand gun is a semi-auto because it can more easily have a light attached to it. In a dedicated nightstand gun, an attached weapon light is important to me since, should I need it I probably won't have the luxury of holsters, pouches, slings, or large pockets so I'll have to make due with what's in my hands. When I'm out and about, however, I have a handheld flashlight in my pocket so a weapon mounted light is no longer a necessity.
 
I prefer....

Auto's: First up it not necessary to replace springs as often as implied. Magazines are not a fragile as implied. Preferences do not mean better or worse. I just means I like it better.

For calibers I'd suggest looking at the utility on 357 SIG and 10MM. Smaller and lighter than an auto when you are carrying ,or using for an example, a 44 Magnum revolver.:eek: It;s hard to blow off magazine capacity. I like what I like would have done it.

Remember there is a real difference between "I don't like" and ..."it's no good." It's hard to minimize the benefits of an auto for self-defense purposes based on the merits of the respective handguns. Convenience does not get me out of harms way.

Added: Have you ever had an empty case fall behind the extractor on your revolver. How about so much junk in the gun that it's not possible to closed and lock the crane. How about a sprung crane. How about getting out of time? Bubba had at the gun turning out the stain screw until the gun won't fire. Point being anything made my the hand of man can break etc? Bubba helps it along.
 
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J.G. Terry said:
Added: Have you ever had an empty case fall behind the extractor on your revolver. How about so much junk in the gun that it's not possible to closed and lock the crane. How about a sprung crane. How about getting out of time? Bubba had at the gun turning out the stain screw until the gun won't fire. Point being anything made my the hand of man can break etc? Bubba helps it along.
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I have... my converted Victory did it to me once. Just push the ejector rod all the way down and flick out. But if you are asking about my carry gun, it is another reason why I converted my 642 to 9mm (moonclips).

For the lock work complaints... I do keep my gun clean, and do my best not to fall into mud with the gun unprotected (holster and cover garment help). I knew a guy that would carry an off duty gun (Kahr, if I remember correctly) in a leather holster... and didn’t take it out of the holster for like two years. Sweat actually fused the holster to the gun, to the point where he has to cut it out, and work on it for an hour or two just to get the round out of the chamber. There are people who don’t take care of their guns in both camps.

For the bubba comment... you really are telling me people don’t screw around with semi-autos, and more people do with revolvers? I remember one guy I used to shoot with got a match barrel for accuracy, and would carry it when he was visiting family. Did like two trips carrying it before we went to the range and asked him how the gun shoots. Goes to fire it (turned out to be the first time), and the gun was a single shot. Did not have the barrel fitted, which was beyond me as I saw him having issue loading the gun.

I had my Airweight redone in NP3 Plus, and tossed in an Apex Duty/Carry kit prior to it m. Only other change was having a gunsmith fit a 9mm cylinder... far from bubba there.

That all be said, we are currently issued a .40 H&K P2000 LEM... which has 12 round magazines. While I like the gun, I don’t carry it off duty. I could deal with the size, but don’t want to be yanking off a light, since we don’t have them approved... and I prefer a light option. My J-frame has a LaserMax weapon light, is a lot lighter, and can get the job done. I know plenty of people who don’t carry off-duty... and not going to argue with anyone over me having a gun on me pretty much all the time (minus sleep and showering... and occasional trip to Canada).

And since this thread can always use more pictures...

SmESRcF.jpg


Switched holster backing to OWB.
 
How would you defend yourself when a gangbanger is using a G17 opened fire?
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Ok - I'll have to ask....what difference does it make what the other person has - - in the way of a handgun?
 
What sort of training are we talking about.
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1980's LEO training. Look at the FBI speed loader method. I have been doing it for 40 years and also shooting competitively so i probably have millions of repetitions. Many people fall into the trap of "I can't do it so it can't be done".
You cannot blame us ordinary humans for being skeptical. It's hard to sell the idea that this fast loading of a revolver is regularly possible.
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Ignorance breeds contempt. Open your horizons.

That is, for the average person, The fact is undeniable that the usual pick of auto has to with more rounds and, by reports, easier to shoot.
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By average do you mean untrained? If so A revolver is a better choice.

Are there any US police forces of any size that still use revolvers?
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Beats me.

Also, I can get tons of statistics that the world is flat.
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OK.......

Can you tell me how to load a revolver with "one in the pipe?"
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Open cylinder, drop round in charge hole, properly index and close cylinder.

When I reload my revolvers fast where does the brass go?
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I don't know, never seen you reload.

Does the brass jump back into the speed loader?
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Now you are being obtuse.

When I took my carry class the instructor made the point that dead people have been found with a handful of fired brass.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newhall_incident

Yup it was 50 years ago and a watershed moment in police training.

He did not quote statistics so that must have been untrue to leave the brass on the ground.
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???

G23: My G27 was stolen. Got a dynamite deal on the G23. Really like the compact more than the sub compact. My speed loader is a G22 magazine.
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How fast can you load, from concealment from your last shot to your next shot? I can reload my K frame Smith in about 1.5 seconds, not Jerry Michulac, but not bad.
 
Something to perhaps keep in the back of our minds ...

An old saying - which I recently heard used by a young sergeant who served some tours in Afg - is that handguns are meant to get you out of trouble. Rifles (or shotguns) are used if you're planning to go get into trouble.

There are inherent limitations of DA revolvers (meaning with swing out cylinders, not SA's with loading gates) regarding both capacity and speed-of-loading, granted.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean that revolvers can't still be successfully employed as personal defensive weapons.

Someone's ability to employ their acquired skills may be supplemented by choice of gear and familiarity with properly using the gear selected, but the selection of gear isn't going to be able to improve or enhance someone's underlying skillset. Using something as a crutch is still using a crutch, even if you don't call it (or admit it's) a crutch. ;)
 
Screwball: That's a nice handgun. It is obvious that you put thought into that project going exactly where you wanted to go.

I have no intention of suggesting that all revolvers had those failings. Many guns of all sorts have been ruined by holsters combined with other bad care are you described. All the failings that were shared came from personal observations. No over generalization intended.

I got a custom barrel for my old G29. On shooting it for the first time the slide jammed back. The gun refused to fire. The maker asked for the slide and barrel be returned. Finally, called him back. He offered a refund saying my slide was out of specs.

That was the last after market drop-in barrel I bought. What ever it is, shoot it first out of the gate. My custom Revolver is a Clark Custom Light Revolver built up on a K38 frame. With 6" barrel it misses that mark as a carry gun. Those HK's can be addictive.
 
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"Reliability is one. Now we can argue until the cows come home about how reliable modern autos have become and I will concede that, with good ammo, good magazines, proper maintenance (cleaned and lubed regularly with springs periodically replaced), and proper shooting technique they are very reliable. That being said, we don't live in a vacuum and I personally prefer my gun not be so dependent on so many variables. If there's another big panic buying event, I needn't worry quite so much about whether or not my revolver will "like" the only off-brand ammo that's available. If I have to shoot from a less than ideal position or grip, I needn't worry about slides being pushed out of battery or limp-wristing. I don't need to worry about how long it's been since I changed my magazine springs or if my feed lips might get damaged without me noticing it."

Well said.



"How would you defend yourself when a gangbanger is using a G17 opened fire?"

As a civilian, it would not be unusual for someone to attempt to mug or carjack me. However, I don't really understand the scenario where someone suddenly starts shooting at me from some distance away. That seems to be an unlikely way for them to try to get my wallet.

If I wanted someone's car or wallet, I would just keep my eyes open for a distracted person (looking at phone, loading groceries, etc), wander over near them, hit them with a brick, and take what I wanted. In and out in seconds, no noise, probably no one notices. Where I live, if you start emptying a Glock at someone, the cops will certainly be there in under two minutes, probably faster.
 
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