Will revolvers ever die?

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Now that I think about it, I have been practicing for a transition from auto to revolver for IDPA, and I need to rethink this slower reload point. While getting ready to make the switch, I have been practicing a little home-made drill to bone up on my reloads. It consists of 3 targets with 2 feet of seperation, 7 yards away. Starting from the ready position with the gun in leather, I draw on the buzzer, double tap each target from right to left, reload, double tap each target from left to right, reload, double tap each target from right to left again. Thats 18 rounds, 2 reloads for those of you in Dade County;). My 'all a zone' times hover right around or just under 15 seconds from the buzzer to the last shot. I didn't think that was all that fast untill I tried the same experimint with a 1911 for comparison. Loading 6 rounds in 3 magazines, I tried the same drill. 18 rounds, 2 reloads. My a-zone times were still right around 15 seconds. If I loaded the 1911 mags to full capacity, but only fired 6 rounds before reloading, my total time droped to around 14 seconds since I didnt have to manipulate the slide stop. but what I have learned by this little drill, is that reloading a revolver with carry style speed loader takes aproximatly the same amount of time as reloading a slide locked auto.



BTW, I call this drill "House of the Dead" after the famous Sega arcade game where you shoot undead zombies with the little plastic light pistols. BANG BANG.......BABG BANG....thought that one was dead the first time...Uh oh here he comes again..BANG BANG. :cool:
 
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Carbon.....sshh.....supposed to be a secret.
That autoloaders are not faster
The difference is in the shooter.

Sam
 
It's a personal thing

Last week a friend said that he thought he would sell all of his revolvers because he never shoots them anymore. It got me thinking. I shoot auto-loaders a lot more, but I don't intend to sell any revolvers. In fact if my friend is really selling, I might just be buying.
 
I wish I could think of something pithy and witty to say, but I can't. All I can say is that I truly believe that good, well-tuned revolvers will never die. Semi-autos will continue to dominate as long as Hollywood glorifies action heroes/villains who need a high-capacity gun to make up for their poor marksmanship. Those of us who know a thing or two know that revolvers have a lot to offer a disciplined shooter.
DAL
 
Semi autos have the advantage of quicker reloads as long as you have a full magazine. If I had a limited supply of magazines and a lot of rounds to shoot in a hurry, I'd pick the revolver.

Unless I had someone loading magazines for me while I shot. ;)
 
Short answer is "No".

As far as I'm concerned, the reliablity issue was settled around 1911. Good autopistols work when they should; it's a non issue.
Accuracy is better in the serious target autos than any revolver. Non issue.

However.....

The large bore revolver is just handier than the large bore auto-pistol. The Smith 29 family, the Ruger Super Blackhawk, and the rest are just much handier and easier to use than the Auto-Mag or the Wildley. For a repeating heavy caliber hunting handgun, autos are pretty clunky.

For defense use, I find the (older) Smith & Wesson revolver just flat handles better. I really like the basic 1911 format, and I have several. But the K frame 357s and 38s just shine for fast and impromptu social encounters. Autos are more accurate, but I shoot a revolver better. That seems counter intuitive to me, but I know it to be true.

I have to agree with citizen. Revolvers will continue much like bolt guns and lever rifles. They just work.
 
Ok Doubting Thomas types...here are some self-evaluation MPEG's I made a the other day useing snap-caps. I managed high 10's/low 11's...even with the major bobbel or the SpeedLoader in #2 on the first reload (almost droped the little bugger right as I went to put it in the cylinder)
I know these arent world class times or anything, but keep in mind, I had NEVER used a speed loader before 2 weeks ago. When I carried revolvers before, I favored a flatter but slower enclosed cartridge carrier...like the kind hunters carry on their belts, but with a flap and smaller..like a dump pouch upside-down. they used to be quite popular, but I havent seen anyone use them in a while. They are much less fumble prone that Speed Strips or a dump pouch. Since I'm going to be switching to the 6-gun for IDPA, I figured I should upgrade to speedloaders.


about 1Meg. each.

http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/carbon_15/SpeedLoader_Practice.MPG

http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/carbon_15/SpeedLoader_Practice_2.MPG



BTW, a dozen or so snap-caps and a video camera is about the best training tools out there. You feel like a goober doing it but it works. I was able to shave whole seconds off my times just by getting rid of wasted movements that I didn't know were there before.
 
I'm an automan, but do see the advantages of a revolver. Plus, one thing not mentioned, you don't have to chase brass;)
 
When I started out, it was with revolvers. Then after my time as an Air Force SP, everything got switched to semi autos. Last year for my birthday my wife got me a KGP-141, and now just last week I added a SP101. I forgot how I really enjoyed shooting revolvers. The SP101 is a lso a joy to carry.
 
JUST BACK FROM 23rd CENTURY (yes, I also manufacture time machines)

Revolvers still around...................................





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"all my ammo will forever be factory ammo"
 
>>JUST BACK FROM 23rd CENTURY (yes, I also manufacture time machines)

>>Revolvers still around...................................

Excellent excellent news. However, I can't help but feel that a well placed vasor shot is an effective man-stopper!

justinr1
 
Die? ... no way, six shooters still earn their keep in my household:

miniUPclose.jpg
 
I hope so. I started with hagndguns as a security guard in the 80s. I learned on a revolver. Then the switch came to semi-autos. Lots of security agencys required guards to carry revolvers. I wanted to carry a 9mm semi-auto. Some of these agencys watned the guard to put the hammer down on an empty chamber of the cylinder. If they issued a revolver they looked old. They wanted the guard carry a revolver the guard never fired. The guard showed up to work & the revolver was passed from shift to shift. Because other people made me carry what I didn't want, I don't like revolvers. what do I recommend to a new shooter? A revolver. Because that's what I learned with. Today I wouldn't complain as much if forced to carry a revolver. Make it a S&W M10 4" heavy barrel with a smooth trigger job lightened as much as possible. I guess I never said why I really don't like revolvers. I don't shoot them well. Not as well as semi-autos.
 
Revolvers will always be in vogue and never die away. It is like asking if love and honor will become passe. Classic and tastefilly elegant. Anyone who has shot an N-frame will come to love revolvers. Pass away? Never!
 
Accuracy is better in the serious target autos than any revolver. Non issue.
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I disagree. It does cost a lot to make a revolver competitive with the likes of Pardini, Walther etal; but it can be done.

Autoloader has an edge in international rapid fire but that is a functional edge and not an accuracy edge.

Hair splittin but that's my story officer and I'm stickin to it.

It's the craftsman and the quality of the tool, not the type of tool.

Sam
 
NO INNSHO the revolver will always have a place in the shooting world. At least that is if the crooks in Washington DC, don't take them away from us too.

7th
 
Will revolvers ever die? That sounds like something that might've crossed Browning's mind in a moment of vain introspection.

Of course they'll die. Whenever propellants die. Paper targets will vanish too whenever that day comes, because our great-grandchildren's laser blasters will set them on fire. ;)

But quantum mechanics has a long way to go yet, so you and I don't have much to worry about.
 
I look at it this way,

When I'm 80 or 90 years old, I probably wont be able to rack the slide on my .45s or squeeze-cock any of my P7s as easily anymore...

However, I WILL be able to work the cylinder & shoot my S&W 586 with little difficulty. If I keep it clean and oiled, it'll still be in working condition when that time comes.
 
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