Will revolvers ever die?
- Thread starter Carbon_15
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Not Apples or Oranges, Apples and Oranges. I'm a young guy and was brought up in the semi-auto world. My first handgun was a Glock because after all, thats what I saw on TV. My heros used Semi's and made it look like so much fun. The only time I saw a Revolver was when I would watch John Wayne Movies with my old man. Even then I was impressed when the son (forget his name) in the movie Big Jake had a semi-auto. After a year or so of shooting the glock I got an itch for a revolver. They started to look much better then the revolvers of old. The newer revolver looks of the S&W 686 and Taurus Tracker and Raging Bull really turn my head. (I did buy the Tracker by the way). To this day I still don't like the look of a revolver with just the barrel sticking out unlike the Revolver I spoke of above. I don't take into account my Glock not firing when I want it to because it always has. All of the Semi's I shot today functions without any problems. I see both as equal tools. Now, when I hear bumps in the night I reach for my revolver. Why? Because I like the weight and feel of it in my hand. That is something a semi will never have. So to cap, Apples and Oranges. Both are fun to shoot and both will remain in my safe. Who knows how the next generation will feel about the two. As for if revolvers will die, No way. I'm sure thats what they said about horses when the car came along yet we still have them just for different reasons. Maybe in 10-20 years we will all be holding the Plasma Brain Blaster 5000 with built in Widget holder and optional car jumper cables. Who knows, but Revolvers will still be around even if they are not used for CCW.
Preacherman
New member
Revolvers die??? Don't say that anywhere near Jerry Miculek if you want to go on living! I remember when I first met him. I'd gone out to Clark Custom Guns and was talking with a gunsmith there about an action job on a S&W 66. I heard a burst of six rounds of full-auto fire, short pause (less than a second, IIRC), another full-auto burst of 6 rounds, short pause, another burst... I asked the gunsmith who was firing full-auto on the range, and what was he shooting? He burst out laughing, and took me out to meet Jerry, who was practising for his world record attempt (successful, as you doubtless know). This was in 1998, IIRC. Jerry still astounds me every time I see him perform... If you want to take the world's best semi-auto shooters, and put them on the same range as Jerry with his moon-clip S&W revolvers, I don't think I'll take any bets about the outcome...
Revolvers will fade away at around the same time lever-actions do... which is... NEVER.
I have not seen a semi-auto chambered in 454Casull yet... or for that matter 45Colt.
When you see semi-autos chambered in 500Linebaugh, then we can start talking about the death of revolvers.
I have not seen a semi-auto chambered in 454Casull yet... or for that matter 45Colt.
When you see semi-autos chambered in 500Linebaugh, then we can start talking about the death of revolvers.
Robert Foote
New member
Not likely
In other than military settings, the revolver suffices and probably will until a whole new system evolves. The closest analogy might be knives; ancient technology that gets the job done.
A good DA revolver suits the rankest beginner--and has enough potential to sparkle in the hands of an Ed McGivern.
In other than military settings, the revolver suffices and probably will until a whole new system evolves. The closest analogy might be knives; ancient technology that gets the job done.
A good DA revolver suits the rankest beginner--and has enough potential to sparkle in the hands of an Ed McGivern.
The revolver is wider for the ammo that it carries than the semi auto, and frequently runs heavier. They also tend to be louder.
OTOH
In, say, a GP100, you can in a single cylinder go from a 38S&W to a 38 Spec WC to 38Spec +p to .357. Load it to any powerlevel you want. Try that with an auto!
But my single biggest reason for favoring wheel guns is that all you need is the gun and the ammo. Magazines are the life blood of the auto. No mag, no fun. With a revolver, all you need is ammo, just like a lever gun.
OTOH
In, say, a GP100, you can in a single cylinder go from a 38S&W to a 38 Spec WC to 38Spec +p to .357. Load it to any powerlevel you want. Try that with an auto!
But my single biggest reason for favoring wheel guns is that all you need is the gun and the ammo. Magazines are the life blood of the auto. No mag, no fun. With a revolver, all you need is ammo, just like a lever gun.
Ben Shepherd
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The brass chase issue really pisses me off.
IDPA match:
1 guy taping, 2 guys scoring, 6 guys chasing brass.(they usually find about 75% it) Good crud!!
Especially if you buy premium brass and take the time to build your own "sweet" loads.
That's close to half the reason I'm basically a dedicated wheelgunner.
The other half being that a wheelgun will shoot any slug design I choose.
IDPA match:
1 guy taping, 2 guys scoring, 6 guys chasing brass.(they usually find about 75% it) Good crud!!
Especially if you buy premium brass and take the time to build your own "sweet" loads.
That's close to half the reason I'm basically a dedicated wheelgunner.
The other half being that a wheelgun will shoot any slug design I choose.
Blue Duck357
New member
I think especially as long as people reload, the revolvers very safe 
With my Model 19 no brass loss plus I can make it go "pop" or "BANG!" at a moments notice with complete reliability.
With my Model 19 no brass loss plus I can make it go "pop" or "BANG!" at a moments notice with complete reliability.
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Unlikely
So long as fixed ammunition doesn't change, revolvers won't die. I'd venture to guess that when you can't get ammo for it anymore (say we develop an inexpensive ammo that is caseless & electronically fired that makes it unfeasible to use old-fashioned fixed ammo) that revolvers will begin to fade. However, as long as there are reloaders (and there will always be reloaders) and groups like the SASS or N-SSA, the revolver will continue to have a place among us. As a corollary, smokepoles are stronger now than before.
So long as fixed ammunition doesn't change, revolvers won't die. I'd venture to guess that when you can't get ammo for it anymore (say we develop an inexpensive ammo that is caseless & electronically fired that makes it unfeasible to use old-fashioned fixed ammo) that revolvers will begin to fade. However, as long as there are reloaders (and there will always be reloaders) and groups like the SASS or N-SSA, the revolver will continue to have a place among us. As a corollary, smokepoles are stronger now than before.
After 160 years or so of consistent use - I doubt it. In fact, from a "doom & gloom" gun rights perspective, it could be argued that autos are more likely to fall prey to extinction. It can be argued pretty strongly by anti gunners that there is really little ligitimate purpose for a private citizen to own an auto loading firearm. Look how far the anti gun movement has gotten since the mid 1960's. Imagine this - an ultra liberal administration, legislature and judiciary comes to power. How appealing is a "politically correct" 6 round limit magazine, double action only, no smaller than 6" long and 5" high semi auto? Is such an eventuallity really so far fetched? Lets go to real extreams. All handguns and cartridges of a technology that wasn't available prior to 1901 are banned. Heck, if they ban technology later than 1860 - revolvers are still viable defence options.
The Constitution says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. But how many people legally have .50cal machine guns, cannons, missles, etc. These are all "arms", but private citizens are limited to the types of "arms" they may possess. In the worst case senerio, I can't imagine that the simple six round revolver could be reasonably considered an instrument beyond the original intent of the Founding Fathers as a reasonable type of firearm the private citizen should have the right to possess.
The Constitution says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. But how many people legally have .50cal machine guns, cannons, missles, etc. These are all "arms", but private citizens are limited to the types of "arms" they may possess. In the worst case senerio, I can't imagine that the simple six round revolver could be reasonably considered an instrument beyond the original intent of the Founding Fathers as a reasonable type of firearm the private citizen should have the right to possess.
Blue Duck357
New member
Good points on the legal side. Revolvers may in fact be the weapon of the future just due too new laws banning semi-autos
You never know.
Future handgun bans would probably ban in this order:
Semi-automatic pistols first
Double action revolvers second
Single action revolvers last
If the democraps get control of the house, senate, and presidency in the future and start banning, we may be stuck with only revolvers, and eventually NO HANDGUNS. Talking Federal here.
Anyway, I'm a revolver fan first, but I use both semi-autos and revolvers. I just prefer revolvers. They will NOT die out unless / until they are banned, IMO.
Now on to state politics:
I think California is going to be the first state that bans all handguns. They will start with more restrictive laws each year, and in time an outright ban IMO. More reason to leave.
Future handgun bans would probably ban in this order:
Semi-automatic pistols first
Double action revolvers second
Single action revolvers last
If the democraps get control of the house, senate, and presidency in the future and start banning, we may be stuck with only revolvers, and eventually NO HANDGUNS. Talking Federal here.
Anyway, I'm a revolver fan first, but I use both semi-autos and revolvers. I just prefer revolvers. They will NOT die out unless / until they are banned, IMO.
Now on to state politics:
I think California is going to be the first state that bans all handguns. They will start with more restrictive laws each year, and in time an outright ban IMO. More reason to leave.
.....making PRK a criminal's paradise.
Most resident's will be :1. a paroled criminal.
2. a victim.
3. Doing "time".
This will make the PRK a welfare, socialist state; with the highest
prisoner population in the U.S. (If it isn't already.)
Just wealthy, guarded liberals, and non-working welfare parolees.
The middle class?
Taxed and victimized out of existence!!
(AND the strongest black market for illegal weapons you could imagine! )
Most resident's will be :1. a paroled criminal.
2. a victim.
3. Doing "time".
This will make the PRK a welfare, socialist state; with the highest
prisoner population in the U.S. (If it isn't already.)
Just wealthy, guarded liberals, and non-working welfare parolees.
The middle class?
Taxed and victimized out of existence!!
(AND the strongest black market for illegal weapons you could imagine!
)
Some people can't handle the recoil of a semi-auto.
I'm thinking of the pototypical "little old lady" that doesn't have the grip strength for a semi.
She ends out limp wristing causing the gun to jam.
That isn't good in a self defence situation.
A revolver may jam, but not from limp wristing.
I'm thinking of the pototypical "little old lady" that doesn't have the grip strength for a semi.
She ends out limp wristing causing the gun to jam.
That isn't good in a self defence situation.
A revolver may jam, but not from limp wristing.
Herb Leventhal
New member
Revolvers
Path:
I own and shoot both revolvers and semi-auto's on a regular basis. My favorite is the S&W 629 6.5 inch revolver. I shoot a handloaded 44 mag 240 gr Carroll or Raniere bullet on top of 22.8 gr of Winchester 296 powder. Tis a blast
You ought to try it
Herb
Path:
I own and shoot both revolvers and semi-auto's on a regular basis. My favorite is the S&W 629 6.5 inch revolver. I shoot a handloaded 44 mag 240 gr Carroll or Raniere bullet on top of 22.8 gr of Winchester 296 powder. Tis a blast
You ought to try it
Herb
Citizen & CZ,
I hear you. Here in Texas we are a LOOOONG way from the "PC" crud you all have to live with with. But It's even creeping in here as more and more folks from out of the region move in.
Consider these options:
* Non removable magazine auto loaders that must be loaded from the breech (IE: the old "broomhandles").
* The requirement of a $1,000,000 bond to own an auto loading firearm. In other words a $50 per month insurance premium for every auto loader you own.
* Federal registration, license and restrictions to possess and use an auto loading firearm.
The struggle to keep and bear arms may reach a point where the question is not basic rights - but the level of financial and government hassel you are willing to put up with to possess them. If we get to the point where we need to "pick a fight", I'd rather conceed that auto loading arms should go on the "restricted" list - and leave other arms alone. Of course though - the "left" is going to press for a total ban where the "right" must press for free choice. So the compromize is somewhere in the middle.
I hear you. Here in Texas we are a LOOOONG way from the "PC" crud you all have to live with with. But It's even creeping in here as more and more folks from out of the region move in.
Consider these options:
* Non removable magazine auto loaders that must be loaded from the breech (IE: the old "broomhandles").
* The requirement of a $1,000,000 bond to own an auto loading firearm. In other words a $50 per month insurance premium for every auto loader you own.
* Federal registration, license and restrictions to possess and use an auto loading firearm.
The struggle to keep and bear arms may reach a point where the question is not basic rights - but the level of financial and government hassel you are willing to put up with to possess them. If we get to the point where we need to "pick a fight", I'd rather conceed that auto loading arms should go on the "restricted" list - and leave other arms alone. Of course though - the "left" is going to press for a total ban where the "right" must press for free choice. So the compromize is somewhere in the middle.
What is there to compromise about? It sounds to me like California is already at the point where the fight has been picked. The antis are only too happy to compromise one gun at a time. First, it'll be "high capacity" autoloaders. Then, small concealable autoloaders. Then, small concealable revolvers. Finally, all handguns. Then they'll start working on your long guns. Go read the Brady Bunch's website or listen to Chuck Schumer. These folks candidly admit that they think they have to take a gradual approach to banning guns and "eliminating the gun culture." I prefer revolvers and single-shot rifles, but that doesn't mean I'm ok with bans/restrictions on semi-autos or AKs. If we allow the antis to divide and conquer gun owners, they will. Shoot straight.
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