I’ve never seen any study that proves there is any difference in the reliability of revolvers vs pistols. Most alleged experts claim there is none.
I agree at least for high quality autos using good quality ammo.
Reliability of the weapon is not the primary argument for preference of a revolver over an automatic. The issue comes in the case of a close in engagement, where most uses of a concealed weapon would be. If an attacker is able to grab the weapon, there is a significant chance that the upper receiver can come out of battery and render the weapon useless until released. A revolver does not have that problem and would still be able to fire (especially a ‘hammerless’ variant) if grabbed.
I personally have seen surveillance videos of automatics failing to fire during violent encounters and have had them do so to me on the firing line during qualifications.
“I’ve never seen any study that proves there is any difference in the reliability of revolvers vs pistols. Most alleged experts claim there is none.”
From my own experience, there certainly can be a difference. The feed on a pistol, even a high-quality one, is a common source if jam. I had to shop-around and combine magazine-parts to get near 100% reliable feed with a .45 I have.
“I’ve never seen any study that proves there is any difference in the reliability of revolvers vs pistols. Most alleged experts claim there is none.”
90% of my shooting has been with revolvers. With 60+ years of experience I can say revolvers are more reliable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nycYxb-zNwc
Watch the entire thing - the research and statistics suggest that for most situations any handguns/calibers from .380 up are roughly equivalent at stopping an attack. Though the 12 ga shotgun comes out on top of the heap. Makes me glad I keep my Mossberg beside my bed - along with a 1911. After all, it's good to have options...
He mentions that a large percentage of the data on 9mm incidents involved ball ammo. He suggests that accounting for JHP might push those stats up. One thing I'm curious about, the .380 looks relatively good statistically. I wonder if that is because the range at which someone might use a .380 is pretty short - resulting in better shot placement, energy retention in the round, etc.
Anyway, still interesting stuff. We've got .380, 38 spl, 9mm, and 45 ACP as well as 5.56, and 12 GA in our collection of defensive firearms.
“I’ve never seen any study that proves there is any difference in the reliability of revolvers vs pistols. Most alleged experts claim there is none.”
Absolutely there’s a difference. Don’t know about studies and I’m not going to bother searching. But, I own several of both and can tell you that the wheel gun is more reliable. It’s simple physics; the revolver is a much simpler design than a semi-auto.
I’ve had two failures to fire involving revolvers over a 40 year period.
I bought a new S&W Shield and it required work on it to get it to feed reliably. My Beretta Pico is 100% if you use it with 6+0 rounds. Not so good if you try to 6+1 rounds. My Ruger LCP has been 100% so far, but I’ve only fired 150 rounds to date. The M9 I used in the military sometimes jammed...probably military maintenance issues. My own 92 has been 100% so far.
Let me put it this way: I won’t carry a new semi I haven’t fired at the range. I wouldn’t hesitate to carry a new revolver I hadn’t fired at all.