Are revolvers ideal or out-dated for personal defense? Not many gun enthusiasts debate this, they rather speak of comparison between 9mm vs .45 but its still worth a discussion. Posted on 07/16/2020 7:32:42 AM PDT by w1n1
Are revolvers ideal or out-dated for personal defense? Not many gun enthusiasts debate this, they rather speak of comparison between 9mm vs .45 but its still worth a discussion.
Chris Baker from Lucky Gunner asked that question a while back and came up with some really good points about revolvers while attending a defensive revolver training class.
The class was conducted by Darryl Bolke and Wayne Dobbs of Hardwired Tactical. Other instructors to help lighten the teaching load were Chuck Haggard and Claude Werner. Each instructors taught different topics related to the defensive use of revolvers.
Some of the sentiments were:
“…the guys at the revolver roundup came across as being a lot more pro-revolver.
The prevailing sentiment…was that the revolver are kind of like the every man gun.
It should be the go-to firearm for the average civilian who wants something for personal protection and semi-autos are probably best reserved for more dedicated shooters.
People who say revolvers never malfunction never shoot their revolvers.
These perspectives might seem pretty incompatible on the surface, but I think there's a lot of merit to both of them.
-this paradox of how revolvers can be seriously flawed but also maybe the ideal self-defense tool for most people.
-He is quick to point out, however, that the revolver is not without its flaws.
-It never ceases to amaze me just how many people are under the impression that revolvers are incapable of malfunctioning.
The fact of the matter is that even though revolvers can be very reliable, they’re also prone to some pretty serious issues that don’t affect semi-autos. Just in the past year, had I’ve had plenty of revolvers malfunction on me and I’ve also seen people on the range have problems, too.
Problems like…
A frozen cylinder from debris under the extractor star or from out of spec primers.
An extractor rod backing itself out preventing the cylinder from opening.
Multiple light primer strikes...Read the rest of revolvers perfect or outdated.
As with many aspects of life you have to keep your tools clean nd lubricated.
In my sports car, I prefer a manual over an automatic.
In my other cars, I much prefer an automatic.
I have to say that I seem to be more accurate with a revolver. The one exception is the Glock 17.
If you need more than 5 or 6 rounds you’re in over your head.
They are generally heavy, but can sit for 10 years and be ready to go.
Of course they “can” malfunction but they do so less frequently than semi automatics. My trail gun is a Ruger Redhawk .44 magnum. That hand cannon would stop a charging grizzly bear and I know it will work when I pull the trigger.
A wheel gun doesn’t jam and you don’t need to rack it. Ready when you need it. You don’t get fifteen shots but if you don’t hit what you need by the fifth or sixth, accuracy plummets after that anyway.
I make the basic assumption that everything will be over in a few seconds, two shots at the most, probably at a very close range.
It’s a cliche, but it’s also my operant presumption: if I need more than 5 or 6 rounds I’m dead meat.
I know there are people preparing for SHTF, the collapse of civilization as we know it, surviving off the land, and many other scenarios, but I train at 7 yards, with a 5 round 2” .38.
” If you need more than 5 or 6 rounds you’re in over your head.
Antifa mob comes to your home.
Shoot 6 and hope it turns out ok?
Shoot 16 (first mag) and hope they come to their senses?
Yes, shotgun and AR are also very useful...
Seems to be a new world.
They usually only hold 6. Other than that, my experience is that they are slightly more reliable. Maybe they are a little easier to get the hang of? The best option is the one you have with you and are accurate with.
Yep, the revolver is the simple point and click device. Put it away in a safe for years and when you need it no re-currency training really required. Semis need regular practice.
I know several older ladies who have a problem racking the slide on semi-autos.
Not too long ago (shortly before a terrible canoe accident) I surprised myself at the difficulty I was having racking the slide on a Glock which I miss immenseley. Old hands, what can I say? Some days it’s harder than others to grasp things.
Yes very reliable.
Yes very reliable.
“You don’t get fifteen shots”
Well, there’s always the LeMat revolver. .42 or .36 caliber cap & ball black powder revolver which featured an unusual secondary 20 gauge smooth-bore barrel capable of firing buckshot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeMat_Revolver
The Lemat was 10 shot BTW
For those without the time to learn and operate a semi-auto IN A STRESS SITUATION.
I can re-load a wheel gun pretty damned quick. So why would I be limited to six shots in any scenario at home?
Hadn’t heard of that one.
Here's an interesting bit of revolver arcana:
The cylinder cannot turn (and the gun can't fire) if the cylinder is gripped with the slightest amount of pressure; with just a thumb and forefinger.
This can be life or death in a weapon retention struggle.
I was in a retention struggle once with someone trying to commit suicide with a revolver, and did not know this.
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