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Multiple light primer strikes...Read the rest of revolvers perfect or outdated.
+1
And if you ever have to use it, those extra magazines will come up 3 to 4 times per hour at your trial.
"He was out looking for trouble..."
Hmmm, while its true that most gun fights are over in less than 3 seconds and 3 rounds (and within 3 yards), as another poster somewhere here stated, its not the gun that wins the fight, its the fight that wins the fight. The proper mental attitude to win a fight is never give up. Assuming its over after two rounds is not reinforcing either attitude or training approach to coming out on the winning end of a gun fight. Of course you train with what you have, but as we see in so many news releases today, the idea that your most likely encounter is a single assailant is an out dated idea. More attacks are coming in groups as are more home invasions by more than a single assailant. Thats not zombie apocalypse. Stay safe FRiend.
“Keeping a SA cocked and laying around...”
Never heard of anyone doing that.
“I teach this (cocked revolver sitting around the house) as a dangerous and unsafe condition.”
Are you clear on the difference between “cocked” and “fully loaded”?
I have extreme pain in my thumb joints due to arthritis to the point I had a lot of difficulty racking my KAHR MK9 so I recently purchased a Sig P365 which is much easier.....
There is no perfect weapon....whether a side arm or a long gun.
My preferences....A single action .45 Colt Blackhawk loaded with a hot hard cast when in the woods where a bear might visit A .357 GP-100 loaded with a hardcast would be good if the worst critter is the east coast black bear.
For night time on the farm, the .357 GP-100 as that leaves the other hand free for a flashlight or to open gates, etc.
But in town a 9mm with 15 to 18 capacity and an extra mag in the pocket would be better. I have had jams where the mag had to be ejected and the second mag gives me a fresh start.
By the way, I have never had a Blackhawk jam, but there are many situations where you must operate the weapon with one hand.
I had a brand new S&W revolver (Model 317 Kit Gun in .22LR) with multiple light primer strikes and with a frequent independent failure of the cylinder to rotate. I sent it back to S&W, and the gun came back looking and shooting like it had been through their custom shop. Zero failures since then, in over 1,000 rounds. Bonus: The sights and laser came back zeroed at 25 feet, not even 1/4 inch off. Beautiful, smooth gun, and I love it.
I frequently have that revolver in my pocket (pocket holster) at home. I have quick access to my favorite full-sized handgun, a Dan Wesson 1911 in .45. I also have my last-resort handgun, a Glock 17 with the 33-round magazine. In the home, I’m not reloading the revolver or the 1911 during an attack. If I need more rounds, I’m going to the Glock (or a long gun), where I won’t have any reason to count my shots.
Am Shooting Journal seems eager to provoke discussion :). Recently pocket pistols, now revolvers. Next up, no doubt, SA vs striker vs DA/SA.
I would call it a serious siege if there were four, I shot one, and the others kept coming.
They can malfunction. My brother bought a Taurus 605 .357 and it locked up on him internally when day at the range. I got it unloaded and we shipped it back and they repaired the damage. This is the only revolver I have encountered that broke in 40 years of shooting.
All my kids were about grown and I started carrying my revolvers again and am quite partial to my S&W Model 19 and S&W Model 28 .357’s for my truck gun. I also like to pocket carry a S&W Model 642 .38spl or a Colt Det.Special in .38spl. With the Colt you get 6 rds, vs 5 in the S&W J frames.
Reliability plus lots of rounds. ;-)
Best Revolver Speedloader for Concealed Carry
When I did carry concealed I never carried hot because my automatics did not have a safety.
In my only draw in an assault I was racked and ready in a 1/2 second. Clint would have been proud. No shot fired though but the assault ended right then and there.
If there’s a second assailant, unless they are dumb enough to follow the first through a kicked in door, I’m dead.
One major problem- a two hour drive to any range.
OTOH the wife has my King Cobra and we have a Mossberg 500 available also.
Group attack= I’m dead meat.
What if you have a single action revolver? You have to cock it manually before shooting. Is that premeditation?
No Deputy, I was in the house when they came through the door. I feared for my life. There will only be one side to the story. I'm known here. No one would question it. Meth heads roam the countryside out here looking for the opportunity which is a well known problem to our Sheriff. I will not dial 911 until its time to complete the paperwork. This isn't my first rodeo, said the Cowboy.
As noted by others, a revolver can and will jam.
Smith’s have the best trigger of any side arm on the market...stock.
A little work and the single action trigger can be as good as any target rifle.
But those little screws on a Smith will back out and completely shut the gun down.
Put Loctight on all screws.
There is one that holds the cylinder crane in place. If it backs out, the whole cylinder assembly falls out.
The one that adjusts the hammer spring will back out and you will get light strikes.
Again, the cure is Loctight or nail polish.
A revolver does not eject a spent cartridge, thus leaving NO evidence.
Just saying.
I checked on speed loaders because people were disparaging the limited rounds and was curious myself - I've only seen them in the movies.
I use Don Hume inside the belt holsters (goes well with Tori Richard Hawaiian shirts and cargo shorts with a good drawstring.
Keep your pants up is rule #1 when carrying. ;-)
I do wonder about a quick draw with the hammer snagging on something but a good holster may solve that problem? Or interior revolver hammers?
Thanks for the info.
TH54
Well, happiness is a warm gun;)
8 weeks +1 day ago. I went to town @ 0630, got back home @ 0800 to see my front door kicked in. I pulled my .357 and cleared my house, dialed 911 to report it and the first question from the operator was, “Have you cleared the house?”
Just darn!
Look what was in your post.
You will have to do something about people hacking you and posting such lies.
But don’t worry. The truth has a way of leaking out.
Or maybe that is a valid concern.
But one noticeable fact. You do know the law is dramatically different if you were in the house or arriving outside and seeing the obvious evidence that burglars might be inside.
Knowing the difference keeps smart people from getting into a position where they must fight for their lives.
.
Every Rambo/cowboy brags about being a Rambo....so I wouldn’t bet, if I were you, that your neighbors are not well aware that you have visions of being a hero.
And in addition to interviewing all of your neighbors, a good cop will pull all of your posts on the internet.
Get your warm guns TODAY...’cuz tomorrow never knows.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.