Posted on 07/01/2021 3:46:03 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
While very lightweight revolvers have become popular within the past few years, this may not be the blessing they might first appear to be. Small handguns are easy to conceal, and that’s a good thing. However, the lighter the gun, the more difficult it is to shoot accurately.
In the suitable defensive calibers, the little guns tend to deliver some brutal recoil. And a shooter will simply not do their best work with a gun that hurts when fired. Given the fact that we are held responsible for every shot we fire in a deadly situation, accurate shooting is extremely important.
In my own case, I want a defensive handgun that is capable of making head shots at 25 yards and vital-zone shots at 50 yards. For me, that comes down to a medium-frame revolver with good sights. For that reason, one of my all-time favorite defensive handguns has been the Smith & Wesson Model 19, with the 2 1/2-inch barrel. While it is about twice the weight of the small five-shot revolvers, it is still comfortable to carry for long hours and, with some fore-thought, can be properly concealed.
Once the shooter has settled upon a particular revolver, the next step is to get a set of stocks that fill that individual’s hand. There are certainly shooters who get along just fine with factory stocks and their shooting ability reflects this. However, most of us end up with some sort of custom revolver stocks on our favorite revolver.
Fortunately there are quite a few companies making aftermarket stocks for the double action. Those with large hands will do their best with thicker stocks that have an integral filler behind the trigger guard; while some even need a covered backstrap. Those with smaller hands would be wise to choose thinner stocks with the addition of a grip adapter to fill the area behind the trigger guard.
I wish that I could sit here behind my computer and tell each of you exactly what kind of revolver stocks to buy, but such is not the case. Most of us dedicated revolver shooters have a box in our gun room full of stocks that just weren’t quite what we wanted. [Editor's note: Testify!]
Another important step in adapting the DA revolver to personal use is to obtain the aid of a competent gunsmith. Just as with any handgun one might carry for personal defense, the revolver should be checked out thoroughly for reliability.
The gunsmith should check out the double-action revolver for proper timing, making sure that each chamber of the cylinder lines up perfectly with the bore. Even more important, the gunsmith should polish the revolver’s internal parts to make sure that they mesh together as smoothly as possible. I am not a big fan of weakening the various springs, but a good polish job will go a long way towards smoothing up the action and the double-action trigger pull.
It has been said that the double-action revolver is easy to shoot, but it is difficult to shoot well. Of course, that’s because of the double-action trigger pull. This long trigger pull can easily pull the gun off target if the shooter has not mastered the technique. There are two solutions to this. The first is getting the action job that I have already mentioned.
The second is just lots of practice. And don’t overlook the value of dry practice. Dry practice, without the noise and recoil of using live ammunition, allows the shooter to concentrate on developing a smooth, continuous trigger pull that doesn’t disturb the sight picture. Nowadays, with the ammunition situation being what it is, I do far more dry practice than I do live firing.
The defensive revolver shooter really has it made when it comes to selecting a caliber for his revolver. Double-actions revolvers are available in everything from .22 LR right on up to .44 Mag. Both ends of that spectrum being a bit extreme, one can easily find a caliber, somewhere in the middle, that suits their needs. Unless one has health issues, it is probably a good idea to stay away from the various rimfire cartridges due to their lack of power. And the big-bore calibers may generate too much power to allow for accurate shooting.
While I am intrigued by the .327 Fed. Mag. and have a good deal of respect for the .44 Sp. and .45 Colt, I have settled on the .38 Spl./.357 Mag. family for my own use. Ammunition is more readily available in a wide variety of power levels and bullet choices. The individual should make his selection based upon his ability to deliver fast, multiple hits accurately to the vital zone of the target.
The defensive revolver shooter is wise to carry at least two reloads for the defensive revolver. One reload should be in a speed loader in order to quickly reload when the gun has been shot empty. The second should be in an ammo pouch, or speed strip, in order to top off the cylinder when just a few shots have been fired. And, just as one practices the double-action trigger pull to perfect it, the shooter should also practice quick, smooth reloading.
The DA revolver is still around because it, long ago, won its spurs as a fighting handgun. Defensive handguns are a very personal, subjective thing and the serious shooters is well advised to select what works best for him, even if it means disregarding popular trends. The test is to find something that we shoot quickly, accurately, and that we can manage and operate effectively under stress. For many defensive shooters, the answer is found in the double-action revolver.
Also have an Off Duty 38 SPL, same.
I have carried DA revolvers’ for over 5 decades.
They have their place along with Semi auto’s.
Nothing wrong with them as long as then user knows what they are doing.
“Gathering up the trigger” exercises are required for proficiency. Learning to execute a “hammer stop” repeatedly is good practice and will translate to semi-autos in better trigger control. The better quality the revolver, the better you can feel the stages of the action.
Heads up...forensics can determine is the hammer was cocked before firing, which shows premeditation. It is determined by the strike on the primer. Use this information wisely.
I love revolvers both double and single action. As I get older I am having trouble carrying heavier bulkier firearms on my person. I take my variety of revolvers to the range but slip a Ruger LC9 auto loader in my ‘travel, photographers’ vest. I thought about a Ruger LCR lightweight revolver. But I’d have to try one on for size first.
DA’s are old school; meaning, they have been tried and tested for 100 years, and they still rock-and-roll.
I enjoy shooting revolvers. The SA’s are just plain fun. The DA’s take some getting used to, as the trigger pull can be rather stiff, depending on the make and model of the platform. But, once you have become familiar with the nuances of the particular weapon, muscle memory kicks in and pulling the trigger becomes routine. So, it’s best to settle on one or two DA’s that work for you (meaning that you are comfortable with and can shoot well), and stick with that (or them).
I like my LC9s. It fits very comfortably in my Urban Carry holster.
My son has an urban carry. Nice. I can no longer wear a belt except elastic belts or elastic waistband pants due to health issues m, hence the vest. I can wear suspenders to a degree but prefer not to put too much of a load on them.
My standard carry is a .22 magnum revolver. Lightweight, very little to no kick and it packs a helluva round.
Say what you will about a .22, I trust this magnum.
I will be getting a 2 new carry guns. One will be a sig 320 model. The other a short 357 revolver. Can fire 38 for practice and 357 for knockdown self defense.
Say what you will about a .22, I trust this magnum.
I bought the .22 Magnum barrel for my Heritage Rough Rider.
I like it; the .22 Magnum's got a nice kick to it.
I love the simplicity of a DA revolver. Pull the trigger and if it doesn’t go BANG, pull it again. No jams, stove piping, magazines falling out, clearing the chamber, putting the safety back on ... No problems.
Perfect for women that aren’t into range time or guns, but still want to carry.
My EDC is a Colt 45 ACP compact 1911. Love it!
I’ve killed lots of deer and several coyotes with my Smith 41 Mag. DA revolver.
Fact is, they all have their place and purpose, and I’ve only met 3 or 4 guns I didn’t like.
Wish they would make a conceal holster for my DP-12. At ny age and eyesight I need to extra firepower.
My 357 S&W Mod 60 w/1-3/4” barrel was my first carry. Four+ decades and about 100 pistols later, it is still my favorite carry gun.
A couple of points:
1. Unless you are a very good shooter, (and I do know some,) you’re not going to hit anything with a short barreled revolver under extreme pressure, unless the attacker is in your face, in which case you’re risking a fight over the gun. Your best bet in defense is to discourage your attacker, or be able to make an escape.
2. Recoil for most people is not going to be noticeable when your adrenaline is running at 1000 miles an hour.
Accuracy and recoil are primarily an issue at the range, trying to group shots on paper.
Another little considered issue is jamming while in contact. A semi-auto (the ones that have the upper frame move backwards) usually has a ...... “switch” inside the frame that will prevent the firing pin hitting the next round if the frame is not fully forward — for obvious reasons. So, if the attacking yahoo is right in your face and your gun is right in his gut, the frame might be displaced just a wee bit backwards, preventing discharge. Oops, not good — except for the yahoo.
A revolver, tho, has no such “switch” and will fire regardless of any pressure on the end of the barrel.
Good point.
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