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99% of civilians are led astray by thinking like soldiers or SWAT cops when they buy a pistol.

In reality, nearly 0% of pistol fights occur at over 50 feet, 70% are at less than 21 feet, 50% are at less than 10 feet, and 30% are "in contact" or wrestling matches.

The SWAT cop uses his high cap pistol fully aware, psyched, ready to storm a building.

The opposite is true for the civilian. He is surprised, often awakened at night, it is unplanned. The premium must be on simplicity and reliability. Pull and shoot. For me that's a revolver.

In a sudden unexpected crisis, you will have tunnel vision, ringing in the ears, and clumsy frozen fingers. Every decision which you may need to make introduces an element which may cause brain freeze and failure. The second taken to think "did I chamber a round in this auto last month" can kill you as your brain forces you to check. Your clumsy frozen fingers may then jam your gun as you pull the slide back to look. This is all happening while some dirtbag is stabbing or clubbing you or your wife. That's just one example, safeties introduce another "area of doubt": "Does the safety on this one go up or down?" People will laugh, but in a crisis, this really happens. Or folks don't get a shot off because on their carry gun the safety is "up", and this one is "down", so they push it the wrong way and never fire. This really happens, when you go from happy (or sleeping) camper to attack victim with no warning.

That's why for the civilian, who does not shoot every week, and who may not see his bedside gun for weeks, a revolver is best. It is just "point and shoot" with no "decisions" to hobble your brain with fatal doubt.

Bump...

I keep within reach an old Super Blackhawk and my wife's ultra lightweight .38 as well as a last resort North American Arms .32 auto ( I know it's a bit small but I got the gun through a freebie..I wish it was the .380 Guardian)..all are loaded with Glazers. I love the Blackhawk...I know that it will always fire and in "inside the house" range I'm not likely to miss plus cocking an SA is instinctive for me. If the .44 mag Glazer hits an assailant's torso they are in serious trouble. And if I can get to my gun cabinet (in my bedroom) then it's showtime.

I saw some coyotes in my yard last week at dawn and I sprang into action and grabbed the Blackhawk and ran towards the door in my boxers but by the time I got outside (it was about 25 degrees) they were headed up the ridge and outta range. During the past month a group of them have killed a cat next door and a puppy across the street and with many of us having toddlers in our yards at times I wanted to send the pack a message to move on. You should have seen the look on my wife's face as I raced by as she was having her morning java...me in boxers toting my hand cannon. LOL...ordinarily I'm not much on shooting coyotes but I fear turning my back for a moment when I'm out back with my 20 month old....fears of the Dingo thing..i guess. If they'll shred a pup ..they worry me.

I had a fellow break in my house while in college....I didn't shoot him with my model 28 .357 but I could have....he ran as he saw me with my pistol. Today with 3 children and a wife in my house...I would act much differently I fear.

People can learn ANY firearm, but practice is key. If someone isn't willing to shoot enough to be competent with their firearm, then they should put it away, because they simply are not serious about its use. Having one and using one are two different worlds. The best gun? The one you have and know how to use.

Just for curiosity, 20 years ago, how many rounds a month did you fire and did you consider that enough?