The Revolver: Unappreciated Advantages

[Elderberry]

Personal Defense Network By Grant Cunningham

HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE THE WHEELGUN

I’m sure you’ve heard it before: someone asks, “Which is better: revolver or autoloader?” Everyone chimes in that revolvers are more reliable and simpler to operate. Over and over again. Yadda yadda yadda.

Those things are generally true, but there are some less obvious and perhaps even more compelling advantages to selecting a revolver as your concealed handgun for personal defense. They include:

    Malfunctions: almost non-existent
    Practice: operates without ammunition, making dry fire useful
    Concealed carry: easier to conceal and more stable to carry on your body
    Economical: lower initial cost plus no cost for magazines
    Tactical: resistant to induced failures

Intrigued? Read on for the details of these factors that you may not have considered, and perhaps not even known, about “those old-fashioned things at the back of the showcase.”

MALFUNCTIONS

Let’s start with the learning curve. Yes, a revolver is simple to operate, in the sense that there are no controls that must be manipulated in order to fire it. What’s not obvious is the advantage in training to operate the gun to its maximum efficiency.

If you’re shooting an autoloader, it’s in your best interest to practice malfunction drills on a regular basis. Learning to identify and clear the most common jams takes time, both in initial training and regular practice. That’s time you’re not spending learning to actually deal with the dynamics of a critical incident, which is what’s going to keep you safe.

Training in malfunction clearing with a self defense revolver is nearly non-existent. There’s really only one common jam that will tie up a revolver, the dreaded case under extractor, and it is completely preventable by learning proper reloading technique, which you need to learn anyhow. Any of the uncommon malfunctions can be prevented through normal maintenance and using quality ammunition.

More: https://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/article/the-revolver-unappreciated-advantages/

[thackney]

With an auto, the part that sticks out is the squared-off butt of the frame. No matter how thin the gun is, you still have that bottom corner poking through your cover garment. It’s hard to hide because it’s not organic; we don’t normally see right angles protruding from beneath clothing.

The grip of the revolver, on the other hand, is rounded.

This claim is going to be selective to models, not a real comparison of revolver versus semi-auto.

There are certainly real reasons to choose a revolver.  But I carry a semi-auto, with rounded edges designed for conceal carry. 

Ruger LC9s

[txradioguy]

My wife and I both have a revolver in our collection.  She got hers because she was having difficulty working the slide on my 1911.

I got my .38 in part just to have one and also to use it as my carry gun in the summer time.

[thackney]

My wife and I both have a revolver in our collection.  She got hers because she was having difficulty working the slide on my 1911.

I got my .38 in part just to have one and also to use it as my carry gun in the summer time.

 

[roamer_1]

I am going back to .45Colt. Got my eye peeled for a pair of them.
I will probably keep the 1911 around just for giggles, but I have run a colt 45 my whole life, and I just can't get used to that 1911. Muscle memory is hard to beat.

[Elderberry]

When I'm out of the rat race of the city, my handgun has always been my 45Colt Blackhawk. In town I'm partial to my Chief's Special with a 3in. bbl.

[GrouchoTex]

My only handguns are revolvers.
Both are Rugers.
A 22 long/22 mag with interchangeable cylinders.
A 38 special/.357 magnum.
Long barreled, single acting.

[Elderberry]

I have more semi autos now, but I started out with revolvers. And that's what I'm partial to. I even have a few single shots, one a Colt 3rd Model Thuer Derringer.

[Meldrew]

I'm compelled to mention that a short barrelled (<3 in) revolver is the worst gun to teach or recommend to a new person, especially a woman.  Lot's of folks (especially ladies) show up at the range with (often pink gripped) 38 snubbies recommended by the hubby/boyfriend/father, shoot 'em twice and you never see them again.  Too snappy.  They really are for more experienced shooters.

We usually end up letting them shoot the bull barrelled Buckmark - a crowd favorite and a true tack driver.

[Elderberry]

With reloading, you can download revolvers to a pipsqueak level. I had 38 loads that would bounce off of age hardened lumber. Much cheaper casting your own bullets for your sub level reloads. I was reloading 38 Specials for cheaper than .22s. And with a revolver, you don't need dummy rounds for a ball and dummy drill.