Revolvers vs Pistols

[TJSaltdog]

I do not own a revolver and only shot 1 in my life time, but I am going to get one. I know there are Revolver fanatics and Pistol fanatics. What are some of the pro's and con's of both? When I do decide to get a revolver, what would be a good one to start with?

 

[indiucky]

I like my revolvers and my semi auto's. I would suggest my first revolver start with the word "Smith."

 

[x10]

My suggestions would be a
K22 smith, cons expensive , Pro's accurate, smooooooth trigger, cheap to shoot

Next ones in order
Smith 686 Cons Centerfire little more expensive to shoot, Pro's accurate, plenty around smooth trigger
Ruger GP100, Same as Smith but not as good on the trigger.


4 inch bbl's for General shooting, 6 inch for target and hunting.

There are others
Ruger single actions have such a round grip that it doesn't fit some well but the thing I don't like is the long lock time.

 

[gunman41mag]

REVOLVER pro's are you can shoot any light load, MAGNUM calibers can be had in a compact platform, con's most revolver only shoot 6 rounds & reloads are slower, lost of gas thur the barrel/cylinder gap, lost of velocity

 

[indiucky]

My suggestions would be a
K22 smith, cons expensive , Pro's accurate, smooooooth trigger, cheap to shoot

You forgot "pretty."

 

[netsecurity]

IMO revolvers are outdated technology, though still relevant obviously. Six shots is definitely enough to get the job done against one or more attackers, but I just feel more comfortable with double that. The cylinder makes revolvers very wide in the center, and more difficult in general to conceal than an automatic pistol.

Automatics are so reliable (good ones, like Glock and M&P) these days that revolvers don't offer many advantages. I guess the main advantage of a revolver is that some people like the looks of them better, and they are as simple as possible to load and clean, and probably more accurate at long distances.

Pistol Advantages
Thinner
Lighter
Higher round count
No need to eject spent shells before reloading
No need to pull hammer back in SA (or with DAO strikers)
Faster follow up shots
Faster reloads (mag vs speed loaders)

 

[richardraw316]

get both, to hell with the pros or cons.
i love pistols. almost all pistols.
I carry semi auto, and keep revolver at home.
Revolvers are works of art, well most of them are. just one exception off the top of my head, rhino. other than that one, revolvers of every make belong in a art mueseum, hanging on the wall.
yes i know i cant spell.
enjoy what you own, and strive for more.

 

[gunman41mag]

For self-defense against the evil two-legged animal the PISTOL is better, but for hunting four legged animal, get a revolver

 

[Rob377]

Pow. 8 rounds of 357 Magnum. More ft-lbs on board than a 1911. I don't own one, yet anyway.

 

[netsecurity]

For self-defense against the evil two-legged animal the PISTOL is better, but for hunting four legged animal, get a revolver

I do agree with that over simplification! I used my 686+ for deer hunting.

I use my M&P9c for self defense, and a Beretta PX4 for home defense right now. Night sights and rail lights are also important advantages found mostly on pistols.

EDIT: That revolver above looks awesome! I never saw one, but I like it. Great if you want a red dot. Holy sh** are they expensive though.

 

[Rob377]

IMO revolvers are outdated technology, though still relevant obviously. Six shots is definitely enough to get the job done against one or more attackers, but I just feel more comfortable with double that. The cylinder makes revolvers very wide in the center, and more difficult in general to conceal than an automatic pistol.

Automatics are so reliable (good ones, like Glock and M&P) these days that revolvers don't offer many advantages. I guess the main advantage of a revolver is that some people like the looks of them better, and they are as simple as possible to load and clean, and probably more accurate at long distances.

Pistol Advantages
Thinner
Lighter
Higher round count
No need to eject spent shells before reloading
No need to pull hammer back in SA (or with DAO strikers)
Faster follow up shots
Faster reloads (mag vs speed loaders)

True to some extent, but it's the Indian, not the arrow as the old saying goes.

This guy will flat out smoke 99% of the semi-auto gun owner population on any measure of speed.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uisHfKj2JiI[/ame]

 

[Rob377]

I do agree with that over simplification! I used my 686+ for deer hunting.

I use my M&P9c for self defense, and a Beretta PX4 for home defense right now. Night sights and rail lights are also important advantages found mostly on pistols.

EDIT: That revolver above looks awesome! I never saw one, but I like it. Great if you want a red dot.

S&W M&P R8 with an Aimpoint Comp M4 and an insight M6(?) light/laser. According to internet legend, it was built for the pointman in a SWAT stack carrying the big bullet proof shield because semi-autos would jam up trying to shoot them along side it.

 

[richardraw316]

Pow. 8 rounds of 357 Magnum. More ft-lbs on board than a 1911. I don't own one, yet anyway.

i want that, and a iwb holster for it.

 

[richardraw316]

True to some extent, but it's the Indian, not the arrow as the old saying goes.

This guy will flat out smoke 99% of the semi-auto gun owner population on any measure of speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uisHfKj2JiI

i have a new hero

 

[MilitaryArms]

If you think Jerry Miculek is fast with a double action, watch this handy work with a single action.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AJzv8gb2A[/ame]

The problem is, these men are the exception - not the rule. Very-very few people have the skill of these men.

For the average shooter, the auto will be by far faster and easier to master than a revolver, if speed is your goal.

 

[DocSkunk]

ok i will drop in my

Semi auto

Pros:
Ammo count
ammunition price (dpeneds on cal)
mag reloads
popular by numbers
concealable (in some models)

Cons:
Picky on ammo
get dirty quicker(depends on the firearm)
Stove pipes
double feeds
have to clear jams
parts galore( more to go wrong)
No time taken to shoot accurately
run out of ammo faster
plastic

Revolver -

Pros:
Not picky on ammo
Doesn't stove pipe
doesn't jam
doesn't double feed
cycles past a dead round with a trigger pull
simplicity
Precision shooting
looks badass
isnt plastic made of metal MOST of the time

Cons:
Index wears down
ammo count
ammo price (unless you buy a 9mm or .22cal revolver)
somewhat slow reloads
not easily concealable


With any firearm its really up to the user. personally I myself wouldn't carry a semi auto for self defense, even thou i am getting my glock and i know they work. It will be that ONE time i need it, that ONE time i need to draw to defend myself and all i will here is a click on my end, and a bang on their end. Any semi auto can jam for any number of reason and you have to clear it. So for my end i will stick with my .357mag. But as i said to each there own.

 

[CPT Nervous]

And I would NEVER carry a revolver. I don't own one, I don't want one. Fired hundreds of rounds through my Glock, Sig, and Kel Tec. Zero problems. If I'm in a firefight, I'm getting off rounds fast. I don't want to have to worry about round count. I train to fight, and fight to win, and revolvers are not compatible with my training style.

I don't want to be in a fight where I can't afford to miss. Plus, all my autos tell me when to reload, by locking the slide back. With a revolver, either you have to count, or wait for it to click.

Not tryna be mean, Skunk. You carry your wheelgun, I'll carry a realgun.

 

[DocSkunk]

its ok, each have their own opinion. we are each responsible for our own lives, so do what you feel is more comfortable. My wheel gun your semi. in the end they both punch a hole in the BG.

 

[CPT Nervous]

its ok, each have their own opinion. we are each responsible for our own lives, so do what you feel is more comfortable. My wheel gun your semi. in the end they both punch a hole in the BG.

Right. No argument here. I like revolvers, just don't like them. If that's what you're more comfortable with, carry it. No need for childish insults. I'm glad not everyone is like that. So many times, you post something, then get your head bit off by someone because you didn't do it his way. Just like the OC CC debate. Do what you want, leave others alone for their opinions. Live and let live, right?

Carry and let carry?

 

[MilitaryArms]

Revolver -

Pros:
doesn't jam

They most certainly do jam, and when they do a simple "tap, rack, bang" won't get them back into action. When a revolver goes down, they go down hard - so much so that you better have a back-up weapon as the malfunction is likely going to require time and tools to fix.