[Durango Ranger]

How many times has anyone involved in a civilian shooting needed a fast reload? In most cases the very existence of a firearm separates a citizen from a victim. Police officers respond to altercations, citizens are armed for their own personal defense. My point is a dependable revolver or semi-auto will serve for your protection.

 

[40nascar]

IMHO, the ruger security six is the best wheel-gun ever made for self defense or a walking around in the woods gun. The GP-100's are nice, but very heavy, something that is really best for use as a target/competition gun. The security six is even a little on the heavy side for an everyday carry gun, so mine is reserved as a self defense piece at home, or as a finishing off piece during deer season.

All things considered, these would be my primary carry choices: for larger hands, Glock 19, 23, security six, S & W M&P , for smaller hands, easier concealment: Springfield EMP, Glock 26,42, M & P shield, Ruger sp101, Taurus 85, Small frame S&W revolvers, Khar arms (.380 & 9mm) many models. Ruger LCR, LCP, LC9.

I excluded haevy guns, such as 1911 types except the EMP, which is a miniaturized 1911 scaled down to 9mm & 40 S&W. My choice would be 9mm in the EMP because of the alloy frame. I also excluded the small keltec pistols because of thier very heavy trigger pull.

My 2c.

 

[BengalBacker]

I carry a Glock 26 with a Crimson Trace laser grip and a 17 round spare magazine. I also have a Glock 19 and a Glock 30S and I'd be fine with carrying either of them too, but for me the smaller size of the baby Glock, the ability to have 28 shots with one magazine change, and the laser grip for quick target aquisition whether I'm hiding behind cover or have to shoot with my off hand makes it my carry choice.

When I'm at the range, I run several mags through it without using the laser because I don't want to rely on it, then a couple of mags with it on. I'm confident and competent either way, but if the adrenaline is pumping and there are multiple bad guys, that little red dot could mean the difference between life and death.

 

[wlhawk]

.... My choice would be 9mm in the EMP because of the alloy frame....My 2c.

I've carried an EMP 40 for several years now. I didn't choose the 9mm as the alloy frame, while lighter in weight, probably isn't as durable as that of the 40.

 

[john k ogden]

Ok, I guess I'll weigh in. I pack a S&W 627-5. 4" barrel .357. Its a ProSeries so its been worked. It also holds eight (8) rounds. Simplicity in a defense situation will save precious seconds, go with a wheel gun.

 

[PhotonGuy]

I don't want to start a war here but I have a friend thinking of buying his first firearm for defense. When he asked me what to buy I told him semi-auto as that is what I carry. He asked me why not a revolver and I had no answer as I never owned anything but semi-auto. I need to get some help so I can advise him without being predigest. So can I get feedback from both sides of the fence on this without getting into a flame war? Remember we are talking about bringing a new member into the gun community not scare him off.
I thank you all in advance for your help with this project.
Phil

You should ask your friend to try out both kinds of guns and then he can choose which one he wants to get. He can go to a range where they rent out guns and he can try all different sorts of guns, that way he will know not only if he wants a semi-auto or revolver but what kind of semi-auto or what kind of revolver he wants to get. He has to decide for himself so he should try out lots different guns so he will have very broad knowledge on what kind of gun to choose. My first gun was a revolver which I got over ten years ago and I never had a semi-auto until recently, but that's just me.

 

[KSDeputy]

When I first started to work, we were issued S & W .357 revolvers. At that time, semi autos were not considered reliable enough for police work. It wasn't very many years before that idea changed. One day a few years later, we were issued S & W Model 645, their new .45 semi auto pistol. It was well received, and was reliable. It was easy to shoot and I scored well with it. I liked having the larger caliber. A few months before I retired, I was issued a new S & W 4506. I took it to the range once. When I retired it was given to me. It is in my safe. Now the sheriff's office issues .40 Glock semi autos. I am not a proponent of the .40 caliber, and have never shot a Glock. I know the reason for the change. The office has hired many female deputies, who I think are quite competent in their jobs. Their smaller hands would make a 4506 quite difficult to shoot, however. I carry my .45, and they are all happy with their Glocks.

 

[Dragunov]

Personally, I feel revolvers are severely underrated. I know people have taken all six rounds and lived, but I just about GUARANTEE that the threat was stopped.

.32.
.38 sp.
.357mag.

A well, placed shot from any of these will stop a threat.

I would recommend a revolver over a semi-auto for a beginner for sure. For one thing, they're easier to clean and maintain. For all practical purposes, more reliable.

 

[DDDWho]

Revolvers are safer, there is no safety to operate or forget about in the heat of a situation.
In case of a FTF with a revolver just pull the trigger again. With an auto you have to do something that will at least draw your attention away from the situation at hand to clear and rechamber the weapon. With that in mind I want as reliable a piece of equipment in my hand as possible if my life is at stake.
I have both. I carry a revolver.

 

[Lone Gunman]

Revolvers are safer, there is no safety to operate or forget about in the heat of a situation.

In case of a FTF with a revolver just pull the trigger again. With an auto you have to do something that will at least draw your attention away from the situation at hand to clear and rechamber the weapon. With that in mind I want as reliable a piece of equipment in my hand as possible if my life is at stake.

I have both. I carry a revolver.

What's with all of this inept forgetfulness that I've been reading about lately? WHAT do we train for, and WHY do we train? Certainly it's not to be a bunch of thick-fingered fumblers, or magnificently forgetful screwups - Yes!

If a revolver fails to fire (Ready?) the shooter may not be able to pull the trigger a second time. Things like a broken cylinder, 'hand' or a long bullet, or high primer can prevent a revolver's trigger from being pulled again. (So can a damaged forcing cone; but don't ask me how I know.)

I own and carry both, too; however, my preference is to carry a full capacity semiautomatic. After all, why not? I'm well practiced enough with semiautomatic pistols to do, 'tap, roll 'n rack, bang' clearance drills, literally, in my sleep.

NOTE: My preferred clearance drill is to: sweep the top of the slide before tapping. (I do it all in one motion of my support hand and arm.) Then, I'll recapture my sight picture and try the trigger again.

If it's a, 'no-go' I'll drop the magazine, and catch it with my pinky. Next I'll vigorously and repeatedly rack the slide, two or three times in a row, before reinserting the same magazine. (Which has, actually, never left the pistol.)

If the top round in the magazine was in the correct position (Which you should have visually checked for) then the pistol should, now, be back in service. *

* (Certain semi-autos need to be racked a final time before being returned to service.)

 

[JASmith]

The description of the clearing procedure and the need to extensively practice to get it right in a pinch might just make a strong argument for going with a revolver and factory ammunition.

The user should also shoot the first half box of carry to be sure of fit and function. Use the second half box for carry. Then, one is as good to go as is possible.

 

[DDDWho]

It took me a while to learn about my 15 shot semi auto pistol. If the mag is full (15 rounds) when you work the slide it will not chamber the first round. I found that if I only load 14 in the mag it works. Consequently now I load 14 but the memory of it not chambering that 1st round causes me to hesitate to pick the gun up and strap it on.

Any piece of equipment will fail. I had bad ammo in mind when I made my FTF comment. I make sure all of my guns are inspected, cleaned and lubed. Some I've owned for over 60 years, never had a speck of rust or been in the shop, they all work.

I hope I'm never in a situation where I need a gun to protect myself. No matter how much we think we are prepared brain freeze is often a possibility. One must consider whether they are within the law if they pull the trigger. The thought of sudden eminent death would cause me great stress and possibly not know where in the hell I am and what to do next. I will avoid that scenario if at all possible.

"It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. Take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have" Clint Eastwood, "The Unforgiven"

 

[Lone Gunman]

I was always taught that if a semi-auto pistol jams then you're probably going to be able to fix it; but, if a revolver jams then you're screwed!

As already noted: I don't really worry about pistol jams. Fixing one is second nature to me; but, once a revolver's cylinder locks up you're going to need a rubber mallet and/or a set of screwdrivers in order to get it to let go.

The real question is frequency. Revolvers only rarely lock up; and pistols, although easy to repair, jam more often.

 

[grumpy_old_man]

I was always taught that if a semi-auto pistol jams then you're probably going to be able to fix it; but, if a revolver jams then you're screwed!

As already noted: I don't really worry about pistol jams. Fixing one is second nature to me; but, once a revolver's cylinder locks up you're going to need a rubber mallet and/or a set of screwdrivers in order to get it to let go.

The real question is frequency. Revolvers only rarely lock up; and pistols, although easy to repair, jam more often.

All absolutely true. These days I gravitate towards the revolvers of my younger days, but I still use my autos.

If forced to choose ("you can only own one") it would be a tough choice between
1. Colt Detective Special
2. Ruger GP100
3. Colt 1911
4. Uberti .45LC Peacemaker replica
5. S&W M15 Combat Masterpiece

Each has advantages and disadvantages. In an urban setting the DS would probably get the nod, in the back woods, the GP100 or Peacemaker. For genuine combat, I'd probably go with the 1911.

But for the sheer joy of shooting, I think the winner would be a S&W Combat Masterpiece. Sure its only .38 Spl, but the balance and fine sights have made it my overall favorite 4" K frame.

And you're right, when a revolver locks up you'd better have a New York reload handy. But I don't let that bother me - I just use what I like best.

Most of the time for me that's a wheel gun.

Best,
Grumpy

 

[Lone Gunman]

Sometimes (like recently) I'll carry a beautiful S&W Model 686 with a 2 1/2 inch fully shrouded barrel. I know how to shoot double-action; and against only one protagonist I doubt I'd have a problem. Of all the handguns I own I, probably, like my 686 the best; but, at the same time, I have no illusions about what I can or can't do with it. Basically it's a, 'one on one' handgun.

Now that my hand is finally healing from a recent surgery I'm back to carrying a full capacity Glock Model 21. It allows me to quite freely double and triple tap my targets. In this day and age of numerous street gangs - with multiple assailants being the norm rather than the exception - a full capacity 45 ACP pistol is the (correct) hand tool to use.

(Ask any police officer!)

 

[grumpy_old_man]

Sometimes (like recently) I'll carry a beautiful S&W Model 686 with a 2 1/2 inch fully shrouded barrel. I know how to shoot double-action; and against only one protagonist I doubt I'd have a problem. Of all the handguns I own I, probably, like my 686 the best; but, at the same time, I have no illusions about what I can or can't do with it. Basically it's a, 'one on one' handgun.

Now that my hand is finally healing from a recent surgery I'm back to carrying a full capacity Glock Model 21. It allows me to quite freely double and triple tap my targets. In this day and age of numerous street gangs - with multiple assailants being the norm rather than the exception - a full capacity 45 ACP pistol is the (correct) hand tool to use.

(Ask any police officer!)

Y'know you make a really good point.

I've avoided the big cities like plague but if I were to have to go back to the Chicago 'burbs for family reasons, I'd probably put my Glock back on that list for just the reason you cite.

Down here, if a street gang got that uppity, there's so many armed citizens around that it wouldn't turn out well for them and that's a fact. That's the main reason I don't feel too uncomfortable with my S&W Centennial as EDC - like yourself, I know how to shoot a DA revolver well.

I'm still pretty old school though, and wouldn't feel ill equipped with a Combat Masterpiece in a Jordan BP rig with my concealed Colt DS. If things ever went "Watts 2.0", I'd be trying to e&e to safer turf and would prefer a 12 ga pumper like an Ithaca 37 riot model (1970's and previous guns didn't have the disconnect and I can trombone those actions PDQ) to clear the way, backed up by those wheelguns.

But you're 100% right for some urban cesspool, a full cap Glock makes sense, a lot of it.

Best,
Grumpy

 

[Quentin]

This is an old thread but when I take inexperienced friends out to shoot I let them try both a revolver and semiauto pistol, usually 38 Special and 9mm. If they aren't mechanically inclined or lack strength to easily rack a slide I recommend the revolver. After watching them fire 50 rounds I have a good idea which is best for them but listen to what they say before recommending.

Myself, I began carrying a Colt Series '70 Government Model in 1976 but also bought a 6" S&W Model 19. Loved both but the 45ACP was the one with me daily out on the lonely Arizona highways. A few years ago I switched to the Glock 23 and 27 to get a reliable, light semi that holds a lot of ammo yet still makes a .40 caliber hole.

 

[Dragunov]

Sometimes (like recently) I'll carry a beautiful S&W Model 686 with a 2 1/2 inch fully shrouded barrel. I know how to shoot double-action; and against only one protagonist I doubt I'd have a problem. Of all the handguns I own I, probably, like my 686 the best; but, at the same time, I have no illusions about what I can or can't do with it. Basically it's a, 'one on one' handgun.

Now that my hand is finally healing from a recent surgery I'm back to carrying a full capacity Glock Model 21. It allows me to quite freely double and triple tap my targets. In this day and age of numerous street gangs - with multiple assailants being the norm rather than the exception - a full capacity 45 ACP pistol is the (correct) hand tool to use.

(Ask any police officer!)

I bought a S&W M&P, .38sp for my teenage daughter. It's an ex-policemans service revolver, built in 1932, or '37. It's in nearly unfired condition, and the craftsmanship is impeccable. Never have any problems with it. I wouldn't trust her life to anything less.

 

[DDDWho]

I bought this S&W 686 no dash new in 1986. I still have the receipt for it $310. It screams quality.

 

[Dragunov]

I bought this S&W 686 no dash new in 1986. I still have the receipt for it $310. It screams quality.

I got mine, the second day I moved to Texas.... Cost me 6oz. of silver, from a pawn shop (About $240). Great little revolver!