Semi vs. Revolver for Carry

[bigmyk2k]

Thanks for the reply, this discussion has been helpful for my understanding.

[Bill]

Semi:
Pros- Increased Capacity(YES), multiple safetys(YES), possibility for slimmer profile/more concealable (Not so about the same to a little higher profile), relatively easy reloads(YES)
Cons- Have to carry cocked and locked (most models) or rack the slide for first shot, reliability of safety (knowing it is safe and trusting it to be are two different things)(too many safetys problem, a safety like on the trigger or on back of pistolgrip ok but not great),
light trigger in stressful events( unless custom done the trigger pull is most of the time greater then the revolver), lots of moving parts to catch clothes or other things in pocket firing(YES)

Revolver:
Pros- Simple operation (all you have to do is pull the trigger)(Yes), many models have no or minimal external hammer/ can be fired from a pocket without any parts to get caught(Yes), not leaving shells all over the place (I'm not really concerned about leaving evidence, but I know others are, so I'm including it)(yes thats good), some as light as semi and they make them lighter then semi-autos.
Cons- Limited ammo supply(No and Yes, 44spl is harder to find ammo, 357mag/38spl easy to find more varity to suit the revolvers weight), relatively complicated reloads( No, Easier to reload then semi-auto), wider body/harder to conceal( No again)
Zundfolge says;
With a revolver, you'll likely get burned through your clothing by the blast coming out of the cylinder/barrel gap (and/or catch your clothing on fire). Good chance of burning your hand too which means you're also probably only getting one shot off.

Never have I had this problem with the small revolvers with standard loads
this is some thing you get from larger frame revolvers with mag loads.

Got my mom a snub nose revolver 38spl she loves it and does better with it then any center fire semi-auto she fired. I know many females that carry revolvers so I do not know where Zundfolge is coming from.

[ray1970]

I saw a video years ago where a guy took one of the hammerless J-frame revolvers and fired it from inside the pocket of a windbreaker. Totally destroyed the jacket but he was just fine. He fired at a target maybe three or four feet in front of him and made good hits. He fired all five shots. You'd never get more than one shot off with a semi if you tried that.

[YammyMonkey]

You will not set yourself on fire with either. Dirty, and ruined jacket-yes, fire-no.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

I agree with what a lot of members have said so far about this. Find what is most comfortable and easiest to use. But most importantly know the potential flaws, know how to overcome them, and get plenty of practice with whichever firearm you choose. I probably just beat the hell out of a dead horse but that is my 2 pennies on it.

[anomad]

You will not set yourself on fire with either. Dirty, and ruined jacket-yes, fire-no.

A guy on another forum that I used to frequent did set his coat on fire when he tried this. It was a cotton carhart type work coat that was long past due for replacement. I think he was firing a model 10 with healthy 38 special loads.
Wasn't a big deal, he just patted the fire out. That said, if the situation is bad enough I need to shoot from my pocket a little fire is the least of my worries.


Revolvers or bottom feeders? Who cares. Just pick one and practice.

[Clint45]

Respectfully, IMHO a small revolver is the BEST choice for a novice to CCW. They don't jam, ever, unless something goes horribly wrong with bad ammo or broken springs. No safety to fiddle with. Very simple operation.

As for "shooting well", most use of a handgun for SD occurs well within 10 feet (I think the average was 7 ft) and, statistically, the rounds fired will not be accurate anyway due to stress and movement.

The only two caveats with a wheelgun are that lightweight frames with +P ammo deliver punishing recoil, and revolvers with a full hammer spur can snag on clothing. So if you don't have a hammerless or CH steel framed revolver it is best to load with standard velocity ammo and have the hammer spur bobbed off. Many of the negligent discharges with revolvers involved the hammer being cocked for SA shooting resulting in a super light trigger pull, or the person slipping while decocking over a live round. A novice has no business messing around with SA in a snub revolver anyway -- that is only intended for accurate aimed shots at distances of 30 ft or more.

At any rate, a small revolver is NOT a good gun for novices. Other than stuffing them into someone's belly and pulling the trigger five times, you're not going to shoot it well unless you practice a lot (same goes with any small gun, but tiny DA revolvers have a steeper learning curve). I cringe every time I see someone recommending a J-Frame sized wheel gun to an inexperienced woman.

The main reason to pack a wheel gun is because either you're better at shooting it than an auto or you're packing a magnum or big bore because you want the extra power. Otherwise, there are just too many quality CCW automatics designed for use by novices to saddle "the little lady" with a J Frame just because it says "Lady Smith" on the frame.

[spyder]

I think the OP may have failed to recognize the DA/SA semi auto's that are available out there. Look at the CZ75 p-01 for instance. It can be carried with 1 in the chamber, uncocked, and still be fired by simply pulling the trigger (like a revolver). With DA/SA semi-autos available, I see no reason to carry a revolver, but that's just my opinion.

^ I will build upon this...

A revolver is no better with reliability than a well built semi auto. That is one thing I have learned so far with my time at this gunsmithing school and from talking to the instructors (who worked at the factories or had their own shop).

I will use Hk for my example...

I see no reason to carry a revolver (using the hammer down on an empty chamber notion) as I can rack the slide on my Hk, and then use the decocker to let the hammer down safely. At that point, my Hk is exactly like a revolver using the double action trigger pull to fire off the first round, and (unlike a revolver) I have twelve more rounds of 45 acp to follow if needed (or 8 in my wife's gun). Some semi autos are better than others. As others have said and I say, if you're gona carry (using the gun for self protection), you should carry the best, and to me, nothing I have owned has beaten the USP.

[spyder]

Respectfully, IMHO a small revolver is the BEST choice for a novice to CCW. They don't jam, ever, unless something goes horribly wrong with bad ammo or broken springs.

They can jam. The ends of the arms wear, or break off as a couple examples.

[Clint45]

They can jam. The ends of the arms wear, or break off as a couple examples.

True, but that is a mechanical failure due to stress and fatigue.

Even a good quality automatic in perfect condition can jam if there is a hard primer or the pistol is fired limp wristed. A novice may not acquire a proper stance under stress, nor may they be able to clear a jam quickly if they are being attacked.

I had one revolver jam due to primers backing out of aluminum cases, and another jam due to a 40 year old mainspring that was dry as a bone. Those are the only two jams I've ever had with a revolver. I've had dozens of jams with pistols, even once with a Glock. Sometimes it can be cleared, other times it can't.