Semi vs. Revolver for Carry

[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.

[dan512]

Does pocket firing mean what I think it means?

[Zundfolge]

Does pocket firing mean what I think it means?

I assumed he meant pocket carry.

Firing a gun (especially a revolver) from the pocket is a bad idea for a lot of reasons.

With an auto you get one shot and the gun will likely jam.
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.

[bigmyk2k]

I assumed he meant pocket carry.

Firing a gun (especially a revolver) from the pocket is a bad idea for a lot of reasons.

With an auto you get one shot and the gun will likely jam.
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.

That is what I understood it to mean, though, it was an idea from the aforementioned conversation. Regarding the flare out the sides, I certainly hadn't considered that particular consequence. Though, that second pic looks like a real heavy load with a lot of unburned powder making it out of the barrel. But, that is a shotgun loader talking.

[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.

[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.