Semi vs. Revolver for Carry

[bigmyk2k]

This may have come up before, but I want to pose it the experts here.

When carrying, there are a lot of things to consider. I would like to focus on the Revolver vs. Semi question.

Now, ballistics aside, it seems like each has their benefits and drawbacks, and, I'll try to list them here, as I see them:

Semi:
Pros- Increased Capacity, multiple safetys, possibility for slimmer profile/more concealable, relatively easy reloads
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), light trigger in stressful events, lots of moving parts to catch clothes or other things in pocket firing

Revolver:
Pros- Simple operation (all you have to do is pull the trigger), many models have no or minimal external hammer/ can be fired from a pocket without any parts to get caught, 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)
Cons- Limited ammo supply, relatively complicated reloads, wider body/harder to conceal

So, my questions are these:
What am I missing from these lists, and how do you weight the factors.

For me, it is largely ease of operation (Revolver) vs. Capacity (Semi), but, again, this question is more for my wife, so most of it comes into play.

[ChadAmberg]

What does the shooter prefer? I shoot both semi and revolver, but my wife hates shooting semi autos. All the technical specs in the world won't make a bit of difference to her, she'll carry what works for her.

The most important thing to me for gauging a potential carry gun is reliability. Past that I think it's mostly nitpicking or folks trying to justify their choice. I just think any reliable carry gun is just perfect.

[275RLTW]

What is SHE comfortable carrying? It may seem like the best gun in the world on paper but if it's at home and not on her, then it's useless. Forget the comparisons and find out what she is can shoot and is willing to carry. Most women don't think logically and will go with what feels better to them. Go find that gun for her.

[Sawin]

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.

[Zundfolge]

Semi:
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), light trigger in stressful events, lots of moving parts to catch clothes or other things in pocket firing.

Starting with a lot of false premises here.

Most semi autos are DA/SA, DAO or "Safe Action" (striker fired double action) not single action only. Also you don't pocket carry any gun (auto or revolver) without a pocket holster (if nothing else to protect the trigger). And this notion that revolvers are significantly more reliable than autos is just false (for one thing, when something goes wrong with a wheel gun it's usually out of commission until a gunsmith tears into it ... at least failures with an auto can often be corrected with a quick "Tap-Rack-Roll").

So yes, a compact 1911 pocket carried without a holster then you'd be right, but most concealable autos (especially pocket sized) aren't going to have any of the problems you're talking about.


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.

[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]

Starting with a lot of false premises here.

Most semi autos are DA/SA, DAO or "Safe Action" (striker fired double action) not single action only. Also you don't pocket carry any gun (auto or revolver) without a pocket holster (if nothing else to protect the trigger). And this notion that revolvers are significantly more reliable than autos is just false (for one thing, when something goes wrong with a wheel gun it's usually out of commission until a gunsmith tears into it ... at least failures with an auto can often be corrected with a quick "Tap-Rack-Roll").

So yes, a compact 1911 pocket carried without a holster then you'd be right, but most concealable autos (especially pocket sized) aren't going to have any of the problems you're talking about.

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.

I appreciate the concern. I will admit that my knowledge of semis isn't real strong outside of a 1911. However, the basis of this post was a discussion with a long time LEO (part of which as a SWAT sniper) and his Sheriff son.

I fully agree about safety, and the necessity of carrying in a pocket holster, though for her, it will more likely be in a purse.

Regarding the DA vs SA comment, I am referring to the action of pulling the trigger on an "unracked" pistol, and determining whether the hammer is cocked and released. Many semis which are technically DAs will only click on the first pull. This is the essence of DAO, as I understand it.

(Actually, to quote wikipedia, "Glock, Springfield XD and XDm, and Kahr semi-automatic pistols are not DA (or DAO) pistols because the striker is "cocked" to an intermediate position by the operation of the slide and they cannot be re-activated by pulling the trigger a second time." I would add a lot of other models to that list too, such as the lauded LCP, if I recall correctly.)

I would highly agree with the "Whatever she's comfortable with" sentiment, but my "Little Lady" an ex-ROTC chick, who was cadet of the year, and the only girl to complete the Ranger challenge while she was in, and didn't go in only because her hearing loss was discovered (they wanted her so much that they let her take the test 4 times). In fact, on an AR, she can out shoot me 7 days a week (I'm anonymous, so I can admit that). So, comfort, trigger control and respect for the weapon aren't an issue.

Mostly, this thread was to get more data and opinion for her. Though, ultimately, it is most likely to come down to trying a number of options.

[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.

[Circuits]

Regarding the DA vs SA comment, I am referring to the action of pulling the trigger on an "unracked" pistol, and determining whether the hammer is cocked and released. Many semis which are technically DAs will only click on the first pull. This is the essence of DAO, as I understand it.

You misunderstand, or would for some reason be carrying a DA or DAO unchambered for that to happen. Chambered DA or DAO will fire on the first pull, and DA will be single-action trigger after that first shot.

(Actually, to quote wikipedia, "Glock, Springfield XD and XDm, and Kahr semi-automatic pistols are not DA (or DAO) pistols because the striker is "cocked" to an intermediate position by the operation of the slide and they cannot be re-activated by pulling the trigger a second time." I would add a lot of other models to that list too, such as the lauded LCP, if I recall correctly.)

Glock is not SA - the act of pressing the trigger cocks the striker, which is at rest and loose when the trigger is forward (shake one sometime and you can hear the firing pin move a little). They do lack full DA "second strike" capability, since they require slide movement to reset the disconnector after a trigger press, though.