Old Guy Making The Case For Revolvers

[consumer_ignorance]

SOOOOOooooo I only have 2011's at this point, but wouldnt mind one revolver.. Was looking at the Korth NXS Nighthawk- seems like that is the "one" to own? Any thoughts? The only revolvers I shot sucked bigtime though

In CA, your 2011 only holds 10 rounds. You can get revolvers in .357 that hold 8. I’m not saying it’s better, but it’s close. And this is coming from a diehard 1911 guy.

 

[Malibu]

I find it strange that people see "x is not as good as y, x needs lots of training to perform like y" and interpret it as "x doesnt work at all". Revolvers take more skills to use effectively than a semi. Anything else is cope.


For one, good luck aiming. If your that close that you cant draw to aim, youre already at arms reach, or at gunpoint. Not many people survive a point blank gunfight from the drop, even if they get the first shot off. You might just be better off complying at that point and waiting for an opportunity to resist.

For two, if your pocket shooting, you probably arent using a holster and are retarded for other reasons.

For 3, is your cylinder going to spin correctly? Is your hammer, if exposed, going to catch? Have you practiced actually shooting from your pockets using daily clothes or is it just wishful thinking.

The whole pocket shooting scenario is one possible benefit that requires signficant drawbacks in most other areas that does not hold water in my mind. My ass aint wearing a jacket in 90 degree weather just in case i need to save .4 seconds on a draw. Wall of text concluded.

My observations after going through about a dozen various types of jackets bought at thrift stores in an attempt to learn more about “pocket shooting” are basically:
* Aiming is limited to something similar to firing from the retention position. Distances are from contact to about three feet at the most. Lower torso hits were much more common. Most of my practice has been done with shrouded-hammer “J” frames, and some with standard hammers. The bigger issue for me was removing a standard hammer weapon from the pocket after firing. This was most often when it would snag.
* Yes, shooting from a pocket often precludes firing from the holster itself. Pocket holsters serve to keep a weapon oriented for proper presentation, and to cover the trigger. If for some reason you are without, a revolver is about the only way IMO to do it. Like I said, I’ve practiced with it to see what it is actually like, not that I would do such. Retarded?..I don’t refer to others that way, unless they actually are.
* I haven’t yet had a revolver that failed to discharge from a pocket, and I’ve ruined a bunch of garments trying. Like I said prior, the hammer has been a “snagging issue” when removing the weapon from the pocket after firing. Shrouded hammers address this pretty well. What I have observed is the failure of numerous micro-sized automatic pistols. Mostly we could get one round off, often with a failure to return to battery after the first round (this would be the subject of another thread).
* Yes, the whole pocket shooting exercise is a compromise. Far from ideal, but still another option to explore. I don’t generally wear jackets in hot weather either, but prefer modified “outer shirts” instead.

YMMV.

 

[Korben Dallas]

The best firearm is the one that works and is currently loaded and in your hand.

While I have no use for a revolver, I still know how to use one.

 

[Markbsae]

We all know who Jerry is. While were at it lets talk about how fast we can all run. Someone will undoubtedly bring up Usain Bolts accomplishments.

 

[Forkknifegamer67]

Although a revolver wouldn’t be the first thing I reach for in a “serious” situation something about the long double action trigger works for me. I can shoot far better with my S&W model 19-2 than my CZ sp 01 or HK p2000 LEM and I have far less practice with the m19 than the two automatics. I guess some people can handle double action better than others.

 

[LeverNow90]

I used to like revolvers but the DA trigger on most are something that takes practice to shoot. I still own one a 3in Taurus 856 in .38sp. I don't find the need for .357 in what's basically a pocket pistol imho .38sp will do.

 

[Markbsae]

Although a revolver wouldn’t be the first thing I reach for in a “serious” situation something about the long double action trigger works for me. I can shoot far better with my S&W model 19-2 than my CZ sp 01 or HK p2000 LEM and I have far less practice with the m19 than the two automatics. I guess some people can handle double action better than others.

I have a P2000SK with the decocker so the first round is always double action and its something I'm used to. Thats not the sticking point for me.

 

[eaglemike]

We all know who Jerry is. While were at it lets talk about how fast we can all run. Someone will undoubtedly bring up Usain Bolts accomplishments.

Oh well, none of us will be Jerry, or Usain.

 

[colossians323]

We all know who Jerry is. While were at it lets talk about how fast we can all run. Someone will undoubtedly bring up Usain Bolts accomplishments.

LOL, you sound like someone who doesn't train. I would say the same thing if I was you

 

[eaglemike]

LOL, you sound like someone who doesn't train. I would say the same thing if I was you

When IDPA started a few of the ICORE guys went to a couple/three matches. They said IDPA means I don't practice anymore, because they cleaned up (local matches). The serious ICORE guys train, and can also shoot semi's very well. I know there's serious IDPA guys for years now, and that IDPA was started to get new shooters started in competition. Funny how the rulebook grew too
I shot USPSA and ICORE, but never trained as hard as many, spent a lot of my effort running the matches, keeping things going. I still shot Distinguished Graduate at Front Sight my first time through the 4 day course.
Bottom line, training makes a BIG difference.
BTW, good to see you here.

 

[Markbsae]

LOL, you sound like someone who doesn't train. I would say the same thing if I was you

Not sure how you extrapolated that from my post other than a knee jerk assumption. I compete and train when I can. I try to have a broad range of experiences as well. Steel Challenge, Bug matches and two gun matches are good but I want from those is overall proficiency and practice making the fundamentals muscle memory. I'm usually content with my results but when you're 50 and competing against extremely fit 25 year old's one should never consider being mid pack a fail. You can want to be as fast as Jerry all you want, but very very few will be. I'm certainly realistic enough to know I have a better chance at defending myself with a semi auto as opposed to a wheel gun.

 

[Malibu]

I'm usually content with my results but when you're 50 and competing against extremely fit 25 year old's one should never consider being mid pack a fail.

Agree 100%. At 60, I now get more enjoyment from the various shooting classes and events when my kids are alongside attending. Considering how much farther their skills have come along in comparison to when I was their age is remarkable. Being that I’m relatively new to the whole RDS thing, I’m in awe of the speed and precision I see exhibited by many of these younger folks. However, occasionally when I bring a wheel gun to a club event or other outside class, I still have a lot of fun keeping the skills up. And yes, sometimes all I want to have with me is a J-frame in a pocket holster. Yes it’s limiting, I know and accept that. YMMV.

 

[mikeyr]

I am old and for decades my home defense firearm was a S&W mod 66, then I got an Sig for a few years, I prefer the revolver. My current HD weapon is a .45 Colt SAA with 5 rounds in it, why ? because its what I am most accurate with and I am not worried about large gangs invading my home, just one or 2 bad guys. Next to the bed is a 12ga pump in a shotlock box bolted to the wall and I can unlock that really fast in the dark. But first I will grab my SAA, again why ? because its what I shoot best. I am never far from my 45 HK with a freedom week mag in it however, it lives in my desk 10ft from the bed. Oh and my wife on her side of the bed has a Dan Wesson .357. we are old and prefer revolvers but have plenty of semi's also. I have more semi's then revolvers, I shoot and train with everything but I still prefer my SAA.

Basically it all comes down to what you are more comfortable with and shoot best with. Unless you expect 10-20 bad guys to invade your home, magazine capacity is really irrelevant, most gun fights are pretty short and I have read everywhere from 3 shots to 6 is average, I can handle that with my favorite and what I am most accurate with revolver. I really believe most break-ins now are kids who will run at first sight of a gun anyway and only professionals will get into a gunfight, I don't expect professionals to break into my house, nothing that valuable in here and I am not a retired spy.

By the way, I also DON'T clear my house anymore, I used to. Now if I hear a noise, I lock the bedroom door and call 911, nothing is worth getting into any kind of fight, its all insured.

When in the woods, I either carry a 44 mag because my lever rifle is also 44 mag, or carry a Ruger BlackHawk in 45Colt so I can have hot loads in it along with lever in 45Colt, my 45 HK stays in the truck in a lockbox, I only carry what I am most accurate and accustomed to, everything else I shoot regularly but don't carry

 

[Malibu]

^^^That .45 Colt will put big holes in whatever gets in front of it. Being shot with one might be an individual extinction event. As the late Michael Horne said, “don’t F with old people…they may kill you”.

 

[sonofeugene]

I’ve shot revolvers but don’t own any. For me, I hate the increased weight of the trigger pull. It messes with my aim.

And when you can get the reliability of something like a Glock, a revolver becomes an archaic toy for plinking at the range. Yes, if you shoot with a revolver enough, you can get real accurate with it. And if it’s all you have, it’s better than nothing, but it’s still not as good as a semi.

And I will point out that the military stopped using revolvers many decades ago.

 

[CWINSD]

I've never owned one, mostly due to budgetary constraints, only so many dollars available lol, but hopefully will get one soon. Love shooting them and they are just beautiful.

 

[Baldy333]

Old guy here,
There is nothing better than a revolver …
I was watching the new season of Squid Games, there’s a big gun fight, everyone had HK MP5 subs but one guy that had a revolver, it was very random, but I understand it

Revolvers have their place. A single action 22 revolver is perfect for teaching a new shooter how to use iron sights.

I had a Republican neighbor come up to my porch one day to bring over holiday cookies his wife had baked and because he knew I was a hunter, he asked me why anybody needed a semiautomatic pistol. It really scared me, and I thought about all the folks in California who didn’t grow up like I did, who never even shot a gun, and what if they voted to ban semiautomatics. I love my 1911s but I have a couple of revolvers just in case.

 

[NorCALSpeed]

Old guy here,
There is nothing better than a revolver …
I was watching the new season of Squid Games, there’s a big gun fight, everyone had HK MP5 subs but one guy that had a revolver, it was very random, but I understand it

It seems like that's because the revolvers were standard issue for Korean police. Most of the henchmen had revolvers or MP5s (a strange mix for sure). The "bosses" had modern semi-autos.

 

[Enfielder]

I'm an old guy and have 13 revolvers single and double action from .22 to .455 . I have 12 auto loaders from .22 to .45 . Each serves a purpose. If I could have only one handgun it would be a stainless 686 4", as much as I love my 1911s. That revolver is the most all around handgun I own.

 

[Malibu]

If I could have only one handgun it would be a stainless 686 4", as much as I love my 1911s.

One of my favorite S&W revolvers is this 4” 686, as pictured.
My other favorite 686 is my 4” Midnight Black.