First Gun Purchase - SemiAuto vs Revolver

I find revolvers to be much more ergo friendly than any semi auto although I do like my 1911. Revolvers tend to also be more accurate. My least favorite gun is my polymer striker fired Glock. Polymer striker fired guns have their place but as a general purpose handgun in my world a revolver will win every time. I have nearly 60 years of practice with both types of handguns. I hate the feel of a striker fired trigger and polymer guns have no personality. To each their own!

Some of the decision also rests on how well adapted you are on maintenance beyond basic cleaning. Revolvers do not require a whole lot beyond good cleaning. Auto loaders require some beyond that which means you need to learn to properly disassemble it to do periodic complete cleaning, inspection and lube per manufacture recommendations. Some auto loaders are easier than others in this respect. Some of the ruger mark 22s can be a bit of a pita. Regardless of which one it is extremely important to know how even before shooting. Anything can happen. Nothing worse then going shooting and have an issue but not knowing how to safely and successfully deal with it and just wind up having to go home to figure it out.
A revolver on the other hand just needs basic clean then go shoot it. I learn how to disassemble and reassemble every auto loader I have or had before any range time.
So it is up to how deep into it you want to go. Revolvers generally are considered the go to for reliable dependability due to more simplistic operation. Auto loaders have a lot more going on when they are operating. More parts interaction therefore more complex part system.
If you are just wanting to start out and learn disciplines of how to shoot and want to ease into the power of different loads I suggest a 357 revolver. You can shoot 38s, 38+p, and 357s and experience the cause and effect of a wide variety of weights of projectiles. I would suggest 4-6/6.5 barrel. One I particularly like is the Ruger Single Six 4.5 barrel that comes with a cylinder for 9mm. It adds even more variety of ammo and to me the balance is very comfortable. I was able to hit oil cans out to 75 yards with mine using 357, 148g jsp.
What ever you get make sure the design fits your grip and feel of weight. Make sure the grip angle, depth and width provide your hand to easily hold without feeling like you have strangle it. After you have shot a while overcoming these issues with different feel of grip will be easier to adjust to.
Good luck.

Revolvers tolerate neglect, but not abuse.
Semi autos tolerate abuse, but not neglect.
We're fortunate to have both.

My little sister just went through this.
With a really basic Intro course (5 Rounds a gun through 5 Handguns - .22, .38, 9mm, .40 and .45)

With a little advise from the instructor and me (I didn't try to push her one way or the other just gave advice on what it would be like to shoot certain calibers out of certain platforms). She chose the Glock 42 .380 as the best compromise between concealability, shootability and ammo cost (9mm out of an LC9S can be a bit much for a beginner).

Round number 26-75 went into her CCL qualification target at 5 and 7 Yards. She put 50 out of 50 Rounds in one lemon sized hole in the center a B27R (1/2 Size) and scored 100 on her CCL Qualification.

Could she have shot a Subcompact 9mm or .38 Snubbie and scored the required 70% in the scoring rings? Likely but would she have placed 2nd in her 1st "Run and Shoot" just 30 Days later? Likely not. She can always move up to 9mm in a larger gun for competition (She is looking at a PPQ which really seems to work for small hands) later. The G42 still works for carry and is mild enough she isn't anticipating recoil and pulling low. Her misses are usually high where she got in to big a hurry and didn't wait on the gun track back to target.

It's scary what a VERY SMALL amount of instruction can do for someone with the correct tool and a little natural talent.

PS When she gets a little more proficient with more recoil I'm going to introduce her to the P365.

94045 said:

My little sister just went through this.
With a really basic Intro course (5 Rounds a gun through 5 Handguns - .22, .38, 9mm, .40 and .45)

With a little advise from the instructor and me (I didn't try to push her one way or the other just gave advice on what it would be like to shoot certain calibers out of certain platforms). She chose the Glock 42 .380 as the best compromise between concealability, shootability and ammo cost (9mm out of an LC9S can be a bit much for a beginner).

Round number 26-75 went into her CCL qualification target at 5 and 7 Yards. She put 50 out of 50 Rounds in one lemon sized hole in the center a B27R (1/2 Size) and scored 100 on her CCL Qualification.

Could she have shot a Subcompact 9mm or .38 Snubbie and scored the required 70% in the scoring rings? Likely but would she have placed 2nd in her 1st "Run and Shoot" just 30 Days later? Likely not. She can always move up to 9mm in a larger gun for competition (She is looking at a PPQ which really seems to work for small hands) later. The G42 still works for carry and is mild enough she isn't anticipating recoil and pulling low. Her misses are usually high where she got in to big a hurry and didn't wait on the gun track back to target.

It's scary what a VERY SMALL amount of instruction can do for someone with the correct tool and a little natural talent.

PS When she gets a little more proficient with more recoil I'm going to introduce her to the P365.

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Good for her.
I've found that on the average women shoot better than men from the start. The theory is that women usually don't think as much about the physical aspects of the mechanics of the shot and are more prone to grip, posture and acquisition. So I've been told.
She followed a good plan. Shoot several but choose what really fit her comfort level. I recommend everyone follow suit. So many times I've seen someone shooting and complaining they can't hit accurately. Easy to tell just watching that their choice is just too much for their comfort level. If they are lucky they are shooting a 357 revolver. I'll give them some 38s and wow they can hit accurately. Got to work up and admit your limits. For me, with auto loaders it's 45. Just never could hit with one but I can shoot 44mag revolver all day. Just the way it is so I don't have a 45 auto. Pretty simple.

I1924 said:

Any advantages or disadvantages?

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Semi-Autos typically hold more ammo. Sometimes it’s just a couple rds (5-6- vs 7-8), sometimes it’s a lot more (5-6 vs 15-18).

It’s easier to reload semi-autos vs revolvers (especially if the revolver shooter is left handed). Meaning it’s easier to hit a button and fit one object (mag) into the bottom and either hit a button or pull a slide vs push/pull a latch, swing out a cylinder, eject spent shells, insert 5-6 rds into individual holes using a speed loader or moon clip and then shut the cylinder.

Semi-auto’s are typically flatter and easier to conceal than a revolver.

Parts on a semi-auto are easier to replace than a wheel gun. Ever replace parts on Sig or a Glock? I have. Ever pop a side plate on a revolver? That’s not changing a gun part, that’s akin to watch repair.

Misfires on revolvers generally require only another trigger squeeze vs a tap, rack bang or even worse on a double feed.

If you like revolvers and are willing to put in the time with them you can totally do good work with them, but there are some advantages to semi’s.

I had never even shot a squirtgun when I decided as a 65+ old lady that I should learn to shoot. I went to a class where we shot a .22, a .38 revolver, a 9mm, .40 and .45. I was accurate with the .22, almost as good with the .38 (shots hit a little left, later I learned on a revolver you have to put more finger on the trigger), 9mm and .40 went all over the place, .45 was better.

I decided I wanted a revolver because the workings are simple, it doesn't have to be disassembled to clean, and they are extremely reliable. The very big additional plus of a DA revolver which I didn't realize at the time is that you absolutely cannot get into bad habits like flinching, the trigger is very heavy and the trigger pull takes much longer, you have no choice but to do it right. I selected a 4" 686 Plus. SP101 I tried in the gun store I could not even complete the trigger pull on. GP100 was better and the upscale version felt really nice in my hand but when I tried shooting one alternately with a 686 the 686 was way more accurate for me. I changed out the factory grip for a Hogue without finger grooves. The only downside was I did not realize I wouldn't be able to conceal it, however I was living in Cali at the time where normal people don't get a permit, so it didn't really matter. I got a bed holster for night time and I put what was supposed to be an under-the-desk holster in a small sturdy canvas bag and had it at my side wherever I went in my house (except the shower). (Yes, that was appropriate given conditions in the neighborhood.) Now that I thankfully moved to the free country of Arizona I want to carry sometimes. I just bought the new 3" Colt King Cobra, it is fantastic.

A revolver also has two tactical advantages over a semi-auto for self-defense: It will shoot perfectly well from inside your clothing (for example a jacket pocket), see , and it will shoot perfectly well with the muzzle jammed right into the BG. The big downside is reloading. I have seen videos of people who can reload just as fast as with a semi-auto, but I'm not one of them. The Smith is easier to reload because you push the cylinder release forward, on the Colt you have to pull it toward you. The so-called "New York reload" (carrying a second gun) is faster for me and probably a lot of other folks, and many choose a very small gun like a Model 36 for the backup. Perhaps counter-intuitively, those are more difficult to shoot.

Since you are just beginning your shooting journey, I will add advice others gave me: First of all, concentrate on accuracy, you can't win by missing fast, speed will come by itself as time passes. Two things to improve accuracy are keep focused on the front sight until after your shot hits, and use your chest muscles to grip the gun, doing a death grip with your hands will trash the tendon that runs from your thumb up your forearm. Secondly, learn to shoot one-handed with either hand, that way you can still defend yourself if hit in one arm.

Hope that helps.

Revolver

ATLDave said:

If you're strongly drawn to a revolver, then do that.

Otherwise, my standard suggestion for anyone who is going to buy their first handgun is to buy a target-oriented, full-sized, .22lr semi-automatic (e.g., a Ruger Mk___, a Browning Buckmark, etc.). Here is why:

• Learning to shoot a handgun well is not easy. Most people who buy a handgun never learn to shoot it well. It's not rocket science, but there are some counter-intuitive things about it, some obstacles to overcome, and a lot of reps required.
• There are some challenges that are common to all handgun shooting - such as learning sufficient muzzle discipline to avoid doing unsafe things, holding the pistol still enough to stay within whatever an acceptable hit zone is, learning to isolate the movement of your trigger finger from the other muscles of your strong hand, etc.
• Some guns add other challenges on top of these universal ones. Revolvers, for instance, add a long and comparatively heavy trigger pull (if shooting double-action). Service caliber guns add some recoil. Larger caliber guns add even more. And so on.
• Many things are best/fastest learned by stripping away as much extraneous stuff as possible and focusing on just the pure basics. A .22lr semi-auto does this. You can get a good (i.e., short-and-light) trigger. You don't have to deal with material amounts of recoil. You can also afford to shoot copious quantities, which is the real secret sauce of getting good.
• You can add other challenges later. But you will learn how to shoot handguns in general fastest and easiest by starting with a .22lr semi-auto with decent sights (or even a red-dot on top).

This approach is like learning to drive a car by taking a modestly-powered automatic-transmission car to an empty parking lot. There are other ways to learn to drive. But there's a lot to be said for starting at step 1 and then moving on from there.

ETA: I own both semi-autos and revolvers. I think learning to shoot a revolver DA is very beneficial to all handgun shooting, and I think every serious shooter should acquire that skill and the benefits that come from it. I am not anti-revolver. I just think that the easiest path is to learn the core stuff first, then add challenges.

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This is good advice and you should follow it. But I cannot think of any disadvantage to starting with a single-action .22LR revolver. Double-action triggers do add a significant challenge and a beginner would probably be best served in focusing on other fundamentals absent that challenge and adding it later. I like single-action revolvers, but I also can't think of a reason why a beginner couldn't start with a double-action revolver like the S&W Model 617 and simply cock the hammer and fire it in single-action. It's faster to reload than a single-action only revolver like a Ruger Single Ten, and it would be a good gun to learn the double-action trigger on in the future. By faster to reload, I mean you're using less of your range time plucking spent cases out of the cylinder and sticking new ones in. That means more time on skill building.

The OP should understand they have not received advice on a concealed carry gun or a home defense gun. A lot of people begin with those purposes in mind, buy a marginally suitable gun and never learn to shoot it well. Learning to shoot well is going to produce a better result.

All I'll say is dont let the first gun you buy be the first gun you've ever shot.

Rentals at a gun range, friends with guns, there should be a way you can try some guns before you buy one.

I'll also second at least a basic pistol class if you dont have anyone else who can guide you through the basics.

Browning said:

It’s easier to reload semi-autos vs revolvers (especially if the revolver shooter is left handed).

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I agree with the first part, of course. But are you suggesting that reloading a DA revolver with a cylinder that swings out to the left, is harder for a left handed person to reload? Being left handed, I don't believe this is so. I think being left handed might actually be a benefit here. Single action revolvers are a different story.

+ 1 on Hogleg.

Put me down for a 22LR 9 shot revolver or a semi auto pistol of the Mark IV, SW Victory, or Buckmark Camper variety as first handgun. I just bought a Camper for 305 on GrabAGun and it is also on 25 dollar rebate right now.

Then get a Glock 19 gen4.

my first handgun was a steel 2” 38sp taurus model 85. carried alot, shot little, it has lived most of its 40 yr life securely tucked away loaded with a couple of speedloaders as pillows. at the time i got it i could only have one handgun due to my locales, i had a bad experience with a clapped out m1911 45acp in army training a dozen years earlier and i needed an utterly reliable protection piece. if i were to start out today as a total gun newbie i would get either a ruger sr22, or a ruger single six 22wmr/lr and keep it loaded with magnums for semiprotection. a 22 is the best learning tool.

I wonder what he decided?

This is AMERICA! Get what your heart tells you.

No matter what you decide, make sure you get a FULL SIZE gun!!

I1924 said:

I like the concept of the revolver more. Which would be more practical to have as my first and only gun (for a time at least)? Any advantages or disadvantages?

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Do you know how to shoot a handgun?
Do you know how to shoot any kind of a firearm?
What role do you expect your new gun to play---fun at the range? Home defense? CCW? What?
What sort of space do you have for storing your new firearm and the ammunition you'll need for it?
If we knew your reasons, we could give you more relevant answers.

For simply home defense, a full size .38/357 double action revolver with a 4" barrel would be a good choice, loaded with 148gr lead.38 spl. mid-range wad cutters to learn on and any number of loads for the home defense role depending on your ability to withstand muzzle-flash and recoil.

But center fire ammunition is expensive and it will take considerable practice to gain confidence.

Many people get their start with either a Ruger Mk or Ruger Single Six .22. These are great learning tools and offer a lot of fun, economical trigger time which will pay off handsomely if or when you opt for a more powerful center fire handgun.

I1924 said:

I like the concept of the revolver more. Which would be more practical to have as my first and only gun (for a time at least)? Any advantages or disadvantages?

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What you have the most comfort with and confidence in.

Revolvers - are great, especially the Ruger 4" SP-101 .357 mag. or 3" LCRx in .38 SPL+P.


But also look at the Springfield 1911 MilSpec "Defenders" series .45 ACP promotional pistol as well.

Great Home/Truck/Range piece at a great price.




GR

I1924 said:

I like the concept of the revolver more. ...

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Welcome to THR, I1924!

FWIW, shortly after I turned 21, after much consideration I purchased my first handgun; a blued 4" Ruger Security Six. It was a well-built, accurate, reliable pistol that I enjoyed for a few years before a friend (who I was able to introduce to firearms) talked me out of it.

A couple of years following the Ruger purchase, after acquiring my first CWP, I purchased a Walther PPK/s. It was much easier for me to carry concealed than the Ruger.

+1 on what John Joseph said.