ever get flamed for carrying a revolver?

I HATE having to bend down and pick up brass!

I once shot my P7/PSP, P-9S (.45), CZ-75 (no suffix) and P89 often. I still have 'em and enjoy 'em on occasion. I carry Smiths -- J-, K-, L- or N-frame as the day demands. --and don't shag brass any more.

I don't carry a revolver. That may change, I've got a Model 19 on layaway but I would no more worry about what someone else thought of my choice of carry gun as I would about my choice of lawnmower. Who cares what someone else thinks?

Yep, a S&W M65 4" for me. When I do carry an auto, it's a Walther P5.

I cry myself to sleep every night with the thought that my lawnmower is inadequate in the eyes of my neighbors.
Course, I don't have a lawnmower. Or a lawn.



No, I don't get flamed for carrying a revolver. Mostly, because I don't actually carry one. Mostly, because I don't have one that I could conceal well. Mostly(again), because concealing said revolver that I don't own could get me arrested, never mind flamed.

Tom,

That is a sweet 696 (I assume)! What are the stocks you've got on it, they look fantastic!

Thought this was a good place to make my first post on this forum.

I've been shooting for over 50 years and have heard all the comments; . . ."why are you using that old thing or that caliber or whatever?". .

It started when I was using a 30/06 when everyone else was using a 7mm atomic, or when I continued to use a 1911 when others had switched to plastic guns.

The same is true when I got my first CCW permit nearly 20 years ago. I decided that if I was going to carry a gun, all day, everyday, it was going to be something I wouldn't leave at home. My first choice was a S&W Mdl. 36 snubby, and except for the fact that I now carry an airweight 442, nothing much has changed. Others ask why I carry a gun of only 5 shots when I could have one that holds 10, 12 or 15. My answer has always been the same. Because I have confidence in it and I can hit what I shoot at. There is no better reason to carry anything different.

I do admit that on rare occasions I have carried a Glock 36, but rarely. The 442, with a couple of speed strips, is my companion. It can get me out of trouble.

My first CCL was for my G21 - which I had for a few years until I sold it ten years ago the first of next month. I never carried it, of course... it was definitely an OWB holster type. Love my pocketable 642 & 296... I carry them, and that's the key.

Stainz

I think revolvers are sexier than Semi Autos, and that most of the Pro's and Con's of each balance out. Except for one thing.

That one thing is the DA trigger pulls. They are ridiculously heavy.... I can't say I've really worked hard at getting good with DA. Anyway you slice it though, a heavy trigger is an awful thing. If I was in a self defense situation I think I'd use SA.

A Look into the Mind of a Tactical Shooter

docmagnum357,

Carry a gun...doesn't matter what! Carry it!

Imagine a time when the DA revolver was new as a commercial product. Ed McGivern was flamed for advocating the DOUBLE ACTION revolver. Apparently, he didn't like that, so he set out to PROVE the DA was better...and he did. He applied science to the problem, took many measurements, and did a road show. People got the hint, even if some gun writers never did.

***

But, also remember that fighting is more than just guns. I think that is the deal on the other forum...the skills for someone preparing for a fight are different than those typically taught on the range.

So...what does that mean? Knives, fists, and fitness. Get some skill in all of them (and fitness is a skill because one has to learn the movements).

Proper training techniques and regimens will be argued until the end of time. My philosophy is: "If someone is getting flamed for a particular technique, then it's time to go learn it." I have found that the gun world is rife with "religion" and talking about anything contrary to doctrine means a call to The Gun World Inquisition.

When people talk about:

Apparently, they believe in shooting without aiming, and running around shooting at people while they are running from them and trying to get away from them or trying to attack someone else or something.

Click to expand...

...they're really talking about maximizing their chances of survival. The shooting without aiming thing is just a means of getting a fast shot off while keeping the chance of hitting as close to 100% as possible. That means different things to different people...three feet for one person, thirty for another. We certainly don't walk around in body armor, so movement is the primary defense.

It has been demonstrated why movement is a great defense: it causes them to miss! This is fact; there is no disputing it. It's certainly easy to test; just get an Airsoft gun and try it in various ways. Lenny Magill has several demos on his Concealed Carry video, but you can also search around the 'net and find some sources.

What's really interesting is that we can turn to history and find many examples of point shooting and shooting while moving. Look at McGivern's Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting for hip and drive-by shooting instructions (as well as ads for weapon mounted lights). Check out Fairbairn and Sykes Shooting to Live for detailed information on point shooting and their success with the Shanghai PD--the number of killed and wounded felons says it all. Additionally, Jim Cirillo's material is excellent. Guns, Bullets and Gunfights is a must-have; his DVDs are good.

And, guess what? Mr. Cirillo would have taken a 44 Magnum "Smith and Dan" into his fights (S&W 29 frame with a Dan Wesson barrel) over his issue 38 revolvers. Remember, he killed 17 men and wounded many others in the late 60's and through the 70's in the NYC Stakeout Squad. After retiring, he taught self-defense classes that included point shooting and movement. The man knew what he was talking about.

That said, Cirillo's partner used a 1911. Both men had good results.

So, yeah, your choice of a large bore revolver goes against the grain. But...you're carrying a gun! All that remains is to expand your skill set a bit...not to "ninja" level...but at least be able to fend off a knife and do a nut punch for 45 seconds. It's up to you to determine what the minimum level of skill is appropriate for you.

And, statistics are just math. They may not describe YOUR fight, though your fight will be included in them one year later. Three shots...I hope all our fights end with ZERO shots fired. But, be prepared for the problem that may occur...one more bad guy, from a different direction, with a different weapon. There may be only one needing shooting three times, but you won't know until you're in the situation.

That's what those die-hards on the other forum are talking about. Unfortunately, they can get a bit zealous if they think their "religion" is being challenged.

***

I cannot decide if a revolver is "sexier" than an autopistol. I tend to reserve such judgements for women.

***

People look at me funny when I show up with a $600 hunting rifle and "average" glass to shoot at 1,000 yards. They seem to think that purchasing a $4,000 rifle, $3,000 scope, and $1,000 worth of gear is a requirement. I guess they've bought into all those ads they read in the gun rags and on TV.

***

The neatest revolver EVER made, despite "the lock", is the new Lew Horton S&W Model 27 with 3.5" barrel. Square butt, ball detent, Performance Center trigger job, checked top, grooved front and back straps, neat "retro" lug, chamfered cylinders, adjustable sights...and EIGHT rounds of 357 Magnum goodness! The old 27's are neat, but eight is better than six!

I wouldn't worry about any dipstick talking smack about me carrying a revolver - on a forum or anywhere else. I've had a revolver pointed at me at close range, and I'll tell ya, It was plenty adequate!

Carry what you want - practice with it a ton - and tell the naysayers to shove it where the sun don't shine if they don't like it.

rd

Meh.

The only way I would worry about getting flamed is having too much muzzle blast.

Wouldn't worry about it. If you REALLY want to have some fun though, start talking about how stone cold reliable that model 1873 SAA is.

You have to have some fun with people who really don't get it it sometimes.

And, guess what? Mr. Cirillo would have taken a 44 Magnum "Smith and Dan" into his fights (S&W 29 frame with a Dan Wesson barrel) over his issue 38 revolvers. Remember, he killed 17 men and wounded many others in the late 60's and through the 70's in the NYC Stakeout Squad. After retiring, he taught self-defense classes that included point shooting and movement. The man knew what he was talking about.

Click to expand...

Crebralfix,
Hate doing this to you but,

Cirillo was a big Glock fan and carried a compact Glock, either G27 in .40 S&W or the G30 in .45 ACP.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_3_54/ai_n24232224
He packed revolvers when Glocks didn’t exist.

FerFAL

Flame me for carrying a revo?
Mke me laugh some more.

Only one person that ever made a disparaging comment about em to me in person........

duplicate

I carry a revolver every day and I don't feel under-gunned with a J frame. You won't get an argument from me for carrying a revolver, any revolver.

It's my opinion many of those who shoot a semi-auto and consider a snub nose revolver only a last ditch backup gun or a belly gun aren't willing to put in the practice time to become proficient with a short revolver. Like said above, carry what you shoot well. I agree shot placement is critical to surviving an attack.

Here's a scan of a target I shot with a M638 loaded with Federal Nyclad .38 Special rounds from 30 feet out.



Hey, any handgun will do a good job if you do your job, even a .32 Auto. (remember, shot placement) If you practice enough you can shoot any gun well. Here is a scan of a target shot with a Kel-Tec P-32 and 73gr Fiocchi Ball ammo.



Carry what you shoot well and carry the handgun you have confidence in! Don't let the little kids on the Internet get to you. They are very brave from behind the safety of their computer screen. Don't worry about people like that. Trust yourself!!

I personaly dont like the look or feel of revolvers , but they do shoot good and 357 or 44 has to be more effective than 9mm , read a book once that most gunfights happen at distances inside 5 feet and last less than a few seconds , this was from a policeman with the shanghai police who had to deal with a lot of bad guys .
I would say as others have , use what you feel comfortable with and most importantly use what is going to get you out of the situation alive .

Double action revolvers have been successfully defending military, law enforcement, security personel, and civilians for around 120 years now. someone shot in a vital area with a .38 special in the year 2008 is just as dead as someone who got shot with a .38 special in 1905!
You know the old saying " If it ain't broke don't fix it".
I find it funny how you go into a gun shop and see all these semi autos sold to guys with all the reasons like "its high capacity" or " a forty-five auto, serious knock down power" or "all the cops around her use a Sig in .40 caliber S&W".
But, let a woman walk into that same gun shop and say "The streets are getting bad nowdays, I don't know much about guns but I would like something to defend myself against these creeps". What does the salesman probably pull out of the case?....Yes, A five shot Smith or Taurus J frame! "Here ya go sweetheart' just point it at the B_st_rd and pull the trigger" Kind of ironic isn't it.
Does that mean we have given our Wives and Daughters, our loved ones, the "weaker sex" inferior protection? It's the same creeps and scum out there we are defending against as the ones our ladies are right?
No, it's just that the revolver is a proven tool. just aim and pull the trigger.
I think that Americans can really get caught up in all that "more is better" or "newer is better" ways of thinking.

I've had a moedel 10 Smith issued to me by NYPD in 1983. My wife, a few years later was issued a model 64. They are still in our posession as we are now LEO's elsewhere. When we left NYPD my wife and I were only 2 of about about 3000 of the cops still authorized to carry a revolver with the switch to semi's. This was about 2004. I always believed a revolver was sufficient. But, now I would never leave the house w/o a Glock. Times have changed, bad guys are more savage and rarely alone. There is just no reason for myself or my wife to have limited rounds. I know some will say speedloaders, or strips, but truthfully carrying them is awkward and heavy. I simply refuse to enter harms way with a limited round revolver. Also, that arguement a revolver will go bang everytime is foolish. Just look at all the posts asking "what is wrong with my revolver"? Lock-up, timing issues, main springs, don't ever tell me revolvers don't break. And when they do fail, nothing short of a workbench and handtools can make them operable. To each their own, but if you can shoot and carry either why not take the most rounds available, and in my opinion (Glock) the most reliable.

Crebralfix,
Hate doing this to you but,

Cirillo was a big Glock fan and carried a compact Glock, either G27 in .40 S&W or the G30 in .45 ACP.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...4/ai_n24232224
He packed revolvers when Glocks didn’t exist.

Click to expand...

FerFAL,

I'm not sure I understand your post.

(See previous post) Cirillo mentioned in both his book and his DVDs that he had 38 caliber revolvers when he was in the NYC PD. He spent a bit of time talking about "hacking" the S&W and DW revolvers together and made the comment that he would have taken that to his fights at that time.

After the 10mm cartridge came out, he switched to that. I think it was because the Federal agency he was working for was issued Glocks. I do know that he used a Glock in his DVDs.

I think that Americans can really get caught up in all that "more is better" or "newer is better" ways of thinking.

Click to expand...

So true...which means you need an AK pistol in 7.62x39mm with a 75 round drum!

Brothers and Sisters,

Carry whatever weapon you want. Be it wheel gun, semi auto pistol, a small howitzer, hand held nuke, (lol), just if you live in a one of our great states that permits , just carry and be happy. Lt. G

Nope.

But if I ever was, I'd just totally disregard the dummy. There's no cure for stupid. And trying to have a "conversation" with a fool is impossible. You just have to let them go on their foolish way, making stupid impressions on everyone else but the other fools, who wil be in lockstep agreement wih fool #1.

Why would anyone care what I carry? Simply personal choice. And that works two ways. Flamed? It's the internet, what do you expect?

Good post florida1098, I feel the same way.

You know the old saying " If it ain't broke don't fix it".
I find it funny how you go into a gun shop and see all these semi autos sold to guys with all the reasons like "its high capacity" or " a forty-five auto, serious knock down power" or "all the cops around her use a Sig in .40 caliber S&W".
But, let a woman walk into that same gun shop and say "The streets are getting bad nowdays, I don't know much about guns but I would like something to defend myself against these creeps". What does the salesman probably pull out of the case?....Yes, A five shot Smith or Taurus J frame! "Here ya go sweetheart' just point it at the B_st_rd and pull the trigger" Kind of ironic isn't it.
Does that mean we have given our Wives and Daughters, our loved ones, the "weaker sex" inferior protection?

Click to expand...

It’s got nothing to with sex and everything to do with complexity of each handgun platform.
Autos offer more, but they are also more complex to operate. Not much but still more things to mess up or forget about than in a revolver.
For a person with limited gun knowledge like my wife, or someone that hasn’t fired in years like my brother, I generally hand them a nice 38 S&W or Colt.

Crebralfix, sorry my mistake.

FerFAL