Are Revolvers Actually better than Autos?

[trapper500]

Revolvers Over Auto's

I was raised up on a revolver & i have only owned 44 magnums & one S&W M500 Preformance Center 500 Magnum which by the way was a $1,150 POS I am going back home to My Ruger Super Redhawk 9.5" 44 Magnum I think its up to the shooter which action they like better i like the auto's but i am a revolver junkie lol

 

[Tcruse]

There are some things that are basic issues.
1) revolvers have a higher bore axis than most autos
2) the weight of the moving parts is greater with an exposed hammer rather than a striker fired gun like Glock, also direction is not in line with bullet path, arc instead of inline
3) the accuracy of the gun is usually much better tha the user, especially in a sd encounter
4) few parts In a revolver? (http://www.google.com/search?q=numb...7GuWL2AXHn_nsDg&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=672) compared to 34 in a Glock.

 

[hariph creek]

I reload, so one thing I love about revolvers is, keeping my brass. It's easy; brass goes in hand, brass goes in pocket.
With my 10mm it's; brass goes into next county, me and a couple others spend the next 20 minutes looking for brass. I always lose a small percentage on each outing. Brass is a significant amount of the cost of reloading. I do just about have my springs dialed in, now. But, still a hassle. Plus a wheel gun doesn't beat up brass, as much.
I'm not going to give up my 10 though.

 

[CraigC]

Spare Magazines come to mind...

Something else to lose. Not to mention the fact that when your 17rd magazine runs dry, because you worship capacity over shot placement, and you drop your fresh mag, you're screwed.

I'd love to see a revolver with a safe 2lb trigger.

I have a bunch, wanna see pics???

Some of those cartridges are obsolete and others are specialty.

So what? Some folks buy guns according to ammo availability at Walmart. I'm not one of them.

I'd love to see a revolver OR an automatic make me want to speed 5 grand on.

That's a matter of personal choice. Got no problem with $4000-$5000 revolvers and shotguns. Ain't spending that much on an auto.

1911, Hi Power, Colt 1903, SIG P210, etc.

I don't think that 100yr old designs qualify as "modern". "Modern", which is typified by Glocks, XD's, M&P's, etc.. I'd be all over an ivory stocked and/or engraved 1911, Hi Power or 1903 but that's not what I was referring to.

Revolvers haven't changed much in the last century.

In some ways they have, in some ways they haven't. In some ways they've changed by leaps and bounds. In other ways, they're stuck in the 19th century. That's how we like it.

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

If I was a LE having to storm a crack house I'd prefer a Glock to a wheelgun if a shotgun wasn't available. Other than that, autos offer negligible advantages and significant disadvantages, most of which have been mentioned in this thread. I've been shooting handguns since the early 60's and have owned a variety of both types. For CC, a lightweight snubby offers the most stopping power in the most concealable package. It's the quickest to get into action...can be fired from inside a jacket pocket if required....and in a game where the first good shot usually wins that means far more to me than a hi-cap magazine. Revolvers are more economical--you don't have to run several hundred rounds of various ammo through them to establish reliability. They don't lose your brass. There's less to go wrong. They're far easier and more flexible to handload for. They are safer, particularly for inexperienced shooters. They typically have better triggers. They reflect a certain degree of maturity--the "adult" handgun.

 

[skt239]

I've had revolvers lock up on me and I've had plenty of FTF with factory ammo. However, the amount of failures I've experience with revolvers compared to autos is far, far less. I personally prefer a revolver but can totally understand why people don't like them.

 

[harqueb.us]

Coming in late; but here's a couple comments all the same.

1. Any good revolver will shoot 1" - 1.5" with preferred loads. It takes a very expensive, very tightly fitted automatic to shoot that well. Forget about reliability and forget about matching Freedom Arms shooting that well at twice the range.

We can say that any good semi-auto can shoot 1" - 1.5" too. We'll just agree that any revolver or semi-auto that can't do that isn't "good."

3. Any automatic can malfunction. Timing issues in revolvers are rare.

Timing issues can happen in any revolver. So can cartridge creep, cylinder binding, cylinder won't open for one reason or another, stuck cases that won't eject, ejector rod creep, bad headspacing, misaligned chambers, and so on.

5. If you can't see the presence or absence of a casehead under the hammer, you need your eyes checked.

So how do you know if it's loaded? Look down the barrel? You'll still have to open the cylinder to see if the primer has been hit, and eject the shell to see if it's still live. Pretty much every semi-auto has a built in loaded chamber indicator, or you can check the chamber.

Or, just treat every firearm as if it's loaded. Equality.

6. Autos aren't necessarily "too complicated" but it is fact that revolvers are simpler.

Let's see:

Revolver: load cartridges, close cylinder, shoot 'till empty. Then try to explain to them how to push the cylinder release button with one hand while swinging out the cylinder with the other hand, and then hold on to it while pushing the ejector rod... or how to open the cartridge door and line up the cylinder, push the ejector rod, now push it harder so the cartridge actually ejects... just pluck the empty cartridge out when it still doesn't eject. Oh yeah, did you put the hammer on half-cock?

Semi-auto: insert mag, press slide release, shoot 'till empty, push button to eject magazine, done.
But on the other hand, you have to memorize all terms for all three malfunction types, techniques to clear them, the locations of all kinds of different safeties, etc.

CraigC sez: Automatics 'may' be superior as combat weapons but in all other respects revolvers are superior.

What you mean is in the things you claim are important in that post make revolvers superior, but that only means they are superior for you for your special purposes or uses. Do you really have revolvers in all those calibers?

By the "revolvers are superior" logic, single-shot handguns are superior to revolvers, in all respects.


Personally, I like revolvers and semi-autos. One handgun will be better for one purpose, while another will be superior for a different purpose. That's why I have multiple firearms.

 

[oldfool]

"Some of those cartridges are obsolete and others are specialty."

obsolete is as obsolete does, 5-2-7
ain't nothing been yet made for those handloaders/reloaders, obsolete

specialty is as specialty does
no shortage of boutique ammo out there to be had
some folks have specialty needs, some don't

What be your favorite autoloader pistola cartridge for Elk, Moose, or ol' Grizz ?

(shucks. even 22 mag autoloader pistolas that actually run reliable are pretty scarce, and I have one that comes pretty close, but it's no contest for reliability or accuracy between a 6" Irwindale Automag II and a S&W k-frame 6" model 48)

PS
but I like 'em both lot, and these "better than" threads ought be more about fun than heartburn.. for all the rest (angst) there is AK vs AR

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Something else to lose. Not to mention the fact that when your 17rd magazine runs dry, because you worship capacity over shot placement, and you drop your fresh mag, you're screwed.

Because I have a large capacity magazine, I obviously just empty the magazine without aiming and sometimes even close my eyes. Maybe if I used a revolver I would suddenly become more accurate and maybe, JUST MAYBE! Keep my eyes open.

You seriously believe that? I can't believe someone would even think that because we have a larger magazine that we suddenly throw accuracy out the window. I guess that the shooting I was doing at 100 yards today with my XD-40 couldn't have possibly happened because I have a larger capacity magazine.

I have a bunch, wanna see pics???

Would you carry those revolvers with 2lb triggers cocked and ready to go like an automatic would be? If not then why? Not safe enough?

So what? Some folks buy guns according to ammo availability at Walmart. I'm not one of them.

My main rifle fires a round that I've never seen in a gunshop before let alone Wal Mart.

That's a matter of personal choice. Got no problem with $4000-$5000 revolvers and shotguns. Ain't spending that much on an auto.

Not sure what you would do with a revolver that expensive or how it's better than a Ruger or a Smith and Wesson. I wouldn't buy any gun at that cost unless I had too much money that I knew what to do with.

I don't think that 100yr old designs qualify as "modern". "Modern", which is typified by Glocks, XD's, M&P's, etc.. I'd be all over an ivory stocked and/or engraved 1911, Hi Power or 1903 but that's not what I was referring to.

Considering you were comparing a 100 year old design to a "modern" auto, I figured that was anything in the last century. So you're comparing a 100 year old design to a "modern" design for what reason? Suddenly they become even better for service and combat use and you revolver guys condemn them? How have revolvers changed in the last 100 years anyway besides safety features?




oldfool

What be your favorite autoloader pistola cartridge for Elk, Moose, or ol' Grizz ?

I don't see autos as the end all in the gun world, everything has it's place. I meant obsolete by looking at certain rounds on that list like 32-20 and .327 Magnum. The latter is a dying round with a very small following and the former is used for what anyway? CAS and just being able to shoot your antique revolver?

 

[oldfool]

I ain't no Jerry M, not even in "Mitty-Mode", far far from it
but..
a k-17 runs faster in my hand than a Ruger MK II/III or Buckmark
a k-48 runs faster than an Automag II
a k-66 runs faster than a 9mm SA/DA
and I hit pretty much same/same with all of those

a j-60 38 sp vs a single action Colt SA 380 acp, well, pretty doggone close
(but I hit better with the Colt)

YMMV, and probably does

and I do love 'em all, both flavors, ain't none of 'em leaving my safe, except on range day

 

[Flechette]

A couple of items I didn't see mentioned:

1: Ammo variety. We have rattle snakes here all the time and I can easily switch from a self-defense load to a shot load (I guess that would also be a self-defense load..against snakes!)

A twist on this is duplex loads. Two rounds of buckshot is somewhat common and I remember seeing three short wadcutters stacked in a .357 cartridge years ago. That makes a six-shooter a 18 shooter! If you think about the fact that most modern pistol classes teach "double taps" then this is a sound arguement, i.e. you can only engage 8 targets witha 16 round auto if you double-tap. It is far easier to "double tap" a revolver when one trigger pull launches 2 or 3 projectiles!

Duplex or triplex loads are not very practical for autoloaders.

2: Real-world performance: The number one stopper (according to "Handgun Stopping Power" analysis of common cartridges, i.e. no hunting cartridges) is .357 Mag, higher than both 9mm and .45ACP.

It is indeed more powerful (more momentum AND energy), has more reliable hollowpoint bullet performance and deeper penetration.

However, I think a large part of this is that the shooter KNOWS that they only have 6 shots so they place the shot more carefully.

 

[JRH6856]

The number one stopper (according to "Handgun Stopping Power" analysis of common cartridges, i.e. no hunting cartridges) is .357 Mag, higher than both 9mm and .45ACP.

.357 SIG or 10mm Auto.

As to Handgun Stopping Power, this is an interesting analysis

 

[CraigC]

We can say that any good semi-auto can shoot 1" - 1.5" too.

Yes because those are growing on trees. Like I said, show me a $400 service auto that shoots an inch.

I can't believe someone would even think that because we have a larger magazine that we suddenly throw accuracy out the window.

Hey, you're the ones who put magazine capacity as a top priority. If you think you need 17rds, I assume you probably think you need a reload or two.

Would you carry those revolvers with 2lb triggers cocked and ready to go like an automatic would be? If not then why? Not safe enough?

No because they do not have an external safety. But yes, I would carry a 1911 cocked and locked with a 2lb trigger.

My main rifle fires a round that I've never seen in a gunshop before let alone Wal Mart.

Then why make the statement about "obsolete and specialty" cartridges???

Not sure what you would do with a revolver that expensive or how it's better than a Ruger or a Smith and Wesson. I wouldn't buy any gun at that cost unless I had too much money that I knew what to do with.

Yes, because we know for a fact that nobody ever actually saved their money over a couple years to pay for a custom gun. The only people who have custom guns built just have piles of money laying around and are just looking for a direction to throw it. Yes, I'm being sarcastic.

Considering you were comparing a 100 year old design to a "modern" auto...

I didn't bring up "modern" autos. Pablo did.

Suddenly they become even better for service and combat use and you revolver guys condemn them?

Hence the problem here. You auto shooters think the only thing a handgun is good for is "service and combat use". There is a whole world of shooting outside that narrow point of view and revolvers excel at much of it. Maybe your perspective is just limited? I didn't condemn them. They are very good tools for certain jobs. That's the other problem, they're just tools and their application is limited. I can use a revolver for ANYTHING for which a handgun is appropriate. However, you can't hunt small game, medium game, large game, dangerous game, shoot long range, shoot small targets beyond 15-20yds, or make my heart flutter with a "modern auto". Lest you think me an old fart whose never touched a Glock, I shot them for 15yrs. I bought a G21 when they first came out. Had a G19 for a while too. A Springfield XD .45 is my current truck gun. A S&W .380 Bodyguard is my present pocket gun. They are tools in a toolbox and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize their limitations.

I meant obsolete by looking at certain rounds on that list like 32-20 and .327 Magnum. The latter is a dying round with a very small following and the former is used for what anyway? CAS and just being able to shoot your antique revolver?

Maybe you should look up the definition of the term "obsolete". The .327 is brand new and guns are still manufactured for it. Obsolete doesn't even come close. The .32-20 is an old round that still enjoys popularity and despite your ignorance of it, plenty of new guns chamber it. My .32-20's are between 5 and 20yrs old. Sounds like you just need to get out more.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Hey, you're the ones who put magazine capacity as a top priority. If you think you need 17rds, I assume you probably think you need a reload or two.

No, I just like semi autos more than revolvers. Mag capacity comes after that. Even so, I can shoot and I'm not going to blast away senselessly.

No because they do not have an external safety. But yes, I would carry a 1911 cocked and locked with a 2lb trigger.

Glocks can get a factory 3lb trigger and that's safe to carry chambered. A lb wouldn't make a difference.

Then why make the statement about "obsolete and specialty" cartridges???

Because it's neither, just that what would you be doing with 32-20 or what about the dying round know as .327 Magnum? Those are the two rounds I take issue with.

Yes, because we know for a fact that nobody ever actually saved their money over a couple years to pay for a custom gun. The only people who have custom guns built just have piles of money laying around and are just looking for a direction to throw it. Yes, I'm being sarcastic.

Notice how I was saying what I would do. I don't speak for all people. Don't take my writings out of context.

Hence the problem here. You auto shooters think the only thing a handgun is good for is "service and combat use". There is a whole world of shooting outside that narrow point of view and revolvers excel at much of it. They are tools in a toolbox and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize their limitations.

I agree with you there.

Maybe you should look up the definition of the term "obsolete". The .327 is brand new and guns are still manufactured for it. Obsolete doesn't even come close. The .32-20 is an old round that still enjoys popularity and despite your ignorance of it, plenty of new guns chamber it. My .32-20's are between 5 and 20yrs old. Sounds like you just need to get out more.

Obsolete - no longer in general use; fallen into disuse

.32-20 is Obsolete whether you like it or not.

However, you can't hunt small game, medium game, large game, dangerous game, shoot long range, shoot small targets beyond 15-20yds, or make my heart flutter with a "modern auto".

Many people have killed medium game with autos for years, same with small game. I don't know what your definition of small targets are but I was consistently and easily dusting clay birds at 50 yards and then hitting a steel plate the size of a chicken at 100 yards also with ease with my XD-40.

 

[Flechette]

.357 SIG or 10mm Auto.

As to Handgun Stopping Power, this is an interesting analysis

Good point. My copy was prior to .357 Sig.

However, how many guns are available in either? It has been a long time since I have seen a 10mm ata gun show. I think only Glock still makes one, and the situation is similiar to .357 Sig.

 

[Flechette]

.357 SIG or 10mm Auto.

As to Handgun Stopping Power, this is an interesting analysis

By the way, thanks for the post to that data. It is REALLY informative and backs up some of my inclinations and gut feelings. I especially like his criteria as it is more realistic.

I note that .380 and .357 are very similiar in perfromance, and 9mm is noticable LOWER!

I will pour through the data some more...

Thanks!

 

[JRH6856]

Flechette,

You're welcome. I also found it interesting that even the .25 appears a bit more effective than most give it credit for. The poor performance of the 9mm appears due to the low number hits compared to shots fired. It may support the idea that hi-cap magazines lead to spray and pray tactics, but I suspect that SMGs are included in that data. That would go a long way towards explaining the disparity.

 

[Trad Archer]

Yes

 

[jrod]

I own both. I like autos,but love Revolvers!

 

[hariph creek]

oldfool, I agree this should be fun. Who needs to get so wound up?

Which is better? Is such a broad and vague question.
So many specialized applications and pesonal opinions are cited, to support one side or the other.
Neither is better, both are better. What do you like? What suits your needs? What do you have?
We're all right, except when we ''dog'' on someone else.
A $400 service auto or revolver will be equaly of ''economy'' quality. Both will probobaly out shoot most of us.

Flechette, as far as currently available semi-auto 10mm's; Glock, Colt, Kimber, EAA Witness, Dan Wesson. This is all I can think of off the top of my head, I'm sure I've missed a couple.
Plus there's alot of the S&W 10** series, floating around out there.
Less common Springfield Omega's, BrenTen's, and various conversions like the Para probobaly don't amount to many, though.

 

[hariph creek]

I'd have a hard time spending $4000-5000 on any gun. I'm not of the tax-bracket that can swing that.
If I could, it would be on a SXS shotgun. That's not very expensive in those waters, though.

 

[Serenity]

.357 SIG or 10mm Auto.

As to Handgun Stopping Power, this is an interesting analysis

Thanks for giving us this link; it helped a lot

 

[gunguy0829]

There is enough people that support one or the other, otherwise they would stop making one or the other. Which proves it is a personal preferance. Use what you like and what you shoot best with.

 

[makarovnik]

I don't know if they are better but I like the option of being able to shoot through a purse or coat pocket if need be.

 

[agent89]

I own both and I explain it this way, if I knew I was going to be in a gun fight tomorrow I would have my g17 or 19 at the ready, loaded magazines. But I don't know when if ever this will happen. Having magazines loaded over long periods of time worries me some. I have a revolver in the bedroom allways. The simplicity of them is a plus. I believe for long term storage as a home defence gun they are hard to beat, and my girlfriend could use it with pretty good results also. I like both and it's nice to have options.