Autoloader or Revolver? Input Needed.

[doc2rn]

I would go with a Glock in 17/19 for one reason you can buy a .22lr upper reciever and get 2 guns in one. You can carry a whole lot of .22lr compaired to 9mm. Not to mention I like combos where your pistol and rifle use the same ammo.

 

[Dragk913]

This is a topic that has aslo been plaguing me.

I want a .357 revolver because of all the things people have mentioned (I won't need it for hunting though)..and it's def. a manstopper.

But I also want a hi-cap semi-auto (in .40s&w) for most of the reasons everyone has listed (sorry, I'm too lazy to list them) and since Ossama is going to ban hi-cap everything..

If shtf, I already have a shotgun (buckshot/slugs for HD and hunting) so now I have to decide what would be better for mastering on the range and in a tense, F'ed up situation.



Edit: I think a revolver might be more versatile - that way I could throw in some .38's for hunting smaller game...
But I love the tacticool-ness of a hi-cap semi..

 

[David E]

For the uses you cite, the Glock gets the nod over the .357

If you decide to buy a Glock or other "full capacity" semi-auto, BUY MAGS NOW, and plenty of them. 12 is minimum.

.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I currently have a three gun collection.

I think you need a FIVE gun collection.

 

[jbauch357]

I have GLOCK autoloaders and Ruger revolvers... For a long time I only had a GP100 and thought it was the end-all-be-all of pistols, but now that I have the GLOCK's there's no way I could get rid of them...

 

[Hawk]

buy a revolver, they rarely jam and if you hit a dead cartridge, simply pull the trigger again.

As Mr. Borland rightly points out there's a significant difference between cliche and guarantee. To which I would add that some of the sorriest and most dangerous advice to be found on the intratubz is offered when pushing revolvers.

The following THR thread deals with the subject of dud rounds in a more reasonable manner:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=391450

"just pull the trigger again" makes solid sense in a defensive situation where exploding a revolver after a squib isn't your number one concern or if you're dead certain it was a light strike and don't believe in hangfires. There's a lot of pictures of exploded revolvers to be found on the web and I'd suspect more than a few are due to people mistaking slogans for real advice.

As to the OP, SHTF scenarios come in different flavors. If it's to include the harvesting of game, the .357 revolver would seem a good choice even if it duplicates some existing functionality. If it's all urban SHTF zombie fantasy than the nod might well go to the semi.

 

[stalkingbear]

There's NO question WHATSOEVER an .357 magnum revolver is the king of do-it-all versatility, and MUCH better than conventional semi-auto cartridges. Glock fans check this out. http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/glock-kb-faq.html

 

[Dragk913]

Glock fans check this out. http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/glock-kb-faq.html

The only problem with websites like this is that if you dig hard enough, you can find cases of just about everything. My dad has a Glock 27 and his has never KB'd. Now it might not have endured the kind of of things some of the other Glocks have, but there will always be a couple bad apples.


Personally, I'm not a fan of Glock. There are many handguns I would take over Glock, but they definitely have their place in the arms world.

 

[David E]

I just read some of the posts on here....

The reason a semi-auto is the choice of militaries the world over is because it handles abuse far better than a revolver. To say that mud will tie up a semi-auto faster than a revolver is absurd.

To say that a revolver can be shot faster than a semi-auto is equally absurd. If you're beating folks at your local matches using your revolver against their semi's, then you are the big fish in a small puddle.

Having shot countless local, state, regional and National matches, you will hardly ever see a revolver winning even the 6-shot stage.

I've had the pleasure to squad with Jerry Miculek more than once and while no one can touch him with a revolver, a Master/Grandmaster can beat him on even the low round count stages.

.

 

[AdamSean]

I have a Ruger SP101 .357 magnum. It is the ultimate in reliable self defense. I actually plan on getting a Ruger GP100 for home defense and back woods carry. Don't get me wrong, I love my auto loaders too. But for the best in reliability and comfort, I went with a revolver.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

Glock 17 or 19. You wouldn't go wrong with a .357 revolver, but, I believe in having as many bullets in the mag as possible.

Also, Glocks are incredibly reliable.

 

[Kentucky-roughrider]

revolver over a glock any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[ERDOC]

Glock

My first choice would be a Glock .45acp. Second choice would be a Glock .40 .
Third Choice would be a good .357 revolver 3-4 inch barrel.

Obviously,I would suggest going to a range where you can rent several handguns,and shoot all of them,to see which fits your hand,and which one you
can hit the target with consistently.

Being comfortable,and confident with your handgun of choice is a personal matter,as well as caliber choice.Why go with a 9mm,when you can get a .357, .40, or.45acp ?Of course this is a personal decision.Some people can't shoot a .45,or .357 accurately.If that is the case,then they should go with a 9mm,or.38 special,or whatever they can consistently hit their target with.
Accuracy is more important than caliber !Meaning ,2,or 3 shots center mass with a .38,is better
than six misses with a .44 mag !

Doc

 

[Brian Williams]

First choice in this scenario, would be a Colt SAA or clone in 45 Colt. It is just about indestructable and will put down most anything on this continent and can handle just about any weather situation.
My second choice would be a S&W 581 or today's version of a heavy duty S&W is the 619. These can shoot just about any 357/38 made.
My third choice would be a 1911 in 45 followed by a Glock 17.


OBTW Jelly Brice also carried a 1911 with the trigger guard completely cut off.

 

[inSight-NEO]

I probably wouldnt be able to decide and therefore, would just go buy a 12g. shotgun instead. But, seriously, some contend that a revolver can endure much more than a semi-auto. I believe, in certain cases, it can. It is not an infallible weapon, however. Of course, neither is the semi-auto. But, many current semi-autos have certainly upped the ante' when it comes to overall reliablility.

Basically, if I were to want a weapon which required little to no maintenance, was very durable, would be sitting around for extended periods of time and was capable of handling extremely effective HD ammo, it would probably be a stainless steel revolver (specifically a .357 Magnum). If I wanted a weapon which, while requiring a bit more maintenance, still had a good reliability track record + the advantage of mag capacity, was more "mod" friendly, possibly offered quicker reloads, was "easier" to shoot when using powerful HD type ammo, etc..it would be a semi-auto (depending on caliber).

Needless to say, it kinda hard to pick just one as they both address certain issues in very effective ways. Overall, given the quality of todays semi-automatics, Id probably go that way. It seems like the old revolver/semi-auto reliability argument has become less and less of an issue given todays selection of weapons (semi-autos), IMHO. In terms of caliber, I would probably opt for .45 ACP...if I could only choose one. And this choice would NOT involve a Glock. Given your proposed choices however, Im just not sure. But, if one were to "twist my arm", Id probably go with the Glock. Not because Im a huge fan, but because I do realize that the 9mm variant of Glocks are among the finest guns you can buy in that particular caliber (the Sig P226 notwithstanding). And while the 9mm certainly isnt as effective as say, 125g JHP .357 Magnum loads, it can still do whats necessary, particularly when using a +P or +P+ variant. This is in addition to, I believe, allowing you to maintain greater control which should result in greater accuracy/efficiency.

But, with all of this said, its basically up to what "feels" best to you. For instance, a lot of folks just dont like the way Glocks "fit". So what if its a great gun. If it doesnt work well for you, it would be a bad choice in this case. Same goes for the .357 revolver. If you find that, when shooting full-house .357 Magnum HD loads for instance, you cant hit where you aim or that you arent crazy about the "buck and roar" of such loads, this would not be good for you either. Just be aware of the positives/negatives of both guns, both including and in separation of caliber. Then, go out and shoot them. At that point, it will be all up to you.....regardless of anybodys advice.

 

[whited]

,

.357 Magnum.

 

[Kentucky-roughrider]

First choice in this scenario, would be a Colt SAA or clone in 45 Colt. It is just about indestructable and will put down most anything on this continent and can handle just about any weather situation

It only weakness is its slow reloading time. But I would prefer a older model Ruger vaquero (large frame ones), these are strongerthan any other SAA.

 

[Boats]

As a SHTF choice, any modern revolver or pistol in a duty cartridge will serve fine. After all, we're likely talking about a social dislocation that is at worst measured in weeks. Nothing short of nuclear war is going to affect the reliability of either type of handgun for going about your business in open carry, warding off looters/rioters, etc.

My choice in a short term SHTF is a Beretta PX4 9mm for it's capacity, (first two mags open carry would be factory 20+1 rounders, 17+1 for concealed), and quick reload times.

EOTWAWKI? That's not much of a contest: My 4" .357 Mag Ruger GP-100 stainless is the piece for that. It simply doesn't have the most common S&W failure point--the screwed in ejector rod.

My points for a Ruger GP at the end of the world:

1. Until fired, it is completely at rest, no slight spring tension like a recoil spring or continuous pressure like a magazine tube.
2. No magazine to lose.
3. Fires two caliber loadings of ammunition without modification.
4. Keeps its brass. Primers are a lot easier to carry in bulk than brass.
5. Loves hardcast lead bullets. Bullets can be flat nosed or round, the revolver doesn't care as long as max OAL is observed.
6. The Ruger is just about as modular for maintenance as any auto pistol.
7. Can fire underpowered ammunition without function problems as long as the bullet exits the barrel. Can fire somewhat over pressure ammunition without incident as the cases are always fully supported.
8. The 38. Special case, which the .357 Mag is just a longer version of, was developed in the black powder era, meaning drastically versatile emergency reloading possibilities are available, especially as contrasted with most of the auto cartridges that were developed using only smokeless powder.
9. The Ruger comes with fairly robust and easily adjusted sights.
10. Most, if not all, of the awesome "Glock torture" tricks were used by Ruger to sell GPs to police departments back in the day, including having their revolvers run over by vehicles.
11. The Ruger relies on fairly common coil springs, not flat springs, or strange and delicate multiple bend thin wire springs.
12. The GP-100's firing pin is extremely short, and therefore, extremely unlikely to break.
13. Capable of SA fire for carefully taken shots at distance, coupled with a flat shooting cartridge suitable for hunting deer sized game at reasonable distances.
14. For a handgun, the mag is about as good as it gets for a man stopper.
15. I have never seen an out of time Ruger GP-100 and I can't recall hearing of one either.

Is that enough, or do we need more?

 

[Huddog]

Based on your stated requirements I voted for the revolver bc they are more versital but you have rifles to handle many of the various needs you describe. If you only wanted a hg for self defense I'd probably voted for the Glock. Pesonally I think you need both.

 

[loneviking]

Boats, just one comment on your GP100 list. The S&W screwed in ejector rod is easily fixed with a tube of blue thread locker and a couple of hours dry time. The S&W triggers, from what I've experienced, are much smoother and faster than the GP's. Both are good guns and I'd second the choice for a revolver.

 

[Meeteetse]

I may have missed it, but I don't see anything here about who is going to be using the gun. If only one person is using it, then the gun should suit that person. But if others, wife, children, girl friend, might be using the handgun, their opinion needs to be considered.

Personally, my wife has a problem with semi-autos, so I always have a revolver available for her. It does not have to be a wrist breaker magnum either, given that you have other choices in powerful long guns.

Caliber is another consideration. IMO don't get caught up in the 40 Caliber mania. 40 is expensive and sometimes hard to find and not significantly better than several other calibers. If you buy a .357 revolver you can use all forms of .38 also, because the .357 magnum isn't for novice shooters. It gives you lots of options if ammo becomes scarce, The same is true of the 9mm semi. If high capacity is your thing, you can't beat a Glock 17 or 19 with 17 rnds of 9mm.

A few have suggested a single action handgun and that's not a bad idea. You can get a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 with an extra 9mm cylinder and have the best of both worlds. Since the handgun shouldn't be your primary weapon, being SA isn't a problem.

 

[Boats]

When the world ends, good luck procuring more blue Loctite.

The pre-lock 686 is a fine weapon, but it is undeniably more delicate than the GP, (which has no side plate, is not screwed together, and does have offset cylinder notches), and the Ruger's mainspring, trigger return spring, hammer, and trigger group, are blood simple to work on for anyone with mechanical aptitude.

Glad we can agree on the need for a wheelgun though.

 

[dlistello]

I think you answered your own question after listing all the requirements you feel are important = revolver. Stick with name brands but shoot as many different models as possible, whatever fits your hand and shoots best FOR YOU will be your best purchase. Besides S&W and Ruger, don't forget Colt, the Python (look at gunbroker and auction arms ) is my favorite revolver of all time. The action on a Python is the best I've experienced and the Royal Blue finish is striking.
Dave

 

[rfwobbly]

I bought a CZ P-01, the second most-tested gun gun in history. I like it, I trust it. However, my 21yo son recently bought a Ruger GP-100 357 and I'm thinking about this same thing.

The 357 has far more energy than a 9mm +P. The Ruger is foolproof reliable. And as great as the CZ ergonomics are, the GP-100 may be better.

 

[stalkingbear]

I prefer to consider the Ruger GP100 as being idiot-proof.