Autos over revolvers for ccw... is it because of capacity?
- Thread starter Dr_2_B
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I shoot better with a semi auto, it just seems more natural to me. My CCW holds 8 rds of 9mm, while I don't mind a little more capacity it certainly isn't the most important reason.
ETA: I voted no because it is closest to what I think but capacity does come into play, only after several other things though.
ETA: I voted no because it is closest to what I think but capacity does come into play, only after several other things though.
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DAdams
Member
Hmm...dare I say it...five shots five.....
J Frame in the pocket.
The old axiom still holds true, 3 rounds, 3 yards, 3 seconds and it's over.
So ok tell me, why is it I need 18 rounds?
J Frame in the pocket.
The old axiom still holds true, 3 rounds, 3 yards, 3 seconds and it's over.
So ok tell me, why is it I need 18 rounds?
RedLion
Member
^^^well 18 rounds, 18 yards, and 18 lawyers of course!
Perhaps the most common set of circumstances in a gunfight is the 3 shots, 3 yards, 3 seconds thing, but that doesn't mean that a greater number of rounds is never needed. I mean, it's probably more common to hear of people avoiding a gunfight by displaying their gun--that is, without any shots being fired. A realistic-looking toy gun, then, would suffice in most instances--but you wouldn't advocate carrying just that, would you?
I'd opt for a higher-capacity semi-auto over a revolver for carry, but a 5-shot J-frame is still alot better than nothing.
I'd opt for a higher-capacity semi-auto over a revolver for carry, but a 5-shot J-frame is still alot better than nothing.
The Bushmaster
Member
Can't vote...I carry both (one at a time of course)...
Sir Aardvark
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Capacity and ease of reload.
Mastifflover
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Capacity
I am trading my LCR for a Glock 26 for exactly that reason. The LCR is an excellent gun for what it is but having only 5 rounds before a reload has been running through my head since I bought it. I know, I know, seems paranoid and odds say that I would never need more than 5 shots but the added rounds for the small sacrifice in comfort is justifiable to me.
I am trading my LCR for a Glock 26 for exactly that reason. The LCR is an excellent gun for what it is but having only 5 rounds before a reload has been running through my head since I bought it. I know, I know, seems paranoid and odds say that I would never need more than 5 shots but the added rounds for the small sacrifice in comfort is justifiable to me.
capacity has never weighed into what i carry...many times i'll carry a auto with the same capacity as a revolver.
the biggest factor is thinness of the guns, followed by the ease of reloading
the biggest factor is thinness of the guns, followed by the ease of reloading
bwsmith2850
Member
I looked at revolvers when I changed jobs and could carry something other than the Glock. I found my G27 was just slightly larger than a 5 (or 6) shot J frame and carried 10 .40. Let's see, twice the bullets, faster to reload, night sights, same size... I just couldn't see where I would gain anything by changing.
I like to have the capacity. I can never have too many bullets in a gunfight. I'm always amused by phrases such as the 'average gunfight.' How do you know if your gunfight will be average? Mine wasn't. I got more than 3 thrown at me before I could return the favor. You don't shoot until you think the BG is done, you shoot until he thinks he's done. That can take a lot of bullets. People have survived and kept shooting after an amazing number of heavy caliber well placed shots. As is often quoted, I don't want to die from lack of shooting back.
Which isn't to say the model 19 Smith doesn't come along from time to time. The S&W mod 28 goes to the woods with me, but day to day it's usually the G27 and 2 15 rnd magazines.
I like to have the capacity. I can never have too many bullets in a gunfight. I'm always amused by phrases such as the 'average gunfight.' How do you know if your gunfight will be average? Mine wasn't. I got more than 3 thrown at me before I could return the favor. You don't shoot until you think the BG is done, you shoot until he thinks he's done. That can take a lot of bullets. People have survived and kept shooting after an amazing number of heavy caliber well placed shots. As is often quoted, I don't want to die from lack of shooting back.
Which isn't to say the model 19 Smith doesn't come along from time to time. The S&W mod 28 goes to the woods with me, but day to day it's usually the G27 and 2 15 rnd magazines.
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concealability typically.. harder to cc a revolver in most cases than even a somewhat large semi-auto... just too wide... that doesnt mean I dont or wont carry a revolver.. i like them... BUT typically, I carry a thin semi-auto.
davezander
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80% survive being shot with a hand gun.
I like 1911 semi auto's for carry.
As said before there flatter.
I like 1911 semi auto's for carry.
As said before there flatter.
davezander
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If I had a 3" Smith 625 revolver i would carry that sometimes also. I have a 5"
I can reload that as fast as a semi auto, because they use moonclips.
I can reload that as fast as a semi auto, because they use moonclips.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Added capacity is not my sole or primary reason. I shoot SA or short-stroke DAO pistols better than revolvers, and the flatter profile lends itself to better, more comfortable concealment. The capacity and ease of reloading is more of a bonus.
Pistol Toter
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Old Axiom: Beware of the old fellow carring a revolver, he knows how to use it! I have a Glock 21 and the only time I carry it is when I'm going into a bad area late at night and I'm toting along a pocket full of extra magizines. It also has night sights. Otherwise my 5 shot .357 is supreme.
Jed Carter
Member
Revolver is too wide (cylinder) to carry iwb imo, added capacity a plus, but having a 3.9 in barrel on my PCR is why I carry a pistol, it shoots as well as any pistol out to 15 yards and way better than a snubbie. CZ! Wish the PCR came in a single stack, only need 7-8, don't need 14+ in a carry pistol.
CombatArmsUSAF
Member
For me it's not so much capacity, it is more concealability and ease of reloading.
Especially the ease of reloading, I can reload a semiauto in about 1.5 seconds. Also it's alot easier to do tactical reloads with a semiauto than a revolver. It's also safer because you can keep the one in the chamber and the weapon trained on whatever direction the threat is coming from while your accomplishing you tactical reload. You simply cannot do that with a revolver.
Reloading my J Frame with a 5 round speed strip takes me about 5-7 seconds after practice. That is a dang long time to be out of the fight when bullets are flying at you.
Especially the ease of reloading, I can reload a semiauto in about 1.5 seconds. Also it's alot easier to do tactical reloads with a semiauto than a revolver. It's also safer because you can keep the one in the chamber and the weapon trained on whatever direction the threat is coming from while your accomplishing you tactical reload. You simply cannot do that with a revolver.
Reloading my J Frame with a 5 round speed strip takes me about 5-7 seconds after practice. That is a dang long time to be out of the fight when bullets are flying at you.
I always love these smarmy sayings,
If you are so smart you can say how many rounds you need, what distance its going to be at, and how long its going to last then why aren't you smart enough to know WHEN and WHERE its going to happen so you can just avoid it all together? The fact is you don't know SQUAT. If I only use three rounds and I still have another 15 in the magazine what is the disadvantage?? What if I only have 5 and I needed 6 or even 10? OOPS I guess your dead then huh. I've never heard someone say that and then explain how having 18 rounds is going to get me killed and 5 is going to save my life.
(Dadams that isn't an attack toward you. I know you didn't make that up and its is accepted in many circles to justify certain equipment and training. I'm addressing the fallacy of the mentality itself.)
If you are so smart you can say how many rounds you need, what distance its going to be at, and how long its going to last then why aren't you smart enough to know WHEN and WHERE its going to happen so you can just avoid it all together? The fact is you don't know SQUAT. If I only use three rounds and I still have another 15 in the magazine what is the disadvantage?? What if I only have 5 and I needed 6 or even 10? OOPS I guess your dead then huh. I've never heard someone say that and then explain how having 18 rounds is going to get me killed and 5 is going to save my life.
(Dadams that isn't an attack toward you. I know you didn't make that up and its is accepted in many circles to justify certain equipment and training. I'm addressing the fallacy of the mentality itself.)
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Even the tiny LCP has 2 (6+1) more shots than a J-frame--carry a spare mag and you have 6 more with an easy reload---the LCP disappears in my pocket. And thats just a backup gun.
MCgunner
Member
I prefer to pocket my P11 because it's easier to carry, a little more compact in a pocket, than my M85SSUL. I will carry the 85, though, often, especially if I'm going to be out fishing or something, stainless. I also prefer the power of 9mm over .38 special.
However, when I carry IWB on rare occasion, my 3" M66 Taurus is more compact than my Ruger P90. It is also more powerful. So, I really like carrying the revolver. I prefer revolvers anyway to autos, grew up shooting them, shoot 'em naturally, not that I can't shoot that P90, one of my favs, won a lot of shoots with that thing. But, I'll always revert to .357 and to a K frame sized revolver given the choice in a self defense situation.
I just ordered a JIT belt slide holster for the .357. I'm hoping it'll be near as compact under a loose, long tail shirt as is IWB or at least usable and it should be a lot more comfy, I'm thinkin'. If I like it, I might get one for the P90, too, but the P90's grip doesn't quite carry as stealthy as the revolver.
As to firepower, if I can't end the threat with a couple of .357 magnums, I have a real problem. I've killed 250 lbs boar hog quite dead with .357. I have a lot of confidence in the caliber from hunting experience. Confidence means a lot to me. Either gun is 100 percent reliable, so that has nothing to do with it. When I carry my .357, I normally carry my .38 in strong side front pocket. I carry two speed strips with .38+P as if i were to need them. I have the NY reload if I need it, too, faster than speedloaders. I'm not terribly fast at reloading, auto or revolver. That was one of my weaknesses shooting IDPA. I was accurate and fast, just the reloads were my Achilles heal. I never got any faster than a slow expert because of it. But, I can see few real life scenarios where I'd need more'n a couple of rounds to defend myself.
99 percent of my carry is pocket carry, though, and the KT is more convenient and more powerful than the .38. Firepower, sure, it carries 11 (never got the 12 round mags for it). I guess that's a plus, but it's not the reason I prefer it when carrying pocket only.
However, when I carry IWB on rare occasion, my 3" M66 Taurus is more compact than my Ruger P90. It is also more powerful. So, I really like carrying the revolver. I prefer revolvers anyway to autos, grew up shooting them, shoot 'em naturally, not that I can't shoot that P90, one of my favs, won a lot of shoots with that thing. But, I'll always revert to .357 and to a K frame sized revolver given the choice in a self defense situation.
I just ordered a JIT belt slide holster for the .357. I'm hoping it'll be near as compact under a loose, long tail shirt as is IWB or at least usable and it should be a lot more comfy, I'm thinkin'. If I like it, I might get one for the P90, too, but the P90's grip doesn't quite carry as stealthy as the revolver.
As to firepower, if I can't end the threat with a couple of .357 magnums, I have a real problem. I've killed 250 lbs boar hog quite dead with .357. I have a lot of confidence in the caliber from hunting experience. Confidence means a lot to me. Either gun is 100 percent reliable, so that has nothing to do with it. When I carry my .357, I normally carry my .38 in strong side front pocket. I carry two speed strips with .38+P as if i were to need them. I have the NY reload if I need it, too, faster than speedloaders. I'm not terribly fast at reloading, auto or revolver. That was one of my weaknesses shooting IDPA. I was accurate and fast, just the reloads were my Achilles heal. I never got any faster than a slow expert because of it. But, I can see few real life scenarios where I'd need more'n a couple of rounds to defend myself.
99 percent of my carry is pocket carry, though, and the KT is more convenient and more powerful than the .38. Firepower, sure, it carries 11 (never got the 12 round mags for it). I guess that's a plus, but it's not the reason I prefer it when carrying pocket only.
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