Having trouble deciding: revolver or semi auto

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Jason_W

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I’m gradually rebuilding my personal armory and having recently found myself with some disposable cash, I’ve decided on a handgun as my next addition.

I’ve owned both at one point or another and I understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.

I like the price of semi autos and while the 9mm isn’t really an exciting round, it is adequate for defense and a cheap way to build fundamentals. If I’m honest, I have an easier time hitting targets with an auto as opposed to a wheel gun. Not sure why that is.

That said, there’s just something right about how a revolver feels in the hand. Also, I am in California and our likely next governor is even more anti gun than the last. Revolvers are lower down the ban list than autos.

Is there anything else I’m not considereding?

Edit: I had meant to post this to the general handgun forum. Perhaps the mods can move it if they’re so inclined.
 
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Jason, instead of a 9mm, have you considered a .40 cal.? Larger caliber, more power, but probably only 8-10 rounds in a single stack.
Personal preference - revolver, specifically a .357. You can shoot .38 Specials for lower power or close range and save the full power .357 for when needed. There is also more variability of ammo with the .38/.357.
If this is for concealed carry, a semi may be better as it is less likely to "print" through clothing. If you are of a "stocky build", a semi will also be thinner. The one problem with semis is that they are more mechanically complex and can have problems the revolver will not like a "stovepipe" (jammed round) or a FtF (dud). With a DA revolver, just pull the trigger again - no racking required.
 
Revolvers have some nice advantages over pistols. They will happily eat ammunition at a wide variety of power levels (especially the .327 and 357 mags), the grips can be replaced to better suit the hand, and, most important IMO, they lend themselves to dry fire practice so much better than most pistols do. Get a DA revolver, master that DA trigger, and you'll shoot better with every gun you own.

And if you reload, you're not chasing brass or even full-length resizing it.
 
The hand loader friendly aspect of the revolver is a selling point for me that I forgot about in the op.

We have a few new laws kicking in come July that will make me a hand loader only.
 
There are a lot of nice semi autos out there. I love the 9mm. Easy to shoot and easy to reload. Inexpensive if you have to buy the ammo. Cost of ammo is a consideration. If it is expensive to shoot, well you will not shoot that much. We have a couple of STIs and man they are awsome. Not a traditional 1911, but close enough for me.

But then there is the revolver. You nailed.... there is just something with revolvers. Kind of comparing an automatic transmission to a classic standard for me. There is something about shifting into gears. You are more involved. Same with a revolver. My favorite so far is our S&W 686 plus with a five inch barrel. Loaded with a 158 gr swc and 14.5 grains of 2400 is just special. That gun is stupid accurate.

Timely thread because I have a hankering for Ruger LCR 38sp. My edc is a sig p938, but I think I need a revolver. Enjoy your search. You will be happy no matter what direction you go. All guns are fun :)
 
Either will serve. If i lived in California, I think I would probably go with a revolver first. A Ruger GP100 with a 4 or (preferably) 6 inch barrel would be a good choice. Just avoid the snub noses.

Have a gunsmith polish the trigger group and l;earn to shoot double action . it's not hard.
 
Jason_W

My first "love" with handguns was with revolvers. Eventually though I came to see a lot of advantages that the semi-auto had to offer that I gradually sold or traded off most of my wheelguns for semi-autos. The last few years I have been slowly restocking my handgun collection with more revolvers, sort of making up for lost time.

If I were looking to add one of each I would probably opt for a 1911 of some sort (.45, .38 Super, or 9mm.), and a .357 with a 4" barrel (like an older S&W Model 686 or else a new Ruger GP100.
 
I have a handful of semis but the fact my only revolver is going back for warranty work has me more sad than is should, like "Careless Whisper" sad. Given the location and laws, intent to reload, and mainly being a range toy I think a wheel gun is the easy winner.
 
You are in California. This means a few things, from a practical standpoint:
1- you won't be able to legally take full advantage of the 9mm in something like a Glock 19, (or a M&p full size, or a full size XD, or BHP, etc.) because you will be limited to 10 round mags
2- you won't be able to take legally full advantage of the 9mm in a carry gun (or any other caliber or gun for that matter) like a S&W shield, Ruger LC9, etc. because its California, and you will probably never be able to legally carry it at all.
3- you stated yourself that you shoot autos better than wheelguns. That's ok, so do I.
If I was in that situation (living there) and I wanted to have the best "bang for my buck" for a handgun that wouldn't scare the depends off feinstein, that would live in my house, and be used for the range and double for HD, but have sufficient power, capability, and reliability, I would choose a single stack 1911 in 45 ACP. At the risk of making the "1911 purists" vomit, may I suggest:

Springfield Armory operator with rail, and attached light. A real joy to shoot, and ready for action 24/7 with both white light and trijicon sights.That's a 10 round McCormick magazine, so you are maxed out on ammo and in compliance with the stupid laws enacted to keep you safe.

op screenshot.png
 
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Another option if the rail doesn't suit you, or is too pricey- this is a mil-spec SA with some light customization. For me, all 1911's I actually use MUST have Novak style dovetail sights. It can be used with a secondary light source like this surefire 6P, and has a flush-fit mag (maybe the purists will forgive me for the last photo). Also, there is an accessory called a recover-rail that make standard 1911's able to mount a light without permanent modification to the pistol.

screenshot.png screenshot.png
 
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Revolvers in general- better-
More accurate
Sight not on a moving loose slide that may return to a different position after each firing.
Better triggers
Dont have to chase brass.
Not getting hit in the head by brass or hot brass down your shirt. :cuss:
 
If I’m honest, I have an easier time hitting targets with an auto as opposed to a wheel gun.
Then I think you answered your question , at least in regards to where to start.

Reistablish your fundamentals then get a revolver next.
 
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Saying that learning to shoot a revolver well will enable you to shoot anything is faint praise indeed. Bottom line is that revolvers are harder to shoot well than single action semi-autos. All the practice in the world won’t totally erase that difference.

As for chasing brass, that is a minority concern. Get real. Reloading is popular among the dedicated folks here, but it applies to only a tiny minority of gun owners. I never chase brass from my semi-autos. I sweep it downrange where it belongs.

Semi-autos are where it is at. And nothing makes as much sense as 9 mm for the vast majority of pistol owners.
 
"Bottom line is that revolvers are harder to shoot well than single action semi-autos."

That's not the case for me, and I have plenty of both.

My first "real" handgun was a 4" 357. If I could only have one handgun, that would still be my choice.
 
"Bottom line is that revolvers are harder to shoot well than single action semi-autos."

That's not the case for me, and I have plenty of both.

My first "real" handgun was a 4" 357. If I could only have one handgun, that would still be my choice.
I should have said, “In my opinion....”. Different strokes for different folks.
 
You said your probable next governor is even more anti gun and revolvers were way down on the list of no-nos, so perhaps NOW is the time to get your semi while it can still be grandfathered in and then get your revolver.
 
Ya, once the mega-anti-gun San Francisco-bred trust fund baby wins the Governors election the 2A will be in his claws ASAP.

I like the 1911 idea as posted above, it holds less than 10 and will be a great pistol to learn with.

Stay safe!
 
Saying that learning to shoot a revolver well will enable you to shoot anything is faint praise indeed. Bottom line is that revolvers are harder to shoot well than single action semi-autos. All the practice in the world won’t totally erase that difference.

As for chasing brass, that is a minority concern. Get real. Reloading is popular among the dedicated folks here, but it applies to only a tiny minority of gun owners. I never chase brass from my semi-autos. I sweep it downrange where it belongs.

Semi-autos are where it is at. And nothing makes as much sense as 9 mm for the vast majority of pistol owners.

I’m one of those in the minority. I’m a handloader. I resent ranges that have a rule that prohibits you from collecting your brass.

Here in California, starting in July, we’re going to have to undergo a background check every time we buy so much as a box of .22 lr. As of now, home brews (so to speak) are under the radar.

I also forgot to factor in the California handgun roster into my choice. We’re very limited on what semi-autos are allowed to be sold to civilians here. There’s an extra special “safe handgun” roster that dictates what can be sold. In 2013, a micro stamping provision was added as a safety criteria, effectively banning new handgun models from the state. Revolvers are exempt from the micro stamping provision.
 
Ya, once the mega-anti-gun San Francisco-bred trust fund baby wins the Governors election the 2A will be in his claws ASAP.

I like the 1911 idea as posted above, it holds less than 10 and will be a great pistol to learn with.

Stay safe!
I second the 1911, but would opt for a 9 mm model. 9 mm is just too cheap, too plentiful, too readily available, too easy to shoot and too highly regarded as an effective choice for self defense to choose anything else for a first gun. If you want to just keep your gun by your bed, 45ACP is fine. But if you want to shoot the snot out of it, go with 9 mm.
 
38 ammo has gotten a o more expensive recently, and other revolver ammo was already expensive. 9mm keeps staying cheap. If you shoot a bottomfeeder better anyways and are worried about a California law change then all signs point towards a semiauto in 9mm. The only other cheap auto is 40sw and I’m not impressed with 40. Semiautos are cheaper to buy than revolvers too. All signs point to the semiauto being the logical choice, therefore the correct answer has to be revolver.

Somebody mentioned reloading...9 and 40sw brass are so plentiful you can get decent quantities for free. Primers are 3 cents or less. Powder is a penny or less. Bullets are about a nickel for 9mm, about 7 cents for 40sw. 9 to 11 cents per shot... yeah that’s cheap enough.
 
I stopped by a shop today to check out what they had. I’m leaning toward the new model GP-100. I had an older model about 10 years ago and while the old style grips looked nicer, the new rubber grips fill my hand a lot better. I know Ruger is also making an 8 shot Redhawk that loads via moon clips, but that’s getting a little expensive and it looks like it might be a real pig in a 4” or 5.5” barrel.

The 1911 idea has me intrigued. I’m thinking I should pick up a few of those before I commit.

I know the polymer nines have come a long way in terms of reliability since their introtroduction, but I just have a hard time getting excited about plastic. There’s something reassuring about the weight of steel.
 
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