I notice now most of us older guys (50+)

[fireflyfather]

True, but working ALWAYS beats jammed. I'd take a working pellet gun over a busted M14/M16.

I wouldn't. As long as the class III paperwork was in order, I'd sell the M14/16 and buy myself a whole mess of pellet guns. Or better yet, revolvers. Hell, could buy several AR-15s for that price and a few thousand rounds of ammo.

 

[boomcrash]

Like'em both

I am old enough to remember when Hi Powers were retailed at $125, and my first Model 10 was under $90. I once bought a Model 60 in a department store for full retail, $148.

It seems technology gives the nod to autos, but the older revolvers cannot be improved upon. Even the new 1911's are better than the old ones. But thats just my opinion.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I'm with boomcrash... isn't it alright to like them both? I mean it is hard to deny the combat effectiveness of a good auto. It is also hard to deny the beauty, power and shoot-ability of a good revolver.

I guess I feel this way because I am only 31... I grew up shooting revolvers as a kid, then acquired several autos as an adult. I grew up during the revo/auto transition era. In the end, I like both. Same goes for rifles... love bolt/lever guns, but you won't be seeing me selling my AK any time soon.

 

[Jonah71]

Jonah - next time yer at the range, take a tarp with you. Lay it out where the brass is gonna hit, an' you'll recover 80-90% of it without a problem. That's what I do!

Since I get out there so early.....usually as the sun's just comming up, I'll give that a try. Even though I don't re load, I know a lot of people who do that would buy the brass. I shoot my 9mm a lot. With the 16+1 clips, plus the fact that it's never jammed, it's really fun to shoot. It's taken about 2000 rounds for me to get good enough with that little compact to make it fun. If ammo wasn't so expensive, I'd still be going through hundreds of rounds of all sizes every trip to the range. I may have to give some though to loading my own.

 

[gmh1013]

I enjoy firing off a clip from my SIG SP 2022 which IMHO has one of the best
double action triggers out there for under 500 bucks and SIG reputation but
as soon as I fire off a round from my .38 Colt Diamondback it just does not get any better
than my 41 year old Colt....I was hoping that Colt would capitalize one the gun craze
and put out a few KC's and Pythons for old time sake but I'm just dreaming

 

[Lastmohecken]

I grew up shooting Smith and Wesson and Ruger revolvers, and I never cared much for the autos, or had much good luck with them, until I got into IPSC in the early 80's, and I eventually warmed up to the the 1911, and a few other auto's. A well maintained and top quality 1911 is pretty much, just as reliable as a good revolver. I have seen revolvers jam too. I don't have much use for a sorry example of either.

I trust my autos, and I trust my revolvers, but I wouldn't even trust a new revolver until proven, as I have seen plenty with quality control issues.

For many years, I have actually probably carried a Lightweight Commander more then any other gun, because it carries so well, and I can shoot it well. But I have also carried Peacemakers, and Glocks, too, Even mini-revolvers, and Kel-tecs.

For probably 25yrs or more, my nightstand gun, has been my old IPSC days, Colt Series 70, 1911 goverment, with a few extra mags. Mainly, I started keeping this gun out, in condition 3, when my kids were small, because I though it was safer, as they could not work the slide, and I have stuck with it, for the same reason, in that I had to work the slide, before shooting it. And I have stuck with it, although I own many revolvers. One reason was already stated, the other is (no brag, just fact) I am too fast with a revolver, and I am afraid I might wakeup, some night, and pull through that double action pull too fast, at something I don't really want to shoot. If I lived totally by myself, then I might go back to the revolver.

 

[Brian040]

I'm 24 and I have always loved revolvers. I grew up lusting over my dad's GP100 and K-38. There's just something beautiful about a sixgun.

My college graduation gift from my folks was my Ruger SP101 which is my first gun. It's my CCW and home defense weapon and I wouldn't have it any other way. Plus us revolver guys have the best trigger discipline of any hand-gunners.

My peers can have their tupperware, I'll stick with my trusty .357

 

[Avenger29]

I started out CCWing a full size Glock 17. CCWed a full size Ruger Security Six for a while. Now CCW a Browning HP and a CZ 75 Compact.

I run autos and semis and don't discriminate. I prefer a semi for day to day carry.

 

[gmh1013]

I really like reading through all the comments...thanks to all who made this thread run for months!

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

Anybody that doesn't like the model 26 smith, doesn't know guns, i'm 22 and while I love 1911's(isn't exactly a Glock 9mm) i still think those are great guns.

 

[Snowbandit]

I've got both revolvers and autos. Been through the revolver-automatic transition classes twice (with different agencies) and, now that I'm retired all the autos are locked up in the safe and only the revolvers come out to play anymore. I never cared for the autos much.

 

[black_powder_Rob]

I would like to chime in also, i am in love with revolvers. Especially SAA revolvers. forgot to add that i am still a baby at 28.

 

[roaddog28]

I've got both revolvers and autos. Been through the revolver-automatic transition classes twice (with different agencies) and, now that I'm retired all the autos are locked up in the safe and only the revolvers come out to play anymore. I never cared for the autos much.

Me too. My revolvers are the ones I shoot now. Must be my age at 60 years young. I have three ex carry LE revolvers. Still love them over any autoloader I have owned or will own.
But thats just me,
roaddog28

 

[orrwdd]

When you talk about the new generation of 1911's like Kimber and such and the manufacturer says that you need to fire 300 - 400 rounds of hardball before you can depend on it to function every time, I say I'll take either my S&W M19 or my Taurus M85 every time.

At least I know it will shoot a second shot when I need it. And that is when you need it the most!

Bill

 

[Sheepdog1968]

As I've gotten older, I now have a bit more disposable income than when I was 21. Price isn't my main concern. I want something of quality that works reliably. Typically you get what you pay for. I'm not saying it needs to be high end custom; just well built. I am fine spending more. Having said that, I remember in the early 90s when I good AR (1 moa accuracy) could be had for $600. People then we compliaing that it was too much money, etc. I've also learned that I buy what I want to shoot and what I enjoy shooting. I've constatnly got folks offering their opinions on what is the best and what I should be shooting. Of course, every one has a different opinion on the matter.

 

[exdetsgt]

I took that 1970 15-3 to the range yesterday. Maybe 20 people there and I was the only shooter with a revolver. I put up a 4" radius target at 25 yards and all 24 rounds were inside the outer ring. Then I stuck up another 4" target and tried 24 rounds with my duty Glock 21 that I bought new last month.

The Smith&Wesson Combat Masterpiece simply outshot the Glock 21, despite the Glock's longer (4.60 inch) barrel. I decided shooting the Smith SA was unfair against a DA-only pistol. Did it again, this time both DA. I had 4 outside the ring, but still on the paper with the Smith. With the Glock I had 8 outside the ring, but still on the paper.

This is hardly the sort of match-up that would have any scientific validity, but in terms of sheer fun and a joy to shoot, the Smith wins hands down.

 

[gearchecker]

I'm 51.5 years OLD, I own 6 revolvers and 2 Semi-autos.
I love my wheelguns, but the autos are much easier on the hands, wrists, and shoulders.
For PD I keep the 9mm and .45. For hunting, hiking and camping I keep the .357 & .44 mag on hand.
Each has it's purpose. As long as my wife keeps letting my buy them I'll keep coming up with uses for them. Then I'll get creative.

 

[Stophel]

I'm 38, and a die-hard revolver man (and yes, revolvers ARE pistols!). I am not opposed to autos per se, but I just don't like any of them. Most of them have safeties, and that alone is enough for me to not like them (I DETEST manual safeties on handguns!). I have a nice SA 1911, that I bought in the 90's, not long after I turned 21. I've done a lot of things to it, grips, Dwyer Group Gripper (it WORKS, by the way!), extended slide stop, etc. but the thing just does not suit me. Does not fit my hand, does NOT point well.

My M&P, on the other hand (one of several...oh, and as far as I'm concerned the ONLY "M&P" is a .38!!) fits like a glove, given good grips. Points wonderfully and naturally.

I've been working (slowly) on one of the S&W 21-4's, getting it suitably "oldified" for my tastes, including plugging that hideous hole in the side, reshaping the lug they have for a cylinder holder thingy down to a more proper looking "stud", etc. I'll get it done eventually, and this is going to be my main packin' pistol. .44 Special, what's not to love?

I'd be happier with this gun, or a .38 Masterpiece, or a Colt Dragoon, or just about anything else over a rattly, plastic, top heavy modern semi auto.

My S&W M&P will easily be useful 100 years after its manufacture. I wonder how many Glocks will be around even 50 years from now?

 

[Steve 48]

I own both revolvers and semi auto's. I usually grab my revolvers when I go out the door.

 

[Brian Dale]

Most of my handguns are revolvers. To me, they have clean lines, good pointability and smooth triggers, and I can hit with them. That's a win.

 

[Hawk]

I'm 60 (next year) and still don't take sides. However, the stereotype of the "older preferring revolvers" has merit. There will always be exceptions but, if I recall the poll correctly, there was a distinct platform preference shift when age was factored in.

Another plausible stereotype applied to older folks generally is that they have been known to prefer older stuff and engage in a degree of nostalgia.

This is rather obvious to us "dual nationals" that are in both the semi-auto and revolver forums. Nostalgia and preference for older stuff in autoloaders is nearly non-existent whereas the revolver forum is thick with it.

It's very rare in semis that anyone will recommend an older version of a current product - pre-type II Kimbers and genuine GI 1911s come to mind but few would suggest a pre-2003 HK, SIG or Glock - it just doesn't occur to people to talk in such a fashion. A thread about a S&W M&P autoloader stands a chance of skating off the bottom of the screen without the lock being brought up once.

A similar thread in revolvers not drawing some snarky comment would be nothing short of a miracle.

It seems most "recommend a DA revolver" threads will draw comments making heavy use of the prefix "pre-" or invoking the name of some defunct manufacturer such as Colt or Dan Wesson.

It seems that the stereotypical older preference for a specific platform isn't just for the platform - it's for older versions of that platform. I'd be curious if much of the older support for the platform would erode if a qualifier was added stating that the firearm in question must be of current year manufacture.

My bet is that the support for the specific platform by the older folks would take it smooth in the shorts if it had to be based on marching into a gunshop today and being restricted to only the "new" section. It's an admittedly artificial filter on responses but would be no worse than some of the polls here.

 

[skoro]

I notice now most of us older guys (50+) perfer revolvers to high cap auto's.

I own both revolvers and semiautos. I have a 3-gun carry rotation and two of them are semis. On the other hand, both of my HD weapons are k-frame revolvers. So, it would be difficult for me to give a straight up answer on which I preferred. I'll just say that both styles have their place and either will serve well if called to action.

 

[jh9x18ky]

48.5 yrs here, and yea, a revolver fan. I have 4 S&W revolvers( 2 j frames, 2 k frames), 1 Ruger DA, 3 Ruger SA, 1 1911, 1 polymer auto, and 1 makarov. About 85% of the time, the j-frames are my carry guns. Nothing against polymers or hi-caps or pocket autos.... more comfortable and familiar with revolvers.

 

[gmh1013]

I sure Nostalgia plays a big role in buying revolvers vs. Auto.
I can be very Nostalgic for a 1911 but I softy for a Colt anything, auto or revolver I like'em all

 

[TexasRedneck]

It's funny - if it's a wheel gun, ah want a S&W. Semi, a Colt. Dunno why, but ah've always been like that.