One Platform? Revolver or Semiautomatic?

[Legionnaire]

While I enjoy semiautos, my perspective is colored by my long time enjoyment of hunting. If I could only have one handgun it would be a 4-inch GP100 in .357 Mag. Since I'm not limited to only one, though, I'll also include a 3-inch GP100 in .44 Special and a 7.5-inch Bisley Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag. Given that I reload for all of them, they are a very versatile set. Revolvers might not be best for concealed carry, but they work. So add a 2.5-inch SP101. Can you tell I kind of like Rugers?

 

[LiveLife]

If you could only have one platform revolver or semiautomatic what would it be? Please take it one step further with a brand of firearms.

Glock 22/23 for me.

• Shoot 40S&W with factory barrels
• Shoot 9mm with 40-9mm conversion barrels for cheaper practice
• Shoot 22LR with Advantage Arms 22LR slide kit for even cheaper practice
• Same trigger and manual of arms for defensive shooting drills or range blasting fun
• Very transferable for close range defensive point shooting drills at multiple targets

 

[SDGlock23]

As much as I love revolvers I'd have to go semi auto if I were to only have one or the other.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Semi-auto's: Fantasy / make-believe it is..... I'd bring back the famous Y. Yary... IZH sport pistol IJ30/35M match pistol made in the finest metals and machining. With actual parts and tuned mags available. (Still wondering why, they used such soft screws)

 

[cfullgraf]

One platform does not work for me.

I prefer semi-autos for self defense. Yes, larger, more powerful guns are available, but sometimes, small concealable guns are the order of the day.

Out in the woods, concealment is not as big an issue. So, firearm of choice would be to fend off the target expected. So, a revolver might be a better choice.

But there is lots of grey area in this arens.

 

[The Kingfish]

Definitely the platform that's capable of shooting any caliber from 22lr to 500S&W.

 

[dawei]

Revolvers for me, specifically, 38, 357, and 41.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

Not gonna happen. Wasted thread............

 

[tws3b2]

I'm not into round count. The odds of me needing more than 6 is so far out there that it's just ridiculous. I am into reliability. I just have not found that in autos. But, I do have more autos than revolvers.
Just me.

 

[Bazoo]

Revolver here. Rugers specifically. Single actions, and double actions to suit every need.

 

[CajunBass]

Many years ago, a fellow named Skeeter Skelton convinced me that a 4" medium frame 357 revolver was the "best all around" handgun a man could own.

I haven't seen anything over the last 50 years or so to convince me he was wrong.

 

[Tallball]

If it had to be just one handgun, a 3" 38. Would have to decide between 3" j-frame and 3" k-frame.

 

[Jonah77]

Glock 22/23 for me.

• Shoot 40S&W with factory barrels
• Shoot 9mm with 40-9mm conversion barrels for cheaper practice
• Shoot 22LR with Advantage Arms 22LR slide kit for even cheaper practice
• Same trigger and manual of arms for defensive shooting drills or range blasting fun
• Very transferable for close range defensive point shooting drills at multiple targets

Good plan….and the one I follow.

If the house was on fire and I only had time to grab ONE bag.

I have several other *good* options, but THAT would be the bag I’d grab-for those very reasons.

 

[Rexster]

Revolving Pistol, Ruger.

The GP100, with the original-pattern factory grip, fits me better than any handgun I have yet found. Grip size is not the only factor; the distance to the trigger, and the shape of the trigger, are important. Long-stroke DA, in a weapon that fits me, is the most stress-resistant trigger system. When I draw a GP100, such as the one shown in my avatar image, I do not have to consciously think about the operation of the weapon. So, Revolving Pistol, Ruger.

As my aging right hand’s ability, to firmly grip things, goes downhill, the Ruger SP101 remains an absolute best handgun for my right hand to grip, in the event that a struggle is at contact distance. (Smaller handguns are too small for my right hand to firmly grasp.) So, again, Revolving Pistol, Ruger.

Shooting for fun is not forgotten. Single Action Sixguns are fun. Ruger makes those, too.

I do not yet own a Ruger .22 LR revolver, so, would have to add one, or a few.

Edited to add: I have used revolvers for deadly serious things. I used my first GP100 to fire my only defensive shot, in the line of duty. On another occasion, during a wild car chase, when one of the opponents was using a full-auto “MAC 10” type of weapon, I had a Ruger Redhawk, .41 Magnum, in my hands, with my 4” duty .41 Mag S&W in my holster, and felt that I was better-armed, by far. (I knew what his weapon was, because I got a look, as their car sped by us, and, at the end of the chase, I found it underneath their car, and was the officer who cleared it. During the chase, we were the fifth police unit, so, I was not in a position to return fire.)

 

[Spats McGee]

I'd have to go with semiauto. I've had a few revolvers over the years, but I just don't enjoy them as much. Narrowing it down to a single brand would be a little more difficult, I'd say either S&W or Ruger, in no particular order.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I'm set with good revolver platform with my Dan Wesson 15-2 & 715 pistol packs in 357. I've never considered carrying it with the 2.5" snuby barrel but I could make it work if I had to but much prefer 1911 for personnel protection. I like the Desert Eagle multi-caliber platform for a semi-auto but it's just not practical other than as a range toy for me.

 

[Riomouse911]

I… just can’t. I like them both equally as they do different things for different situations.

Stay safe.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Semi-auto. Make it 9mm.
The Frontier was closed in 1890.

 

[Jerry M]

In a CIVILIAN context, the odds of needing more than 5 shots of .38/.357/.44 to defend one’s livelihood and physical well-being have been statistically shown countless times to be MORE than enough in the VAST amount of cases.

In short, for the armed citizen, revolvers do JUST fine.

Revolvers also gave other benefits for civilian shooters. Easier to check if loaded, more reliable under certain conditions, more tolerant or stagnitible storage conditions, and able to utilize civilian oriented rounds such as snake loads with efficiency.

Please cite you sources. Seems to me there are more instances of multiple assailants. Most major police departments went to semi-autos by the late 80's.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Please cite you sources. Seems to me there are more instances of multiple assailants. Most major police departments went to semi-autos by the late 80's.

I should add, multiple assailants with higher cap weapons. The revolver, as cool and effective it may be, is not the adequate tool for the times we're living in.

 

[Jonah77]

Please cite you sources. Seems to me there are more instances of multiple assailants. Most major police departments went to semi-autos by the late 80's.

Cities are burning…..home invasions have become a suburban sport…

“Hmmmm…6 rounds should do it.”

Lol

(busting)

 

[jmr40]

I appreciate the workmanship of a well-made revolver. But I'd pick a semi 10 times out of 10.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Semi everyday and twice on Sunday.
And make mine a CZ.

I could rid myself of all my other semis and be just fine.

I could rid myself of all my revolvers as they are safe queen snakes, and be perfectly happy, although that Anaconda is kinda awesome.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Semi everyday and twice on Sunday

That's what Custer said!

 

[UncleEd]

I should add, multiple assailants with higher cap weapons. The revolver, as cool and effective it may be, is not the adequate tool for the times we're living in.

If those multiple assailants have lost one or two of their
buddies, they of course will not lose morale but
redouble their efforts to attack and the outcome will
be the same whether you had a 6-shot revolver or
a 17-shot auto.

Now, if you reached hard cover protection, no doubt
the assailants would calculate that your revolver is
about to go dry or has already and they will risk
themselves.

Of course, perhaps my scenarios are a bit silly but
so are the ideas that a hi-cap firearm will scare away
or subdue multiple assailants, especially if they have
surprised you.

And on and on the possibilities. It's what "gun schools"
and gun magazines and some manufacturers
love to preach for continued sales.

Now, if you prefer an auto and are better with it than
a wheelgun, that's fine. Even if you'r not but feel
more comfortable with lots of ammo, fine.
But don't discount the folks who prefer revolvers.

By the way, what police and the military think is
necessary doesn't translate to the needs of the
"civilian" Ordinary Joe/Jane going about their
daily business.