One Platform? Revolver or Semiautomatic?

[Jonah77]

I cannot imagine a scenario involving defensive use of a firearm where someone would *honestly* say-“you know, I think I had too many rounds on me.”

I can easily imagine a scenario where someone would regretfully say-“If only I had more rounds available.”

But that’s just the way *I* look at it. I have zero problem with someone who sees it differently and enthusiastically support them carrying whatever they wish according to their conscience and environment.

 

[Old Dog]

Call me a cynic if you will, but the evil I've been well acquainted with does not travel alone, it seems to prefer the company of like-minded companions. Then, I've read and watched far too much and too many dystopian fiction and motion pictures to believe a revolver will serve me well in an apocalyptic scenario. Yeah, I'm going with higher capacity, faster shots and ease of reloading.

 

[Pat Riot]

Congratulations Everyone! This thread has made it this far without the lame macho blathering on how many rounds are needed for self defense…Oh, wait…

Option C. All of the above.

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

Stay safe.

Like my esteemed colleagues here, I cannot pick just one.
I did try in real life. When I left the Navy I was a diehard 1911 guy. Then years later I bought an S&W 442. Then some Ruger Vaqueros. Then I offloaded the 1911s and for awhile was revolver only then I bought a Glock then another and for a while I had both then sold the Glocks and went revolver only for a few years. Now I have both and I like having both and I will continue to have both. I have over a dozen revolvers and a half dozen semiautos.
I think I need to even the numbers. A dozen of each. Or maybe a new motorcycle…

 

[Ohen Cepel]

If only 1 I would likely go revolver as I find them more versatile. Can be loaded hot or mild without worry on it cycling. If you go with something like a .327mag you have 3 other cartridges it can fire if you want less power. Can also handle snake shot in a revolver which is good at times.

Revolvers also get me more options for hunting.

 

[Spats McGee]

I cannot imagine a scenario involving defensive use of a firearm where someone would *honestly* say-“you know, I think I had too many rounds on me.”...

Only two men in history ever wished they'd been carrying less ammo. One was on fire and the other was trying to swim.

 

[WisBorn]

When I started this thread I felt the voting would end up above 60% in favor of semiautomatics. This primarily because of capacity in sefl defense. As I post this comment the voting is 55% auto loaders 45% revolvers.

First of all I like both platforms.

My answer is S&W Revolvers.
With J, K, L, N, and X frame handguns to choose from and the variety of cartridges. This is why I voted for revolvers Because of versatility .

I could have easily said semiautomatics and Glock. If I had a G42, G23, G30, and G20 my bases would be covered. (Note: I deliberately left out the wonder 9 )

Please remember that the thread was for fun. There was no right or wrong answer as it is opinion. Many good points and the day may come sooner than later that I will vote for the semiautomatic....
Heck I'm considering adding a G29 to compliment my G20. But I keep looking at 1911s

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Dan Wesson Pistol Pac, 2.5", 4", 6", 8 or 10" barrels. shrouds, interchangeable grips, etc.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I would survive just fine with a selection of Ruger revolvers.

 

[UncleEd]

When I started this thread I felt the voting would end up above 60% in favor of semiautomatics. This primarily because of capacity in sefl defense. As I post this comment the voting is 55% auto loaders 45% revolvers.
......
My answer is S&W Revolvers.
.......
I could have easily said semiautomatics.......
.........
Please remember that the thread was for fun. .... Many good points and the day may come sooner than later that I will vote for the semiautomatic.......

UH, OH, you just might be tippy toeing toward the brink of Hades.

 

[Zendude]

I’ll say revolver. The reason is that I enjoy shooting revolvers more than semiautos. Shooting for me is much more of a hobby than a self defense training activity.

 

[Tallball]

I can cover all of my bases with three S&W revolvers and be good with it, Three Ruger revolvers would be fine. If they happened to be good ones, I could be okay with three Taurii, but the trigger on the 22 would need some work.

 

[UncleEd]

Just published in TheRevolverGuy.com

"Lessons learned from the murder of Trooper Philip Lamonaco"

It does bring up the revolver vs.auto debate/discussion.

The article's conclusions, I think, are germane to this thread.
Responses that follow are also interesting.

 

[chaim]

I love both but if I had to pick one it would be an auto. More capacity, lighter and smaller autos are much easier to shoot than light and small revolvers, and modern autos are quite reliable.

If I could only have one make it would be SIG. P365 for carry, 365 Macro if I want a bit bigger but still a carry gun, P229 in 9mm and .40, P220 in 10mm to do most of what my .357mags can do, and they make some nice 1911s so I wouldn't even have to give those up

 

[Mosin77]

If limited to one platform for everything, then I’d have to pick semi auto. I like revolvers and shoot them more than semi autos these days, but a semi auto fills a few critical roles (carry, deep concealment, home defense) so much better, that I’d have to go for an autoloading platform.

 

[DeepSouth]

It’s been interesting to see some of the reasoning behind the decisions in this thread.
Many are primarily defense minded, then tend to go toward the semi’s, while the revolver folks seem to be less focused on that… these are just generalities, obviously.

I know that’s true for myself, in all likelihood I’ll never need to fire a gun in defense, but I shoot them recreationally all the time. So if I’m covering both bases I’ll prioritize the more common scenario.

Not that either line of thinking is wrong, people are different and free to do what they want. It’s just been interesting, glad the OP came up with the question.

 

[Mosin77]

It’s been interesting to see some of the reasoning behind the decisions in this thread.
Many are primarily defense minded, then tend to go toward the semi’s, while the revolver folks seem to be less focused on that… these are just generalities, obviously.

I know that’s true for myself, in all likelihood I’ll never need to fire a gun in defense, but I shoot them recreational all the. So time if I’m covering both bases I’ll prioritize the more common scenario.

Not that either line of thinking is wrong, people are different and free to do what they want. It’s just been interesting, glad the OP came up with the question.

To me, to be honest it’s a bit of a needless theoretical… I feel like the question more or less forces me to answer Glock vs S&W revolver (even though I don’t actually own a single Glock.)

In the real world someone might prefer a Ruger LCR for carry, a Smith L frame for home defense, a Redhawk for hunting… not quite the same platform per se.

But theoretical thought exercises are fun, too. Thank you, OP.

 

[InTheSwamp]

It’s been interesting to see some of the reasoning behind the decisions in this thread.
Many are primarily defense minded, then tend to go toward the semi’s, while the revolver folks seem to be less focused on that… these are just generalities, obviously.

I know that’s true for myself, in all likelihood I’ll never need to fire a gun in defense, but I shoot them recreational all the. So time if I’m covering both bases I’ll prioritize the more common scenario.

Not that either line of thinking is wrong, people are different and free to do what they want. It’s just been interesting, glad the OP came up with the question.

The Semis folks tend to think about the
assailants' firepower and speed of action ( Daily news).
The 6-Shooter's think about making a head shot at 25 yards, while the BG is holding someone hostage...

Both have their merits. Peace.

 

[jstert]

not theoretical, i already played this game for real from 1985 to 2012, in a few hairy situations too: taurus 85 38sp steel snubbie.

 

[LAH]

Sixgun for me.

 

[huntsman]

Semi auto but because of calibers available,

.380 acp, 9mm and .40S&W gives me more variety in gun sizes

 

[jstert]

Just published in TheRevolverGuy.com

"Lessons learned from the murder of Trooper Philip Lamonaco"

It does bring up the revolver vs.auto debate/discussion.

The article's conclusions, I think, are germane to this thread.
Responses that follow are also interesting.

great read, thank you!

 

[weisse52]

Some version of 5” Colt 1911.

 

[tws3b2]

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 wasn't talking "major police departments". I was talking "me". Not you or anyone else.

 

[Jerry M]

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.

I wasn't talking "major police departments". I was talking "me". Not you or anyone else.

It's not 1960 any more; flashmobs and gangs are here now. Assuming you don't get hurt or wounded in the attack,and never miss. Good Luck with your antiquated survival plan.

 

[JR24]

Semi, and Glocks. What I shoot best.