What do you like about revolvers?

[JCMAG]

I have no issues with "staging" the trigger. It is a more accurate slow fire method that S&W allows through engineering, damn their lawyer books. But in a real combat situation, double-action is a key shooting method.

"Staging" is for target practice. As for me, revolvers feel right and right reliable. They speak to the soul.

 

[RX-178]

I don't currently own a revolver (as I've lamented in the 'ultimate revolver picture thread'... I really want to contribute!)

But I love revolvers. Partly because of how simple they are, and because of how much freedom you have when loading your own ammo. Partly because of the way a revolver LOOKS when compared to a semi auto.

A revolver in .38 or .357 magnum, with a 4-6" barrel also gives this kind of AURA of making shots count. It's not something that's logical, but if you look through that revolver image thread that's stickied up above, chances are you've felt that same aura on a few of those images.

Even one of those 8-shot 327 M&P R8s with the tactical rails all over them don't give off the same 'mall ninja' vibe that a glock with a scope rail does. I can't help but chalk that up to the idea of using 8 rounds in a cylinder vs 17 rounds in a magazine.

 

[BigBlock]

Semi-autos are minivans, revolvers are sports cars.

Minivans are generally for women. They carry more people, and probably more gas. They're generally cheaper, and they do exactly what they were designed for just fine, but they lack horsepower. Lots of people are embarrassed to be seen with them.

Sports cars are for men. They cost a bit more, and they don't have as much capacity, but it'll kick your ass in the quarter mile. I'm always proud to show mine off - it doesn't look like the same peice of plastic everybody else has. But if your job was driving people around all day, you wouldn't choose the sports car.

I challenge *ANYONE* here to come break into my house and see if you make it out alive after "only" 6 magnum rounds.

 

[Feanaro]

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that analogy, because I keep seeing the "minivans" outpacing the "sports cars" in fast paced competitions.

 

[Hawk]

Hmmm.

The first time a Miculek drives a sports car as fast as a minivan the Youtube video goes viral 'cause, well, it's news.

STI's 2,500.00 minivans are typically seen as reasonably priced but their 1,260.00 sports car is way overpriced because it's more than a Colt sportscar. But sportscars cost a bit more?

Minivans are generally cheaper. That's why Nighthawk, Wilson, Baer and Brown have all gone out of business.

"Lots of people are embarrassed to be seen with" minivans but the sports car section of the forum has threads like:
Ever get flamed for carrying a sports car.

Why are snub-nosed sports cars recommended so often for "best first gun for my wife" if they're mostly for men?


Analogy = Doesn't work.

 

[thejetman]

I like revolvers because I just bought one. I am prior military so I know the importance of S.P.O.R.T.S. or slap, pull, observe, release, tap, squeeze. You have any idea how many times an auto has jammed on me? Of all types and varieties, from my M-4 all the way up to "Ma-Deuce" Every one I have fired has jammed, and there is some retarded acronim to fix said issue. Usually to no avail.

I waited for 6 months to finally decide to buy a weapon. I went to all sorts of gun shows and stores, picking up, handling, and just plain trying them on for size. I looked at many different types, shapes, sizes, and that all stopped when I picked up a 4" Ruger GP100. In Atlanta's biggest gun show, there were 2. People were buying Glocks like they were going out of style in the famed 9mm variety. I just couldn't talk myself into a plastic pistol.

The real satisfaction was that when I was filling out the paperwork a prior service guy was getting a Walther P22 with a threaded barrel, I looked over and said, "Nice Choice". He glanced over to my piece, and replied, " Great choice." I was humbled.

 

[krs]

I used to like my revolvers because I'd be able to surprise some folks with them from time to time.....

 

[420Stainless]

For me, shooting is mostly a form of recreation. I like to shoot often, but I don't get much enjoyment out of slapping in magazines and getting as many down range in the fastest time possible. I'll leave the speed competitions for others who find joy in it. I enjoy the time it takes to unload and reload double and single action revolvers. They have artful curvature (beautiful to look at) and are fun to shoot. They suit me in the same way that flyrods and longbows do. While I also love and mostly only carry semiauto's; revolvers appeal to me in a different way and are every bit as effective on the target as any other form of handgun.

 

[BigBlock]

Analogy = Doesn't work.

Only because you've already proven in this thread you are anti revolver. I don't think anyone cares to hear your same opinion over and over and over and over. :banghead: The analogy is a very good one, you just don't want to admit you drive a minivan.

 

[Hawk]

Only because you've already proven in this thread you are anti revolver.

The search function is your friend. You'd find I have and enjoy a pretty fair range of revolvers. In fact, there's more of them than my [strike]semi-autos[/strike] mini-vans.

A bogus analogy is bogus regardless of what I shoot which, right now sees a 325 and 627 in the range bag - mostly because the 57s need a rest. Heck, you could've caught a pic of my 627 earlier in the thread. Yup, really got to be anti-revolver to buy one of those. (btw, I like it.)

Revolver love is all well and good but that analogy = epic fail. You may, of course, feel free to address the reasons I felt it didn't work rather than simply taking breathtakingly wrong guesses about what I shoot.

Anti-revolver. That's rich.
Anti-revolver love threads? That can hit pretty close to home from time to time. Your analogy has now joined the several reasons why that might be so.

 

[BigBlock]

Hawk, you can only take an analogy so far before you start to look like an idiot. Like I said, the analogy works perfectly and long as you don't *ACTUALLY* think I'm talking about minivans.

Furthermore, Hawk, the title of this thread is "What do you like about revolvers?". If you don't have an answer to that question to post, then stop posting here. If you want to start your own post about how much you love semi autos, then go to that forum and post it.

Additionally, I really think you should find a dictionary and look up the definition of the word "hyperbole". If you would like to continue this stupid arguement, PM me, don't post it here, this thread is again, "What do you like about revolvers?".

 

[Hawk]

Additionally, I really think you should find a dictionary and look up the word "hyperbole".

We have found common ground.

Analogies like the above don't work because blanket statements don't work - it's too easy to find exceptions. RG, Nighthawk, Pythons, Glocks, Korth and Hi-Point. But we're probably agreed on that as well.

We're also agreed on the title of the thread.

We're no doubt not in agreement on the virtues of "love" threads. I tend not to have much use for "love" threads but perhaps I am simply not used to having my revolvers questioned. If they were, perhaps I'd have been the one that posted the "ever been flamed..." thread.

But, on a semi-serious note, revolvers, on average (I'll avoid blanket statements)
Aren't more expensive.
Aren't faster.
Aren't more for men.

If the basic premise is flawed, the analogy never stood a chance. I didn't have to proceed as though you weren't actually talking about minivans. It didn't work as "revolvers and semis".

The analogy might hang together if all revolvers were Pythons and all semis were polymer duty-issue weapons but that's not the world we live in.

Still, revolver love threads will live long and unmolested lives.
...provided I'm not awake when the more outlandish stuff goes down.

 

[BigBlock]

But, on a semi-serious note, revolvers, on average (I'll avoid blanket statements)
Aren't more expensive.
Aren't faster.
Aren't more for men.

Have you ever been in a gunshop before? Plastic guns are usually in the $300-600 range. Yes there are exceptions. Revolvers (NEW) are more like $300-$1000. Again, there are a few exceptions. Note the word FEW.

I never said revolvers were faster, it was a figure of speach.

Finally, I think I've only ever seen one woman in the local gunshop. They sell mostly revolvers. Additionally, tame rounds and recoil compensated semi autos are generally a much better choice for a woman. Again, there are a few exceptions.

 

[Hawk]

Have you ever been in a gunshop before?

A time or two.

Plastic guns are usually in the $300-600 range. Yes there are exceptions.

"Semi-auto" does not necessarily equal "plastic". There's still a lot of metal ones out there. I even have a few all-metal ones. I'll refrain from asking if you've been in a gunshop - perhaps those in your area only stock plastic semi-autos.

Revolvers (NEW) are more like $300-$1000. Again, there are a few exceptions. Note the word FEW.

No argument here - the last two I bought were over 1K. My .22 revolver was in the range you quote.
My last semi-auto ran me 1,800.00.

I never said revolvers were faster, it was a figure of speach.

...but it'll kick your ass in the quarter mile.

Silly me.

Finally, I think I've only ever seen one woman in the local gunshop. They sell mostly revolvers. Additionally, tame rounds and recoil compensated semi autos are generally a much better choice for a woman. Again, there are a few exceptions.

A pity. There are several where I go.
In fact, my CHL instructor was female.
Still, I'll take that at face value and look forward to your input in "general handguns" the next time recommendations for women are solicited. I gather that you don't recommend a revolver for the ladies?

 

[Timthinker]

Safety. In my experience, fewer accidental discharges occur with double-action revolvers than semi-auto handguns. Everyone that I know who has experienced an accidental discharge with a handgun was armed with a semi-auto when their mishap occured. Now, I am not stating that accidents are not possible with DA revolvers, just more unlikely to happen.


Timthinker

 

[florida1098]

Love the way revolvers feel compared to Glocks. I have my first issue model 10 and my wifes NYPD model 64 all doing bedside duty. Also a never fired 19-4and a 66-4, and father-in-laws original NYPD model 10 from 1960. My brother in law just contributed a NYPD Ruger Service Six. Finally a model 27-3 4 inch(I've been trying to sell for 5 months at $450 no takers yet)
However, would never carry one, while out. Either a Glock 27 or 29 covers that requirement. Just can't give up the extra capacity anymore. Not to mention the lighter weight.

 

[crebralfix]

I've been contemplating this for awhile now. In terms of "tactical" self-defense, I'm not big on revolvers. But, for other purposes, I think they're just fine.

What I like:

1) Appearance. I think they look good. I prefer a dark blued finish over stainless, but even stainless guns look good.

2) Cylinder fed. The cylinder is much easier on ammunition. No bullet set back issues, minimal ammunition rotation. Just open the cylinder and drop them in. This is a great feature if you have only a few expensive self-defense rounds.

3) No magazines to lose or break. No maintenance, no breaking them down after a class and picking out the pebbles.

4) Trigger. I actually like the double action trigger. A well done double action revolver trigger is very, very nice and easy to use.

5) Accuracy.

6) Power. Revolvers are MADE for reloaders. Just look at what THE LOAD can do. (THE LOAD is a really, really hot loading of 38 Special fired from 357 Magnum guns and is known to cause "instant liability-itis", flaming, and consternation on gun forums).

7) SHTF utility. A revolver would be of great benefit in a long term disaster situation because of the lack of magazines. All one needs is a pocket to hold spare ammunition. A revolver in 38 Special with 50 rounds of good ammunition and a holster may be very, very valuable.

8) Concealability. Those who think an N-Frame isn't concealable aren't doing it right. I find that my S&W M27 Registered Magnum (square butt) is VERY concealable. The grips go UP, not OUT. A holster with proper forward cant means the bottom of the grip does not print at all. The cylinder's width is not a problem either.


What I don't like:

1) Reload times. They're just danged difficult to reload quickly, under pressure and on the move. Moonclips come close to being useful. Most revolvers are not cut for moonclips, though. I can reload my semi-autos in one or two steps, but need at least three to five for a revolver (depending on the ammo carrier).

2) Low capacity. My main problem is that the speed at which I shoot means I run out of ammunition very quickly. I have this problem with seven or eight round capacity semi-autos such as the SIG P220, but the reload is very quick.

3) Carrying spare ammunition is difficult and quantities are lower. You've seen the stuff I've built...and I'm still figuring it out. I ran though a bunch of rounds on the range (with a J-Frame and Ruger SP101) trying to figure this out. So far, all I know is I need to experiment more.

4) Grips. Revolver grips can be difficult to fit correctly, though I've gotten around that with Mr. Dremel.

 

[Prepster]

I love the looks, history, and accuracy.

Even better is the look on your friend's face when they shoot a $450 revolver better than their $800 HK on their first try, and then try to rationalize why they still made the better purchase.

 

[sniper5]

I'm an auto guy, but there are advantages to revolvers.

1. Wide range of load tolerance. You can run everything from full wad squib to +P+ Magnum (assuming magnum revolver) and even mix in the same cylinder.

2. Easier to teach/use. Pull the trigger. Repeat as necessary.

3. Selectable single/double action trigger pull as desired on a shot by shot basis.

4. Wider range of grip size/configuration in the same firearm.

 

[thejetman]

I think a revolver teaches you to shoot better BECAUSE there is more involved with reloading. I beleive that they are a more versatile weapon than an auto. Can you take a deer with a 9 at 50 yards or so? There is more timing involved with the steps you have to take to perform this task. Its like shooting a bow. You will have greater respect for a compound bow if you have shot a long bow, no release, open sights for a while, then just to jump into something with all the bells and whistles.

It all comes down to what you need it for. That means it is perfect for me, with training and practice, i will be able to handle mine with like an auto. In terms of speed of course.

As for having 6 shots. If i need more than six shots of .357, then I should be running scared anyways.

 

[pps]

Bigblock wrote, Semi-autos are minivans, revolvers are sports cars.

Minivans are generally for women. They carry more people, and probably more gas. They're generally cheaper, and they do exactly what they were designed for just fine, but they lack horsepower. Lots of people are embarrassed to be seen with them.

Sports cars are for men. They cost a bit more, and they don't have as much capacity, but it'll kick your ass in the quarter mile. I'm always proud to show mine off - it doesn't look like the same peice of plastic everybody else has. But if your job was driving people around all day, you wouldn't choose the sports car.

I challenge *ANYONE* here to come break into my house and see if you make it out alive after "only" 6 magnum rounds.
__________________

The tone of your post makes it sound like you wouldn't dare condescend low enough to drive a mini-van (semi-auto) unless you had to. I don't drive a sports car (revolver) to "show mine off". I drive it because I like it, not because I dislike the other. Nor do I feel that the "minivan" and its driver are inferior; as your "lots of people are embarrassed to be seen with them" line seems to imply.

Before you reply that I'm bashing revolvers, please understand that I now own only revolvers. I've just never felt a need to validate why I like them, and chose them over semi-autos...though I am looking at two CZ's as we speak