Why a Revolver?

[Hawk]

The double action revolver as "Zen" can be a fun analogy but it's not like they've been untouched by the passage of time.

The runaway popularity of Crimson Trace laser grips on the 642 and similar presumably makes the DA revolver marginally less "harsh" as a teacher.

Nowadays, people try to make up for their lacking skill with more bullets or ever more neato gadgets and trinkets.

Like this?

I guess it's not exactly the sole province of those with semis.

Oh well, I get the point. Fact is, in archery, I tend to stick with the English longbow - those new fangled compounds remind me of a cat's cradle on a stick - all pulleys and rigging and fiber optics and counterweights ...

 

[Haywood]

All The Above

 

[Hokkmike]

Other reason - can also be used for hunting.

 

[H2O MAN]

But, for those who appreciate the rewards of the discipline of mastering the self through a tool, there's really no substitute in the handgun world.

There are those of us who appreciate the rewards of the discipline of mastering the self through a mag fed semi auto tool

There's really no substitute for training and practice with your handgun of choice.








But then again . . .

 

[bikerdoc]

cant really put it into word but when i pick up my model 19 or my security six my 357's just talks to me. yes i have a bunch of automatics and they also taly to me, but daily carry is a 3 inch 357

on the subject of wife and kids go revolver - 20 years ago my wife didnt like autos, let her try a revolver with a 38 load - instant enthusiasm- she still carries the 38 charter arms i bought her that year and im ashamed to say she is a better shot than i am

 

[UnTainted]

good for hunting

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I put "all of the above" but you left out a couple big reasons.

My wheelguns don't give a crap what the nose profile of the projectile is. And they don't spit my brass all over the place.

 

[P5 Guy]

They look better than pistols.

 

[Jeff F]

Because theres not much in the line of automatic .357 of .44 magnums.

 

[Archie]

Revolvers have more elegance. I do shoot them better, and for equal sizes, revolvers have more horsepower.

 

[medmo]

Becaise my heros have always been cowboys. Plus all of the other reasons previously stated.

 

[kashton]

I personally love the sound my Stainless Steel Colt Python 2 1/2" makes when I cock the hammer back... you just can't beat that

 

[flounder22]

I said all of the above, but mainly because you just load it, point it, and pull the trigger. 9 1/2 times out of 10, its a done deal.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Hawk and H20man, thanks for posting pictures of the exception that proves the rule.

It's pretty much an accepted truth that anyone who can shoot a double action revolver well can shoot any handgun well. The reverse cannot be said with a straight face. And, any attached tactical whizbangetry still doesn't defeat the fact that you still have to pull that trigger in a disciplined way for the bullet to go where the gps/laser/faerie guidance system directs you to shoot.

 

[H2O MAN]

Revolver & Lever

.357 Magnums

 

[wheelgunslinger]

ditto



Nice tools, H2Oman!

 

[Hawk]

It's pretty much an accepted truth that anyone who can shoot a double action revolver well can shoot any handgun well.

We're pretty much in agreement here although I'd hazard a guess that what one of us sees as a "feature" the other sees as a "bug".

If the intent is to hobble oneself with a disagreeable trigger action in order that everything else seem easier to handle well in comparison, I would agree that the typical double action trigger is unbeatable in that regard. Long, heavy and sometimes gritty and inconsistent, once mastered nearly anything else will be easily adapted to.

I would not have guessed that a difficult trigger action could be turned into a perceived advantage but stranger things have happened in some of these "why revolvers are great" threads. I have previously opined that I was uncomfortable with the observation that revolver single action triggers are superb simply because DA only is recommended for defensive work.

It had never occured to me that a revolver's single action trigger is superior because it's superior and the double action trigger is superior because it sucks. Learn something new every day around here.

But time marches on and I'm not certain that revolvers hold any specific advantage in that regard any longer: there is now a good selection of semi-auto pistols with DAO triggers that are perfectly horrible and should suffice to please those that appreciate having to work extra hard against one's own trigger.

In the interest of full disclosure, I like revolvers but enjoy having a little fun with what some might percieve as inconsistencies - no offense is meant. Note the smiley. ->

 

[Monkeybear]

Personally, I just think they are cool.

 

[BlindJustice]

I retired about 2 years ago. I've been building my collection
since then with - a S & W revolver in N, K, L & J frames, as well as
a 1911 and a few other firearms. I don't buy the reliability argument
about revolvers. I've had light strikes with my S&W 625 as well as
my 686P. The 686P had the main spring screw back off for light strikes.
THe 625 has never had a problem while using .45 Auto Rim but with .45
ACP & Full Moon clips after getting the gun back from S&W for a PC Master
Revolver Action Job.... they lightened the trigger pull by backing off the
main spring. I figured this out at the range - however, I also tried shooting
a .45 shot shell in the 625. It fired, but the primer and firing pin
were stuck as was the cylindeer - can you say Dead in the Water?
I gave the 625 to my Gunsmith to clear the weapon and also had him verify
the main spring was full tension.... I wanted the action job
for smooth, not light strikes. At least with the 1911, you can clear
the chamber, etc. and keep on rolling at the range or in the field.

The 617 is great for double action practice or as a piece to introduce
new shooters to handguns. and just plain fun. The 60 J frame is
handy by the bedside with .38 spcl.+P I got the
L frame 686P for a solid platform & versatility of the
.38 SPcl/357 Magnum.

What gun would I grab? The 1911 - I shoot it the best
the 625 2nd best, but if I was going to be camping with sheep
I'd take the 686P - some sheep just can't wrap their brains
around Cocked & Locked.

I think the top 3 of the next to acquire for the collection:
CZ 75 Compact 9MM
K frame centerfire
J-frame model 63 w/3" Bbl. to match my mdl 60

 

[Claude Clay]

cause it can be reliably fired from a coat/jacket pocket.
a 642 is one of many carry guns used depending on the season/weather and how i am dressed.

 

[Hawk]

cause it can be reliably fired from a coat/jacket pocket.

I would submit that if one finds oneself firing from one's pocket, the situation has already gone so thoroughly and profoundly in the tank that the advantage really isn't one.

If one is pinned to the extent that the weapon can't be drawn I'd suspect the chances of shooting oneself rather than the assailant are roughly even. It's not like the thing is being aimed.

To the best of my knowledge and belief none of the various handgun schools teach shooting from one's wardrobe as a viable alternative to anything. At one point I did my utmost to dredge up a documented case of anyone achieving anything worthwhile by firing from one's pocket in real life. I came up empty. This could inidicate that my search-fu is weak or that the scenario is so unlikely that its only manifestation is internet discussions on farfetched uses for revolvers.

 

[kmrcstintn]

a few major deciding factors...

comfort with platform, multifaceted usage w/ one gun (hunting, defense, fun, etc), multiple calibers for one gun (.357 mag/.38 spl; .44 mag/.44 spl; .454 casull/.45 colt), reliability, simplicity, longevity, more powerful ammo (mag revolvers vs traditional semiautos), ergonomics, aesthetics, pistol whipping ability (just kidding)

 

[shooter429]

Tradition, power, reliability and so much more call it mystique

Tradition: My first handgun was a Ruger revo. My first service handgun was a S&W Revo neither were special in any particular way, but they both were well balanced, totally reliable and just felt "right" ergonomically in my hand or in leather on my hip.

My favorite caliber is the .44 Mag/Spl. so that precludes all autos I would own.

And there is something to "six for sure" or for some now 7 or 8 for sure. For sure, to me does not just describe reliable ignition, but reliable stopping.

Oh I have carried many autos over the years and the big-bores would have protected me had they worked,but there was always "stovepipe" or "FTF" in the back of my mind, nagging at me. No such question with a GP100, Redhawk, 686 or 629. I knew it would go bang and in a big way

Shooter429

 

[shooter429]

As far as a bad double action trigger...

Hawk says

If the intent is to hobble oneself with a disagreeable trigger action in order that everything else seem easier to handle well in comparison, I would agree that the typical double action trigger is unbeatable in that regard. Long, heavy and sometimes gritty and inconsistent, once mastered nearly anything else will be easily adapted to.

To which I reply a good revolver (which means custom Ruger or S&W PC) will have a smooth, light and consistent pull (not light like a 2# SA) But lighter than many DAO autos and hardly disagreeable. No mystery there. If it is gritty or inconsistent, you have a problem (or are shooting a Taurus).

Shooter429

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Hawk:

This could inidicate that my search-fu is weak

Yeah, but your sarcasm-fu and irony-fu are really stout.

Tomaytoe tomahtow. One man's trigger that sucks is another man's trigger that requires developed fine motor skills and muscle memory- which lead to better mastery of any handgun.

And, wow you couldn't find an instance of someone firing a weapon from a coatpocket on the web? I guess it must not have ever happened or have been a viable tactic in the days of the snub.