Posted: 10/14/2009 8:36:16 AM EDT
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Ok, the Gunny I work with is at it again. The question came up in our shop: "In a gunfight would you rather have a revolver over a semi auto?" The resounding response was "No, I want the semi auto". Except for the one crazy Gunny. His arguments were that a revolver is more reliable because semi autos can jam and magazines can fail and you can't keep mags loaded for any extended period of time"
I responded with "This is not 1972, mag springs are far better then they used to be and the same goes for the guns themselves. There are several models where people have put thousands of rounds through them in one day, with out a malfunction." I just wanted to share this. And if anyone wants to ridicule his argument or mine (although you are wrong) go right ahead. 
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I've take two 4 day defensive handgun classes at Front Sight. During each class there was ONE person with a revolver. In the first class, the person with the revolver dropped out after the third day. In the last class the revolver person did not graduate in spite of being exepmt from malfunction drills giving them a potential 18 point advantage!!
I understand the revolver advantages but in a gunfight I think I want a SA |
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Does your autoloader fail when shot with a less than ideal grip? My revolver doesn't.
Is your autoloader dependent upon a separate feeding device which can be lost or damaged, leaving you with a single shot? My revolver isn't. Will your autoloader function with virtually any ammunition you stuff in it, without failures? My revolver will. Can you fire your autoloader more than once from a pocket? I can do so with a couple of my revolvers. How many failure drills must you continually work on with an autoloader? I have one with a revolver––toss it to the side and grab another. Revolver rarely fail, but when they do, the gun is usually out of action until repaired by a gunsmith. Autoloaders, due to having more parts, have a higher chance for failure, but it's generally quickly fixed and back to working. ETA: 
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Quoted:
Does your autoloader fail when shot with a less than ideal grip? My revolver doesn't. - Why are you firing with a less than ideal grip? Maybe you should get some training. Is your autoloader dependent upon a separate feeding device which can be lost or damaged, leaving you with a single shot? My revolver isn't. Will your autoloader function with virtually any ammunition you stuff in it, without failures? My revolver will. So will my Glock and 1911. Wolf, Federal, anything I have bought will work. Try again. Can you fire your autoloader more than once from a pocket? I can do so with a couple of my revolvers. I like to aim my weapon but you go ahead a firing randomly through your pocket like they do in the movies How many failure drills must you continually work on with an autoloader? I have one with a revolver––toss it to the side and grab another. How many do you have on you? Are the guy from Boondock Saints? Revolver rarely fail, but when they do, the gun is usually out of action until repaired by a gunsmith. Autoloaders, due to having more parts, have a higher chance for failure, but it's generally quickly fixed and back to working. - That's why every moderm military and police force has thrown their revolvers away for semi autos. ETA: http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/imakechips/smith%20and%20wesson/100_1384.jpg HAHAHAHAHAHAHA |
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I prefer a semi-auto, but don't ever count out a revolver for practical use..
This is my 8 round .357 magnum revolver. Most gunfights are over in less shots than that, but given revolver reliability, accuracy, and this one with 8 rounds... I would not want to be on the recieving end of this.. 
Also a smaller J-frame (hammerless) can be shot from the pocket with literally no chance of a malfunction. I don't know of a semi-auto that can do that. Just saying don't think revolvers are any less effective than a semi-auto. 
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Quoted:
Does your autoloader fail when shot with a less than ideal grip? My revolver doesn't. Is your autoloader dependent upon a separate feeding device which can be lost or damaged, leaving you with a single shot? My revolver isn't. Will your autoloader function with virtually any ammunition you stuff in it, without failures? My revolver will. Can you fire your autoloader more than once from a pocket? I can do so with a couple of my revolvers. How many failure drills must you continually work on with an autoloader? I have one with a revolver––toss it to the side and grab another. Revolver rarely fail, but when they do, the gun is usually out of action until repaired by a gunsmith. Autoloaders, due to having more parts, have a higher chance for failure, but it's generally quickly fixed and back to working. ETA: http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/imakechips/smith%20and%20wesson/100_1384.jpg I see you don't trust autos because you have a bayonet on one  .
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A SA is the better fighting handgun, but if I was in a gun fight, I would really want a long gun.
If your SA is unreliable then you need to try a different brand/model, the fact is there are more than enough tried and true designs availible. Saying a Revolver is more reliable than a SA only applies if you are considering shitty SA's in the comparison, a modern, well maintained SA of a proven design is JUST AS reliable as a revolver, and tactically superior in a gun fight. |
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The "semi vs revolver" argument ended in 1911 when the M1911 fired 6,000 rounds without failure, beating EVERY gun out there in the competition.
Any well made semi with good mags will run thousands of rounds. Any good wheelgun will typically do the same. But when a wheelgun chokes there is generally no quick fix. I've had a Model 10 .38 loosen a single screw and jam the gun shut. Wouldn't open, wouldn't fire. never had that happen before or since, but keep it in mind. Continuity of fire (more bangs between "click") is always a good thing. Speed of reload is another. |
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i think it all depends on the person and what they have confidence in. if you gunny has confidence in revolvers, then hes probably a better shot with them and can use them confidently in a stressful sit.
for me, i like revolvers. i shoot both, but i just have alot more confidence in a revolver then a semiauto. now with that said, it doesnt mean i dont have a semi auto for a secondary or hideouts. |
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Quoted:
I prefer a semi-auto, but don't ever count out a revolver for practical use.. This is my 8 round .357 magnum revolver. Most gunfights are over in less shots than that, but given revolver reliability, accuracy, and this one with 8 rounds... I would not want to be on the recieving end of this..
Also a smaller J-frame (hammerless) can be shot from the pocket with literally no chance of a malfunction. I don't know of a semi-auto that can do that. Just saying don't think revolvers are any less effective than a semi-auto. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/Taurus%20608/tarus608_946.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/misc/sw_tars1963.jpg I tend to agree with this 
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!!!!! and I have seen people have difficulty loading/closing the cylinder of their revolver due to it being dirty after firing 6 rounds.
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Quoted: Ok, the Gunny I work with is at it again. The question came up in our shop: "In a gunfight would you rather have a revolver over a semi auto?" The resounding response was "No, I want the semi auto". Except for the one crazy Gunny. His arguments were that a revolver is more reliable because semi autos can jam and magazines can fail and you can't keep mags loaded for any extended period of time" I responded with "This is not 1972, mag springs are far better then they used to be and the same goes for the guns themselves. There are several models where people have put thousands of rounds through them in one day, with out a malfunction." I just wanted to share this. And if anyone wants to ridicule his argument or mine (although you are wrong) go right ahead. Would you rather ride a horse, or a harley to work every morning? Same thing... DA/SA/SAO Semi-auto, such as the USP or Beretta 92 Stock.... |
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I could go with either. Not many gunfights make it through more than 6 rounds and you can get a lot more power for the size from a revolver.
That being said if I knew I was going to get into a gun fight I would probably bring my Delta Gold Cup, 9 rounds of 10mm would be comforting. However it is a big gun to be carrying everyday/everywhere and a .357 snubby packs a hell of a hit in a small package. |
| I want whatever I hit the best with - I don't really care what it is. Nothing is as important as getting good hits. (obviously it needs to be reasonable caliber with good ammo) All this 45vs9vs....... revolvervsauto........vsvsvsvs - is worried far too much about. You can dream up senarios where 87 million rounds are needed - so what. I carry a 1911 ecause that's what I shoot the best. If I shot a 4" S&W 19 better than anything else you better believe I would carry it instead. |
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Quoted:
I am in no way saying the revolver is not and effective weapon. The argument was which would you rather if you could only have one and you knew you were going to be in a gun fight. Given a choice in pistol, I'd go with a semi-auto. If I have to reach my hand into a magic box of unknown quality/origin pistols, one of semi-autos or one of revolvers to fight off an incoming wave of mutant space zombie nazis, I'd probably go for the magic box of revolvers. Not that revolvers are better, but I think the odds of a jam-o-matic semi-auto are higher than a revolver that will lock the cylinder shut. |
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The argument was which would you rather if you could only have one and you knew you were going to be in a gun fight. An M-14, all my friends with M-14s and a ground to air radio and an A-10 overhead. (duh) That being said, as the old saying goes, only hits count. I can shoot a good auto (1911, CZ-75 ect) faster and more accurately than any revolver. |
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Can your revolver lock off 16 rounds in 8 seconds of 180 grain .40 at 10 gangbangers who are returning fire while you are moving to cover, then can your revolver reload another 15 rounds after that with a reload time equal to that of a SA?
Didn't think so. I love wheelguns, do not get me wrong. I carry a snubbie as a backup sometimes, and I love to shoot at 100+ yards with a .44 mag... An auto is a better fighting weapon..."modern" technology has given us a better tool. Horses are still tons of fun to ride, but that doesn't mean that you commute to work on one every day, we have a better way now. |
| Six of one, half.........either will get the job done as it can take just one shot to end it. Outside of gun fighting, it would depend on what I was doing. On a practical level, autos are a lot more resistant to the environment than revolvers as the system is pretty much sealed, not so in revolvers. Autos are are lot safer in there firing as you won't blow a finger off getting to close to the cone with a powerful cartridge. On a power base, revolvers are better in my opinion as you can get a lot of power in a manageable, balanced size. True, there is the Dessert Eagle 50, even the old Auto Mag 44 gets about 100FPS more than a regular 44 because of the design but both, at least to me, are ungainly. So, for combat, nasty terrain, or concealed carry, I think autos are a better choice because of their capacity, slim design and sealed system. Revolvers are a better pick for power, hunting and in a coat pocket carry as long as it has a sealed hammer. Again I've deviated from the main topic but what the hell. |
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In a fight; due to its high capacity, ease of reloading, and the ability to more easily carry a substantial amount of ammunition on your person, a modern pistol offers you more options than does a revolver.
Pistols are easier to shoot as well, and have an inherent advantage in accuracy over the types of small frame revolvers most likely to be carried concealed. |
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Quoted:
I am in no way saying the revolver is not and effective weapon. The argument was which would you rather if you could only have one and you knew you were going to be in a gun fight. Well, if I know I'm going to be in a gunfight, do I know the variables? Number of adversaries, distance, etc? |
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The correct answer is "whichever you are more proficient with".
I can shoot autos with a greater degree of proficiency than revolvers, so that's what I choose. Some find themselves shooting revolvers significantly better than they handle autos, so it makes sense for them to choose a revolver. |