Semi-Auto vs Revolver

[brettkeating]

Probably been discussed a million times before, but wanted to give my assessment of where each has the advantage... it's always a fun discussion in any case flame away

Revolvers

• Easier to reload ammo... no hunting for brass, longer lasting brass
• Wider range of power... can do powder-puff to full-hot with same gun, semis have a narrower range
• Reliability... less can go wrong (slight edge)
• Ammo versatility... can more easily share ammo with carbines (I know both can, but more common and typically higher quality with revolver cartridges... slight edge)

Semi-Auto

• Easier to reload... magazines better than speed-loaders or moon clips (slight edge)
• Cleaning... much easier to take down and clean
• Concealing... no cylinder (slight edge)
• Capacity... revolvers limited to 5-10 rounds each reload

Given that, I'd say if personal/home defense is your priority, go semi-auto. If versatility and target-shooting is what you care about most, and you are OK with something adequate but not optimal for defense, go revolver.

This discussion should be limited to handguns (no bull pup AR's, etc.).

Anything I'm missing here? Trying to help a friend out with a purchase.

[ontmark]

IMHO and $.02 worth
I am old school.

I really believe anyone’s first handgun should be
a wheel gun in 357 with a 3 to 4 inch barrel
3 to 4 inch good for the range, packing camping,
and home defense.

Why a wheel gun?
You take so much out of possibilities of error.
1. Very easy to unload when needed
2. A lot easier to clean for the new shooter.
3. Can practice both double action and single trigger pull.
4. A lot less malfunctions to deal with while shooting.
5. When you get old and arthritis kicks in you can still operate a wheel gun when you no longer can rack a slide.
The semi auto issues for new shooter
1. Harder to clean
2. Time to shoot. Magazine in, pull slide back off slide stop and let slide forward to load, tries to shoot. Nothing happens. Slide did not go into full battery. So new shooter thinks ok pistol didn’t strip round from Magazine. Cycles slide to load pistol and finds live round being ejected from pistol. First response usually from new shooter is go pick up live round, Sets loaded pistol on shooting bench while looking for live round. This is a no-no.
3. Range officer calls cease fire, magazines out action locked open. New shooter drops magazine opens action and locks it open. Again there is a live round somewhere on the ground, New shooters first response usually is to find live round. Is it in front of the bench, on the bench, or on the ground? None of which is usually behind safety line away from the bench.
4. What do I do if I have a fail to eject (stove pipe)?
5. What do I do if I have a fail to feed?
6. New handgun shooter’s main concern should always be the full control of the loaded weapon that is why I feel it is best to start with a wheel gun!!
7. I have seen all of these through my years of shooting.

Why a 357? 38 special wad cutters can be bought pretty cheap. Practice, Practice, Practice. Wide range of loads to try 38 special, 38 special+P 357 Magnum. Get use to shooting a hand gun. Then let’s get through the Semi Auto issues.

Sorry for the long replay.

[manywelps]

Semi autos are basically better in every "real" scenario except dealing with large wildlife.

.357 Snubbies do have something going for them in CCW, recoil is unholy, except for that 2" Rhino.

[penguinofsleep]

I generally shoot better with a semi, but would still prefer a revolver in some applications. Especially when power is of concern.

[orangeusa]

I generally shoot better with a semi, but would still prefer a revolver in some applications. Especially when power is of concern.

Better? As in more accurate? Lolz

[brettkeating]

IMHO and $.02 worth
I am old school.

I really believe anyone’s first handgun should be
a wheel gun in 357 with a 3 to 4 inch barrel
3 to 4 inch good for the range, packing camping,
and home defense.

Why a wheel gun?
You take so much out of possibilities of error.
1. Very easy to unload when needed
2. A lot easier to clean for the new shooter.
3. Can practice both double action and single trigger pull.
4. A lot less malfunctions to deal with while shooting.
5. When you get old and arthritis kicks in you can still operate a wheel gun when you no longer can rack a slide.
The semi auto issues for new shooter
1. Harder to clean
2. Time to shoot. Magazine in, pull slide back off slide stop and let slide forward to load, tries to shoot. Nothing happens. Slide did not go into full battery. So new shooter thinks ok pistol didn’t strip round from Magazine. Cycles slide to load pistol and finds live round being ejected from pistol. First response usually from new shooter is go pick up live round, Sets loaded pistol on shooting bench while looking for live round. This is a no-no.
3. Range officer calls cease fire, magazines out action locked open. New shooter drops magazine opens action and locks it open. Again there is a live round somewhere on the ground, New shooters first response usually is to find live round. Is it in front of the bench, on the bench, or on the ground? None of which is usually behind safety line away from the bench.
4. What do I do if I have a fail to eject (stove pipe)?
5. What do I do if I have a fail to feed?
6. New handgun shooter’s main concern should always be the full control of the loaded weapon that is why I feel it is best to start with a wheel gun!!
7. I have seen all of these through my years of shooting.

Why a 357? 38 special wad cutters can be bought pretty cheap. Practice, Practice, Practice. Wide range of loads to try 38 special, 38 special+P 357 Magnum. Get use to shooting a hand gun. Then let’s get through the Semi Auto issues.

Sorry for the long replay.

No, thank you, this is great. I should have added that one advantage to revolvers is safety. You don't have to worry about "Is there a round in the chamber?" or, "What do I do if the round stovepipes?" I know they have safeties on semis, and not on revolvers, but really revolvers are safer for these reasons and don't need the safety.

However I disagree that revolvers are easier to clean. I own a Glock and that thing is clean in 10 minutes, and remarkably easy to take down. My 627PC, with 8 rounds in the cylinder, takes quite a bit longer. Also if I shoot 38 special, there is extra consideration for cleaning.

[brettkeating]

I generally shoot better with a semi, but would still prefer a revolver in some applications. Especially when power is of concern.

I agree, and this is why I listed power range as an advantage in revolvers. For the 38 caliber (which is 9mm, 38sp and 357mag), nothing beats a revolver for power. Can you say hydrostatic shock? Similar for other calibers.

But at the same time, these guns can also shoot powder-puff loads and be fun for target practice. You can't do this with semi-autos without having problems cycling the action.

Although, I think "shooting better" depends on the gun and the shooter. I personally shoot way better with my revolver (in terms of accuracy) than any semi-auto I own.

I left accuracy out of the balance of the discussion because I really do think it depends.

[Your ad here]

Chicks dig guys with revolvers.

[brettkeating]

Chicks dig guys with revolvers.

Yeah if they like Country Music.

Seriously, they could be just as enamored with Bruce Willis and AC/DC, or be into ballroom dancing and love Bond and his Walther PPK

Just saying Chick magnet factor is not on the list of pros and cons.

[Whiterabbit]

Anything I'm missing here? Trying to help a friend out with a purchase.

yep, missing big time.

go tell your friend to rent two semi autos, and two revolvers. Similar cals, don't compare a 44 mag to a 25 acp at the rental house. After a box of each, he'll get "the warm fuzzies" shooting one or the other. Get that one.

For me, its revolvers. Single action only please. his mileage may vary.

[brettkeating]

yep, missing big time.

go tell your friend to rent two semi autos, and two revolvers. Similar cals, don't compare a 44 mag to a 25 acp at the rental house. After a box of each, he'll get "the warm fuzzies" shooting one or the other. Get that one.

For me, its revolvers. Single action only please. his mileage may vary.

Very good advice. But there is more to the story. Could it be worth the trouble to learn to like a semi-auto? In case you couldn't tell, I'm a revolver guy too (but I like the DA option).

[Gottmituns]

I wouldn't recommend a 357 Mag as a first time gun..
At least tell the shooter to keep her fingers away from the cylinder....

[trigger945]

^^^Ouch

[Ranger20]

Find what you like and enjoy it, be it a revolver auto or both.
Learn to shoot well and don't worry about opinions of others.
Everything is a trade off... it's up to you to figure out what
YOU find acceptable.
Nothing wrong with a good Auto loader or Revolver.
I find a J frame acceptable as much as I do a Glock 19.
Both are sufficient. I don't feel under gunned with either.

[smittty]

Given that, I'd say if personal/home defense is your priority, go semi-auto. If versatility and target-shooting is what you care about most, and you are OK with something adequate

IMO this is the most important part of what you wrote.

Most of the modern semi-autos are just as if not more reliable than a revolver. I had a Ruger SP101 freeze up on me so I know revolvers can fail.

For me, there is no practical reason to choose a revolver over a semi-auto. The one exception would be a snub nose for pocket carry but in general I think you buy a revolver simply because you like it.