This is why I carry a REVOLVER!

AK103K

New member
Thugs aren't exactly known for taking meticulous care of their firearms....
Its not just the "thugs". ;)

From what some of the used guns Ive bought over the years looked like, and from what a lot of people have said on the different gun boards, a lot of people dont take care of or maintain their stuff.
 

stagpanther

New member
My single shot break-open pistol hasn't failed me yet--probably never will assuming I don't blow myself up with an over-powered load.:D
 

Buckeye!

New member
One of centerfire revolver failures I had was a Ruger Redhawk 44mag ..cylinder suddenly stopped rotating .. was not my gun ... but my buddy had it repaired .. another was a older Rossi 38spl small frame .. light hammer strikes ... rimfires ... several, several light hammer strikes... one several DA/SA revolvers ...
 

LOLBELL

New member
Boils down to carry what YOU feel comfortable with. Simple as that.

Personally, I carry both - depends where I'm going. To think that you'll never have an issue with a revolver is flawed thinking though. I have been shooting revolvers for 55 + years and NO mechanical item is 100% "trouble free" - either revolver or semi-auto. That's why you train for such things that can - and do - happen.
Yep carry what you are comfortable with. I shoot my revolvers much better that my semis. I have 5 semi autos, every one has jammed at some point, although a RAP in 9 has only FTF one time in several 1000 rounds. I have many revolvers that I shoot regularly, non have ever had a hic-up. I have 9 that has 10,000+ rounds with out a problem.

Aside from all that, I shoot a revolver because I can hit what I shoot at. People are passionate about what they carry and they should be. I try to look at it with a logical view point. If i can put rounds on target with a revolver but not with a semi auto why in the world would I want to carry an auto. I guess I would have more rounds to miss with.l
 

AK103K

New member
If i can put rounds on target with a revolver but not with a semi auto why in the world would I want to carry an auto. I guess I would have more rounds to miss with.l
I guess the question would be why cant you hit with the auto?

The number of rounds in the gun has nothing to do with hit, or miss probability.

Theres a reason for the switch to autos. You just have to swallow your pride for a short while and learn to use them, if youre not familiar with them, thats all.

I can and do usually shoot my revolvers a tad more accurately, in a pure target shooting atmosphere, and thats shooting DAO.

Switch things up to a bit more realistic shooting, and the autos are the clear winner there.

And the fact I can stay in the fight three times longer if necessary, without reloading, makes them the clear leader.
 

agtman

Moderator
When an autoloader 'jams,' as in a stovepipe or failure to chamber a round off the magazine, the practiced pistolero will quickly be able to clear the jam and get the gun back into action.

He has, by definition, practiced enough 'malf drills' that his muscle-memory and hand-coordination will get it done under stress. In literal split-seconds both he and his semi-auto will be back in the fight.

If your revolver 'jams' in a gunfight because the cylinder locked-up, there are no similar instantaneous remedial drills.

You'll have to call a time-out in the gunfight :)rolleyes:), find a ballpeen hammer and the nearest wheelgun 'smith with a drill to get the cylinder open, fix what caused the lock-up, and then get back in the fight.

Good luck with that. :confused:

True, if you carry a revolver, it's also a good idea to carry a second one, since not only is having a second gun 'the fastest reload,' but having a second revolver is also the fastest remedy for the wheelie that just locked-up on you. :eek:

That said, however, .... I'll still take my chances with a Glock.

:cool:
 
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AK103K

New member
You lucked out and were able to open the cylinder.

What happens when you have a round and the bullet jumps the crimp and the cylinder wont turn, and you cant open the cylinder?

Or youve got junk under the star, because you reload improperly, and all of a sudden, things bind up to the point you cant cycle the cylinder, and/or even close the cylinder after you open it and try to clear things?

Or the extractor rod backs out and you cant open the gun?

Etc, etc, etc.

Most revolver problems, in the rare case, if and when you have one, are often/usually not readily fixed in the moment.

Autos on the other hand, normally are, and very quickly. TRB and right back in action.
 

corneileous

New member
You lucked out and were able to open the cylinder.

What happens when you have a round and the bullet jumps the crimp and the cylinder wont turn, and you cant open the cylinder?

Or youve got junk under the star, because you reload improperly, and all of a sudden, things bind up to the point you cant cycle the cylinder, and/or even close the cylinder after you open it and try to clear things?

Or the extractor rod backs out and you cant open the gun?

Etc, etc, etc.

Most revolver problems, in the rare case, if and when you have one, are often/usually not readily fixed in the moment.

Autos on the other hand, normally are, and very quickly. TRB and right back in action.


Take a shot in the arm yo where you’re now one-handed and you’ll wish you had a semi-auto.


https://youtu.be/yk0pY4hPzZ4


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HighValleyRanch

New member
LOL, anyone can create situations where either can fail.
I practice revolver reloads with one hand just like my semi's.
I shoot both, and had failures with both. Yes, I had had malfunctions that could not be cleared with a semi. Malfunction drills do not cover all that can go wrong, just like any other mechanical device.

It's too much a generalization to say that malfunctions in semi's can be fixed on the spot and ones in revolvers cannot.
 
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AK103K

New member
LOL, anyone can create situations where either can fail.
I practice revolver reloads with one hand just like my semi's.
I shoot booth, and had failures with both. Yes, I had had malfunctions that could not be cleared with a semi. Malfunction drills do not cover all that can go wrong, just like any other mechanical device.

It's too much a generalization to say that malfunctions in semi's can be fixed on the spot and ones in revolvers cannot.
Not really. Autos generally are right back in action with little effort, where revolvers generally are not. Just the nature of the beast.

At least thats been my experience with the revolvers over the years, and Ive experienced most of the stoppages they can have too. More than anything, its just a learning experience living with them and shooting them enough and learning things as you go. A number of those problems can be mitigated because of that too, if youre paying attention.

And realistically, malfunctions with either, really arent all that common, but you do need to be ready for them and know what to expect.
 

agtman

Moderator
If your revolver 'jams' in a gunfight because the cylinder locked-up, there are no similar instantaneous remedial drills
See post 5 above. Got the malfunction clear and "back into the fight" in a few seconds.
Correcting a malf under gun-gamer "stress," and correcting one under the stress of being shot at on the street or in your home, are waaay different psychological environments. :rolleyes:

Anyone can look cool and collected on the one-way firing range. :cool: Just ask any of the guys who show up at the my club's range on a lazy Sunday afternoon where they play 'Sonny Crockett' against paper bad guys for an hour or so. :rolleyes:

And that's aside from the quite possible variable where your hand/arm takes a hit in the fight (remember, your assailant's got a plan too).

Now you're likely on the ground bleeding, and any remedial action on your gun will have to be done one-handed. :eek:
 

HighValleyRanch

New member
Same is true for a semi clearance between on the range and under fire.

Ever have a squibb in your semi, or a round get stuck in the chamber, or a magazine base plate give way.
Tell me you are going to get those cleared under fire.
Supposed you get shot in the head. Now what are you going to do? You can make up a scenario, so I can too.
 

44 AMP

Staff
Not really. Autos generally are right back in action with little effort, where revolvers generally are not. Just the nature of the beast.

gotta love "generally"...:rolleyes:

Yep. its the nature of the beast. Semis generally choke and stop due to things that a revolver generally ignores.

And semis generally choke and stop many, many, many times more frequently than revolvers, generally...

Generally, anything made by man can screw up, and generally has to someone, somewhere, sometime.

Ever stop to wonder why there is a "Tap Rack Bang" drill in the first place??
could it be because its needed??? :rolleyes:
 

AK103K

New member
Anyone can look cool and collected on the one-way firing range. :cool: Just ask any of the guys who show up at the my club's range on a lazy Sunday afternoon where they play 'Sonny Crockett' against paper bad guys for an hour or so. :rolleyes:
Hey, at least they are trying. :)

Id be willing to bet, thats more than most do. ;)


Same is true for a semi clearance between on the range and under fire.

Ever have a squibb in your semi, or a round get stuck in the chamber, or a magazine base plate give way.
Tell me you are going to get those cleared under fire.
Supposed you get shot in the head. Now what are you going to do? You can make up a scenario, so I can too.
This isnt about making up scenarios. Its about learning to deal with things that can happen, and maybe, if youre smart, some things you might want to address, so you reduce the possibility that they do.

A squib with either shuts you both down.

The mag blowing out? Push the mag release and reload.


gotta love "generally"...:rolleyes:

Yep. its the nature of the beast. Semis generally choke and stop due to things that a revolver generally ignores.

And semis generally choke and stop many, many, many times more frequently than revolvers, generally...

Generally, anything made by man can screw up, and generally has to someone, somewhere, sometime.

Ever stop to wonder why there is a "Tap Rack Bang" drill in the first place??
could it be because its needed??? :rolleyes:
Hey, I was trying to be nice to the revolvers. :D

Ever notice they dont seem to have a drill to get them back up and running? ;)

Everything stops sooner or later. If youre carrying one or the other, because someone told you it wont, I would suggest you rethink it.

With either, you should be practicing getting them back in the game. At the very least, understand what can go wrong and learn, and be ready to address it. Thats just common sense gun handling as far as Im concerned.

My experience has been, with an auto, its a TRB, or maybe a TRRB, depending on how bad things are. That "generally" has always got the gun back into action in the moment.

Over the years, Ive had a few squibs with them, but at least the autos give you a clue, and you get a heads up. The revolvers dont, if the round makes it into the barrel. Of course, with either, you need to be paying attention too.

Ive also had a couple of rounds that were bad, and would not chamber, and would not extract once they got into the chamber. Thats really about the only thing (other than a squib) that might really cause you grief, and depending on your gun, may or may not be easy to remedy. Things like 1911's, and similar, with a factory spring, are pretty easy. Anything that wont allow you to jam the lower portion of the front of the slide into something, figure most things with a captured RSA, its a bit different, but can still be done. Its a lot easier if you know whats wrong and youve done it before to know.

With the revolvers, with most things, its simply another gun, assuming you brought one. That, or the "killer rabbit" drill. :)
 

agtman

Moderator
Ever stop to wonder why there is a "Tap Rack Bang" drill in the first place?? could it be because its needed???

LOL!

Ah, no. :rolleyes: Let's see ...

How many times in your vast gun-fighting experience has the 'T-R-B'/malf-clearing procedure actually worked on a revolver? Hmmmmm?

Precisely zero. :eek:

That's because the T-R-B drill is a known, immediately corrective action that's been proven to work for semi-autos and puts them back in the fight.

There's no corresponding immediate-action remedy that gets a locked-up revolver unlocked and back in the fight without a trip to the nearest gunsmith. :rolleyes:

At that point, your end of the fight is over, ... unless you were wise enough to have holstered up with a second gun.
 
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JohnKSa

Administrator
Maybe it's only in the reporting, but guns seem to jam up an awful lot when fired under stress and pressure.
Yes they do.

1. People don't get a good grip on them. They might be firing them one-handed while they normally fire them with two hands at the range. All autopistols are sensitive to grip. Some from limp-wristing, but all of them can be induced to malfunction if you get your fingers in the wrong place while firing. You can accidentally drop a mag, put the safety on, push up on the slide release, foul the slide, etc.

2. I think a lot of people don't really bother to test them much, if at all. So when they need them, they're firing a gun they haven't fired much, it at all, and using ammo they haven't tested much, if at all.

Practice with your self-defense firearms. Shoot them one-handed. Shoot them with your self-defense ammo. Practice at home getting a good grip on the gun when you pick it up or when you draw.
 

l.cutler

New member
Both platforms have there benefits and there shortcomings. The important thing is to to know whatever you decide to use inside and out, maintain it properly and train in every conceivable scenario you can think of. As far as the tap, rack , bang, it is a usually effective routine for a failure to fire in a semi auto caused by a bad round or failure to feed. I don't think it is fair to say there is no comparable procedure in a locked up revolver though, because it won't work in a locked up semi either. The response to a failure to fire in a revolver is to just pull the trigger again. Both are good, but a mechanical failure in either will probably put it out of commission. Clean, maintain and do everything you can to keep it from happening!
 
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44 AMP

Staff
That's because the T-R-B drill is a known, immediately corrective action that's been proven to work for semi-autos and puts them back in the fight.

A) the T-R-B is only immediately corrective with certain malfunctions, the minor ones. Get something major go wrong, its usually not the fix.

B) Pointing out that there's nothing comparable for a revolver misses my point, which was that the failure drill is needed, because of the frequency of failures in a semi auto, which doesn't happen in revolvers, generally.

Its fine to point out that a major malfunction stops a revolver cold. Just be sure to point out that a major malfunction also stops a semi auto cold. And that the minor malfunctions that the TRB drill usually fixes seldom stop (or even happen to) a revolver.

Whether or not the failure drill works depends on the malfunction. Whether or not a revolver jams, depends on the malfunction. ALL malfunctions are not equal. Some are even the user's fault. Pick one your favorite action type handles well and I can pick one that will stop it dead. IT all depends on what actually happens.

Here's an example with no TRB fix, its extreme rarity makes it an extreme example, and in half a century of pistol shooting, I've only had it happen to me once, but it DID happen, complete case head separation. With the body of the case in the chamber and the head torn off, that semi auto was done until after a trip to the gunsmith.

The thought occurred to me, had exactly the same thing happened in a revolver, I'd still have 5 useable chambers....:rolleyes:
 
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