Why Some Have No Interest In Revolvers

["DoubleAction"]

I notice on some hangun forums that revolvers have much less interest focused than that of semi-autos; That's understandable. I wonder though why some show no interest in revolvers, whatsoever.

[MLB]

I think it's largely the television's influence. Almost every time a handgun is shown, it's a semi-auto.

I know that my appreciation for revolvers grew only after my knowledge of hanguns in general did. Now the only problem is that my interest in them exceeds my capacity to aquire them. ;D

["DoubleAction"]

The lack of interest seems to be a benefit for acquiring some of the double action revolvers from the 70s & 80s at very good prices. Smith & Wesson seems to keep the revolver alive with their newer models, which is good.
MLB; Your right about the television influence; same can be said of that from the movie industry and their portrayal of the semi-auto. People are also influenced by what they see with Law Enforcement and Military use.

[TMan]

The only thing I don't like about revolvers is cleaning the cylinders. Otherwise, I find that I really enjoy shooting them, and I shoot them more than I do the semi-autos. However, as you well know, I shoot them all in single-action mode.

What I like is: 1) I'm more accurate shooting them.
2) The brass is easy to retrieve
3) I don't get burned by the brass
4) The person next to me isn't being hit by my brass
5) They are easier to load than some magazines
6) They don't get bitchy if they aren't clean
7) "Field Stripping" doesn't result in a hunt for springs/small parts.
8) Easy to put back together
9) If you go nuts with a stone, you may get a hair-trigger, but it won't go full auto on you
10) They are easy to use: no racking the slide, removing the safety, insering magazines, etc.

So why don't I buy more revolvers? Oh, cause I've gone totally wacko over Mil-Surp rifles. (Shot the Enfield MK4 today. It is sooo accurate. The first shot was off, all others, by both of us shooting it were touching. It would give the Swiss K31 a run for its money).

[TA]

I seem to go in waves in my interest. I like them all for different reasons, but my interest seems to focus on certain categories of firearms at different times. I don't understand it and don't try very hard anymore either. A case study? Perhaps...

I went through my wave of semi-autos and Mil-Surps last year and now I am on revolvers. The fun thing about Mil-Surp is there are hot items on the market at different times based on import shipments. I have to stay off the Surplus forums. They are way too easy and a lot of fun to buy.

["DoubleAction"]

I think some people find the semi-autos to be more comfortable to shoot. I'm just guessing here, since we haven't recieved any good solid reliable testimony from any sources.

[TMan]

admin said:

I think some people find the semi-autos to be more comfortable to shoot. I'm just guessing here, since we haven't received any good solid reliable testimony from any sources.

Silly me, I forgot about that. Yes, semi-auto's are more comfortable to shoot. The pain comes later after the slide damage to your hand. Not only have a experienced this first hand, but not too badly, I've seen people hurt much worse.

One fellow got the web of his hand caught between the slide and the barrel when it closed and took a good chunk out of his hand. A few days later, which fortunately I didn't witness, a guy got cut so badly by the slide they had to take him to the hospital. He passed out from either the blood or the pain.

Ever hear of anyone getting railroad tracks from a revolver?

Having said that, there is one dangerous part of a revolver. A friend using my 460 XVR moved his weak hand forward to support the big X-frame. I didn't notice it and the hot gas coming out between the forcing cone and the cylinder burned his thumb. Neither of us will ever forget that again.

I'm much more relaxed shooting a revolver than I am with a semi-auto.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; The older Colt grip safeties would dig into the web of my hand, which caused a permanent scar to develop in one spot. This spot will open up on occassions when shooting certain 1911s, causing alot blood to run down my hand after shooting. It is somewhat embarrassing to walk out of the range, onto a crowded floor of customers, with this.

[ron]

I think the recent spate of states permiting concealed carry has hurt revolver interest, too.

Many people new to shooting are going after the little and medium sized guns - Kahr P9 & PM9 and 40; Sig 229; small 1911 derivatives. If they move to revolvers, then the S&W air weight and scandium series rival the pistols in lightness. Even the SP101, as small as it is, is a bit of a slug when it comes to weight.

I have a 642 and several semi-autos, but I have missed having a good revolver. So, I just purchased a 357 Blackhawk single action. At 40 ounces, it won't become my regular carry.

Ron

[Callahan]

ron said:

I think the recent spate of states permiting concealed carry has hurt revolver interest, too.

Many people new to shooting are going after the little and medium sized guns - Kahr P9 & PM9 and 40; Sig 229; small 1911 derivatives. If they move to revolvers, then the S&W air weight and scandium series rival the pistols in lightness. Even the SP101, as small as it is, is a bit of a slug when it comes to weight.

I have a 642 and several semi-autos, but I have missed having a good revolver. So, I just purchased a 357 Blackhawk single action. At 40 ounces, it won't become my regular carry.

Ron

In Texas, there's another thing in the semi-auto's favor: If you qualify in your CCL class with a semi-auto, you can legally carry either semi-auto or revolver. If you qualify with a revolver, that's all you can carry.

[TMan]

Thanks Callahan, you proved my point, well I guess the State of Texas proved my point: revolvers are easier to use.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; Revolvers are certainly easier to understand from looking at the simple operation of one; I would think this to be a big plus in choosing a first handgun for carry.

[NeilCasper]

Re: Why Some Have No Interest In Revolvers
I believe it's due to the 'more is better' syndrome. For some, eight to eighteen rounds seems much more comforting than five or six. It allows for more misses. Also the trigger stroke on most semi-autos is usually easier to learn then a double action revolver.

[TA]

I think you are right. Even as far as semi-autos go, guys want 15 rounds with one in the chamber and a full spare magazine or two. Unless you are Mel Gibson making a movie, it is not neccessary. For the average guy/gal that may need to use their handgun for self defense, six rounds should be enough. For LEO's and Mel Gibson, it is a different story.

[TMan]

I have "proof" that revolvers are better:

In the movie Quick Change, Bill Murray empties his Desert Eagle trying to shoot out a security camera in the bank, and misses every time. He then draws the security officer's revolver and with one shot he nails the camera. Later when getting off the phone he gets another security camera with one shot. How much more proof do you need.

Sometimes I'm as believable as a Democrat.

["DoubleAction"]

In the now famous FBI Miami Shootout, the final blow in stopping the gunman was fired from that of a S&W 586, .357 Magnum Revolver.
I strongly agree that the long heavy trigger strokes on most factory double action revolvers are more difficult to learn by. One thing these triggers do teach is a firm displine in how the trigger should be squeezed, without pulling the shot. That is one reason why many have complained about the first shot shooting low on the first round double action SIG semi-autos.

[TMan]

Well, if you clean after every shooting, the first shot is a fouling shot anyhow so if it is double-action and you are a little off - you have an excuse. ;D

Incidentally, I find the fouling shot more noticable with rifles than I do with handguns.

Mil-Surp-TMan

["DoubleAction"]

tman said:

Well, if you clean after every shooting, the first shot is a fouling shot anyhow so if it is double-action and you are a little off - you have an excuse. ;D

Incidentally, I find the fouling shot more noticable with rifles than I do with handguns.

Mil-Surp-TMan

TMan; I think they have a good excuse on this one, especially if they are not accustomed to the longer and much heavier trigger strokes of the double action. A ten pound double action stroke on a lightweight semi-auto requires alot of disipline when trying to achieve the same accuracy results of that in a much shorter 4 1/2 single action stroke on the same pistol. It is possible to smooth and lighten the double action stroke on the Sigs, but one still has to commit to more practice in working with the D. A. trigger than the first round in an average ten round magazine.

[kf9vh]

I don't have a clue. I went through the 45 thing here a while back. I never could shoot it as well as my revolvers. I dumped all the semi auto pistols and have nothing but revolvers now and enjoy shooting them much more.

I would rather clean my 686 than a colt 45, I find them a pain to strip and get back together.

[TMan]

Hey, glad to have you on-board. I often wondered if new members ever read any of our older posts. You proved that they do.

I recently got some 357 Maximum brass, which I've been told works well for cleaning out the burnt carbon in the 357 Magnum revolvers after shooting 38 Specials in them.

If you look up at the top of the screen, you will see that you have a private message that I sent you concerning security. If you click on it, you will be able to read it.