Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
As others have mentioned, don't discount revolvers. I am a big fan of them. They don't look as "cool" as semi-auto's but they are very practical and reliable. The capacity issue is not really a big deal. 6 shots should definitely get you out of trouble, you aren't in a military style combat situation. personally I would go with one of the double action AND single action. Double action is very safe and is what you would use in a self defense situation but single action (pull back the hammer first) with it's very light trigger is nice for target practice. The ONE thing about revolver vs semi-auto that you don't hear very much is semi-auto's jam a lot (relative to revolvers) but when they do they generally are easy to clear and get shooting again (rack the slide clears 90% of all malfunction). Revolvers very rarely malfunction, but when they do there is no easy fix. It's out of the game.
I appreciate all the advice. It is not going to be a hobby. It is a decision about carrying a gun for self protection and family protection in the world we live in (and in many ways a response to all the other threads represented on this forum on violence).
I can relate. A few years ago I went to a range in PA to try target shooting. The guy gave me a 45. It was like an explosion going off in my hands. I got used to it but it was surprising. I also learned I’m a terrible shot. I’ve since fired rifles that are much smoother and learned that I was aiming with my non-dominant eye.
As others have mentioned, don't discount revolvers. I am a big fan of them. They don't look as "cool" as semi-auto's but they are very practical and reliable. The capacity issue is not really a big deal. 6 shots should definitely get you out of trouble, you aren't in a military style combat situation. personally I would go with one of the double action AND single action. Double action is very safe and is what you would use in a self defense situation but single action (pull back the hammer first) with it's very light trigger is nice for target practice. The ONE thing about revolver vs semi-auto that you don't hear very much is semi-auto's jam a lot (relative to revolvers) but when they do they generally are easy to clear and get shooting again (rack the slide clears 90% of all malfunction). Revolvers very rarely malfunction, but when they do there is no easy fix. It's out of the game.
Thanks the revolvers are attractive due to the points you mention here.
If a person is not prepared or willing to go through the training and consistent practice to deal with the significantly more complex "manual of arms" of a semi-automatic (which essentially means making shooting a hobby), a revolver will be a more effective weapon in a crisis.
Revolvers are a good choice for most people, particularly women. Why? Because the thugs that prey on women have a mindset of easy prey, they figure she's going to be weak. They're not attacking a woman with the expectation of a pitched gun battle, prepared to shoot it out to the death.
The weight-to-recoil ratio is in effect with revolvers as well. The industry sells very lightweight "lady" or "airweight" revolvers to women on the premise that they're easier to carry because they're lighter.
However, as I mentioned before, a few ounces can make a huge difference in felt recoil. My wife and daughter shoot .38 Special rounds in .357 Magnum snub-nosed revolvers, which are a few ounces heavier than the usual "lady" or "airweight" .38 Special gun. That few ounces makes little difference in carrying, but softens the recoil noticeably. I also got them both "shrouded hammer" guns, to reduce the chances of the hammer getting caught in clothing. It allows them to shoot from a coat pocket or through a purse, which is a dicey maneuver with a semi-automatic, but is a likely situation for a woman who might get rushed before she can fully draw the weapon.
As others have mentioned, don't discount revolvers. I am a big fan of them. They don't look as "cool" as semi-auto's but they are very practical and reliable. The capacity issue is not really a big deal. 6 shots should definitely get you out of trouble, you aren't in a military style combat situation. personally I would go with one of the double action AND single action. Double action is very safe and is what you would use in a self defense situation but single action (pull back the hammer first) with it's very light trigger is nice for target practice. The ONE thing about revolver vs semi-auto that you don't hear very much is semi-auto's jam a lot (relative to revolvers) but when they do they generally are easy to clear and get shooting again (rack the slide clears 90% of all malfunction). Revolvers very rarely malfunction, but when they do there is no easy fix. It's out of the game.
True. My issue with revolvers is that they tend to be less comfortable to carry. The cylinder bulge is bulky and sticks out well past the side of the frame, making it less comfortable IWB. There is also something to say for the convenience of being able to unload a semi by just dropping the mag and clearing the chamber (or load the inverse) as opposed to handling individual rounds. I also prefer the extra capacity of a semi. I also feel a semi MAY be safer due to no exposed hammer (at least on striker fired guns). Though with transfer bar safeties this isn't such a big issue.
No arguing though that they have some advantages-more obvious that it's loaded (or clear) to new shooters. Perhaps more reliable (though they can get dirt/lint onto bad places if carried regularly). And for weaker shooters, no need to fight a recoil spring to cycle a slide.
True. My issue with revolvers is that they tend to be less comfortable to carry. The cylinder bulge is bulky and sticks out well past the side of the frame, making it less comfortable IWB. There is also something to say for the convenience of being able to unload a semi by just dropping the mag and clearing the chamber (or load the inverse) as opposed to handling individual rounds. I also prefer the extra capacity of a semi. I also feel a semi MAY be safer due to no exposed hammer (at least on striker fired guns). Though with transfer bar safeties this isn't such a big issue.
No arguing though that they have some advantages-more obvious that it's loaded (or clear) to new shooters. Perhaps more reliable (though they can get dirt/lint onto bad places if carried regularly). And for weaker shooters, no need to fight a recoil spring to cycle a slide.
I agree with your points, especially if you take the extra time to familiarize yourself with the semi-auto firing system. I've run "drills" with my girlfriend (using snap-caps, dummy rounds of course) to see how quickly she can identify what "state" her semi-auto is in at a given time. Loaded, chambered, empty, ready to fire etc and she gets a little confused. With a revolver there are really only two states. Loaded and ready or empty and safe. She has gotten better at it but realize you have to put in a little more effort. As far as fast reloads/unload, there are speed loaders for revolvers that speed up the load times and as far as unloading they really are about the same as semi's, especially when you consider the extra step of racking the slide to check for chambered rounds in the semi-auto. As for exposed hammer vs shrouded hammer in revolvers I think it's a trade-off. I think it's worth it to have the extra functionality of exposed. I don't carry it loose in a pocket so it really cant snag on anything. But for a woman who will likely carry in her purse, it is probably a good idea to go shrouded.
In the end, the best gun is the one that you are comfortable enough with to carry and that you are likely to practice with. As long as both you and it are reliable.
True. My issue with revolvers is that they tend to be less comfortable to carry. The cylinder bulge is bulky and sticks out well past the side of the frame, making it less comfortable IWB. There is also something to say for the convenience of being able to unload a semi by just dropping the mag and clearing the chamber (or load the inverse) as opposed to handling individual rounds. I also prefer the extra capacity of a semi. I also feel a semi MAY be safer due to no exposed hammer (at least on striker fired guns). Though with transfer bar safeties this isn't such a big issue.
No arguing though that they have some advantages-more obvious that it's loaded (or clear) to new shooters. Perhaps more reliable (though they can get dirt/lint onto bad places if carried regularly). And for weaker shooters, no need to fight a recoil spring to cycle a slide.
Most days in this area I am going to be wearing a sweatshirt or jacket so OWB is not an issue. The thinking I have is the semi auto as you point out is easier to reload and 10 shots = more protection at least in my mind.
I have been accustomed to rifles and shotguns. Yesterday I went to my first handgun class. The instructor asked me why I was there. I explained that we were out to lunch and a light went off in my head and I felt unprotected. We are most time on an island off the coast of Washington. It's very peaceful. I can't imagine I would ever "need" a gun here. But when we ferry over it's America with it's choices and risks.
The class was interesting about posture safety and risks and how to mitigate those realities. For my gun range I opted for the Sig Sauer 365XL 9mm. It felt good in my hand, compact and lightweight. I loaded the magazine finally using a device to help me load. The instructor reviewed my instructions I cocked and aimed. I can only describe it as an explosion. Recoil was noticeable but fine. She said I closed my eyes once. LOL. Next to us was a man shooting a large handgun with 323 ammo>? The concussive effect was palpable.
I had a red dot on the Sig and it helped conform my shots to the center with movement downward which she said was pretty standard. My overall impression was getting that much "bang" with a small semi automatic handgun.
I did not really like the experience to be quite honest. Not the principle of the carrying a gun, but the power of that little hand cannon was not really fun. I've always been a good shot. I will continue to move forward to learning and purchase and more training To my surprise it's Kinda a necessity these days.
Feedback welcome but without crap
My feelings are similar to yours. I own a handgun and a varmint rifle. I don't enjoy shooting, hunting, or anything else about firearms, but I feel very vulnerable without some means of leveling the playing field - especially as I get older. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but American has become very violent - and it's not just guns. Politicians, DAs,and judges with an agenda have emboldened violent behavior.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
