Advantages Of Using A Revoler Over A Semi Automatic.

I’m doing a debate for one of my classes. And unfortunalty I got a topic that I don’t necessarily agree on, but ill live with it.

Isn't all the 'anti-revolver' stuff here useless? He said it was a class project and that he is just looking for points to choose a revolver over a semi. Its not that he, himself thinks that a revolver is better, it's just a topic that was assigned to him.
 
Just wondering if some people could give me some input as to the benefits of using a Revolver (S&W model 10 .38 special) over a Semi automatic pistol. (Such as a Glock) Here is what I have already.

-Revolver is simple to use
-Less likely to jam
-More accurate. (Dont have a slide going back and fourth after each trigger pull)

If anyone else has anything to add please do. I’m doing a debate for one of my classes. And unfortunalty I got a topic that I don’t necessarily agree on, but ill live with it.

Thanks

Erik

semis are easier to clean. Try to clean 10 shot .22LR and you'll know what I mean. Out of the box, revolvers have better triggers than semis.
 
I like! would choose a revolver over a semi for the fact when im holding my Revolver i can just turn it sideways in a safe direction and see if there is any cases in any of the chambers. ;)

Autos well you gota be pulling on this or that to open it and check.
Thats just one reason!
I agree with all the other pro Revolver answers here!
 
semis are easier to clean. Try to clean 10 shot .22LR and you'll know what I mean. Out of the box, revolvers have better triggers than semis.

don't tell me you actually clean a .22 pistol :eek:

I actually don't think there are that many 'practical' differences between revolvers and semi autos, some of the things mentioned here are pointless (can't fit a silencer) and others are the product of fantasy (tactical reload difficulties- here's a hint, carry a speed strip) for some jobs the revolver has real advantages. Any job where the gun carrier may be at very close quarters, like contact range, the revolver is superior because it has no disconnector. Likewise any job involving water is better done with a revolver (SEAL Team SIX used .357 magnum Smith Combat Magnums after trying to get their Phrobis/Beretta's to work coming from water to air)
The key to which device works better under a set of circumstances is largely the individual holding the device. The mind set with a semi is generally one which encourages a ' fire for effect ' approach and may include suppressive fire or cover fire. With a revolver the mind set must be to hit with every shot, so it's like the battle rifle vs. assault rifle debate. It'll never end.
 
All of the things that have already been mentioned with emphasis on my Redhawk 44 mag has never jammed. Also, the barrel is short enough on mine to see light through the pipe. If I've had a pop instead of a bang, it takes 1-2 seconds to verify if it made it out of the pipe or not.
Sorry to all of the 1911 lovers here, but to me, revolvers just look cooler than anything with a slide.

If you're taking one or two seconds to verify whether a round made it out of the barrel you better go back and review the basics from you're RPAL test.

Comparing revolvers and semi-autos is an apples and oranges thing and there are many good qualities going for each that lead to the conclusion that one must have several of both varieties.
 
With a couple of speedloaders and a good reloading drill practised a few times you can almost match or even surpass the reloading speed of a semi auto with mags.


Really...LOL?

I would like to see that...

What would get off 40 rounds quicker....?

4 -10 round mags or(3 if you had 17+1 capacity USA has)

7- speed loaders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls4Uq1aCiTA
 
350 Mag,

You are correct. Jerry Miculek, probably the fastest revolver shooter out there spends up to 4 hours a day practicing his reloads. Jerry uses full moon clips not speed loaders, and Jerry is a full time sponsored shooter. Shooting is his job.

Even if a revolver shooter has the ability to reload as fast as an auto shooter, they would still be reloading atleast twice as often.

TDC
 
I just like the fact that a typical swing out cylinder or break top revolver is far quicker and more finger friendly to reload with loose ammo than any pistol I could name, it makes a huge difference during the course of a long shooting session.
 
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Ian in Vic,

Your points are just as flawed as your logic. Speed strips will never be an expedient method reloading and will never compete with the speed of a magazine reload. Tactical reloads are neither fantasy nor myth. While competing (or fighting) the advantage goes to the shooter who has the fewest actions to execute. More rounds means fewer reloads. One large magazine directed towards one large hole equals gross motor skills and a much simplified movement over reloading a revolver with any method described above.


Your point regarding waterborne operations is again dependent on the particular firearm, not the system. Revolvers will shed water from their inner workings better than most autos. This advantage however can be offset with the ability to fire(some) autos underwater or while full off water. In either case, both advantages are of little value.

A CQB environment and the advantages of the revolver are not as clear cut as you would have us believe. Again, the mindset and tactics employed come into play. Anyone who carries for protection or for a living is ill advised to allow someone within reaching/grabbing distance of themselves or their gear. This of course will not always be the case. That being said, any attempt at a "gun grab" is likely to result in your firearm not functioning. The autos do have the downside of an out of battery slide causing the firearm to fail. Revolvers also have a similar issue. Anyone who grabs your revolver around the cylinder will render it inoperable. Selecting a firearm(and system) based on the advantages/disadvantages of said system during an unlikely and preventable situation is not a good idea.

The notion that those running an auto rely on the "spray and pray" mentality is nothing more than an unsolicited attack against auto loaders and their proponents. More rounds means less reloading and more targets engaged before being REQUIRED to reload. Anytime you're engaged in an immediate action(anything other than firing) you are at risk. No one who understands the risks involved with defending ones life would fire only one or two rounds into an attacker with confidence that their shots were well placed and are sufficient to stop the attack. FIRE TILL THE FOE FALLS. The method works for all firearms. Unfortunately it doesn't lend itself well to revolvers, break actions, bolt actions, or muzzle loaders. No one teaches, preaches or practices the "spray and pray" technique.

870P,

I agree that reloading loose rounds is best accomplished with a revolver. Rounds go from pocket right into the gun. Skipping the magazine step of auto loaders. The equipment for just such a situation is not the deciding factor. Mindset and tactics are the issue at hand. Anyone running an auto and loose rounds needs some more training or a psychological evaluation. It is neither effective nor prudent to carry loose rounds for any system, let alone an auto.

TDC
 
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870P,

I agree that reloading loose rounds is best accomplished with a revolver. Rounds go from pocket right into the gun. Skipping the magazine step of auto loaders. The equipment for just such a situation is not the deciding factor. Mindset and tactics are the issue at hand. Anyone running an auto and loose rounds needs some more training or a psychological evaluation. It is neither effective nor prudent to carry loose rounds for any system, let alone an auto.

TDC

In a range situation I fail to see where having "loose" {most probably boxed} rounds at hand is indicative of training or phychological issues. Very few of us have enough magazines or speed loaders on hand to be able to get a large amount of ammo aboard.
 
My Pal instructor mentioned that revolvers could theoretically be dangerous if you were rapid firing and a bullet lodged in the barrel. Then you "unknowingly" pulled the trigger again and the cylinder rotated and fired another bullet down the plugged barrel.

He mentioned with a semi-auto, if a bullet lodges in the barrel, the gun would not cycle and you would know you had a problem.

I realize these are rare events and it would not sway my choice one way or the other, but I thought I'd add what I was told.
 
It can still happen

My Pal instructor mentioned that revolvers could theoretically be dangerous if you were rapid firing and a bullet lodged in the barrel. Then you "unknowingly" pulled the trigger again and the cylinder rotated and fired another bullet down the plugged barrel.

He mentioned with a semi-auto, if a bullet lodges in the barrel, the gun would not cycle and you would know you had a problem.

I realize these are rare events and it would not sway my choice one way or the other, but I thought I'd add what I was told.


I had sold a friend a AMT Hardballer who took his Black Badge course with it, during his course he fired a shot and he did notice that it didn't seem as loud as the previous shot but on the next round it was a really loud one, after calling a cease fire and examining his pistol he found out why, the really loud one tried to push out the round from the previous shot and split the barrel all the way down, fortunately no one was hurt and AMT supplied a new barrel at no charge but demanded the old barrel which was too bad because it would be nice reference material for the PAL course now.
 
870P,

Firing from a stationary position at the range would indicate that you are enjoying some basic plinking or are working on marksmanship. Neither of these two activities requires the shooter to have any advanced skills such as those mentioned in previous posts. If the merits of revolvers vs. autos is being debated with the intended use being that of stationary fire, there is no point in this conversation. Any such merits for either system being employed in such a fashion is almost strictly a personal preference.

As for mags and speedloaders. If you compete, you need to have an ample supply of either or both. Depending on what you run. Magazines are quite cheap for most makes and models. I'm not up to speed on the price of speedloaders but I would imagine they aren't overly expensive.

TDC
 
Tap, Rack, Bang vs...Pull Trigger

As a combat weapon and I have used a hangun in combat i would choose a wheelgun first as an exposed carry firearm...semi's for concelled carry
 
I believe that there was an instance where an RCMP officer around here in his car was shot to death, being unable to respond with counter fire, owing to his magazine dropping out of his automatic pistol. I believe one of the problems he face were rules that prevented him from carrying the pistol with a round in the chamber. So errors from mishandling or rules might overcomplicate the use of auto's more so than revolvers.

On the other hand, who's heard of any force that switched back to revolvers?
 
Does everyone forget about the S&W TTR8?
8 shot .357/.38 revolver with 5" barrel w/ a light rail and a removable scope rail?

You're kidding right?? One imbred variant that is capable of mounting a light that is not accessable to the shooter without placing their hand in-line with the cylinder gap as well as destroying your firing grip. An optics rail that is of no practical use. The mounted light and other accessories do not allow the use of any holsters on the market. The only advantage is the low gloss finish and the 8 round capacity. Then again, most sub compact autos carry 9-11 rounds and are half the size and weight. Full size autos average 15 rounds. A traditional 1911 still has a 2 round advantage.

TDC
 
I believe that there was an instance where an RCMP officer around here in his car was shot to death, being unable to respond with counter fire, owing to his magazine dropping out of his automatic pistol. I believe one of the problems he face were rules that prevented him from carrying the pistol with a round in the chamber. So errors from mishandling or rules might overcomplicate the use of auto's more so than revolvers.

On the other hand, who's heard of any force that switched back to revolvers?

There is no policy to prevent a RCMP member from carrying a service pistol with a round in the chamber. The S&W 5946 has a built in safety feature that makes the gun safe if the mag is not seated so it doesnt matter if there is one in the spout or not. As it is a DAO design the only way to fire it is for a round to be in the chamber, the mag properly seated and pulling the trigger. I'm sure that it could ruin your whole day to pull the gun from the holster when you really needed it and have the mag hit the ground.
 
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