Semi auto or D/A revolver?

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Prairie Hunter

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Thinking about getting my first pistol. Debating if I should go with a semi auto or d/a revolver. What are the pros and cons? Should I get a brand new one, or try to find one from EE? What are your two cents?
 
You'll probably end up with both one day. I started out with semi's but found I prefer shooting revolvers. No mags to buy, clean, pack, etc., and no brass to chase.
If you're not sure what you want the EE is a good place to check for used HG's. Good deals come up from time to time. If it doesn't float your boat you could always sell it for little or no loss….Good Luck!
 
johNTO said:
You'll probably end up with both one day. I started out with semi's but found I prefer shooting revolvers. No mags to buy, clean, pack, etc., and no brass to chase.
If you're not sure what you want the EE is a good place to check for used HG's. Good deals come up from time to time. If it doesn't float your boat you could always sell it for little or no loss….Good Luck!
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Did you start with 22LR or jumped right in to something more powerful for semi? For revolver, what caliber are you shooting? Do you like d/a or single action? Thanks.
 
I started with a Taurus 9 shot revolver in .22lr. So much fun. Now I have 2 single action revolvers and a smith 686 all in .357/.38spl. I also have a 9mm CZ and a Remington 1911. All have there goods and bads. BIG plus for the wheel guns is the not chasing the brass. But cleaning the semi's are much easier and faster. If yyou go with a .22 revolver I would go with a D/A since you can shoot it single or double action and ejecting the brass is way easier (I wouldn't want to do a 10 shot ruger single 1 at a time lol) Nice thing about a .357 revolver is the option to shoot .38 spl. I found a reloader that charges $10 a box of .38's.
 
johNTO said:
You'll probably end up with both one day. I started out with semi's but found I prefer shooting revolvers. No mags to buy, clean, pack, etc., and no brass to chase.
If you're not sure what you want the EE is a good place to check for used HG's. Good deals come up from time to time. If it doesn't float your boat you could always sell it for little or no loss….Good Luck!
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I am agree with you.
There is no such "one gun is enough". You will end up finding an excuse to keep buying different one. A good .22 semi pistol is a good start of you journey. Browning buckmark and Ruger both makes decent .22 semi and also cheap to feed. A step up would be 9mm/38 Special league. Lots of choice and tons of fun to shoot. IPSC, IDPA, ICORE, Handgun Tactical course......etc you name it.
My pick would be 9mm semi and revolver come later.
 
Prairie Hunter said:
Did you start with 22LR or jumped right in to something more powerful for semi? For revolver, what caliber are you shooting? Do you like d/a or single action? Thanks.
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My first HG was from my father. A mint T-series BHP (9mm). It was so nice it became a safe queen. My first purchase was a Norc1911 45ACP. I have owned both D/A and S/AO revolvers and enjoy them equally (cal from 460V, 44mag, 45ACP, .22lr) A few HG's have come and gone but I now have the variety of semi's and revolvers that I like to shoot.
If I had to choose only one semi and one revolver it would be the BHP and my S&W 625…and a MKIII Standard for plinking:)
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It sure looks like lots of fun to play with different handguns. I'm looking into different .22LR semi auto and revolver at the moment. As for revolver, I'm leanning toward to .357 d/a ones. Checking into Dan Wesson, S&W and Rossi .357. I'm like a little boy in candy store that wants all the candy, but can only afford one for the moment.
 
semi's are fun for blasting away tons of ammo, but there is something therapeutic about loading a revolver to me. i have more semi auto's then revolvers but mainly because i like s&w's alot which tend to be pricey.

as most have said you'll be happy either way and eventually have both plus a maxed out credit card or line of credit...
 
If you like accuracy, nailing that bullseye, get a 6" or 7.5" barreled .357 revolver. If you want to become handy at spitting out 11 rounds very quickly into a 4-5" circle, get a semi auto pistol in 9mm. Both .38 and 9mm are fairly reasonable to shoot, and the recoil is very manageable.
 
Still alive said:
I like both but the biggest and only advantage of buying a revolver ( other than caliber options) is you don't have to chase your brass at the range! I hate looking in every corner for semi auto casings especially after rapid fire!
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It's funny few people mentioned that they hate chasing the brass of semi. Do the brass just eject to all different direction? I had never fired a semi auto, not sure if that's what you mean.
 
Yes chasing brass is a pain and they can go every which way.. that's certainly an advantage with a revolver..

If it was me I'd start with something like a Smith 617 revolver in 22cal and take it from there.

You probably will have both over time.. Look at Ruger or Buckmark in a semi to start.
 
Auto or revolver is a question faced by every handgunner. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages. It comes down to the type which grabs your imagination. If you prefer a revolver, you might be challenged with finding grips which fit your hand. If you choose an auto, you might be dissatisfied with the factory issued sights. Revolvers IMHO tend to be more accurate out of the box (there are exceptions) but autos tend to be easier to shoot accurately (another generality). Starting with one type doesn't make the transition to the other easier. I don't necessarily believe that one must start with a rimfire to become a competent marksman, as dry firing at home is as valuable to your success as live fire at the range. When no recoil and blast masks your mistakes, it's easier to see if your front sight covers the target when the hammer falls. Live fire at the range then reinforces your progress. A disadvantage of starting with a rimfire is that in some people it builds a physiological barrier when moving up to a centerfire. That doesn't mean you should start with a .44 magnum or a 10mm, but a .38 or a 9mm tend to be mild mannered enough for the novice to master quickly.
 
who knows which one has a lighter or softer trigger pull weight?
i start with a sig 226, i dont want to move forward to buy another semi auto. but i start to think about to buy a revolver can have the same trigger weight as the sig 226 4.5 Pound pull.
Thanks in advance.
 
I always laugh or shake my head sadly at the idea of one of anything. There's simply far too much variety in just about any equipment based sport such as handguns to even consider limiting oneself to "A....." of anything. So instead of a "which one" question it should be "which one first".

And once you accept that idea that you WILL end up with a few notable hand guns in both semi and revolver that forms a tidy and representative collection you end up with the idea of "whichever shows up first for a fair price" being the answer to this question.
 
bonisoir said:
who knows which one has a lighter or softer trigger pull weight?
i start with a sig 226, i dont want to move forward to buy another semi auto. but i start to think about to buy a revolver can have the same trigger weight as the sig 226 4.5 Pound pull.
Thanks in advance.
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The 4.5lb pull of your Sig is in SA mode? I'm pretty sure that's what you're asking. And assuming that's right then you're in for a very happy experience when you shoot your first S&W in SA mode. ANY S&W in SA will make your Sig or any other stock single action trigger feel like doggie poo.

Now comparing DA to DA would be another story. I suspect the Sig would be a little lighter for DA unless the S&W has had a spring kit installed.
 
Prairie Hunter said:
It's funny few people mentioned that they hate chasing the brass of semi. Do the brass just eject to all different direction? I had never fired a semi auto, not sure if that's what you mean.
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Chasing brass can be a bit of a PITA. It's chasing expensive brass that people hate (10mm, 45ACP, 44 Mag) 'cause there's always a half dozen that like to hide.

As for ejecting all different directions, I find that your grip will dictate where your brass will go. My M&P 45ACP will toss brass into a 4'x4' area if I grip it properly. Do something odd and it'll bounce brass off my head. My DE will put one right between your eyes if you don't hold it right.

If you do get a semi auto and for some reason you insisted on a caliber with irreplaceable brass, just make and setup a screen beside your shoot position. All your brass will hopefully be laying beside you at the end of your session.

(E) :cool:
 
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