Handguns - Suggestions or tips

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irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
your life doesn't require absolute reliability? If it doesn't then i'm not sure what would?

I can blow through ammo in a semi-auto way faster than a revolver. most people have more than 1 mag and its much easier to switch out mags then reload a revolver. I can reload a mag pretty quickly too.

I don't see how the revolver is becoming obsolete. if it was, they wouldn't be making new ones and innovating them, like the LCR and the Bodyguard.

The difference in reliability between a quality broken-in pistol and a revolver is negligible IMO. A revolver is less likely to fail under extreme circumstances. Home/personal defense usually wouldn't include those barring zombie hordes. :p

As for why they keep making them, because there's a market. But last I checked most professional, practical users of guns (law enforcement, military, etc) have switched to autos. So whatever the market is, it's phasing out of the practical arena.

Just my 2 cents. Obviously other people think differently. Personally I wouldn't buy a revolver for anything other than recreation with maybe a secondary defensive role.

Edit: And I meant go through more rounds at the range. Just my experience. The mags I was loading (my friend's Beretta) were pretty stiff for my fingers. :p
 
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GoofyGoofT

Senior member
Dec 21, 2009
326
0
71
I don't know about every gun I can only tell you about mine that I use for home and outside the home defense.

I carry the Glock 19

Reasons why I carry the Glock 19
1) It holds 16 shots and I figure that I should be able to stop a threat with that.
2) It is 9mm so practice shots are not expensive.
3) You can drag a Glock through the mud sand or drop it from high up and a bullet won't go off unless the trigger is pulled and it won't jam when you need it even if it is not freshly cleaned.
4) Mine is subcompact which is good for helping me conceal it. (I am a skinny kid 6'3" and only 155lb)
5) I love the feel of the Glock in my hand and when I am shooting.
6) I have night sites on mine the Glock MS3 night sites.

Glock 17, Glock 19 (mine I carry), Glock 26
glock_17_19_26.jpg
 

GoofyGoofT

Senior member
Dec 21, 2009
326
0
71
Don't get a revolver for defense get it for the look of it especially don't get it for your first handgun!
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,071
744
126
The only problem I see with a semi pistol for home defense is the magazine. Some people buy the firearm, practice a little and then it sits waiting to be used for home defense. As it sits, the spring in the magazine gets weak and that may lead to feeding issues.
This is easily solved by rotating magazines but not all people are that studious.

For me and home defense, it's a revolver and a shotgun. The revolver isn't going to have feeding issues and the sight of a shotgun puts the fear of God, in God.

If I was going to carry, it would me a semi auto.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
The only problem I see with a semi pistol for home defense is the magazine. Some people buy the firearm, practice a little and then it sits waiting to be used for home defense. As it sits, the spring in the magazine gets weak and that may lead to feeding issues.
This is easily solved by rotating magazines but not all people are that studious.

For me and home defense, it's a revolver and a shotgun. The revolver isn't going to have feeding issues and the sight of a shotgun puts the fear of God, in God.

If I was going to carry, it would me a semi auto.

I don't think it's a big problem. I've heard of people finding loaded 1911 mags from WW2 that still functioned perfectly.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,071
744
126
I don't think it's a big problem. I've heard of people finding loaded 1911 mags from WW2 that still functioned perfectly.
I don't think it's a big problem either. But it's not an acceptable risk FOR ME.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
The only problem I see with a semi pistol for home defense is the magazine. Some people buy the firearm, practice a little and then it sits waiting to be used for home defense. As it sits, the spring in the magazine gets weak and that may lead to feeding issues.
This is easily solved by rotating magazines but not all people are that studious.

For me and home defense, it's a revolver and a shotgun. The revolver isn't going to have feeding issues and the sight of a shotgun puts the fear of God, in God.

If I was going to carry, it would me a semi auto.

Another good point olds. Wolfs web site concurs.

http://www.gunsprings.com/1ndex.html



5. Should I unload my magazines, rotate magazines, load with fewer than the maximum rounds? How often should I change magazine springs?

Magazine springs in semi-auto pistols are one of the most critical springs and the subject of much debate and concern. Magazines which are kept fully loaded for long periods of time, such as law enforcement applications, will generally be subject to more fatigue than the weekend shooter's magazine springs which are loaded up only when shooting. Magazine design and capacity also affect the longevity of the spring. Older designs where maximum capacity was not the goal such as the 7 round 1911 Colt magazines will last for years fully loaded. There was a lot of room for a lot of spring which reduced the overall stress on the spring. In recent hi-capacity magazines, the magazines were designed to hold more rounds with less spring material. This puts more stress on the spring and will cause fatigue at a faster rate. Unloading these magazines a round or two will help the life of the spring. Rotating fully loaded magazines will also help the problem somewhat but is not always practical. In applications where the magazine must be kept loaded, a high quality magazine spring such as Wolff extra power magazine springs, will provide maximum life. Regular shooting will verify reliability and regular replacement of magazine springs will provide the best defense against failure from weak magazine springs.
__________________

Extractors main/recoil springs and seats go bad too... but this is not an issue for monthly range warrior you describe
 
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HybridSquirrel

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2005
6,161
2
81
Another good point olds. Wolfs web site concurs.

http://www.gunsprings.com/1ndex.html



5. Should I unload my magazines, rotate magazines, load with fewer than the maximum rounds? How often should I change magazine springs?

Magazine springs in semi-auto pistols are one of the most critical springs and the subject of much debate and concern. Magazines which are kept fully loaded for long periods of time, such as law enforcement applications, will generally be subject to more fatigue than the weekend shooter's magazine springs which are loaded up only when shooting. Magazine design and capacity also affect the longevity of the spring. Older designs where maximum capacity was not the goal such as the 7 round 1911 Colt magazines will last for years fully loaded. There was a lot of room for a lot of spring which reduced the overall stress on the spring. In recent hi-capacity magazines, the magazines were designed to hold more rounds with less spring material. This puts more stress on the spring and will cause fatigue at a faster rate. Unloading these magazines a round or two will help the life of the spring. Rotating fully loaded magazines will also help the problem somewhat but is not always practical. In applications where the magazine must be kept loaded, a high quality magazine spring such as Wolff extra power magazine springs, will provide maximum life. Regular shooting will verify reliability and regular replacement of magazine springs will provide the best defense against failure from weak magazine springs.
__________________



of course a spring company recommends you change your springs out with their springs =D same reason why gas companies tell you their gas is better than the other =D. Spring fatigue is kind of an old wives tale. I've heard of PD's keeping slides locked back, mags fully loaded for 24/7 for like years at a time, and the weapons fire perfectly fine. Most modern guns should be good on springs for 20 years at least.
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
It's not the springs that I would be concerned about, more like the maintenance/lubrication of the gun. I've seen some pretty dirty ones that while they still worked, they would have worked far better with some lube.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
The only problem I see with a semi pistol for home defense is the magazine. Some people buy the firearm, practice a little and then it sits waiting to be used for home defense. As it sits, the spring in the magazine gets weak and that may lead to feeding issues.
This is easily solved by rotating magazines but not all people are that studious.

For me and home defense, it's a revolver and a shotgun. The revolver isn't going to have feeding issues and the sight of a shotgun puts the fear of God, in God.

If I was going to carry, it would me a semi auto.

It's not the springs that I would be concerned about, more like the maintenance/lubrication of the gun. I've seen some pretty dirty ones that while they still worked, they would have worked far better with some lube.

It's just more to worry about with a semi. Denting top of mags, main springs, rocoil springs, pivot pins etc etc etc... Like anything more moving parts you introduce more chances for fail. Glocks are noted for reliably because they have less moving parts than most autos. Revolvers even more so. But really most guns today you can shoot 10,000+ without fail other than bad ammo. More than anyone will ever shoot. I wouldnt worry about it. But if one wants to be more sure like 99.92% vs 99.91% I'd get a revolver.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
I don't think it's a big problem either. But it's not an acceptable risk FOR ME.

It is for me. This is as good advice as old timers telling you to only put 20 rounds in a 30 round AR15\M16 magazine "to keep it from jamming." Magazine springs don't wear out.

That said, I would recommend purchasing factory magazines as opposed to aftermarket, since quality is often variable, and magazines are the number one cause of malfunctions in magazine fed weapons.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,534
911
126
I don't think it's a big problem. I've heard of people finding loaded 1911 mags from WW2 that still functioned perfectly.

I've never heard of that but I do own several Wilson's mags that I've had loaded for many many years that still function flawlessly. I also have other 1911 mags that I wouldn't trust my dog's life with.
 

HybridSquirrel

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2005
6,161
2
81
revolvers can also fail, the timing can get messed up on the cylinder, while rare.....it does happen. as i said early, in this day and age, with a reputable manufacturer, there will be no issues with proper care and maintenance (revolver or semi-auto)
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,534
911
126
revolvers can also fail, the timing can get messed up on the cylinder, while rare.....it does happen. as i said early, in this day and age, with a reputable manufacturer, there will be no issues with proper care and maintenance (revolver or semi-auto)

I disagree. I have owned many of both and never had a misfire with a revolver. I've had a number of jams/stovepipes/etc with semi-autos. I'd still trust my life with any of my semi-autos but to say there will be no issues is just naive.
 

HybridSquirrel

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2005
6,161
2
81
I disagree. I have owned many of both and never had a misfire with a revolver. I've had a number of jams/stovepipes/etc with semi-autos. I'd still trust my life with any of my semi-autos but to say there will be no issues is just naive.

only time ive had issues with jams and other malfunctions on a semi-auto have been with no-name brands (hi-point, ect). I actually havent had a jam with my xd (after about 800), my dads glock hasnt had a malfunction in over 4000 rounds or so. A lot of people will report the same thing. Yeah it happens, but the likelyhood is a lot less than what it used to be. There have been some revolver malfunctions reported too, S&W's new lock system has been shown to engage when in recoil with hot +p loads. The ejector rods can get unscrewed under the same circumstances. Ejector rods unscrewing are probably the most common problem that some revolver owners have, but not all of them and its not like its a serious issue. Someone at the range had their front sight fly off a taurus revolver the other day, lodged in his forehead and had to be take out with tweezers, he did't die or anything but he had a pretty nice looking bandaid on his head when i went there yesterday. Point is: guns have problems but its pretty rare, but whenever someone does you always hear about it. And you don't hear about what kind of condition the gun was in when it did. Just clean your shit and your good to go.
 

KillerCharlie

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
3,691
68
91
Go to a range a try a bunch out. I absolutely love the S&W M&P semi-auto pistols. They feel much better in the hand than any other gun I've held. Plus they have interchangeable grips so you can can change the size of the grip to fit your hand.

You should definitely buy a Ruger .22 as well. I bought a brand new Ruger 22/45 for $250. It teaches you good pistol firing technique before using larger calibers, which can sometimes make you develop bad habits. Plus high quality .22 is a small fraction of the price of cheap 9mm.
 
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olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,071
744
126
revolvers can also fail, the timing can get messed up on the cylinder, while rare.....it does happen. as i said early, in this day and age, with a reputable manufacturer, there will be no issues with proper care and maintenance (revolver or semi-auto)
Every revolver in the movies has messed up timing. They check the cylinder, slam it shut and then spin it...
 
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krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
This thread reminds me of a new show I've started to watch lately. "Best Defense" on the outdoor channel. Check it out...

As for me....H&K USP 40....although I don't carry (I live in MD)