• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Revolver vs. Semi Auto

Page 6 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Jeeebus said:
I hope none of us are ever placed in that situation, but I don't think anyone can reliably state that they will put half their shots on target in a high adrenaline situation, most likely spurred by someone waking you up in the middle of the night.

Consider the statistical studies (unreliable as they may be) of police shootings over the past few decades. Generally speaking, most police officers have better training than the vast majority of us. Notwithstanding this, the "hit ratio" associated with police officers pulling the trigger is usually somewhere between 10% - 30%, and that sometimes includes officers committing suicide (pretty much 100% hit ratio there) and snipers taking someone out with a scope, both of which will drive that number up.

For example: http://www.theppsc.org/Staff_Views/Aveni/OIS.pdf

Adrenaline and anxiety will do things to your body that even the best training can rarely counter. I've got 17 rounds in my M&P9 and 8 in my shotgun - I hope I never have to fire a single one in defense of my family. But I definitely would not count on putting half of those on target in the dark at 3am.
Click to expand...

Well yeah we could armchair situations where I would/would not miss all day, I'm no Pecos Bill, and I have no fantasy about getting in a gunfight. But I live in a 3rd floor studio apartment, have one entrance and nothing leading up to the windows. In addition to the dead bolt, I've got one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-26.../dp/B0002YUX8I
and one of these: http://www.amazon.com/50246-Smart-Ho...pr_product_top

Given that unless I'm taking a shit or in the closet I'm in the same room as my door, I find it very unlikely anyone's getting into my apartment without my letting them in. 🙂

If I was allowed to drill into the floor I'd install one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Security-Preve...3987049&sr=1-2

As for those police shooting stats, those are for active gun fights that take place on a street somewhere, or as part of a raid. Not usually defending one's home from an intruder. Very different contexts.

As for in the dark, night sights aside I'm currently saving up for one of these (my 1911 is railed): http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/viridian-c5l-laser-sight Not saying that completely cures the issue, but it would definitely help.

Guess my point is I never meant to come off as semi-rambo, and I agree the gun is a last resort of last resorts. But given the way my apartment's set-up odds are I'm going to be woken up by a bang or alarm at my door, and I'll have a nice fixed point to initially aim at.
 
Last edited:
bruceb said:
Go with the revolver as it is less maintenance and is more trouble free than a semi automatic. Semis, need to be cleaned and lubed often and they can jam, something a revolver will not do. Only thing, I would get a 5 or 6 inch barrel version. They are more accurate, easier to shoot than the short barreled models. I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum with a 6 inch barrel and while it is noisy, the recoil is very manageable.

0802.jpg

Also available in chrome with an easy to see red front sight.

0860.jpg
Click to expand...

Revolvers can jam. Something gets caught between the cylinder and frame and it's jammed. I can't remember what gun it was, but i read about one in particular where if you ejected the spent casings, they could get caught between the cyclinder and the extractor.
 
Last edited:
Well my wife hates automatics...doesn't like the brass flying out. She does pretty good with a .38 standard sized revolver though.
 
I tried out the S&W 686 some time ago, put .38 through it since the range was out of .357 at the time. It was okay but not my style...the barrel axis seemed too high and forward. Made visualizing the aim seem awkward. Fired an H&R 940 that aimed fine...though the DA pull is insane (definitely over 15 lbs).

I don't get why people call revolvers "six guns." Not all of them chamber six rounds.
 
TheNinja said:
Ya, I guess now it's turned into a revolver vs semi in general, not just directed at the OP. Just a general discussion
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with that I guess, though I'm pretty sure we all know the merits of both platforms pretty well😉
IGemini said:
I don't get why people call revolvers "six guns." Not all of them chamber six rounds.
Click to expand...
Just an old reference...for the longest time they all did hold 6 rounds...just like some people call them wheel guns, though that fits regardless of capacity
 
Got no problem calling a revolver a six-gun, so long as it actually holds that number. :whiste: Only revolver that I see regularly holds nine rounds, the H&R I mentioned.
 
IGemini said:
Got no problem calling a revolver a six-gun, so long as it actually holds that number. :whiste: Only revolver that I see regularly holds nine rounds, the H&R I mentioned.
Click to expand...

There's a new Taurus that holds 9 rounds of .22 I've seen some other that hold 9 or 10 also but forget what brand/model.
 
I had a great time shooting my buddies single action .22 revolver one time. Ammo is cheap and we could try to do fast draw and quick shooting we used to see on Young Riders TV show or something. See how fast you can shoot and cock the single action with your other hand.
 
schneiderguy said:
Ended up going with the M&P 9mm. Turned 21 yesterday :awe:

DROS'd it today, 10 day wait expires on the 24th at 1:11pm.
Click to expand...

Congrats! I feel safer knowing Schneiderguy guy is armed with more than that just an AR-15. While I prefer a semi-auto, I do think it is worthwhile to become proficient with a revolver. I bet you can pick up a used .38 or similar dirt cheap sometime.
 
davmat787 said:
Congrats! I feel safer knowing Schneiderguy guy is armed with more than that just an AR-15. While I prefer a semi-auto, I do think it is worthwhile to become proficient with a revolver. I bet you can pick up a used .38 or similar dirt cheap sometime.
Click to expand...

Bud's had some police trade in S&W .38 specials (model 60?) for like $250 that I was looking at. Then I found out that they aren't on the "safe" handgun roster so we can't have them in CA 🙄
 
Now boys, I've got my two replica Blunderbusses, 1 inch bore, 3 oz assorted shot, pyrodex, fired by a pistol primer.
I figure getting one shot off should end the matter one way or another.
I remember reading the spread was 20x20 feet at 10 yards. With lots of noise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top