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Why do you like revolvers?

15K views 222 replies 130 participants last post by  squirrelsniper 
#1 ·
Hey guys. My question, just at the title suggests, is why do you like revolvers? I have a decent collection of firearms. Mostly handguns. A few AR's, and a few shotguns but mostly semi-auto hand guns. I have 2 revolvers a Ruger GP100 .357, and a S&W 500 mag. They are both great guns and I always have fun shooting them. But for some reason I have an overall "blah" feeling towards revolvers in general and i dont know why. But I WANT to lIke them. So I am asking people to join the thread and say what they like about revolvers in the hopes that I can learn and develop the appreciation that so many people have for them. Thanks!!
 
#3 ·
I like medium frame revolvers for a HD gun. When they are fully loaded and ready in the drawer they are at rest, no spring tension. I shoot them well and with .38 Spl. ammo are light recoiling guns. Smaller J-frame revolvers are great for CCW as they are light to carry and conceal easily.
Revolvers are legal for hunting in my state and lots of folks use them as such. YMMV. tom. :cowboy:
 
#7 ·
Plagiarized from someone else on another forum: While the auto pistol maybe be technically superior, when out of bullets, nothing says "pistol whip" like an N-Frame!

There is also the attraction of thumbing back a hammer for slow, deliberate, fire. Yeah the M 14 will kill your deer, but most of us still like our bolt actions. And out in left field are the charcoal burning, boom stick, smoke polers.

And not to forget those with Sherwood Forrest fantasies, that shoot slivers of wood.

The journey to venison is a multi-varied path.
And that is your zen moment of the day. - Swami Brian
 
#8 ·
Some revolvers are nearly works of art and examples of American craftsmanship and reliability.
That said, I kind of agree with the OP. My revolvers get fired only occasionally. I much prefer my other handguns.
 
#13 ·
#22 · (Edited)
I like revolvers for the extra challenge of shooting DA quickly and accurately. Last time I shot I finished 3rd out of 28 using a revolver with most shooters using bottom feeders. Most of mine are cut for moons and the triggers have been worked on and hammers cut down to reduce mass. I don't have any Ruger revolvers and don't have any SA revolvers.
 
#26 ·
My first handgun was a revolver and my first training was with revolvers. I can still shoot a revolver better than a semi-auto, even after years of competing with semi-autos. More powerful ammo, better triggers, better long range accuracy. Plenty of reasons. I also like revolvers because they're just cooler than automatics.
 
#27 ·
. So I am asking people to join the thread and say what they like about revolvers in the hopes that I can learn and develop the appreciation that so many people have for them.
Revolvers are only for cool people :)

After shooting, you don't have to chase brass.

You can shoot any velocity or bullet weight or bullet type, and the velocity still functions. You can even shoot different length brass.

Revolvers are easy for beginners to see if loaded or not.

With a fixed barrel, revolvers tend to have great accuracy potential.

Revolvers fire a great range of calibers, ut keep the grip separate from the caliber size. The are usually many different grips that can be put on a revolver.

Some revolvers, such as my Dan Wesson .44 mag, allow easily changing barrel lengths. No matter which barrel, the revolver still functions perfectly.

When firing a revolver, there is no movement of the action after the hammer drops. This can be an aid to accuracy, or can help allow different ways to grip the revolver, or can allow firing the revolver from within a closed space.

Revolvers are usually less likely to jam. This can become especially true when comparing smaller guns, or with a newer shooter, or with a weaker shooter, or with a wounded shooter, or when shooting from awkward positions.

:)
 
#28 ·
Because I shoot them well, better than semi autos.

They have different recoil characteristics than semi autos.

Reloading a revolver quickly with speed loaders is fun!

.357mag/.38spl is an extremely versatile cartridge with lots of options from target shooting, self defense, and hunting.

.38spl is so easy to reload even I can do it. It's also a very cheap round to reload for, especially considering I have a line on free once fired brass

I could go on all day. I carry a revolver every single day. They are just my preference.
 
#60 ·
... .357mag/.38spl is an extremely versatile cartridge with lots of options from target shooting, self defense, and hunting.

.38spl is so easy to reload even I can do it. It's also a very cheap round to reload for, especially considering I have a line on free once fired brass
So I am guessing I can reload a box of .38s for $5.00 and that same box at Walmart is $21.47. So four times more shooting for the same amount.

Even more profit if you look at any revolver caliber especially the Magnums.
 
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#29 ·
In my case, I like them because I was trained on them as a new gun owner, and I carried one for 1/2 of my LEO career...and most of all, there is something magical about a finely tuned Smith...especially if you took the time to attend the school and worked up the piece yourself...I will Always own at least one and it will always be a finely tuned Smith!
 
#31 ·
These days, I keep a Glock 19 and a Sig P250 around as a truck gun for zombies and gun games.

However, about 20 years ago, a friend sold me his dad's S+W Model 66 (no dash) and I was hooked. They are just sexy cool.

When teaching my wife to shoot, she gravitated to revolvers.

There are no safe queens. All shooters for HD/games/EDC.

My revolvers out number my semi's, and the jewel of my collection is a S+W 686+ with a 2.5 inch barrel... that strangely every body wants to fondle.

I recently started shooting Steel Challenge, USPSA, and IDPA with a variety of 686/586 choices.
 
#34 ·
"An elegant weapon... for a more civilized age."

Everyone has made great points about the versatility, the simplicity, the reliability, and even the "coolness" factor. One more thing is the ability to change the grips to fit your hand. And, to be quite honest, I find revolvers to be much more aesthetically pleasing than all but a very few semi-autos.
 
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