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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!!
 
#112 · (Edited)
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

My reasons for preferring revolvers range from the totally sentimental to the absolutely necessary, with some other factors in between.

Others have already stated the revolver's many positive qualities. Biggies for me are that they are easier to operate correctly, which makes them much more reliable in the hands of the novice or the weak. I also believe they are slightly more reliable even for those proficient with all types of handguns, although I wouldn't label semi-autos as unreliable by any means. Semi-autos have their own set of positives. But revolvers are simpler with fewer variables that negatively affect their operation. Subjectively, they are beautiful in the eyes of their admirers. They can also be nostalgic for some of us. They are just cool in every way!

My daddy gave me my first gun before he died, an old nickel finish snub S&W Victory model .38 Special. He had bought this gun used when he took a post-retirement job as a private security guard. The first gun my late husband gave me is a stainless steel Python with a 6-inch barrel; we used to shoot it when we were dating. The last gun he gave me is my little S&W Model 38 Bodyguard, which is the one I pocket carry or put in the console when I carry at all. He felt this gun was reliable, small enough, and easy enough to use and carry that I could have it with me at all times if I choose. All these are revolvers and all have a lot of sentimental value to me. In addition to another revolver that my husband left me, I've since purchased two more S&W's (686 and 642) and a couple of Ruger 101's (.22 and .357/.38 Spl). Yes, I like revolvers. :) I'm especially fond of the stainless steel variety.

As for the absolute necessity end of the spectrum, revolvers are also dear to my heart because I don't have enough hand strength to rack the slide on a Glock, so that sort of eliminates them for me. (Do you think?!) My first post was about this, and yes, I've tried all the tricks. They require too much wrestling with the gun and are unsafe for me to attempt with a loaded gun. I'm not crying, though, because I obviously love my revolvers. One of my children or grandchildren can enjoy the Glock.

My dearest coworker before I retired, and one of my best friends, had a not so good experience with her semi-auto the only time she thought she might actually need to fire it in a defensive situation. She is young (30's) and strong, lives out in the middle of nowhere, is married to a retired military man who has some MP experience and who practices with her, and she's a pretty good shot. Of course, her hubby loves his Glocks. But my friend jammed her gun and somehow also made her hand bleed in trying to rack the slide. Fortunately, the perceived threat was only a harmless critter of the four-legged kind. "Susan, please get a revolver." I relate this anecdote because I think too many people dismiss the revolver option for SD too quickly sometimes. I know most of you reading this aren't likely to ever have my friend's experience (but perhaps someone you care about might?), but revolvers certainly do have their advantages from a practical standpoint. Everyone acknowledges that your carry gun should be one "you'll actually carry," but your defensive gun should also be one "you can actually operate." For some of us, the revolver wins hands-down on that one. I don't think I've seen that factor related in this thread so far. LOL

Anyway, those are my main reasons for my love of revolvers. Thanks for asking!

Edit to add: Lest my (Python) timeline not make sense to the more detail oriented here, hubby and I met in 1994. We each had adult children from previous marriages.
 
#116 ·
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

My reasons for preferring revolvers range from the totally sentimental to the absolutely necessary, with some other factors in between.

Others have already stated the revolver's many positive qualities. Biggies for me are that they are easier to operate correctly, which makes them much more reliable in the hands of the novice or the weak. I also believe they are slightly more reliable even for those proficient with all types of handguns, although I wouldn't label semi-autos as unreliable by any means. Semi-autos have their own set of positives. But revolvers are simpler with fewer variables that negatively affect their operation. Subjectively, they are beautiful in the eyes of their admirers. They can also be nostalgic for some of us. They are just cool in every way!

My daddy gave me my first gun before he died, an old nickel finish snub S&W Victory model .38 Special. He had bought this gun used when he took a post-retirement job as a private security guard. The first gun my late husband gave me is a stainless steel Python with a 6-inch barrel; we used to shoot it when we were dating. The last gun he gave me is my little S&W Model 38 Bodyguard, which is the one I pocket carry or put in the console when I carry at all. He felt this gun was reliable, small enough, and easy enough to use and carry that I could have it with me at all times if I choose. All these are revolvers and all have a lot of sentimental value to me. In addition to another revolver that my husband left me, I've since purchased two more S&W's (686 and 642) and a couple of Ruger 101's (.22 and .357/.38 Spl). Yes, I like revolvers. :) I'm especially fond of the stainless steel variety.

As for the absolute necessity end of the spectrum, revolvers are also dear to my heart because I don't have enough hand strength to rack the slide on a Glock, so that sort of eliminates them for me. (Do you think?!) My first post was about this, and yes, I've tried all the tricks. They require too much wrestling with the gun and are unsafe for me to attempt with a loaded gun. I'm not crying, though, because I obviously love my revolvers. One of my children or grandchildren can enjoy the Glock.

My dearest coworker before I retired, and one of my best friends, had a not so good experience with her semi-auto the only time she thought she might actually need to fire it in a defensive situation. She is young (30's) and strong, lives out in the middle of nowhere, is married to a retired military man who has some MP experience and who practices with her, and she's a pretty good shot. Of course, her hubby loves his Glocks. But my friend jammed her gun and somehow also made her hand bleed in trying to rack the slide. Fortunately, the perceived threat was only a harmless critter of the four-legged kind. "Susan, please get a revolver." I relate this anecdote because I think too many people dismiss the revolver option for SD too quickly sometimes. I know most of you reading this aren't likely to ever have my friend's experience (but perhaps someone you care about might?), but revolvers certainly do have their advantages from a practical standpoint. Everyone acknowledges that your carry gun should be one "you'll actually carry," but your defensive gun should also be one "you can actually operate." For some of us, the revolver wins hands-down on that one. I don't think I've seen that factor related in this thread so far. LOL

Anyway, those are my main reasons for my love of revolvers.
SS Python, nice, never even seen one in real life.

wp
 
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#121 · (Edited)
Thanks, WP. Anyway, I thought it is stainless steel. (It's "silver.") As I've stated in other posts, I'm by no means an expert. Sorry if I goofed on that!

Hope I can upload this pic:
Gun Firearm Ammunition Trigger Revolver


The front sight has a small chip, but he never got it fixed, and I never will either. Still beautiful to me!

I'll also try to upload a pic of my daddy's old S&W when I get a minute to get it out. It's put "up."

Another edit to try to add the pic of Daddy's old S&W. I found a picture of it I'd previously taken, so I didn't have to take a new one.

Gun Firearm Revolver Trigger Tan
 
#119 · (Edited)
OP...combo of being lazy and scatter brained.

While I have Glocks and other autos I may forget if they are loaded and not notice the loaded warnings on the Glock.

I prefer to carry comfortably, have something super reliable and very easy to see if it loaded. I have a couple of SW Airlite PD's for CCW. I carry in my hoody pocket or vest pocket or cargo pants pocket. No lint issue, no holster needed, don't even have to draw it in my hoody or vest...shoots right through the pocket. No problem to see if it is loaded. I use 38SP, not 357 in them. I also have an Airweight snub in my car.

Another nice thing about a revolver is you can put it right up to a person and get the benefit of burning a nasty wound into them from the gas as a bonus to the bullet. Maybe you can do the same with an auto, but was told sometimes it could cause a jam.

Downfall of the snub is only 5 shots unless you get a 6 shot .32. Also if in a tussle you have to be careful of the cylinder gap blast. While nothing too much on a .38 snub, big guns can cause you harm.

If things go to hell I will carry more firepower as needed. Until then, a couple of snubs fits me fine
 
#125 ·
I have one an like it a lot but I would NOT want to carry that heavy sucker all day!
The 686 is a bit heavy for belt carry, but I hardly think about it when I tote it in my Miami Classic shoulder holster. The shoulder rig doesn't work for all occasions, but in the woods and some other times it does.
 
#126 ·
My first new handgun was a shorter barreled, three screw, Ruger Blackhawk 357, I still have it unmolested. I also have for full size a Ruger 6" GP-100 357 and a S&W 629 44 Mag and a Colt Frontier Scout in 22LR. I have ten snubbies of one description or the other in 45 ACP, 40 S&W, 9MM, 357 Mag, 327 Federal Mag, 38 Spl, 22 Mag, 22LR. I guess they have an appeal to me.
 
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#128 ·
For me, revolvers represented simple, classy, and reliable firearms that are a reloaders dream, especially the heavy frame models of Ruger and Smith & Wesson. Now, I rarely reload and find that my Beretta 92FS, CZ 75 PO-1, and Glock 19, all in 9mm, fit my current shooting needs. In fact, my go to pistol is the Glock 19, not so pretty polymer gun that just works, all the time. Go figure. So, I no longer reload, I shoot 9mm mostly, and I am enamored with the capacity and efficiency of semi-autos. What I liked most about revolvers was the ability to tailor reloads to my needs.
 
#136 · (Edited)
Colt offered a mirror-polished "Ultimate Stainless" that looks a lot like nickel. Look for an "S" under the ejector rod and look if the finish is shiny under the grips. Pasted from a post to the Colt forum:

"Stainless Pythons have an "S" stamped inside the ejector rod shroud on the barrel, in the center of the cylinder under the ejector, and on the lower left side of the grip frame under the grips.

The "S" inside the shroud and rear of the cylinder is easy to look for.

A nickel gun will have a bright and shiny nickel finish under the grips. A bright polish Python will have unpolished stainless under the grips and inside the frame window and breech face.

As above, a nickel finish has a noticeable yellowish tint when compared to stainless steel or bright chrome."

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/python/70968-nickel-bright-stainless-diffrence.html

This link includes pictures showing the differences.

Very helpful post; thanks!
Now we know:

Photograph Black Snapshot Photography



Wider shot--I covered up the number above the "S"; I'm a bit paranoid about what I share on line. (Photos were taken with my phone so not the best.):
Musical instrument Brass String instrument Folk instrument Still life photography




Not that this is all that interesting, but here's one with its little bitty sis (Yes, that stainless steel IS very shiny!)

Gun Firearm Trigger Gun accessory Revolver




EDIT 03/27: I'm leaving my original post above, but I finally got around to phoning Colt, as I couldn't reconcile my three sets of info (date made--1977, "S" stamp--for stainless?, year that first stainless Pythons were made--early '80's). They were in conflict with each other.

Colt's customer service rep said that the "S" that is below the serial # on the frame is just an assembler's mark, with no other meaning. Some Python's have them, some don't. The "S" that would be for stainless is in different locations on the gun. Therefore, I now know my Python must be nickel as Colt's website says it was made in 1977 according to its serial #. This is fine with me, as I was just curious. I still haven't removed the grips to check markings and don't plan to do so.

I just wanted to report back on the mystery "S." Thanks again for the info and replies.
 
#133 ·
If you go by looks and function the FA is super piece, I have
had four of them, still have one with four cylinders, two extra
barrels and many scope mts and screws, firing pins and springs,
grips and such. Have shot around two inches at 100 yards with
a home cast Lyman 340 grain boolit at 1650 fps.

That said, if you just want a super gun in 454 the Rug SRH is
a goodin, have also shot around two inches at 100 yards with
cast boolits too.

The 454 you can shoot a 137 gr .454'' lead ball at 600 fps to
a 435 gr cast boolit at 1350+ fps, it will do it all from a old
cap and ball revolver to super power.

I still have six 454s from 7.5'' to 20''.

Love that cartridge.
I am a fan of Rugers. I am a bit surprised and happy the Redhawk can keep up with the FA, at least in your hands. The WIDE range of loadings in 454 is very attractive to me. Maybe someday. Thanks.
 
#140 ·
I have no way to quantify my preference for revolvers. I just feel "more at one" with them than auto pistols.

Somehow it's a more personal involvement for me. Probably irrational, but my feelings nonetheless.

I like revolvers for authority, and auto pistols for crowds.
 
#141 ·
Well i prefer revolvers. Either 357 or 44 mag but now days we have so many riot mobs, BLM protests getting violent and looting a revolver isnt practical for me except in the woods. I EDC a Glock 21 and a Glock 17 with over a hundred rounds in extra mags. No Im not paranoid Im Jason Glockman. Prepared in Ga lol
 
#144 ·
Back in 1984 when I attended the Sheriff's training we all carried revolvers. I carried a S&W Model 15 in .38 Special, we carried a loaded cylinder of Nyclad HPs and 2 Safariland speedloaders on our belt..when I went to work for the BOP we carried S&W Model 64 in .38 Special with 5 rounds in a 6 round cylinder hammer down on an mt chamber...why? Because. We were issued 10 extra rounds of .38 Special 158gr RN.. widow maker rounds...these extra rounds were stored in dump pouches..
Fast forward a few years and being away from BOP, I still carry a revolver...daily. I carry a Ruger LCR in .38 with Nyclad hollowpoints cause they work. I also carry a Glock, but for quick stuff I have the LCR in the car..Back when the states were trading in their service revolvers for Glocks and S&W, I started buying quality revolvers at great prices... I have a former NYPD S&W M10HB, it came with a lot of holster wear and a mint bore. I bead blasted the exterior, polished the interior and it is an awesome shooter... under 200 bucks! Picked up a former New Britain PD M65 with 3" barrel. It was under 200 bucks! Found a S&W M64 round butt with a 4 inch barrel in DAO, gun is in awesome condition shoots great came from an armored car company inventory...I also found a former LASD M15 in DAO, it was holster worn but tight. Replaced the DAO components and it is a nice shooter....over the years I have bought break open revolvers like the Enfield and Webley, single actions like the Ruger Blackhawk...I have old inherited revolvers like the H&R .22s... heck revolvers are part of Americana..I like them
 
#148 ·
I haven't read the preceding 147 posts so I would bet that my response won't be the first of its kind.

I love revolvers because they can do more things than semis. Typically, they have better intrinsic accuracy. Scoped 500 Mags can do around 1.5 MOA @ 100yds, doubtful any semis can do that.

No semi can compete with the power of the 500 Mag. I can load from powder puff loads with Trail Boss to beastly loads. fully competent for anything that walks.

For whatever strange reason, I shoot my long barreled S&W 500 Mag better than any other handgun I've ever had and I've had a lot.

I am also fond of my 9mm semi autos. Don
 
#151 ·
With a revolver you can recover ALL of your brass. On a nice clean range you can still lose a lot of brass with an auto, in the woods you may lose more than you can recover. I can fire snake shot out of a revolver.
In any fight I would prefer a semi auto, the volume of fire is just so much better.
 
#154 ·
I like revolvers because they're trim dimensions, high capacity, quick reloads, consistent trigger pull... wait. No. I like autos.

Sort of kidding. I hunt with a revolver- .22lr for small game, .17 wmr for varmint, .357 for deer. I like the safety factor of a hammer for hunting, and the good trigger in SA. I want a super Redhawk or Super Blackhawk- I think a .44 mag revolver would be an awesome deer gun.


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