We started with revolvers at FLETC the first week of range training. Basic marksmanship. I learned some, but not all, of those techniques. Then we switched to Sig 228s for the remainder of our time there. I havent carried or shot a revolver in over 20 years, but began carrying an airweight .38 last summer. I also picked up a 4 inch Model 10. The old techniques came back to me fairly quickly (reload 2 rounds at a time from a loop type carrier, speedloader reloads, how to eject spent rounds from a partially fired cylinder, etc) Those old timers at FLETC knew their stuff.
Recently, I watched a YouTube firearms "expert" demonstrate reloading a j frame and a small semi auto (LCP, I think) to show how much better the semi was for self defense. (two mags from the semi vs. 10 rounds from the j frame). His technique with both was terrible. Nobody ever taught this guy how to reload a revolver (or, frankly, how to draw a concealed firearm, or reload a semi auto). You would think a guy rendering his judgement on a subject liek that would actually have a basic understanding of that subject.
I have watched it a couple times and realized just how basic it was. Still worth a watch, but was definitely an introductory type video and not an advanced skills lesson.
Most of the young guys I work with literally think it would be suicide to show up to work with a revolver on your belt. As in wouldn't survive a single shift.
I have watched it a couple times and realized just how basic it was. Still worth a watch, but was definitely an introductory type video and not an advanced skills lesson.
Most of the young guys I work with literally think it would be suicide to show up to work with a revolver on your belt. As in wouldn't survive a single shift.
I have never had a Smith revolver fail, I can't say the same for my Glocks. I bought a new Rossi . 357 snub in 1997 and experienced my first revolver failure after firing 2 cylinders it locked up. Rossi repaired it and it sits in the safe. If it has a cylinder it will have Smith & Wesson on the barrel. NY reload.
I still have my S&W M19 - .357Mag, I had to provide my own revolver for the academy. The department issued a M66 - stainless revolver. I carried that until we changed to SIG P226 - in 9MM - I wasn't that impressed with the 9. I started practicing double taps, I didn't know anything about how hard transitioning from DA to SA is supposed to be, so I did real well with that.
I think I was weaned on a revolver...carried one for 2/3rds of my career...carried the exact speed-loader and holder ( the split-six) shown in the video...funny, I never felt under-gunned...I guess things have changed now...too many bad guys with high cap pistols...still, a well-trained LEO with a good L-frame Smith can be deadly
I started in 1988 and a revolver was my duty weapon for many years after that.
I used those speedloader pouches but not those speedloaders.
Speedloader placement for us was in front of the revolver, not opposite the handgun as in the video. I'm guessing their reasoning is the weak-sided reload is easier with an opposite side speedloader placement. Back then the norm was 2 speedloaders; if you had four on your belt you were "high speed".....
I started in 1988 and a revolver was my duty weapon for many years after that.
I used those speedloader pouches but not those speedloaders.
Speedloader placement for us was in front of the revolver, not opposite the handgun as in the video. I'm guessing their reasoning is the weak-sided reload is easier with an opposite side speedloader placement. .....
I like revolvers. I'm not sure I would want to hit the streets with one. I do carry a 1911 so I am not really that much of a capacity whore. Our department started phasing them out in 1987 and they were done by 1990 or so.
I ride a bicycle on a college campus/downtown area. An active shooter is a legitimate concern, and being on the bike it's unlikely I'd make it to my rifle in the car en route.
So no, I don't seriously think I'd carry a revolver as a primary on a daily basis.
I am gonna find me a SSIII and carry my 66 on my last day with a double split six. Just for fun.
The real advantage to semiautos, as I see it, is a lighter, shorter trigger pull and better ergonomics than revolvers. Six rounds is still more capacity than the average policeman needs for a gunfight. More ammo is certainly nice, and given my druthers I'd stick with a double-stack 9, but a basically competent shooter is still well-served with a wheelgun.
I never bought into the argument that we need to match the armament that the bad guys have. It doesn't matter if they have GAU-8/A gatling guns and JDAMs. If they are slow and/or inaccurate, the guy with a revolver who puts one or two in the bad guy's heart wins the fight. It ain't the hardware, it's the software behind it.
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