Has Anyone Else Gone Full Revolver?

[FrankB]

5 years ago, I had over 30 pistols. Most of them were semiautomatics, with maybe one J frame. There were other small revolvers that came and went, but were never really carried. Now I have several revolvers that are carried 98% of the time. My current carry is a 642 and a Colt King Cobra Carry. I usually don’t carry a speedloader, but a speed strip is often on my belt. I carry larger revolvers in a shoulder holster when the weather is cool, but that will be ending in a few weeks. My massive semiauto collection is now down to a Glock 19, a Ruger 1911 (I had nearly 10 1911’s at one point), a Sig P938, and a couple of P365’s. At this point in my life, I just like revolvers. Has anyone else made the switch?

[4RNR]

I like revolvers, even take classes with them when they occasionally pop up, but can't logically make the the switch

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[defilade]

I haven’t totally gone full revolver, but I am carrying one more and more. I still like beretta 92’s and 1911’s. I actually find that I shoot a double action better than single action for some reason.

If my Smith & Wesson 19 comes back good to go, it will probably be my primary carry until it’s too hot to conceal comfortably. Then I will switch to my Taurus 856 or a J frame.

I live in the country by a really small town so most of the time I carry a revolver around the place and into town.

This forum hasn’t helped me by any means because it keeps costing me more money. Haha.

[FrankB]

I actually find that I shoot a double action better than single action for some reason.

If my Smith & Wesson 19 comes back good to go, it will probably be my primary carry until it’s too hot to conceal comfortably. Then I will switch to my Taurus 856 or a J frame.

I live in the country by a really small town so most of the time I carry a revolver around the place and into town.

I’ve only had the Colt Python for two weeks, but I’m shooting it better at 15-25 yards in DA better than I have with my other revolvers. I read someone’s review, and the author said the window between the Python’s DA and SA pull weights is very narrow, so that might be why he was shooting better in DA. My Python’s SA trigger pull is 5.5 lbs, and the DA is only 3 lbs heavier.

My wife shoots nearly as much as I do, and she likes revolvers because she doesn’t have to load magazines. She carries a Glock 19, but spends 90% of her range time shooting revolvers.

We live in the suburbs, and not much happens here. The Glock I kept is in the extremely rare event I go to Filthadelphia.

[Lester Polfus]

Essentially yes.

I own a significant number of Glock 19 pistols. For over a decade that is what I used for urban/suburban carry, supplemented by a J frame, and complimented by a serious of problematic Glock 20s for woods carry.

I ditched the Glock 20 in favor of a GP100, which has led to me carrying a Smith 640 Pro in town and sometimes on front country hikes, and buying a Marlin 1894c.

This system is working really well for me. I realized the other day not a single Glock 19 has left the house for anything other than a range trip in 16 months.

[Rex G]

Short answer: Yes. See the P-F discussions of “Snubby Lifestyle.”

The longer answer is much more complex, and it is not all snubbies, in my case.

Revolvers fit more comfortably, against my body, inside my trousers. The places where I carry revolvers are not flat. Outside the belt, revolvers with a bit of barrel length have a nicer balance, that enables them to “hang” with more comfort, than an autoloader that has a short ton of ammo stored in the grip area, resulting in weight that is centered above the belt.

Revolvers are better pocket guns, for several practical and tactical reasons.

Long-stroke DA is a less-perishable skill, for me, than the Glock trigger stroke. The only auto-pistol that has held on, is a Seecamp LWS-32, for pocket carry, but it has only been occasional, lately, not an every-day gun. The Seecamp’s long-stroke DA trigger pull is the factor that has kept it in the line-up.

The panic-demic ammo situation was a factor, as I need comparatively more actual live-fire practice, with Glocks, to maintain what I feel is acceptable proficiency. Over the years, I have FAR more trigger time, and trigger pull reps, with revolvers, and 1911 pistols, than Glocks.

COVID, itself, was a factor. My wife’s health factors put her at much higher risk. The imperative to avoid much contact with other folks meant that I did not want to go to shooting ranges, or spend much time around people, indoors, especially that segment of the population that did not like wearing masks. (Interestingly, I did catch some kind of nasty two-day virus, when I went for an LEOSA retiree qual, at the police range, though I tested negative for COVID.)

Revolvers are more ambidextrously-oriented, than some autos, and my left thumb, hand, wrist, and shoulder are not aging as well as the corresponding parts on my left side. Only one of my 1911 pistols has an ambidextrous thumb safety, and that particular thumb safety’s “gas pedal” is, itself, an ill fit, for me, so, it has not become a carry gun.

A more-fully-tailored cover garment is necessary, to truly conceal the wider, blockier, more-rearward-protruding slide of a Glock, than comparatively concealment-friendly profile of several of my revolver models, especially those with spurless hammers. A 1911 is slimmer than a Glock, and has a less-protruding, less-blocky slide, but beavertail grip safeties, and cocked hammers, are not low-profile.

Autos are not useless. I recently bought back* into the “Baby Glock” concept, to be the best “speed loader” for revolvers, in the event that things have gone horribly wrong, especially at close range, where the ability to quickly throw lead and copper might well trump the better accuracy potential of the slower-to-reload revolving pistol. Speed loaders take up some serious room, at belt level, so, a Baby Glock might be a better option than a pair of speed loaders, in a belt carrier. I still need to vet these Baby Glocks, but do not anticipate any problems. (Yes, more than one Baby Glock; I tend to acquire guns in twos and threes. The first G26 that I could find, for sale, new, was a Gen3. I then dded a pre-owned Gen4, later, as Gen4, with no added back straps, fits my hand a bit better. i may well addd a Gen5, “just because.” ;) )

*I had sold my G26 to a younger colleague, one of my former rookies, shortly before I retired from LEO-ing. Compact Glocks, including the G19, had started vexing the arthritis in my right thumb, hand, and wrist, so, I had thinned the herd, only keeping “orthopedic” Glocks, with full-length grips. I do not anticipate shooting my “new” Baby Glocks right-handed, much.)

[kjr_29]

I wouldn’t categorize myself as just Revolvers, I am squarely in the DA trigger pull camp though. Have a few polymer framed semi autos just because but never use them. Two DA Sigs and three Revolvers cover anything I need.

A GP100 Wiley Clapp or 586 L Comp could be a one gun for me solution, though I’d really struggle giving up my P239.


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[entropy]

I haven’t dumped autos, but find myself pretty much carrying revolvers for personal defense. Like mentioned above, they seem to fit my 24-pack better when carrying, balance better, and are overall more versatile. If I want to stuff field loads into a carry revolver, I swing open the cylinder and swap them out. Call me a trained monkey, but if I want to swap out the ammo in my HK, I’m searching for a bucket of sand or at least a solid corner of a wall. Maybe unnecessary, but that’s what’s ingrained in me. I’m not sure if it’s because of what I originally learned on (Dan Wesson 15-2) or simply my own body mechanics/mental capacity, but I find I can consistently shoot a DA revolver trigger better than any auto trigger. I’ve also found that the more revolver shooting I do, the better my auto pistol shooting (insert trigger type here) is.

Plus...they’re just cool.

I’ve sat down and weighed the risks of running into a band of thugs, zombies, or ravaging wildebeest...and I’m just not there anymore. When I travel on the road, I may carry an extra speed loader or two and likely a long gun (more often that not an 870 or 94 nowadays) and I feel fine about it. Sure, there’s craziness everywhere lately, but for me personally, the ability to comfortably and consistently carry a pistol is what’s important to me and outweighs the whole capacity/split time discussion. My last CCW requal found me on a line with various flashy 1911’s, Glocks with RDS’s and the like. I got some odd looks when people noticed I had my little SP101 in my hands. But...I shot it clean on the first go, packed up my stuff and left. If I do get “kilt in da streets” feel free to remove my little blurb at the end of my posts and insert “Needed more capacity”.

[blues]

Only at home or walking distances from home. 642 time all the time with various Glocks nearby.

Once I drive away from home...the revolver stays home and I carry a G26.

[beenalongtime]

This thread needs Dagga Boy.

[03RN]

Over the last 3 almost 4 years I've gone primarily to revolvers. I do carry 1911s often but not nearly as much as a k frame.

[Whirlwind06]

I work from home now and find that the LCR is the easiest to carry with sweat pants.
When I go out, it's in the pocket with a G26 on the belt.

I am getting a 3-inch 856, which may become my belt carry pistol.

[Tennessee Jed]

I previously spent about 50% of my shooting time with a semi-auto and about 50% with a revolver. Always preferred a revolver, but a semi-auto seemed to make more sense on paper.

Until factory ammo prices went through the roof, and factory ammo availability dried up.

I do a lot of dry fire practice, and ran into big issues simply finding replacement factory carry ammo over the last couple of years, to replace rounds that were chambered, then re-chambered, and started getting a little beat up. For revolvers, re-chambering is not an issue.

That was all I needed to go all revolver. I even bought a new S&W 66-8 to celebrate.

[FrankB]

Until factory ammo prices went through the roof, and factory ammo availability dried up.

That was all I needed to go all revolver. I even bought a new S&W 66-8 to celebrate.

I have over 5,000 rounds of 9mm range ammo, and I don’t know how many hollow points. My wife shoots an excessive amount of ammo, and I tried to tame that by not loading too many mags for her Glock. The ease of reloading a revolver made her a convert. 🤣

Celebration guns are always good! 👍👍👍👍

[entropy]

I previously spent about 50% of my shooting time with a semi-auto and about 50% with a revolver. Always preferred a revolver, but a semi-auto seemed to make more sense on paper.

Until factory ammo prices went through the roof, and factory ammo availability dried up.

I do a lot of dry fire practice, and ran into big issues simply finding replacement factory carry ammo over the last couple of years, to replace rounds that were chambered, then re-chambered, and started getting a little beat up. For revolvers, re-chambering is not an issue.

That was all I needed to go all revolver. I even bought a new S&W 66-8 to celebrate.

Good point. Dry fire is both easy and “muscle memory friendly” with a revolver...

[jetfire]

It's a pretty good sign I've not really been on the forum much when there's a thread about going "full revolver" and no one tags me on the first page.

Might need to fix that.

[FrankB]

It's a pretty good sign I've not really been on the forum much when there's a thread about going "full revolver" and no one tags me on the first page.
Might need to fix that.

Sorry about that. Your comments on this topic have influenced me quite a bit. 👍
ETA: Along with shooting DA only.

[fatdog]

I have a pretty huge revolver collection that has done nothing but grow since 1986, but I still can’t bring myself to do this.

I will just have to live vicariously through you guys doing it, while I deal with my irrational, overly paranoid, mental defect that won’t let me leave the house other than walks around the farm with the revolver as my primary. Who knows, maybe there is a cure. I am certainly equipped to do it when my mind finally lets me.

[jtcarm]

Essentially yes.

I own a significant number of Glock 19 pistols. For over a decade that is what I used for urban/suburban carry, supplemented by a J frame, and complimented by a serious of problematic Glock 20s for woods carry.

I ditched the Glock 20 in favor of a GP100, which has led to me carrying a Smith 640 Pro in town and sometimes on front country hikes, and buying a Marlin 1894c.

This system is working really well for me. I realized the other day not a single Glock 19 has left the house for anything other than a range trip in 16 months.

What were your G20 issues?

I’ve been pondering a 10mm auto to complement my GP100.

[Cecil Burch]

I have not gone full revolver, but they are a big part of my carry.

During the work week, I have been running my 327 LCR for about 3 and 1/2 years (yes, I was an early adopter and did it before it was cool, and even influenced DB a bit) and even in my off time when I have more dress freedom, I find myself using the LCR a significant amount. Plus, I enjoy shooting and dry firing revolvers more, which means I am more likely to practice live and dry with them, which means I am pretty likely to use them well if I need to.

Not quite to the point where I run revos exclusively, but once I get back a special project gun, that may change....

[Lester Polfus]

What were your G20 issues?

I’ve been pondering a 10mm auto to complement my GP100.

How much time do you have?

BLUF: I never got a Glock 20 (tried three different guns, slow learner) to run reliably with heavy, hardcast, wide meplat loads. Lots of folks who run that combination buy a couple boxes of Buffalo Bore or whatever, shoot one magazine, call it good and carry the rest. Over thousands of such rounds, I ran a 3-4% malfunction rate. With a compromised grip, like one might have while dealing with a wild animal, the gun turns into a giant soup sandwich of failure.

I know carry a GP100 as a woods gun, with 158 grain JSP ammo here in SW Washington, and when we go to places like Montana, with 180 grain hard cast.

I've written about it here on p-f, but my search fu isn't finding the thread. Here's a cliff notes version on the Hill People Gear forum (https://hillpeoplegear.com/Forum#/list/forumId/24/threadId/26767/postId/-1).

For what it's worth, I think the GP100 in 10mm has merit, if you want an L-frame sized gun that starts with "4." The Smith 610 never made sense for me personally, because if I'm going to carry a N-frame sized gun, I'll just get a .44 Mag and handload to whatever power level I want.

If one wants to run an auto-pistol as a field gun, I would suggest a USP .45, as GJM has used in his thread on the field pistol. It will run .45 Super reliably apparently. I've also heard good reports of the M&P .45. It won't run Super, but frankly I'm not sure how important that is.

I haven't been keeping track of results with the new M&P 10mm.

ETA: My HPG forum post was prompted by this thread (https://hillpeoplegear.com/Forum#/list/forumId/24/threadId/26746/postId/26746), where a dude had similar experiences with FIVE different Glock 20 pistols.

[nalesq]

I am a hot weather revolver carrier. Once the season changes so that I am wearing shorts and T-shirts/polos (a polo is essentially a T-shirt with a collar) virtually every day, then I switch full time to J- and K-frame revolvers in both carry and practice.

[PNWTO]

Has anyone else made the switch?

Pretty much. A G19.4 and a Vang'd 590A1 are the still "HD" pieces but it is more likely the .22 LCR in my pocket will be the available tool.

With toddler life, remote work, and other activities a LCR in .38 or .22 just works; in the pocket, on the ankle, or in an enigma. In the instance of pocket carry, when I am away from home it is just easy to "layer up" and put another LCR/442/351c on the belt or ankle.

Plus, as others have mentioned, I just have fun shooting wheelguns. That means I still want to train above and beyond what I feel is necessary for the duty to my family. Autoloaders just are not fun anymore and I enjoy a lot of other activities in my free time besides shooting. I hope to take ECQC again this year but have little desire for more time, and money, spent for other instruction.

[Lester Polfus]

Pretty much. A G19.4 and a Vang'd 590A1 are the still "HD" pieces but it is more likely the .22 LCR in my pocket will be the available tool.

With toddler life, remote work, and other activities a LCR in .38 or .22 just works; in the pocket, on the ankle, or in an enigma. In the instance of pocket carry, when I am away from home it is just easy to "layer up" and put another LCR/442/351c on the belt or ankle.

Plus, as others have mentioned, I just have fun shooting wheelguns. That means I still want to train above and beyond what I feel is necessary for the duty to my family. Autoloaders just are not fun anymore and I enjoy a lot of other activities in my free time besides shooting. I hope to take ECQC again this year but have little desire for more time, and money, spent for other instruction.

Yup. I'll always have Glock 19 pistols with lights attached and a pump 12 gauge in quick access safes here at the house.

Your points about life and guns are well made. There is zero argument that auto-pistols are easier to shoot with, do emergency reloads, etc, but I find revolvers much easier to LIVE with on a day-in, day-out basis. I've always used quality holsters, but would get a little paranoid when my daughter would climb all over me when I was wearing a Glock 19. I still redirect her when I have a J-frame in my pocket or AIWB, but I'm less worried about negative outcomes.

It's another sub-forum, but I feel the same way about lever guns. No doubt bolts and and semi-auto platforms have hands down advantages when it comes to shooting, reloading etc, but I find lever guns very easy to live with as I go about my business that doesn't involve shooting.

[Crazy Dane]

I'm almost there. If I could ever not have to come to the city, I would be there. We have a large population of residentially challenged folk and they tend to gather in large groups, 6,7,8, sometimes even more. I love the ability to change loads and/or caliber to meet my needs for the task I expect to have to tackle.

[TheNewbie]

Outside of work, I could almost get there. Especially if Ruger made a six shot SP101. The Kimber K6 is an option I suppose, but the SP101 can be easily converted to DAO and I have more long term faith in Ruger CS.


An LCR .327 could be an option, but the ammo seems expensive from what I’ve found.


Currently I have an LCRx .38. Other than being a little big in some pockets, it’s a great small revolver option.

[MolonLabe416]

I carry revolvers about 80% of the time.

Why?

1. I really enjoy revolvers.
2. Mission drives the gear train. See below a post I made elsewhere about a recent P&S podcast.

After a year+ of low bidding Model 12’s I finally snagged a solid “carried a lot shot a little” example. I’ll have it converted to DAO, carry action job, bobbed hammer. For my everyday circumstances I won’t feel the least under-gunned.

The below is more about caliber than action type, though most of the discussion is about revolvers.

https://youtu.be/E_HD1limjFw

This is 3 hours long. BLUF: There are many reasons to carry a smaller caliber, which means generally lighter and easier to conceal, and often easier to shoot.

As brother Pat R said, “Mission (in this context that also means lifestyle, physical limits, career risk, etc) drives the gear train.” Many people work in a NPE and getting made will result in termination and in many fields being blackballed in the career you’ve spent your entire life building.

Many people can’t, or choose not to, carry a full size pistol, two spare mags, weapon mounted light, knife, OC, IFAK.

You may recall I badly broke my dominant arm a few years ago. I also have repetitive stress injuries to my elbows (much better now thanks to Doc E’s advice) and arthritis, as well as middling to severe back issues. Carrying and shooting a full sized gun isn’t something I can do daily anymore.

My lifestyle and my AO are very low threat. I’m not moving to the sound of the guns because of our insane legal system and the ROE they impose on us.

What are my common threat profiles?
In my hometown virtually nil. I’m very comfortable with a 43c in my pocket and a 642 AIWB.

When transiting PDX or travel in general, I have the above available plus a “real” handgun and either a rifle or shotgun.

There are several compelling reasons for many people and situations in my view for 22lr, 38 Special, and 32 H&R Magnum. If you’ve the time, the video discusses these in depth.

Do I believe any of those calibers listed above are equal to 45? Of course not. Do I believe that any of those calibers listed above will solve 98% of problems that trained, and sensible people might encounter? Absolutely.

Own salvation and all that.

[PNWTO]

It's a pretty good sign I've not really been on the forum much when there's a thread about going "full revolver" and no one tags me on the first page.

Might need to fix that.

You should hang out here more often. This thread of converted neophytes is blessed by a pedagogue of degeneracy such as yourself.

[Malamute]

Ive never really gone away from revolvers. The one example of modern plastic pistol I have was more in the "seems practical, probably should own one" category, but has never held a significant position in my use. If it disappeared somehow my first thought would probably be what i could get for the ammo I had left, or "i wonder what a P08 would cost?"

Ive never been able to shoot any self loading pistol as well as revolvers regardless of how much I shot them and tried, (mostly 1911s in this category). Self loaders also seem to me to require much more effort to achieve even acceptable levels of ability than revolvers. The reload speed seems the primary advantage in that class, but it occurred to me if i didnt shoot the gun as well I was more likely to NEED to reload. Shooting running rabbits, squirrels way up in a tree, or things thrown in the air with revolvers never seemed like a huge deal, I never was able to do most of that with self loaders, though target grade 22 pistols are OK for the squirrels in trees aspect or sitting prairie dogs at 75 or more yards.

[Zeke38]

I carry a small 9mm (Sig365) 80-85% of the time. I carry a Colt KC 3" that I shoot well and have fallen in love with the rest of the time. I'm 75 and I have back issues that have surfaced in the last two or three years and it comes down to weight and ease of carry. While I shoot my Colt 357 better than the 365 it is heavier and bulkier. During the summer months I carry a Kahr PM9 and this is a great little gat. I purchased it after purchasing a MK9 and found I shot the MK very well but didn't like the weight. The Kahrs are akin to a "square revolver with a better trigger, sights and faster reload than a traditional snubby". Don't know who said that but it still holds true. I can outshoot my Sig 365 with my MK9 Kahr.

When I retired from the LEO world my two guns for life at that time was a 4" 629MG and a 45 LW Commander in 45ACP. Life has happened and this former Jeff and Elmer disciple has joined the ranks of the Maj. Geo Nonte regiment.

Nonte was a huge cheerleader of the Smith 39 and the 9mm cartridge.


I do find it frustrating that holsters specifically made for the Colt KC 3" are hard to come by. I'm carrying mine in an NOS DeSantis Safety Scabbard OWB for a SP 101 3" and IWB are up to a six month wait for those who are willing to build such a rig. I don't like Kydex for IWB, there is no give to it and it is irratating for me to wear for long periods of time (4 hrs or more).

[03RN]

Ive never really gone away from revolvers. The one example of modern plastic pistol I have was more in the "seems practical, probably should own one" category, but has never held a significant position in my use. If it disappeared somehow my first thought would probably be what i could get for the ammo I had left, or "i wonder what a P08 would cost?"

Ive never been able to shoot any self loading pistol as well as revolvers regardless of how much I shot them and tried, (mostly 1911s in this category). Self loaders also seem to me to require much more effort to achieve even acceptable levels of ability than revolvers. The reload speed seems the primary advantage in that class, but it occurred to me if i didnt shoot the gun as well I was more likely to NEED to reload. Shooting running rabbits, squirrels way up in a tree, or things thrown in the air with revolvers never seemed like a huge deal, I never was able to do most of that with self loaders, though target grade 22 pistols are OK for the squirrels in trees aspect or sitting prairie dogs at 75 or more yards.

I've recently done some drills and was able to compare reload speed.

Draw, shoot, reload, shoot. I'm keeping right around 4.5 seconds with a k frame shooting.357 from a Safariland 6280 and concealment.

I'm right at 3 seconds with a 1911 drawing from aiwb/concealment.

1.5 seconds isn't an earth shattering difference when you factor in movement to cover and threat assessment.

Those drills were at 7 yards and I was getting A zone hits.

[Hizzie]

I still own and occasionally shoot pistols but I cannot remember the last time I carried one.

[FrankB]

I bought one of these for my 3” King Cobra, but it works as well for my 2” Cobra Carry.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0823L43BD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[jtcarm]

How much time do you have?

BLUF: I never got a Glock 20 (tried three different guns, slow learner) to run reliably with heavy, hardcast, wide meplat loads. Lots of folks who run that combination buy a couple boxes of Buffalo Bore or whatever, shoot one magazine, call it good and carry the rest. Over thousands of such rounds, I ran a 3-4% malfunction rate. With a compromised grip, like one might have while dealing with a wild animal, the gun turns into a giant soup sandwich of failure.

I know carry a GP100 as a woods gun, with 158 grain JSP ammo here in SW Washington, and when we go to places like Montana, with 180 grain hard cast.

I've written about it here on p-f, but my search fu isn't finding the thread. Here's a cliff notes version on the Hill People Gear forum (https://hillpeoplegear.com/Forum#/list/forumId/24/threadId/26767/postId/-1).

For what it's worth, I think the GP100 in 10mm has merit, if you want an L-frame sized gun that starts with "4." The Smith 610 never made sense for me personally, because if I'm going to carry a N-frame sized gun, I'll just get a .44 Mag and handload to whatever power level I want.

If one wants to run an auto-pistol as a field gun, I would suggest a USP .45, as GJM has used in his thread on the field pistol. It will run .45 Super reliably apparently. I've also heard good reports of the M&P .45. It won't run Super, but frankly I'm not sure how important that is.

I haven't been keeping track of results with the new M&P 10mm.

ETA: My HPG forum post was prompted by this thread (https://hillpeoplegear.com/Forum#/list/forumId/24/threadId/26746/postId/26746), where a dude had similar experiences with FIVE different Glock 20 pistols.

Wow, we must’ve been separated at birth!

I too like the 10mm GP because it’s a big bore on a medium frame. I also like big, fat cast bullets, but see no need to push them over 1,000 FPS.

I found a very accurate load with the Accurate mould 40_-224H, but recoil is a little stiff.

I’m about to try this bad boy, as soon as I can get a custom .404 bullet size die.

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=40-181TG

[JWintergreen]

The main things holding me back are a lack of faith in the quality of current production revolvers, few factory configurations interest/suit me, and push style speedloaders (Comp I/II) are only available for a handful of revolvers now.

[JonInWA]

Much as I like my revolvers-all Ruger-GP100, Security Six and Blackhawk-and thoroughly enjoy shooting, competing and carrying them, they'll likely never displace semi-autos for me.

Several reasons: The main one is that in a low or contrasty lighting situation, throw in an adrenaline-charged situation, the efforts and coordinations required for speed reloads are a significant magnitude greater then they are with a magazine-loaded semi auto. And while I'm not a huge capacity champion, I simply prefer to have at least a few more rounds than 6 on hand before having to reload-especially if one is dealing with a multiple assailant situation.

Another one is concealment. While the revolver itself is easy to conceal, speedloaders, not so much-especially with Safariland Comp IIIs and similar. If I'm carrying a revolver, I want to have at least 2 speedloaders on hand. And yes, I've got Speed Strips, and a good Speed Strip case, but Speed Strips to me are a kind of last ditch sort of thing, and manipulating them well takes some practice and continual re-familiarization.

Again, tremendously enjoy my revolvers. I maintain qualification and classifications on them, and have used them for duty, albeit selectively. But for me, and the situations and scenarios that I can see myslef in, a quality semi-auto simply is more efficient and requires less work-arounds or compromises.

Best, Jon

[JTMcC]

If a big bore revolver isn't on me or within reach then somethings gone awfully sideways.
But I can't/won't abandon 1911's and they make a splendid 2nd gun considering that's what my Wife/Chic has and loves.


There is calm, happiness, and a sense of goodness when reloading a revolver with snap caps at every commercial during Gunsmoke, Rawhide, I Dream of Genie, Batman, Svengoolie.... or whatever you watch. And then "shooting" the people in those commercials. Or reloading one to clock a coyote making tracks away.

Add in: the ease of swapping to shot shells during snake season, reliability with the biggest blunt nose bullets, etc.

There I am and there I live.
I'll most likely be slaughtered by gangbangers in rural AZ with 30 round glock mags but at least they'll know I tried and went down with a smoking .44 in hand;)

[03RN]

How hard is it to get 1200fps from a 220gr bullet in a 10mm gp100?

That seems to be about top end but barely on the bottom rung of large bore cartridges but if it's easy peasy it might be ok.

I'm still lusting for a mountain gun though.

[03RN]

The main things holding me back are a lack of faith in the quality of current production revolvers, few factory configurations interest/suit me, and push style speedloaders (Comp I/II) are only available for a handful of revolvers now.

If my m66-8 exploded or was stolen I would replace it asap. Even with Stephanie's tribulations in mind. That's actually why I picked up the m65 recently. So I can keep the 66 for carry and train/compete with other k frames. It's a pity because it has the best trigger/action.

[Michpatriot]

5 years ago, I had over 30 pistols. Most of them were semiautomatics, with maybe one J frame. There were other small revolvers that came and went, but were never really carried. Now I have several revolvers that are carried 98% of the time. My current carry is a 642 and a Colt King Cobra Carry. I usually don’t carry a speedloader, but a speed strip is often on my belt. I carry larger revolvers in a shoulder holster when the weather is cool, but that will be ending in a few weeks. My massive semiauto collection is now down to a Glock 19, a Ruger 1911 (I had nearly 10 1911’s at one point), a Sig P938, and a couple of P365’s. At this point in my life, I just like revolvers. Has anyone else made the switch?

Couldn't find a reliable (by my standard) pocket carry pistol\semi, started with a J frame 20 yrs ago some how got semiitis that took me down more than a dozen roads to disappointment, I finally was cured coming back full circle to a Jframe. Little did I know I just needed scandium and titanium, wish I had taken the frugal route at the beginning. The only autos now are a couple 22s and tupperware26.. Everything I stake my life on revolves around a centerpin. Out in the woods a 329PD in a chest rig with the aforementioned pocket carry. When I find myself headed to the more interesting areas of southeast lower Michigan, the upside down armpit mode gets added with a second Jframe. Daily setup is a single speedloader (comp1) on the belt and a speed strip in the offside front pocket and a 340PD in the strong side front pocket. Obviously to most others this is completely unacceptable...and absolutely not safe. For the last few years my tactical training involves every couple months when I'm walking in the woods all of a sudden I remember this j frame handicap thing and I'll stop, take something like maybe a tobacco chew can, toss it about 20-25 yards and dump a cylinder at it fast, so far this has kept me satisfied. Perfect cold grab accuracy with a fast draw from a unassuming stance with reliability goes a long way for this old fart. It took a bunch of putzing with sights and grips and holsters, but these three I will carry into the sunset.

[Totem Polar]

I sort of went the other direction. For years and years, I have been perfectly happy with old-school round tech to defend hearth and home. What’s changed recently is #1, more mountain biking, and #2, a friend that chose a G42 as her main first-gun squeeze, who also needs more coaching.

G42s are all at once fun, reliable, very light weight, and dirt cheap. So, I’ve been shooting more G42 of late, because, reasons.

Otherwise, it would be a 640pro in my HPG chest rig when on the trails, no problem. As is, I guess I’ve temporarily gone over to the dark, dank, and polymer-laden side.

I’m sure I’ll be back: wheelies rule. And that goes double for old men, in low-speed lifestyles, who just want to be left alone.
:cool:

[TheNewbie]

I sort of went the other direction. For years and years, I have been perfectly happy with old-school round tech to defend hearth and home. What’s changed recently is #1, more mountain biking, and #2, a friend that chose a G42 as her main first-gun squeeze, who also needs more coaching.

G42s are all at once fun, reliable, very light weight, and dirt cheap. So, I’ve been shooting more G42 of late, because, reasons.

Otherwise, it would be a 640pro in my HPG chest rig when on the trails, no problem. As is, I guess I’ve temporarily gone over to the dark, dank, and polymer-laden side.

I’m sure I’ll be back: wheelies rule. And that goes double for old men, in low-speed lifestyles, who just want to be left alone.
:cool:


I like the G42 but it does not like me. A G42x would be cool but it too wouldn’t work for me.


The wheel gun still has a place, and the right one could be my almost everything gun.

[Salamander]

I do find it frustrating that holsters specifically made for the Colt KC 3" are hard to come by. I'm carrying mine in an NOS DeSantis Safety Scabbard OWB for a SP 101 3" and IWB are up to a six month wait for those who are willing to build such a rig. I don't like Kydex for IWB, there is no give to it and it is irratating for me to wear for long periods of time (4 hrs or more).

My KC 3-inch rides in a Simply Rugged holster. I've had it a couple years, but best recollection is that it took two weeks or less to arrive. I'm pretty happy with it, conceals nicely and comfortable to wear all day. Can be set up for OWB or IWB, although I've only tested the latter for short intervals, the cool coastal climate here facilitates cover garments.

As for the original question: I've been transitioning more and more to revolvers for several years, and it's probably 80-90% revolvers now. At first it was a J-frame in office NPE's, now it's just because I enjoy revolvers.

[Lester Polfus]

How hard is it to get 1200fps from a 220gr bullet in a 10mm gp100?

That seems to be about top end but barely on the bottom rung of large bore cartridges but if it's easy peasy it might be ok.

I'm still lusting for a mountain gun though.

I think 1100 is doable, but 1200 is probably pushing it. I could get pretty close to 1200 with a 200 grain bullet out of a Glock 20. Never tried 220s.

[oregon45]

I've decided on carrying a second revolver rather than carrying speed-loaders; easier to conceal and less to fumble around with. I figure that choosing a revolver is choosing limited capacity anyway, and a revolver reload under duress is not something I'm likely to accomplish. I do usually have a speed strip along, however, just in case I need to top off the gun or the gun gets dunked in water and I need to switch to dry ammo.

[Velo Dog]

Never go full revolver.


https://revolverguy.com/the-smith-wesson-547-ahead-of-its-time/

[Michpatriot]

Never go full revolver.


https://revolverguy.com/the-smith-wesson-547-ahead-of-its-time/

Great 547 article!!!
Ill take one original 3" round butt, and one In the Airlite style lol..wouldn't A Scandium Titanium 547 be just the ticket? Or a 340 with the 547 extraction setup..Maaan if I were King...

[BillSWPA]

I began shooting handguns at age 12 in about 1982 or 1983. At that time, I was unable to complete firing a single magazine from any of the small number of semiautos I tried without at least one failure to feed, and usually more than one.

As a result of:

1. The above experience,

2. Having been taught by a father who believed in 5-6 for sure rather than 15 maybe, and

3. Reading Bill Jordan's No Second Place Winner further confirmed my opinion that revolvers were the preferred tool,

I was 100% revolver for my first year and a half of carrying concealed.

I never fully trusted semiautos until my desire to shoot inexpensively during law school caused me to purchase a Browning Buck Mark, which proved to be highly reliable. This experience, combined with extreme frustration with the sights of my Colt Detective Special, led me to purchase a Glock 26.

I have not carried a revolver in well over a decade at this point, but still se important places for them. Specifically:

1. I know individuals with hand or wrist conditions that limit recoil tolerance. Two such females have told me that the way a revolver recoils is more comfortable for them.

2. Working with various new shooters of varying levels of commitment has taught me to worry less about what people choose to carry, and to worry more about whether they actually carry it.

3. Behindblueis has posted that almost all of the accidental discharges he has investigated involved semiautos.

4. One close relative has told me that semiautos are too complicated, and that this person has no interest in learning how to use one.

5. Training with a .22 DA revolver has worked wonders for my trigger control. I am starting to work DA revolver shooting into working with inexperienced shooters with trigger squeeze issues and with sufficient hand strength for the DA trigger.

6. Some highly skilled shooters prefer them.

7. Some choices can be made just because we like that choice.

[willie]

Younger shooters may not know that as recently as 35 years ago semi auto's had a poor reputation for reliability. Whether or not this perception was accurate is debatable. My experience is that it is accurate. Of course, I refer to stock guns, not custom. I witnessed frequent pistol failures at a large range used for qualifying federal and state officers. My opinion is that poor quality control was the main reason. User error and hollow point bullet design contributed. Oddly, in my youth I shot many military surplus pistols. None failed to operate reliably. The two action types in some folks's view are either/or choices as if they were mutually exclusive. This view denies or ignores that each type is useful. I would not select a full size revolver for routine carry but once would have. I do have a J frame or LCR in my pants at home. If I'm lazy, I might leave the house with either.

[BillSWPA]

As a teenager reading gun magazines in the early 1980’s, I noticed that every single text report discussing a semiauto included a small number of malfunctions per 100 rounds. The first test I ever read stating that there were no malfunction of any kind discussed the Ruger P85 in 1985.

The 1980’s was also the time when police departments were gradually switching from revolvers to semiautos. At that time, not all departments were quick to switch. Reliability was one factor causing some to stay with revolvers.

The perception of semiauto unreliability was accurate 35 years ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jh9]

G42s are all at once fun, reliable, very light weight, and dirt cheap. So, I’ve been shooting more G42 of late, because, reasons.


Heretical in the revolver subforum but the G42 is a better J-frame than anything S&W currently makes.

Still waiting for the .380 Sig 365 recall so I can grab one of those in version 2.0 format, whatever that'll look like.

[Malamute]

As a teenager reading gun magazines in the early 1980’s, I noticed that every single text report discussing a semiauto included a small number of malfunctions per 100 rounds. The first test I ever read stating that there were no malfunction of any kind discussed the Ruger P85 in 1985.

The 1980’s was also the time when police departments were gradually switching from revolvers to semiautos. At that time, not all departments were quick to switch. Reliability was one factor causing some to stay with revolvers.

The perception of semiauto unreliability was accurate 35 years ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Willie mentioned another point, if shooting an auto, the question often became "will it run with hollowpoint loads?", and the answer was not always yes, so it sometimes became a "use an automatic and full jacket loads or a revolvers with good hollowpoint or SWC loads decision. Gunsmithing was often to get them to work with hollowpoint ammo, and was generally assumed to be needed with many guns.

The advances in auto pistol ammo has been both to try to ensure reliable expansion, and to ensure reliable function in a variety of guns. Theyve obviously come a long ways over the past 30-40 years in those regards, though I think the 357 sjhp loads are still overall more reliable performers in the expansion and terminal effect categories.

[gato naranja]

User error and hollow point bullet design contributed. Oddly, in my youth I shot many military surplus pistols. None failed to operate reliably.

That was pretty much my experience back in the day. They generally* ran domestic 7.65 or 9mm FMJ okay as long as the magazines weren't derped. There were a lot of milsurps tucked way with no magazine but the one in the gun and maybe a spare in the holster (if the pistol had been brought back with a holster); some of those mags had issues.

Strangely enough, I seldom had the opportunity to shoot the "Commonwealth" revolvers... that was one of the many gaps in my education.


*Aside from really rough or damaged specimens of any of them, the Luger/Parabellum/P-08 was the bring-back I remember having the most occasional glitches. Since P-08's were talked up a lot in those days and already had an "aura," I initially placed them on too tall a pedestal.

[jtcarm]

How hard is it to get 1200fps from a 220gr bullet in a 10mm gp100?

That seems to be about top end but barely on the bottom rung of large bore cartridges but if it's easy peasy it might be ok.

I'm still lusting for a mountain gun though.

To what purpose?

If you need expansion, go with a lighter bullet.

As Lester pointed out, the beauty of a heavy-for-caliber bullet from a revolver is penetration and a big fat meplat. The super-long throats on a 10mm revolver means the heavy-for-caliber thing can be taken to the extreme.

I’ve been running 225 grain cast WFNs in my GP100. With the help of Outpost75, I worked up a super-accurate load with 4227 that averages a hair over 1,000 fps (it’s not quite a max charge). It is not fun to shoot more than a couple of cylinders-full. Dropping it down to 900 is much more pleasant, but not as accurate.

There’s very little a 220-grain 10mm bullet will do at 1,200 FPS that it won’t do at 900.

[03RN]

To what purpose?

If you need expansion, go with a lighter bullet.

As Lester pointed out, the beauty of a heavy-for-caliber bullet from a revolver is penetration and a big fat meplat. The super-long throats on a 10mm revolver means the heavy-for-caliber thing can be taken to the extreme.

I’ve been running 225 grain cast WFNs in my GP100. With the help of Outpost75, I worked up a super-accurate load with 4227 that averages a hair over 1,000 fps (it’s not quite a max charge). It is not fun to shoot more than a couple of cylinders-full. Dropping it down to 900 is much more pleasant, but not as accurate.

There’s very little a 220-grain 10mm bullet will do at 1,200 FPS that it won’t do at 900.

Why have large bore magnums at all?

I've noticed a pretty significant increase in bone shattering with faster velocity with heavier bullets. A 170gr swc @1200 does much more damage than 158s at 1200 or 170s at 1000.

Moving up to heavy .45s I've found that 255s do pretty well at 900 due to the weight but damage to bone and organs are significantly more when it's pushed faster.

[RevolverRob]

As a teenager reading gun magazines in the early 1980’s, I noticed that every single text report discussing a semiauto included a small number of malfunctions per 100 rounds. The first test I ever read stating that there were no malfunction of any kind discussed the Ruger P85 in 1985.

This is why the first handgun I ever bought was a Ruger P95. At the time the gunrags informed me that Illinois State Police was experiencing problems with Glocks (in .40, but I just applied it to all Glocks). Sig P-Series pistols were too expensive, H&K? Never heard of her, and 1911s all required gunsmiths to run properly. So, I bought a P95. Which to this day is still one of the most reliable machines I've ever owned.

--

Back to the OP: I am going the other direction. Years and years of revolver shooting, but I just carry flat bottom feeders more often. I can't deny how stupid easy it is for me to pick up a 1911 or 2011 and just put bullets where I want them to go without thought. To reload them, run them, without thought. My brain focuses on target and results, not on trigger or sight alignment.

And as much effort as I've put into wheel guns and as much as I love revolvers - it just isn't the same. I tried seriously for 5 years and off and on for another 10. But when I grab a stupid 1911, that's it, that's the gun I know. It's like riding a bicycle, driving a car, singing your favorite song - it's almost as automatic as breathing and walking for me.

So, for me as I look at thinning the herd and getting rid of things. It's revolvers and long guns that are getting the consideration for the chop (not all of them of course. It's thinning not eliminating).

[jh9]

So, for me as I look at thinning the herd and getting rid of things. It's revolvers and long guns that are getting the consideration for the chop (not all of them of course. It's thinning not eliminating).

Not that I condone such blasphemy, of course... :p

But it makes sense. The next time shit pops off and you have people running vehicle interdiction with tacit approval by the local government (the CHAZ/CHOP government, of course, not the government in King County)... that's not exactly the J-frame lifestyle.

[FrankB]

Back to the OP: I am going the other direction. Years and years of revolver shooting, but I just carry flat bottom feeders more often. I can't deny how stupid easy it is for me to pick up a 1911 or 2011 and just put bullets where I want them to go without thought. To reload them, run them, without thought. My brain focuses on target and results, not on trigger or sight alignment.

And as much effort as I've put into wheel guns and as much as I love revolvers - it just isn't the same. I tried seriously for 5 years and off and on for another 10. But when I grab a stupid 1911, that's it, that's the gun I know. It's like riding a bicycle, driving a car, singing your favorite song - it's almost as automatic as breathing and walking for me. .

Yeah, but 1911’s are cool. When I started this thread, I stated that I just like revolvers, but failed to mention the aesthetics and nostalgia were a big part of the equation. The cool factor with 1911’s is just as great as a revolver: over a century old design, featured in movies from way back when, and made of metal. A Colt 1903 has the same “Lee Marvin Would’ve Carried It” thing.

jh9 That’s why I didn’t get rid of all my semiautomatics. 😎

[Borderland]

Personally i won't give up my P-239's for SD. I have lots of revolvers, and some J frames, but it makes no sense to me to carry less then nine with a quick mag change. Standard issue for ICE and NCIS. Cheap on the used market because it isn't latest sticker polymer. Just saw one go on GB for $500.

I shoot them about once a month and I get acceptable groups at 15 yards off hand. That's the ticket for SD. Cheap 9mm ammo and plenty of practice.

[Rick R]

How hard is it to get 1200fps from a 220gr bullet in a 10mm gp100?

That seems to be about top end but barely on the bottom rung of large bore cartridges but if it's easy peasy it might be ok.

I'm still lusting for a mountain gun though.

My 10mm GP-100 is only a 3” but when you measure from breech to muzzle it’s 4.7” as compared to my 5” SR1911. The GP only seems to give up about 50 fps with the same ammo but somehow it’s more comfortable to shoot. I haven’t tried any 220gr bullets but penetration with 200gr WFN bullets at @1,180fps is impressive. I really just stopped development when I found that load was accurate, penetrated six gallon water jugs with energy to spare, but was comfortable enough to shoot 50+ rounds in a session.
One of my regrets is not finagling the purchase of a 5” 10mm GP-100 that I found in an out of state gun shop.

I had my .357 Mag GP-100 and my 629 Mountain Gun at the range today. Not to rub it in but you REALLY need a Mountain Gun and a .44 Marlin to go with it.

[Edster]

At this point, I'm afraid I don't trust a revolver to work right out of the box as much as a semiauto. The stories of poor revolver quality assurance from even respected manufacturers seem too numerous.

Those who are truly committed to revolvers have often spent quite a bit of time and money making sure they work. I might be more inclined to carry one if I had, say, a 3" .357 with a good trigger, good sights, and no issues that my Lego-brick-assembly gunsmithing skills couldn't solve. Not having it cost as much as two Glocks would be nice, too.

[CDW4ME]

No.

My first handgun was a S&W 357 mag 686 that I got new in 1987. (still have it)
First gun I bought my wife, over 30 years ago, was a Charter Arms 38. (still have it)
I've owned (past tense) various revolvers: Dan Wesson, Redhawk, N-Frame 44's, Speed Six 357, 44/642/ 38 Bodyguard (j-frames).

I'm not a revolver guy.
As a primary carry I'd take a Glock 19/17/22 over a revolver.
As a 2nd gun (back-up) I'd rather have a Sig 365 or Kahr PM9 than a snub (aint shooting through a coat pocket in FL)
Bears? If one shows up in the parking lot of Publix or Wal-Mart, I'd prefer a Glock 20SF over a revolver.

[revchuck38]

At this point, I'm afraid I don't trust a revolver to work right out of the box as much as a semiauto. The stories of poor revolver quality assurance from even respected manufacturers seem too numerous.

Those who are truly committed to revolvers have often spent quite a bit of time and money making sure they work. I might be more inclined to carry one if I had, say, a 3" .357 with a good trigger, good sights, and no issues that my Lego-brick-assembly gunsmithing skills couldn't solve. Not having it cost as much as two Glocks would be nice, too.

No argument with the out-of-the-box reliability of new revolvers. The most recent new revolver I've bought is an S&W M22-4. It was fine out of the box, but that was about 15 years ago when S&W still had folks working there who knew revolvers. I wouldn't buy a new one now, it's too much of a crapshoot, especially at current prices.

My favorite carry revolver is a 3" M10-7, produced in '79. My second favorite is a 4" M10-8, produced around the same time. I have several other S&Ws in J, K, L, and N frames plus a couple of Colts, all from about the same time frame. The fixed sight versions all shoot to POA with the bullet weights of the time. They all go bang every time I pull the trigger.

One newer revolver I have is an M642-2. It was a police trade-in (KSP) and looks beat to hell, but it works fine and shoots to POA with 125- and 130-grain ammo.

[Rex G]

At this point, I'm afraid I don't trust a revolver to work right out of the box as much as a semiauto. The stories of poor revolver quality assurance from even respected manufacturers seem too numerous.

Those who are truly committed to revolvers have often spent quite a bit of time and money making sure they work. I might be more inclined to carry one if I had, say, a 3" .357 with a good trigger, good sights, and no issues that my Lego-brick-assembly gunsmithing skills couldn't solve. Not having it cost as much as two Glocks would be nice, too.

I never had to spend an extra dime on any of my numerous revolvers, to make sure that they worked, but, I do tend to buy the older ones, and rarely buy sight unseen. Reports of issues, from recent buyers of new revolvers, have, indeed, been disappointing to read.

Regarding added time and money, I do have to spend quite a bit of time and money on the ammunition and range fees, to vet an autoloader, which includes running a statistically meaningful sample of the load I plan to carry on the streets. One of my Gen3 G22 Glocks, that had run reliably with several different loads of 165-grain ammo, over time, started locking open, with live rounds still in the mag, after I had to buy 180-grain ammo, which was all I could find in quantity, for an ECQC class. (That was back when I was mandated to use .40 duty pistols, and, that was a fix-able problem, but it was a different bullet weight, made necessary by circumstances, that revealed the problem.)

When my favored load gets difficult to find, I have to repeat the vetting process, with every carry mag that I plan to use. I am not being anti-autoloader, in saying this. It simply is what it is. I have auto-pistols, from several auto-loading pistol systems. My “first love,” among handguns, was the 1911 system. I still have some, today, two of which are lubed and loaded, though on a shelf, in the safe, at this moment in time. I like 9mm Glocks, too, which are better all-round fightin’ pistols, due to being better lefty guns. (My left thumb, hand, wrist, and shoulder are not aging so well.) Some after-dark errands, especially if into nearby Houston, will prompt me to carry a G17, with a Surefire WML affixed.

It is the day-to-day role, that usually goes to revolvers. I walked the dogs, this morning, with a pocketed SP101. (Big pockets.) When I run an errand, in Houston, within the hour, I’ll add a 3” SP101, or a 3” or 4” GP100, in a “real” holster. [Edited to add: My palms are long, but narrow, my fingers are not long, and my thumbs are short, so, gripping an SP101 is not unlike gripping a duty handgun. I can get all three skinny fingers onto the SP101 factory grip. I have tended to shoot SP101 five-guns better than several compact autos that I have tried, over the years.]

[StrawHat]

Just read through this thread, some interesting comments.

I have revolvers, a bunch of them. My preference is the ones by S&W that are chambered for the 45 ACP. As a matter of fact, a revolver so chambered with a 4” barrel is my EDC. I have tried self loading pistols but do not have sufficient faith in my skills operating such a machine. I understand revolvers inside and out.

For carrying, I prefer the Model 22-4 because it has fixed sights and is slightly smaller than the same revolver with adjustable sights.

Just my observations, they may not apply to everyone.

Kevin

[Malamute]

At this point, I'm afraid I don't trust a revolver to work right out of the box as much as a semiauto. The stories of poor revolver quality assurance from even respected manufacturers seem too numerous.

Those who are truly committed to revolvers have often spent quite a bit of time and money making sure they work. I might be more inclined to carry one if I had, say, a 3" .357 with a good trigger, good sights, and no issues that my Lego-brick-assembly gunsmithing skills couldn't solve. Not having it cost as much as two Glocks would be nice, too.


I never had to spend an extra dime on any of my numerous revolvers, to make sure that they worked, but, I do tend to buy the older ones, and rarely buy sight unseen. Reports of issues, from recent buyers of new revolvers, have, indeed, been disappointing to read...




I havent spent any amount on getting revolvers to run beyond expected replacement of hands at reasonable intervals, or on new-to-me guns I have no knowledge of their history of use. The newest one I have is 1980s period, a 10-8. It was a GB purchase, but I knew it was a beater grade gun and priced accordingly. The barrel was junk, which didnt bother me as I had a 3" barrel I planned to put on it. The edges all felt like dull saw teeth probably from rattling around in somebodys tool box in their truck. The action was perfect. Timing, end shake, trigger pull, zero complaints other than the smooth faced trigger. The trigger action was so good I didnt put a grooved trigger in it (so far), but it reminds me every time I pick it up how much I dislike smooth triggers. I think I paid about $200 for the 10-8 and $100 for the barrel. I also splurged on some Hogue rubber bantam grips.

Its disheartening to see the issues with the newer guns, but so far older ones have held much more interest for me. Hands arent that hard to fit as needed, I have oversize hands and some other odds and ends of small parts, I doubt Ill ever have one break down in a way I can get running myself. I think mine will outlast me regardless of how much ill ever shoot them.

In my simple world, the revolvers ive bought over the years, if I looked at them carefully, checked timing, end shake, felt the action, opened the cylinder and cycled the action and felt firing pin protrusion, extractor rod tight, I could tell if it was going to basically function. Firing would confirm that, and tell the tale on sight zero and if it needed adjustment, but so far Ive never had one not function that looked like it would, although a couple drops of oil on a couple occasions of guns nobody apparently ever lubed have helped quite a bit.

[gato naranja]

There was a time in my life when I did more plinking with a .36 cap & ball revolver than anything else- not because I was history-obsessed (which I was), but because I had a lot of free time, access to plenty of woods and pastures, and not a great deal of money to spend on reloading gear. I read everything I could find on the use of percussion sixguns and pestered the few people who shot them locally. By the time I had to buckle down and get my life moving, I was fairly adept with the things; to this day I think I could handle most trouble I am likely to encounter on my normal routine with a pair of Colt's Patent Revolving Belt Pistols.

Yes, I may be full of crap, but I still think it anyway. (I learned how to "twirl" an empty one too, but I can't reliably do that anymore. No illusions on that.)

As for going all-wheelie with more modern designs, I would like to do so but can't make myself actually do it. The USA of today has rotted away too badly even in my neck of the woods to go Full Revolver, and sometimes that small voice tells me to take the Beretta instead of the SP101 (or some similar scenario). The sketchy places of twenty years ago are damn near belt-fed territory.

[FrankB]

Full Disclosure Re Capacity:

Today I’m carrying a Python in a shoulder holster, and a Colt Cobra Carry in a waistband holster. Prior to the Colt Cobra(s), I was carry either a 7 shot 686+ in 2.5” and 3”. Dropping my capacity down to 6 rounds does not make me feel as capacity comfortable, and it’s noticeable at the range. My wife packs a Glock 19, so I’m carrying 12 rounds in two pistols plus another 12 in speedloaders. We are pretty well armed….except I miss my 7th round….sometimes.

[Dave T]

I am currently a "full revolver" shooter. That's not because I dislike semi autos. I spent my LEO career carrying various models of Colt 1911s and continued to be a 1911 shooter and carrier for close to 20 years after retirement. I've also owned and carried more Glocks than I prefer admitting to.

I carry a revolver now because of age and arthritis. I can no longer preform the 'manual of arms' with a 1911 or a Glock. I refuse to carry a gun I can't properly manipulate. My first gun was a revolver and over the years I owned many more, mostly for recreation. I was a PPC shooter for several years which taught me DA only firing so it didn't take long to recover that skill.

I'm not as fast with a revolver now as I once was with my 1911s, but then I wouldn't be as fast with one of them now either. I've gotten over the mind-set I had for many years of needing to be ready to defend any and every victim. I'm old and cranky, pretty busted up and just want to be left alone. My carry gun, a 386 Night Guard, is more of a "get off me" or "get away from my wife" than a "I'll save the day" gun. For that a revolver works fine.

Heck, I'd like to have the guts and determination to carry a single action revolver, my favorite gun to shoot these days. But I am rooted enough in realistic training and tactics to know that's just fantasy. Still...

Dave

[Totem Polar]

Heck, I'd like to have the guts and determination to carry a single action revolver, my favorite gun to shoot these days. But I am rooted enough in realistic training and tactics to know that's just fantasy. Still...

Dave

I’ve mentioned here before that I have carried an SA wheelie—either out on the trails or to the range for fun. I have no illusions about it being anything more than the best tech that the 1800s could offer, but hey, sometimes you just have to do something because it gives you pleasure. Drinking craft cocktails gives me pleasure too, and that’s a whole hell of a lot more likely to “get me kilt in the streets” than toting an SA gun in limited spheres of activity. JMO.
:cool:

[gato naranja]

I've gotten over the mind-set I had for many years of needing to be ready to defend any and every victim. I'm old and cranky, pretty busted up and just want to be left alone. My carry gun, a 386 Night Guard, is more of a "get off me" or "get away from my wife" than a "I'll save the day" gun.

You are pretty much describing me. What amazes me is the number of people nowdays who don't - or won't - get that "just want to be left alone" part. Some days I feel like I need to deliver a slightly more conciliatory and updated version of "J.B. Books' dicta" (from Glendon Swarthout's "The Shootist") right to some doof's face, but haven't done so. Yet.

I suppose I will automatically try to do what absolutely HAS to be done if and when it comes to that, but "defend any and every victim" stopped being a thing with me long ago. I've seen too many situations - none involving the discharge of a firearm, thankfully - where noble intentions got the stuffing taken out of the noble intender.

[Rick R]

I was fairly adept with the things; to this day I think I could handle most trouble I am likely to encounter on my normal routine with a pair of Colt's Patent Revolving Belt Pistols.

Touch off one in each hand! (Then sneak away under the resultant smoke screen)

There are places where I’d feel quite happy shambling thru life with a SA revolver. There are SA oriented forums where guys claim to do just that. But then there are cities I occasionally find myself in wishing I had body armor and a carbine nearby instead of just a G19 and a couple of mags.

If I’m in my natural environment around my home state I’m wearing a revolver big enough to manipulate with sights I can see and a speedloader/moonclip or two or I’m carrying a 1911. Traveling, it’s my G19 because it’s a “normal” gun in this day and age and not a hardship if it ends up as evidence.

Put me firmly at 50% revolver, 30% 1911 and 20% Glock. Until I change my mind again.

[Rick R]

You are pretty much describing me. (Edited) I've seen too many situations - none involving the discharge of a firearm, thankfully - where noble intentions got the stuffing taken out of the noble intender.

I’ve seen too many victims at domestic calls turn on the LEO’s, and tried to sort out way too many convoluted relationships in neighborhoods to even begin to hazard a guess as to WTF? much less pull a gun over something that doesn’t directly endanger me or mine. I have become a tourist in life and am not above unassing an area for greener pastures.

[revchuck38]

Oh yeah, unassing the AO is my go-to option. :)

[JHC]

I’ve seen too many victims at domestic calls turn on the LEO’s, and tried to sort out way too many convoluted relationships in neighborhoods to even begin to hazard a guess as to WTF? much less pull a gun over something that doesn’t directly endanger me or mine. I have become a tourist in life and am not above unassing an area for greener pastures.

That’s smart. The last one I got involved with because of the screaming I managed from about 40 yards with a command voice and clear words and gestures that this was a 911 thing. No heroics. Dude drove away. Female vanished. No way to know how it all worked out. If he started stabbing her . . . I don’t want to speculate

But for the OP topic there was an ankle carried Model 36

[blues]

One I got involved in years ago taught me a valuable lesson...

Walking down the street with two women from my office when we see a guy beating on a woman and then hitting her with a belt. I ran up and yelled at him if he wanted to fight someone...to fight me. (Stupid, I know.)

Grabbed him and subdued him after which the woman yelled at me to leave him alone, that it "was a boyfriend-girlfriend thing".

I turned, said "you guys deserve one another" and we left.

At least neither I nor "Charlie's Angels" as they later named themselves got hurt.

[WobblyPossum]

Personally i won't give up my P-239's for SD. I have lots of revolvers, and some J frames, but it makes no sense to me to carry less then nine with a quick mag change. Standard issue for ICE and NCIS. Cheap on the used market because it isn't latest sticker polymer. Just saw one go on GB for $500.

I shoot them about once a month and I get acceptable groups at 15 yards off hand. That's the ticket for SD. Cheap 9mm ammo and plenty of practice.

Slight off topic nit to pick: for ICE the previous standard issue handgun was a .40 Sig P229 DAK. The agency issued out a much smaller number of P239s, I think mostly for supervisors who wanted smaller guns. The .40 P239 was an approved personally owned weapon as well. I can’t say for sure about NCIS, but I’d be surprised if the P239 was their standard issue handgun. I know they had a very liberal personally owned weapon policy.

On topic: I don’t care much what other people are carrying. I do like that they’re carrying. If you’re much more likely to carry a revolver than a semiautomatic, rock on with your revolver. If you can’t effectively run a semiautomatic due to issues such as arthritis but can run a wheel gun, rock on with your revolver. I think there are a ton things more likely to matter in whether or not you get killed in the streets than which gun you’re carrying.

[gato naranja]

I have become a tourist in life and am not above unassing an area for greener pastures.

Well said.

[Borderland]

Slight off topic nit to pick: for ICE the previous standard issue handgun was a .40 Sig P229 DAK. The agency issued out a much smaller number of P239s, I think mostly for supervisors who wanted smaller guns. The .40 P239 was an approved personally owned weapon as well. I can’t say for sure about NCIS, but I’d be surprised if the P239 was their standard issue handgun. I know they had a very liberal personally owned weapon policy.

On topic: I don’t care much what other people are carrying. I do like that they’re carrying. If you’re much more likely to carry a revolver than a semiautomatic, rock on with your revolver. If you can’t effectively run a semiautomatic due to issues such as arthritis but can run a wheel gun, rock on with your revolver. I think there are a ton things more likely to matter in whether or not you get killed in the streets than which gun you’re carrying.


I don't have any personal knowledge of which Gov't agencies carried those, just read that someplace. I doubt any are still in service as most were sold surplus a long time ago. I bought all I wanted, I know that.;)

I've carried a J frame in the past. I only discovered 9mm compacts about 8 years ago and now have as many of those as revolvers. Got a few HK's also.

[SeriousStudent]

This thread needs Dagga Boy.

Pretty funny you say that.

I was at his house last night drinking Old-Fashioneds, smoking cigars and talking about wheelguns with him and a friend/LEO,

Each one of us was sitting on the patio with a revolver in a pocket or carried AIWB. But the "carry guns" amongst the three of us were a Boresight Solutions RDS-equipped Sig 365, an RDS-equipped Staccato, and a Langdon 92X Compact.

But the two pistols we spent the most time testing triggers and discussing?

A pre-war 38/44 Heavy Duty,


87835

87837
\
DB provided the stocks. They are a perfect fit for this misfit of a big N-frame fighting gun. I saw this pistol and had to have it. I can just imagine an old school Army Master Sergeant filling an Italian cemetery full of Waffen SS troopers with this ugly but beautiful heirloom.

And a 3" Model 10 that was formerly owned by an FBI agent.

87838

87839

John Powers did the refinish. It's a WWII zinc phosphate Parkerizing job. I had the Safariland stocks, and it seemed like a natural match for an old FBI gun. It will shoot a cylinder of 158-grain LSWC rounds into a ragged hole at 5 yards. It's going to my granddaughter when she graduates from the Texas Game Warden Academy.

If I could only have a single revolver for the rest of my life, this is it.

Greg Ellifritz was not present physically, but was there in spirit(s).

https://shoptreatyoak.com/old-fashioned-cocktail-750ml/

Greg gave me a bottle of this at Tac-Con, and I thought of no better place to share it. It's legit! :) Many thanks to Mr Ellifritz!

TL/DR answer to the OP's question: Nope, I have not gone full revolver. But they fill a warm spot in my soul that no other weapon does.

[SeriousStudent]

And I checked my Excel spreadsheet. 81 revolvers now.

That's only half as many as DB had in his S&W collection. :eek:

[jtcarm]

I’ve always been “full revolver” and see no need to switch.

Speaking strictly about carry guns, as a civilian with no “duty to pursue”, I think I’m far more likely to have to deal with a threat at extreme close range, which is where the snub revolver shines.

Engaging multiple threats at distance makes for fun & challenging action pistol stages and entertaining TV, but I just don’t think it’s real world. If I was forced to frequent areas where that was more than than an extremely remote possibility, I might switch to an auto. But there’d still be a J-frame BUG in my pocket.

IIRC from the Revolver Roundup a couple years back, Dagga cited a stat that less than 2% of civilian defensive shootings required more than 5 rounds.

If a gang comes crashing through the front door, a handgun is best used to fight my way to a long gun or AR pistol.

If it comes to civil unrest and I have to leave the house, I’ll throw the AR pistol in a bag.

I think there’s merit to the argument that current S&W quality is too poor to be relied on for carry. But are you really going to stake your life on any gun you haven’t thoroughly vetted? Besides, I seldom buy new guns.

But at the end of the day, I just love revolvers, and life’s to short to fool with guns I don’t particularly enjoy.

I built a couple of ARs. When done I was like “Yeah, building was fun. Working up accurate loads was fun. Now what?”

I enjoy shooting most anything, but revolvers & O/U shotguns are my favs by far.

[42Willys]

I don't have any personal knowledge of which Gov't agencies carried those, just read that someplace. I doubt any are still in service as most were sold surplus a long time ago. I bought all I wanted, I know that.;)

I've carried a J frame in the past. I only discovered 9mm compacts about 8 years ago and now have as many of those as revolvers. Got a few HK's also.

NCIS issues DAK P229Rs as general issue but has DAK P239s for agents who request one. Some do. Both in .40 SW. And they have a liberal POW policy. They should be jumping on the Border Patrol Glock contract soon though.

[Malamute]

And I checked my Excel spreadsheet. 81 revolvers now.

That's only half as many as DB had in his S&W collection. :eek:


My heros! :D


Peter Eick had a pretty impressive revolver accumulation, he had a lot of older N frame 38s and 357s I think. I dont recall if he ever joined or posted here, he may have. He used to post on THR years ago.

Edit:https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/n-framed-38s-and-well-maybe-a-357-for-good-measure.784386/

[03RN]

Yeah my splits are not Uber fast but I am shooting my 147gr hsts at 1200fps from a 3" barrel.


https://youtu.be/RBzjRv58G-I

[Malamute]

^^^ I believe accuracy is priority of split speed in practical application, though I wouldnt complain about the speed. I dont think youre going to outrun your brain and assessment ability.

[HCM]

I don't have any personal knowledge of which Gov't agencies carried those, just read that someplace. I doubt any are still in service as most were sold surplus a long time ago. I bought all I wanted, I know that.;)

I've carried a J frame in the past. I only discovered 9mm compacts about 8 years ago and now have as many of those as revolvers. Got a few HK's also.

The last federal LE guns sold off as surplus were the US Postal Inspectors Ruger Speed Sixes in the early 1990s. After that Bubba Clinton issued an EO, later codified into a federal regulation that excess federal LE firearms can only be given to another government entity or destroyed.

Fun fact: ICE had Government issued J frame revolvers in service through 2019.

[jtcarm]

Why have large bore magnums at all?



If that’s what you want, great.

When you get tired of the noise & recoil from shooting full-house loads from a 4” Smith N-frame (assuming the gun is still serviceable), try slowing those fat cast bullets to about 900-1,000 fps. You’ll notice it’s a lot easier to shoot, and the deer drop just as fast. If you’re running expanding bullets, then you need the speed.

I’ve shot & carried enough .44 magnums and taken enough whitetails to have an informed opinion. These included Ruger SBHs, a Redhawk, and a Dan Wesson 44VH. Except for one SBH, these were all accurate, durable guns.

A .44 WFN of 250 grains or more will fly through a whitetail like he’s made of tissue paper, whether it’s launched at 900 or 1,200 FPS.

The 10mm is no .41 or .44 magnum, and I don’t suggest trying to make it into one, especially on a medium frame revolver.

There is actually a 10mm magnum cartridge. Gunsmith Dave Clements can convert a Ruger Blackhawk or SRH. Last I heard he would not do the conversion on the GP100 because it would “shoot itself apart.”

What I found with big bore magnums is that a revolver actually designed around the cartridge (which the Smith N frame was not) is too big & heavy for casual woods carry. Great for a dedicated hunting revolver, but I’d just as soon use a rifle for that.

I tried a 24-3 with “Skeeter loads” pushing a 250 grain lead bullet about 900-950 FPS. It started exhibiting excessive endshake at about 1,000 rounds. It’s been in for remediation twice. At 3,000 rounds, it has .011 endshake (shimmed up, .011 is the B/C gap.) and is retired. That’s left me with ZERO interest in N-frame magnums.

[03RN]

If that’s what you want, great.

When you get tired of the noise & recoil from shooting full-house loads from a 4” Smith N-frame (assuming the gun is still serviceable), try slowing those fat cast bullets to about 900-1,000 fps. You’ll notice it’s a lot easier to shoot, and the deer drop just as fast. If you’re running expanding bullets, then you need the speed.

I’ve shot & carried enough .44 magnums and taken enough whitetails to have an informed opinion. These included Ruger SBHs, a Redhawk, and a Dan Wesson 44VH. Except for one SBH, these were all accurate, durable guns.

A .44 WFN of 250 grains or more will fly through a whitetail like he’s made of tissue paper, whether it’s launched at 900 or 1,200 FPS.

The 10mm is no .41 or .44 magnum, and I don’t suggest trying to make it into one, especially on a medium frame revolver.

There is actually a 10mm magnum cartridge. Gunsmith Dave Clements can convert a Ruger Blackhawk or SRH. Last I heard he would not do the conversion on the GP100 because it would “shoot itself apart.”

What I found with big bore magnums is that a revolver actually designed around the cartridge (which the Smith N frame was not) is too big & heavy for casual woods carry. Great for a dedicated hunting revolver, but I’d just as soon use a rifle for that.

I tried a 24-3 with “Skeeter loads” pushing a 250 grain lead bullet about 900-950 FPS. It started exhibiting excessive endshake at about 1,000. It’s been in for remediation twice. At 3,000 rounds, it has .011 endshake (shimmed up, .011 is the B/C gap.) and is retired. That’s left me with ZERO interest in N-frame magnums.

My questioning the 10mm was more hypothetical. Looking at it as a mountain gun understudy a d curious about how close it can get to magnum status as a .4 as apposed to my .357s that I don't plan on replacing anytime soon.

Surprisingly enough I've shot several dozen whitetails, up over 200lbs, culling on a nursery in Rhode island. My favorite guns to use were my .45 Blackhawk, redhawk, and 16" M92. A 255gr swc at 900fps will indeed break both shoulders. But not the shoulder and rear hip on 200lbs deer. It will at 1200fps. At 1700fps it's pretty impressive.

I am however okay with 255gr .45s going around 1k. If I was seriously hunting with a 10mm I'd want the bullet as fast and as heavy as I could get. A 200 @ 900-1000 is a service round and I have no doubts it would kill well with a well placed shot I would want more for the less than perfect shots. I'm carrying a 200gr swc @950fps as we speak so I do think it will do nearly everything well.

[Rick R]

My questioning the 10mm was more hypothetical. Looking at it as a mountain gun understudy a d curious about how close it can get to magnum status as a .4 as apposed to my .357s that I don't plan on replacing anytime soon.

Surprisingly enough I've shot several dozen whitetails, up over 200lbs, culling on a nursery in Rhode island. My favorite guns to use were my .45 Blackhawk, redhawk, and 16" M92. A 255gr swc at 900fps will indeed break both shoulders. But not the shoulder and rear hip on 200lbs deer. It will at 1200fps. At 1700fps it's pretty impressive.

I am however okay with 255gr .45s going around 1k. If I was seriously hunting with a 10mm I'd want the bullet as fast and as heavy as I could get. A 200 @ 900-1000 is a service round and I have no doubts it would kill well with a well placed shot I would want more for the less than perfect shots. I'm carrying a 200gr swc @950fps as we speak so I do think it will do nearly everything well.

I think of the 10mm as more in the class of .44 Special, .41 Special, mid-range .44 Mag loadings. Something effective enough for everyday carry that doesn’t beat up gun or shooter over the years. My 3” 10mm GP100 gets carried more often than my 4” .44 Mountain Gun because it is just a neater little package and we don’t have grizzly bears.

[blues]

I generally carry my 642 AIWB but yesterday I pocket carried in my Aholster for the first time in a long time. It was actually quite nice and does lend itself to a quick and stealthy presentation. (Duluth cargo shorts yesterday, or the long pants version on most days which aren't sweltering.)

My only issue was that I couldn't clip my pocketknife to the same pocket. (Yeah, yeah, I hear ya...quit yer bitchin'.)

[03RN]

I think of the 10mm as more in the class of .44 Special, .41 Special, mid-range .44 Mag loadings. Something effective enough for everyday carry that doesn’t beat up gun or shooter over the years. My 3” 10mm GP100 gets carried more often than my 4” .44 Mountain Gun because it is just a neater little package and we don’t have grizzly bears.

That seems about right. With .45s I've noticed 230gr gold dots @850 is meh on game. Usable but not ideal. Bump it up to 250xtp @1000 or 255gr swc at 950 and game reacts different. The large meplat really helps. Even flat point .22s work better on coyotes than hps.

[marty.eaves]

I bought a Bersa Thunder some 15 years ago so that I could get a semiauto stamp on my Texas concealed carry. Never carried it.

I have a SW 640-1 that goes everywhere 98% of the time. And a Keltec P32 that goes for bicycle rides.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Malamute]

That seems about right. With .45s I've noticed 230gr gold dots @850 is meh on game. Usable but not ideal. Bump it up to 250xtp @1000 or 255gr swc at 950 and game reacts different. The large meplat really helps. Even flat point .22s work better on coyotes than hps.


Velocity and large flat point definitely have an effect on game. I shot a jack rabbit one time with a 357 158 gr W-W factory Lubaloy SWC bullet load from a 6" Highway Patrolman, it blew up the jack. Ive not had a jack actually blow up even with 223 55 gr soft point loads.

Shooting game up to coyote size with 45 auto 230 gr RN loads is fairly underwhelming. I immediately suspected they had not been reading gun magazines to find out how they should be reacting to the mighty 45 auto. HP loads may be better, but I guess it doesnt surprise me to hear they wasnt all that profound
of a reaction at that velocity.

[RevolverRob]

My only issue was that I couldn't clip my pocketknife to the same pocket. (Yeah, yeah, I hear ya...quit yer bitchin'.)

My favorite thing about OTF autos is how nice and slim they are next to my wallet in my back pocket. And no concerns with accidental deployment. More than once I've been bit by a tip-up folder carried in the back pocket, where the blade opened up. Now I strictly carry tip-down with blade along the seam of my pocket or OTF to avoid such issues.

I like my LCP in an Aholster - draws fast and clean. In fact as I get back into pocket carry, I remember how nice it is to have a hand on a gun for a pre-emptive draw.

[45dotACP]

I thought for sure I was going to get rid of my revolvers....

Until I saw a 2 3/4" round butt, pre lock model 66 at the shop and the inner dialogue was as follows:

"I mean I'm never getting rid of my model 57 and I'm sort of lukewarm on the gp100, so maybe I just make this a Smith and Wesson household. Plus I need a k frame...so yeah"

And that's why I'm getting a new revolver but maybe selling the ruger.

I may sell the 638 though. Maybe.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[camsdaddy]

I thought for sure I was going to get rid of my revolvers....

Until I saw a 2 3/4" round butt, pre lock model 66 at the shop and the inner dialogue was as follows:

"I mean I'm never getting rid of my model 57 and I'm sort of lukewarm on the gp100, so maybe I just make this a Smith and Wesson household. Plus I need a k frame...so yeah"

And that's why I'm getting a new revolver but maybe selling the ruger.

I may sell the 638 though. Maybe.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk
By law you must have a j frame

[Willard]

I don't think you can call this full revolver, but I'm having shoulder surgery again on my strong hand side. I will have to carry weak hand for several weeks/months so I have a Phlster City Special and a Kramer horsehide pocket holster with crimson cut for 642/442. Of note, I have a good many holsters. Most of any particular brand are Kramer. I sent them a note requesting expedited shipping due to the surgery and they accomodated me. I won't do that again, but it was good to see this. Their holsters are good and worth the wait, but in this instance I wanted the comfort of one of these while I was recovering and I appreciated their support.

[jtcarm]

I think of the 10mm as more in the class of .44 Special, .41 Special, mid-range .44 Mag loadings. Something effective enough for everyday carry that doesn’t beat up gun or shooter over the years. My 3” 10mm GP100 gets carried more often than my 4” .44 Mountain Gun because it is just a neater little package and we don’t have grizzly bears.

This.

The advantage of the 10mm being that it can be chambered in a 6-shot, medium-frame revolver.

[Monti]

Back when I first carried of duty, I carried the S&W mod 19, and then the mod 586.. but down through the years of course the semi auto was carried. I have several semi autos a G20 10mm, G21 45 auto and Sig P320 9mm, but prefer to carry my GP100 Match Champion .357 Mag. Where I live the G20 is very popular as far as the go to bear gun for that just in case moment... never met a bad bear yet up here in NW Montana since 1990 that we've been here. but it's better to have and not need than to need and not have. So when carrying my Ruger GP100 MC .357 Mag out in the woods I carry a 200-gr bear tooth bullet WNGC load stoked with 14.4 gr of H110, and the G20 is carrying Underwoods 200-gr WNGC HC as well.

[4given]

My wife and I have decided to go all revolver for "snowbirding" next winter. Since we will be spending time along the Colorado river, often crossing back and forth between Arizona and California, revolvers just make sense. Legal to possess in CA. Easy to load and unload. No worries about rechambering a round etc. We will have to unload and lock our firearms in a case before we can cross into CA. We can remove them from the case and load them once we make camp. Between our Idaho and Oregon carry permits we are good for all Western states except CA.

I plan to take a M66 4" for a "highway" and RV "bedside pistol", M638 in a fanny pack for wifey, Colt King Cobra 3" on the hip and M642 in the pocket for me when we carry in AZ. Marlin 1894c for a "camp rifle".

Life is Good!

[JHC]

My wife and I have decided to go all revolver for "snowbirding" next winter. Since we will be spending time along the Colorado river, often crossing back and forth between Arizona and California, revolvers just make sense. Legal to possess in CA. Easy to load and unload. No worries about rechambering a round etc. We will have to unload and lock our firearms in a case before we can cross into CA. We can remove them from the case and load them once we make camp. Between our Idaho and Oregon carry permits we are good for all Western states except CA.

I plan to take a M66 4" for a "highway" and RV "bedside pistol", M638 in a fanny pack for wifey, Colt King Cobra 3" on the hip and M642 in the pocket for me when we carry in AZ. Marlin 1894c for a "camp rifle".

Life is Good!

That's a pretty cool display of logic. I spent a week going on and off an installation where a secured unloaded pistol and empty mags was required entering. And off the installation was a lot of sketchy stuff. Managing a G22 through that was a PIA!

[Rick R]

I plan to take a M66 4" for a "highway" and RV "bedside pistol", M638 in a fanny pack for wifey, Colt King Cobra 3" on the hip and M642 in the pocket for me when we carry in AZ. Marlin 1894c for a "camp rifle".

Life is Good!

Throw a fun sized shotgun in there and it’s all good.

[RevolverRob]

That's a pretty cool display of logic. I spent a week going on and off an installation where a secured unloaded pistol and empty mags was required entering. And off the installation was a lot of sketchy stuff. Managing a G22 through that was a PIA!

There are a few places where revolvers reign absolutely supreme.

1) The ease of administrative handling for loading, unloading, and confirmation of loaded/unloaded status.

2) The ability to fire hammerless guns from obscured locations (inside a pocket for instance).

3) Snubs rule when it comes to FUT. Trying to wrench a J-Frame from someone's grasp isn't impossible, but it isn't easy either. Your best bet is 2-on-1 and hope he doesn't have a knife to fuck you up with.

[jtcarm]

My wife and I have decided to go all revolver for "snowbirding" next winter. Since we will be spending time along the Colorado river, often crossing back and forth between Arizona and California, revolvers just make sense. Legal to possess in CA. Easy to load and unload. No worries about rechambering a round etc. We will have to unload and lock our firearms in a case before we can cross into CA. We can remove them from the case and load them once we make camp. Between our Idaho and Oregon carry permits we are good for all Western states except CA.

I plan to take a M66 4" for a "highway" and RV "bedside pistol", M638 in a fanny pack for wifey, Colt King Cobra 3" on the hip and M642 in the pocket for me when we carry in AZ. Marlin 1894c for a "camp rifle".

Life is Good!

The Hillbilly Assault Rifle.

I’ll swap you an AR for it, so you can be tacticool[emoji6]

[jtcarm]

3) Snubs rule when it comes to FUT. Trying to wrench a J-Frame from someone's grasp isn't impossible, but it isn't easy either.

IDK what “FUT” means, but I agree 100%, and that’s precisely why I carry a revo and recommend them for civilians.

Back when I devoured the gun rags, I read a piece by Massad Ayoob describing retention training with a class of LEOs.

IIRC, he had the student facing him with weapon in their strong hand. He could lever & snatch a full-size 1911 out of the burliest dudes grasp, while the most petite women could hang on to a 2” J-frame.

I hear people say all the time “well you should never let them get that close”, but here’s the thing: the bad guy gets to pick the rules of engagement.

IMO, no matter how vigilant you are, when a civilian has to pull the trigger, odds are it will be up close and personal.

[Lester Polfus]

My wife and I have decided to go all revolver for "snowbirding" next winter. Since we will be spending time along the Colorado river, often crossing back and forth between Arizona and California, revolvers just make sense. Legal to possess in CA. Easy to load and unload. No worries about rechambering a round etc. We will have to unload and lock our firearms in a case before we can cross into CA. We can remove them from the case and load them once we make camp. Between our Idaho and Oregon carry permits we are good for all Western states except CA.

I plan to take a M66 4" for a "highway" and RV "bedside pistol", M638 in a fanny pack for wifey, Colt King Cobra 3" on the hip and M642 in the pocket for me when we carry in AZ. Marlin 1894c for a "camp rifle".

Life is Good!

Our travel trailer armory is a 4" GP100 that mostly stays in the pistol safe and a 640 Pro that is always on me. When we do more backcountry boondocking, the 1894c comes along as well. Between those two or three guns and a small ammo can of various loads I feel well prepared for all manner of contingencies.

[RevolverRob]

IDK what “FUT” means, but I agree 100%, and that’s precisely why I carry a revo and recommend them for civilians.

Back when I devoured the gun rags, I read a piece by Massad Ayoob describing retention training with a class of LEOs.

IIRC, he had the student facing him with weapon in their strong hand. He could lever & snatch a full-size 1911 out of the burliest dudes grasp, while the most petite women could hang on to a 2” J-frame.

I hear people say all the time “well you should never let them get that close”, but here’s the thing: the bad guy gets to pick the rules of engagement.

IMO, no matter how vigilant you are, when a civilian has to pull the trigger, odds are it will be up close and personal.

FUT is 'Shivworks Lingo' and it means: Fouled Up Tangled (also sometimes Fucked Up Tangled) - For when you are in an entangled fight with someone.

As you say, the other guy(s) get a say in the matter and a lot of them like to get close. A J-frame and a fixed blade are excellent tools - if you can gain dominant position and then access them - when/if you're in that situation.

[4given]

Our travel trailer armory is a 4" GP100 that mostly stays in the pistol safe and a 640 Pro that is always on me. When we do more backcountry boondocking, the 1894c comes along as well. Between those two or three guns and a small ammo can of various loads I feel well prepared for all manner of contingencies.

Great minds think alike. May we meet up on the trail someday. I'll buy the first cup of joe.