Barry (RIP) once said "better than a sharp stick or a brick". That stuck with me. Any one of them will do just keep it loaded and close to you at all times
here's how I look at it as a TOOL for Personal defense in a Urban/civilian environment. Revolvers have better Power, Accuracy, Reliability than a automatic in almost every case. but aside from that no Feed ramp, no Magazine to Fail, they cannot be pushed out of battery when pressed against the body, you cannot fail to disengage the safety, you cannot cause a malfunction by limp wristing it, you cannot get one bad round that forces you to stop and clear the weapon before the remaining rounds can be fired, The ammo selections are reversible within 38,357 and 44 special and Magnum. The Revolver is a Platform that almost completely eliminates User error and mechanical failure but simultaneously promotes Proficiency. I want something that I know will do what I need it to do exactly when I need it to do it without issue. If I fail to defend myself it will not be because my carry failed to do what I needed it to do in a ugly situation. I know IT will work and I know I will work. that is in its essence the key to successful self defense. if either of those two elements are missing, that is how people don't make it home. to assume you won't have to use your carry with someone Pressing against you or that the situation will facilitate a complete prevention of limb wrist or a guarentee that you are going to be in a physical position to Clear a malfunction is precarious as far as I'm concerned. As it pertains to a tool used to protect yourself from someone physically attacking or robbing you. and even that is giving the benefit of the doubt that you are in fact carrying with one in the Chamber (as you should) that you don't have a Manual safety to disengage and that you are carrying ammo that you know feeds reliability. I will always own a Semi automatic but I will always carry and Trust my life to a Revolver.
Exactly. Here's the thing. If you have a failure to fire with an auto, you have to rack that slide and clear the weapon of the failed cartridge. That takes two hands. If you're struggling with an aggressor, you may not have a free hand, and it will take some time for the fact that your gun has not fired to sink in. With a revolver, you squeeze the trigger again, and it's bang-time. Additionally, if you have arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome in your non-firing hand, you may have issues racking the slide. Whichever type of carry weapon you chose, just do yourself a favor and get to the range frequently. You don't want to have to think about what you're doing when you're in a self defense situation.
I started carrying a P365 in 2020, and really liked it. I got a S&W 642 last year and it’s always found its way into my pocket . It’s a great gun to carry. I’ll carry a 365XL with a dot and light if I feel the need to elevate my preparedness posture.
The best handgun to carry is the one you are the most familiar , comfortable and confident with and the most accurate with and most importantly the one you have with you , not the one at home or in your car or in your wife's purse .
I am a revolver fan and I am connected to him because I grew up in the 80s and 90s, I own 2 J frames in .38 and a heritage Revolver in .22 LR. Now let's be real, semi auto guns can be fired faster with less trigger weight, and can be reloaded faster, but revolvers can also be nearly as efficient, but Maybe by only the most skilled users. NOW one thing I would like to see is to see just what revolvers can do when placed against semi guns, is to have a force on force scenarios with laser strike devices, or whatever is available, it would be interesting to see if say, 5 guys with revolvers who wait to select their targets and use Efficient movement and tactics and handy reloads, can overcome OR hold their own against 5 opponents with semi autos. If you have 5 intermediate and expert level revolver guys who can reload and shoot on the move and conserve their ammo for the best shots, will they overcome their opponents with double the round count and faster reloads, I would love to see this in action to find out exactly "if it's the plane or the pilot" so to speak
I now carry 2 6 shot snub nose revolvers, plus speed strips. I can shoot on body contact. You can shoot from inside a jacket, bag, or purse. I can share, I have redundancy, and one of the two is always accessible by both hands. Can't limp wrist. No bang, pull trigger. Same manual of arms for both.
I carry a Charter Arms Bulldog, 5 shot, 44 Special. Carry 1 speed loader. in 44 spec there are factory loaded huge hollow points. The gun is still under $500. Thanks Eric!
I would say this is frankly a bad way of looking at it, it takes a decent amount of practice with a revolver to use it effectively due to the trigger pull. Whereas any semiauto can have a better trigger pull. It doesnt take that much instruction to explain how to cycle a semiauto. That and many revolvers tend to recoil greater than a regular 9mm handgun.
been a viewer/subscriber for a LONG time and I think its great that you touched back on some basics for the individuals just getting into our world... bravo sir
My edc is a 3" S&W 686 plus. I live in a smaller city in Alabama where there is almost no violent crime so I feel comfortable with a wheel gun. If I have to go to Birmingham you can bet I am upping my game to something with 17 rounds and an extra magazine.
Right there with you. I live and travel all over AL for work, but if I have to go into certain parts of Birmingham I have my G17 on and AR in the back seat.
I use either or, revolver don’t get carried as much mostly because for me it’s just not as comfortable to carry. I mostly carry my Sheild or my 19. I’m glad your back making videos. I grew up in morrow Georgia and purchased my very first hand gun from Barry at moss 20 something years ago. Your videos will always be my favorites. Keep it up
Going through the police academy in 1985, we were told that the FBI shooting stats was “the rule of three” most gunfights were three rounds, in three seconds at three feet. By the time I retired in 2005, it was “the rule of fives”, five shots, five seconds at five yards. In 2025, not sure what the “rule” would be.
My father (WWII vet) carried a S&W model 40. Remember a 2A revolver is is also technically a a semiautomatic. The difference is if you pull the trigger an it doesn’t go bang, with a wheel gun you don’t have to clear the weapon all you have to do is pull the trigger again!!
I just finished a higher level pistol class that involved scenarios of violence and armed response one would most likely face in an urban society today. In most every instance, the presence of a gun was all it took to resolve the situation. In the one scenario where I had to fire, two shots took care of it. I’m absolutely not advocating for magazine limitations. I mention this because a revolver would be adequate for self defense in each scenario. If I were stuck in a gunfight I would certainly want a semiautomatic with two spare mags and a round in the pipe, but even though that is possible where I live, it is not at all probable. While acting in a church security role I absolutely carry a semi, but only a revolver just kicking around town.
I tried to train my wife to shoot. She didn't take instructions from me very well. She didn't like taking instructions from the help I guess. I sent her to a very competent and comprehensive shooting range for training, which did go well. She came home with a new semi auto SW that was to her liking. Okay great, right? Wrong. When we went to the outdoor range, the first thing she did was confuse the mag release with the safety. Bingo, the mag dropped to the ground before she got even one shot down range. That couldn't happen to a revolver.
This. For anyone who wants a gun but isn't really into guns, a revolver is a great option. Ruger LCR in 327 federal mag is a great option. Holds 6 shots, and has similar power to 9mm. Can also get 32 S&W long for cheaper and less power. Ammo basically being only available online is the biggest down side
@alexwrenchman1690 it's a fantasy. What makes you think 20 rounds vs 5 rounds will matter when there are MULTIPLE armed people trying to kill you? You can't shoot more than one person at a time. Are they going to line up and only attack you one vs one?
Barry would tell you you’re wrong about the power argument of a snub nose 357. It’s still a lot more powerful than 9mm. Even in a snub barrel. You need to look at the energy not the velocity
@@Grooove_e That's what OP said: "... look at the _energy_ not the velocity" (emphasis mine). Velocity is good and well, but if you're getting the same energy out of a shorter barrel, then the velocity doesn't matter for that comparison. The only other places where velocity matters besides energy are distance and armor penetration, and you shouldn't be relying on a handgun for either of those regardless.
@@Grooove_e That isn't what OP was talking about, and you know it. Velocity is a component of energy, yes, but that's _irrelevant_ because when it comes to handguns, energy is what actually matters.
@@Grooove_e What started this entire thread is the idea that .357 out of a snub barrel will have less power than 9mm out of the longer barrel of a semi-auto because the velocity is lower. Sure, the velocity is lower, but in this comparison, .357 has the same _energy_ as 9mm, so the loss in velocity from the shorter barrel is irrelevant because the energy is the same, and therefore, it does not deliver less power, so this is not an argument in favor of carrying one over the other.
I was issued a .38 revolver for the first 20 yrs of my career & it saved my life twice. Given those street experiences the EDC in retirement is a J Frame revolver.
45 shield, sp 101 ruger 3 inch barrel. Are my EDC guns. Both have limited firepower. But then again, I'm a civilian, and I don't plan on needing any more than a few shots. Practicing shot placement is key when it comes to defending yourself. One spare mag for my 45 shield and two spare speed loaders for my sp 101 and I'm good.
Most defensive uses of firearms are ended with three or fewer rounds fired, and in many cases, no rounds fired at all. I routinely carry a 6” Python or a 5” Rhino loaded with .357 mag in a shoulder holster under a jacket. I can get at it much easier, especially when seated in a vehicle where the greatest potential danger is a carjacking. A couple of speed loaders for the Python, or moon clips for the Rhino, and I never feel underarmed.
I hope you never have to use your Python and have it confiscated for "evidence" good god, man. Get something else for carry!!! Lol. A Python is one of my drean guns. //rant over
Tell that to Elisha Dickens. He might disagree. Even if you say shootings like his are the outliers, you still can’t say the chance that might happen to you is zero. God forbid, if you are ever forced into a defensive shooting, stats will be completely meaningless. Carry what you are comfortable with, but please don’t try to tell other people they don’t need high capacity. That’s a very personal decision.
If you have one malfunction and that split second means you get a bullet in your chest, doesn’t matter if you have 50 rounds revolvers tend to be more reliable
Hate to critique.. but how do you have a revolver vs semi video without mentioning the facts that a revolver will go off no matter what position or cramped area it is in or in a physical tussle. You can have it in a jacket pocket, it will go off, it can be pressed up against something and still work. Cannot always be done with a semi. This works especially with a hammerless revolver. Depends on the scenario.
A good point, not mentioned in video. Another would be the ability to thumb the hammer while holstering, with revolvers or hammer fired in general being “more safe”. [Insert Sig and strikers reference here]. Lots of little and big differences between them but this video was a decent overview for someone new. But your point was a good one, that was missed in the video; and a good advantage to consider. When most attacks are up close and personal. Chances of someone robbing you is higher (with 1-3 shoots being enough) than a mass shooting where you’ll need (in the videos example of 39 rounds).
I love revolvers. The look, feel and ammo options as well as familiarity make them my favorite. That said for concealed I opt for single stack steel framed auto. I prefer all metal guns but y'all carry what you want, just train with it!
Semi automatics are indeed the way to go in this modern year of 2024, they can be fired faster and reloaded faster and that's just the way of the future, but revolvers are great for people who aren't done dudescomma and can throw 5 to 7 shots down range in deadly manner if the user is practiced and reliable, my dad is 71 and I'm going to get him into guns anld he's going to move to A Different location with my mom soon, and I won't be close to him to train him up, , he isn't a gun dude but he has shot guns before with me and he Isn't that bad, but a revolver will be best for him because he still has a strong grip at his age and I don't know enough about semi autos to be able to train him up great on S.A., DOA, safeties, light trigger pulls, etc, and magazines and decockers and loader indicators and what not, so I am going to steer him towards revolvers which I shoot, And I think that's gonna be best for him. I own 2 Wesson J frames, 438 and a 649, and I am very skilled with them, but for my dad who isn't terribly technical and who I won't be Able to train him on semi automatics, the wheel gun is best for him to keep him and mom safe, So I believe that AK frameor medium size revolver like a Wesson model 10 or a Rug GP 100, will be best for him to understand
They’re also great for those who prefer something a bit more compact. Ultimately, it really comes down to personal preference and what feels right in your hand.
I think people who think a revolvers are obsolete are also the same types that envision themselves being in some sort of elaborate shoot out where they pop off 10-12 rounds in order to get the job done, which normally isn't the case. Another thing is that a lot of the bodycam footage we see from cops often involves the officer emptying their magazine so that could also influence people that they need all of those rounds. What they fail to realize is most cops aren't really into guns, carrying one is more apart of the job than it is anything else, therefore, while they typically know how to handle their firearm more than they average person (which isn't really saying much) that doesn't mean they are any good at shooting. Living in a 2A state like Arizona, I mostly pocket carry a snub and I never feel out-gunned doing so and it's comfortable. I like semi-autos too and have no problem carrying one, but I love the simplicity of revolvers and I'm a .357 fanboy so that could have something to do with it as well. Revolvers, especially snubs, definitely require more practice, but that's where dry-firing comes in and IF you can shoot something like a snub effectively you can definitely be effective w/a semi-auto, but not vice-versa.
Pros: Revolvers - Magnum loads. No brass ejected. Won't snag if fired from a pocket. Tough and can take abuse. 1911 - Great trigger. Accurate. Very customizable. Quick reloads. Tons of aftermarket parts. Tough, and can take quite a bit of abuse. Glock/Polymer Double Stacks - Excellent reliability. Good accuracy. Unmatched ammo capacity in a pistol. Moderately customizable. Quick reloads. Tons of aftermarket parts. Cons: Revolvers - Poor ammo capacity. Not as reliable as most modern auto-loaders. Trigger pull can be horrible. Inconsistent accuracy due to cylinder. Can't be suppressed. Slow reload. Prone to rust. 1911 - Not as reliable as polymer framed auto-loaders. Heavy. Limited ammo capacity. Magazines are expensive. Prone to rust. Glock/Polymer Double Stacks - Sloppy/Stiff trigger. Grip can be uncomfortable depending on model and manufacturer. Grip and frame not as durable as steel. Not as aesthetically pleasing as other firearms.
Eric, excellent video. You are spot on. I have carried both over the years but now feel that a revolver is better for me due to age and hand strength. Area and probable need for an a auto is something we all pray never surfaces.
Another great video as usual. Thanks. I think you nailed it when you said it depends on your situation. The choice of handguns for self-defense is influenced significantly by our individual threat assessment. For some, two-20 round magazines is just unnecessary weight unless they experience a magazine failure. Hammerless revolvers can be fired from inside a coat pocket. Arguably, they have a simpler manual of arms than semi-autos. No worries about magazine failures, or limp wristing failures, no weakened, no ammo related feed issues, no dependency on ammo for cycling to the next round, no need to tap and rack for failure to fire. My wife has MS and her left hand lacks the grip strength to rack a slide, even on pistols like the S&W EZ. But she can easily pull the trigger and control the recoil of a 38 Special Revolver with her right hand.
I have my 638 j frame with me every day. I love how I don't even feel the weight of it and people don't even see it in my waistband. It does shoot really good for a short barrel too. Not saying I don't have a semi auto in my glove box most of the time also. Just in case
The best gun is the one you have with you. A lot of times in the Summer, you need to pack light so you don't print or pull your shorts down so there are times when this is appropriate.
You didn't touch on what I consider the main reasons to choose a small, double action, hammerless revolver for concealed carry. Mechanics. A hammerless revolver not only takes up less space on your body or in your pocket, it requires less room to operate. In extreme close quarters, where the assailant has someone cornered or pinned on the ground, classic self defense situations, there may not be room for the slide of an automatic to reciprocate safely. There may not even be room for a revolver with a hammer to operate properly. Another reason is that the manual of arms on this type of weapon is very, very, simple for those with little to no experience. This is the type of weapon I would give to my mother to protect herself. She doesn't need to learn how to load magazines, rack the slide, operate the safety. It's very simple but has plenty of power for most self defense situations.
Very good discussion of the revolver vs automatic pros and cons. I’ve shot revolvers since the 70’s and love their simplicity. That being said, the time for reloading is a deal maker/breaker for me. I’ve shot just about everything on the market and I love my 1911, the grip design and angle are perfect for me, everybody’s got their own opinion and I favor the 1911. Mr Browning got it right! I also thought your conclusion about choosing the design that suits your needs for whatever you think you’ll run into during the day! Great discussion, thanks for sharing!
I have three guns that I alternate between for EDC, a 15 + 1 round sub compact semi auto 9mm, a 12 + 1 round pocket sized semi auto .380, and a six round .38 Special revolver with a 2" barrel. I always carry one reload for each. Which one I carry on any given day is dictated by how I am dressed and what I am doing. I am proficient with all three and feel that they are all adequate for self defense. I have IWB/OWB and pocket carry options that allow 4 season concealed carry. I find that having such options works much better than a one gun and done approach, at least for me.
@@alaneastman9920 Which handgun would you open carry in your doctor's office while doing a cardiac stress test? 🤔 Like I said, what I carry depends on my clothing and planned activities for the day. When I did my stress test on Wednesday, I had a S&W .380 Bodyguard in my gym shorts pocket. I didn't ask if it would be OK with them because "concealed" has a meaning.
@@alaneastman9920 So...on a treadmill stress test, no shirt, 10-lead EKG wires and a blood pressure cuff attached to you, in a doctor's office, you would OPEN CARRY a S&W Model 640?
Which is more concealable? You keep comparing a snubby to a 5" auto. You sound like you're trying to talk people out of revolvers. I watched a Harrell video where he explained that in must self defense situations, most were ended by the third or fourth round. Revolvers are plenty for most situations. That being said, carry what you like. Carry both.
It doesn’t need to be binary. I often carry a full-size of one backed-up by a compact size of the other. This wear-carry redundancy regimen allows me a MUCH QUICKER reload when necessary. The backup can be given to a trusted but unarmed other when required.
So I think you missed something that the late Paul Herrel once said about revolvers vs auto loading pistols. With revolvers there are a lot less human errors with revolvers than auto loading pistols. Examples of this could be the person could forget to chamber a round because they are very uncomfortable carrying with a round loaded in the chamber or because the laws in the state they live in require that they cannot have a round loaded in the chamber. Or they forget to disengage the safety and try to fire. With double/single action revolvers it does not matter. With revolvers all you have to do is point and shoot. Plus if you are that if you drop your gun. Yes it's possible for revolvers and auto loading pistols to fire if they are dropped depending on the manufacturer and type of firearm. It has happened. But with a revolver. You can carry with one cylinder empty and it will never fire if the gun is dropped. And when you pull the trigger on a revolver it will still fire. You can't do that with revolvers. Now on auto loading pistols the biggest advantage you have with auto loading pistols that was not mentioned is that you can clean them in the field and they stay reliable. You can't do that with revolvers. But either way a good video for beginner shooters who want a pistol.
It's simple. A Revolver is mechanically operated and holds (depending on the model) anywhere from 5 to 8 rounds. Although some may carry slightly more. A Semi-automatic is gas operated and holds (depending on the model) anywhere from 6 to 17 rounds. Even more with extended mags. Carry whatever you train and feel comfortable with.
Tim forgot to mention that auto pistol barrel length includes the chamber. So in reality, a 4 inch barrel 9mm is really a 2.87 inch barrel. Considering a SW 640 in .357 has a 2.33 inch barrel, the barrel length difference is only half an inch.
Great video, excellent job of explaining situations when both would work well. I would say that a J frame in a leather holster is extremely comfortable at the 4 o'clock on a belt is forgettable. And a fullsize striker fired pistol in a kydex holster on your appendix is not as forgettable. But both absolutely have their place. Also having no gun means your not in the fight at all. Where as if you have a wheel gun you may be under gun in some situations but you are at least in the fight even though at a disadvantage. So a gum is better then no gun.
A pocket j-frame can be drawn half a second faster than a strong side IWB semi auto. And you can stage your hand in/near your pockets. I'll take the quick draw. If you prefer a slower more likely to snag draw, you do you bro.
Run what you brung! Either can be useful if ou train with your tool. I prefer a semi auto, but those folk that run wheel guns all the time can get quite proficient with them. Awesome topic!
EXACTLY RIGHT' I carry a S&W642 as a main gun, I will go to first. If that doesn't get the job done, I go to my "back-up gun", a S&W auto with a 12 round magazine and spare mag all loaed with carry ammo. Never unload the mags. have other mags I take to the range for exercise. Never carry a load chambered, safety off. TO EACH THEIR OWN.
The biggest advantages to a j-frame is it is easily pocketable, it is dead nuts reliable (no safety, no limp wristing) and it is discreet. Is it perfect? No, but it will resolve 99% of conflicts that can be resolved with a handgun. I live in a nice area and it is enough gun. When I travel to a city, I carry more gun, a lot more gun.
Revolvers can be good for those who have hand strength issues and racking a slide can be a problem for them but they want something to keep the predators off with.
I guess ultimately it comes down to training, context, and preference, but largely I think the consensus is basically that more rounds of less power will do you better than less rounds of more power.
As I continued further with this video, I noticed that the comparison of the snubby to a full size auto doesn’t make sense. If someone is carrying a snubby as a primary carry, they would carry a small auto. If you compared the G19 or 1911 to a normal carry revolver with a 4” barrel, then you would see an even greater divide between 9mm and 357 mag.
The greatest pro for a revolver is being able to fire it from a jacket pocket. The ability to keep your hand on your revolver while going around takes the need out of having to quick draw. Just point and shoot.
Yes, that is an advantage particularly with a hammerless revolver. Just remember to take off the jacket immediately afterwards since there is the potential that it might catch fire.
There's a possible future where the only ammo available are Black Powder Reloads with homemade primers. Good luck getting that stuff to cycle an autoloader!
Ok, here is an often overlooked and underestimated advantage of using a short-barreled magnum revolver .357/.44 : When used ACCURATELY and RESPONSIBLY inside your home, particularly at night, the muzzle flash and concussive noise directed at an assailant will most likely initiate an immediate retreat, and most probably cause them to sh*t their pants on their way out the door. Remember, you will be prepared for both the noise, and the flash, because you have already practiced and anticipated these phenomena. Additionally, there is a huge difference between standing behind the revolver, and experiencing flash and eardrum shattering noise directed right at you.
Revolvers close the gaps as laws get tighter. The state I live in is trying to pass magazine bans on anything over 10 rounds. Sure that’s 4 more than my model 66, but my SP-01 loses its luster after a near 50% reduction in capacity.
I trust a da/sa action revolver more as a “get off me gun”- also if I have to fire under stress I am likely to get a misfeed from limpwristing than normal from a semiautomatic. I often have to go to an area that is high risk for an aggressive dog- I usually carry cs/pepper spray and a revolver in that situation. Though I do often cc a semiautomatic but usually stick with da/sa with a hammer if im carrying one in the chamber
Capacity is important especially if you can't hit what you're shooting at... most civilian gunfights are over in three seconds. Or less. There are exceptions i suppose. But not likely. A j frame or lcr with a laser is a great option.
For me, I am happy with my colt king cobra. Bigger than a j frame for sure, but I think it handles and balances well. Also for the argument that you want more rounds, I guess my question is how often do self defense situations involve more than 2 hostiles? I would imagine the common scenario is one or two people if they ever face that situation.
Semiautos work well if you need to shoot a lot. In other words getting into trouble. Revolvers are for getting out of trouble. They also excel at contact distance. A revolver can be pressed up against an attacker and it works where a semi might not function.
There are several reasons someone might choose a snub nose revolver over a semi auto. When shooting with something in contact with the end of the barrel it won't go out of battery and fail to fire. Whether that is a purse, pocket or just pressed against someone. Someone who might struggle to rack a gun like in a jam situation. If they are going to keep it somewhere like a purse where it might get a little dirty. A failure to fire is usually as simple to clear as pulling the trigger again. When they honestly know they are no going to keep in practice. There isn't really much to think about when pulling it out and using it. They don't have to worry about the mag dropping out if they grab it wrong. If someone grabs the gun while you are trying to fire it will still work. Rotating ammo isn't really a thought either. I have some friends that use one as an ankle backup duty gun.
Barry (RIP) once said "better than a sharp stick or a brick". That stuck with me. Any one of them will do just keep it loaded and close to you at all times
😂😅😂😅
If you don't want to leave brass behind...
Brass all over the ground could be a tripping hazard of course. 😉
It’s bad for the environment
And use pre fragment ammo like Glazer .
For reloading purposes of course
facts i had a friend lose some brass he broke out in hand cuffs and felonies . shits treacherous
I can’t do this anymore…..Eric!!! Wear prop glasses!!!!
Agreed 😊
Lol
Maybe some round Harry potter or Robert downy Jr style
I wish he would do a different pair of glasses every episode. The goofier the better.
Anybody know which ones he has been wearing recently? I think I want a pair, but can't find the exact ones
here's how I look at it as a TOOL for Personal defense in a Urban/civilian environment.
Revolvers have better Power, Accuracy, Reliability than a automatic in almost every case. but aside from that
no Feed ramp, no Magazine to Fail, they cannot be pushed out of battery when pressed against the body, you cannot fail to disengage the safety, you cannot cause a malfunction by limp wristing it, you cannot get one bad round that forces you to stop and clear the weapon before the remaining rounds can be fired, The ammo selections are reversible within 38,357 and 44 special and Magnum.
The Revolver is a Platform that almost completely eliminates User error and mechanical failure but simultaneously promotes Proficiency.
I want something that I know will do what I need it to do exactly when I need it to do it without issue.
If I fail to defend myself it will not be because my carry failed to do what I needed it to do in a ugly situation.
I know IT will work and I know I will work.
that is in its essence the key to successful self defense.
if either of those two elements are missing, that is how people don't make it home.
to assume you won't have to use your carry with someone Pressing against you or that the situation will facilitate a complete prevention of limb wrist or a guarentee that you are going to be in a physical position to Clear a malfunction is precarious as far as I'm concerned. As it pertains to a tool used to protect yourself from someone physically attacking or robbing you.
and even that is giving the benefit of the doubt that you are in fact carrying with one in the Chamber (as you should) that you don't have a Manual safety to disengage and that you are carrying ammo that you know feeds reliability.
I will always own a Semi automatic but I will always carry and Trust my life to a Revolver.
Zackly ⚡
Well said, sir.
100%
Exactly. Here's the thing. If you have a failure to fire with an auto, you have to rack that slide and clear the weapon of the failed cartridge. That takes two hands. If you're struggling with an aggressor, you may not have a free hand, and it will take some time for the fact that your gun has not fired to sink in. With a revolver, you squeeze the trigger again, and it's bang-time. Additionally, if you have arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome in your non-firing hand, you may have issues racking the slide. Whichever type of carry weapon you chose, just do yourself a favor and get to the range frequently. You don't want to have to think about what you're doing when you're in a self defense situation.
I love you so much for being so revolver intelligent I carry for edc my revolver and nothing else my smith and Wesson 637? Snubby
9mm for the hoods
10mm for the woods
YAWN!!!!!
357 sig master race
Word
357 for both
How about 10 all around?
I started carrying a P365 in 2020, and really liked it. I got a S&W 642 last year and it’s always found its way into my pocket . It’s a great gun to carry. I’ll carry a 365XL with a dot and light if I feel the need to elevate my preparedness posture.
But can you make hits on target with the 642 with just the front ramp and groove ?
Great video. One point unmentioned is shot cartridges. A revolver with a shot cartridge makes a great snake gun when fishing along the shoreline.
The best handgun to carry is the one you are the most familiar , comfortable and confident with and the most accurate with and most importantly the one you have with you , not the one at home or in your car or in your wife's purse .
I am a revolver fan and I am connected to him because I grew up in the 80s and 90s, I own 2 J frames in .38 and a heritage Revolver in .22 LR. Now let's be real, semi auto guns can be fired faster with less trigger weight, and can be reloaded faster, but revolvers can also be nearly as efficient, but Maybe by only the most skilled users. NOW one thing I would like to see is to see just what revolvers can do when placed against semi guns, is to have a force on force scenarios with laser strike devices, or whatever is available, it would be interesting to see if say, 5 guys with revolvers who wait to select their targets and use Efficient movement and tactics and handy reloads, can overcome OR hold their own against 5 opponents with semi autos. If you have 5 intermediate and expert level revolver guys who can reload and shoot on the move and conserve their ammo for the best shots, will they overcome their opponents with double the round count and faster reloads, I would love to see this in action to find out exactly "if it's the plane or the pilot" so to speak
I now carry 2 6 shot snub nose revolvers, plus speed strips. I can shoot on body contact. You can shoot from inside a jacket, bag, or purse. I can share, I have redundancy, and one of the two is always accessible by both hands. Can't limp wrist. No bang, pull trigger. Same manual of arms for both.
I carry a Charter Arms Bulldog, 5 shot, 44 Special. Carry 1 speed loader. in 44 spec there are factory loaded huge hollow points. The gun is still under $500. Thanks Eric!
Revolvers are a bit more idiot-proof and malfunction-proof than semi-autos. To me that would be the main selling point.
I would say this is frankly a bad way of looking at it, it takes a decent amount of practice with a revolver to use it effectively due to the trigger pull. Whereas any semiauto can have a better trigger pull. It doesnt take that much instruction to explain how to cycle a semiauto. That and many revolvers tend to recoil greater than a regular 9mm handgun.
Whatever you are comfortable with. Haven't seen a video in a while the diet and exercise is doing wonders you look good and healthy, be safe, Erick
I carried a Ruger LCR as my EDC for around 13 years until i bought a Canik TP9 E SC. Still on occasions take out the LCR, it has it pros even now.
been a viewer/subscriber for a LONG time and I think its great that you touched back on some basics for the individuals just getting into our world... bravo sir
My edc is a 3" S&W 686 plus. I live in a smaller city in Alabama where there is almost no violent crime so I feel comfortable with a wheel gun. If I have to go to Birmingham you can bet I am upping my game to something with 17 rounds and an extra magazine.
Right there with you. I live and travel all over AL for work, but if I have to go into certain parts of Birmingham I have my G17 on and AR in the back seat.
Eric, so glad you're posting more again. Hope all is well with you and yours. Let us all know if you need prayers. God bless, brother
I use either or, revolver don’t get carried as much mostly because for me it’s just not as comfortable to carry. I mostly carry my Sheild or my 19. I’m glad your back making videos. I grew up in morrow Georgia and purchased my very first hand gun from Barry at moss 20 something years ago. Your videos will always be my favorites. Keep it up
So many people ignore the consideration of proximity failures and grip failures in a scuffle.
Going through the police academy in 1985, we were told that the FBI shooting stats was “the rule of three” most gunfights were three rounds, in three seconds at three feet. By the time I retired in 2005, it was “the rule of fives”, five shots, five seconds at five yards. In 2025, not sure what the “rule” would be.
My father (WWII vet) carried a S&W model 40. Remember a 2A revolver is is also technically a a semiautomatic. The difference is if you pull the trigger an it doesn’t go bang, with a wheel gun you don’t have to clear the weapon all you have to do is pull the trigger again!!
I just finished a higher level pistol class that involved scenarios of violence and armed response one would most likely face in an urban society today. In most every instance, the presence of a gun was all it took to resolve the situation. In the one scenario where I had to fire, two shots took care of it. I’m absolutely not advocating for magazine limitations. I mention this because a revolver would be adequate for self defense in each scenario. If I were stuck in a gunfight I would certainly want a semiautomatic with two spare mags and a round in the pipe, but even though that is possible where I live, it is not at all probable. While acting in a church security role I absolutely carry a semi, but only a revolver just kicking around town.
I tried to train my wife to shoot. She didn't take instructions from me very well. She didn't like taking instructions from the help I guess. I sent her to a very competent and comprehensive shooting range for training, which did go well. She came home with a new semi auto SW that was to her liking. Okay great, right? Wrong. When we went to the outdoor range, the first thing she did was confuse the mag release with the safety. Bingo, the mag dropped to the ground before she got even one shot down range. That couldn't happen to a revolver.
This. For anyone who wants a gun but isn't really into guns, a revolver is a great option. Ruger LCR in 327 federal mag is a great option. Holds 6 shots, and has similar power to 9mm. Can also get 32 S&W long for cheaper and less power. Ammo basically being only available online is the biggest down side
What a moroon
Somebody could mistake the cylinder release for a thumb safety
It’s not the guns it’s her bro 😂
What? After a competent training course? What specifically was she being trained to do? I agree with the other guy. I hate to be that guy
I don't get the fantasy of getting into a huge battle and needing to make multiple mag changes and needing to carry 50 rounds for EDC.
It's not a fantasy it's the worst case scenario
Mida T
@@nopc9728 ?
@alexwrenchman1690 it's a fantasy. What makes you think 20 rounds vs 5 rounds will matter when there are MULTIPLE armed people trying to kill you? You can't shoot more than one person at a time. Are they going to line up and only attack you one vs one?
nor I I live in a nice small town . but in Chicago or really any place with non whites shooting are a daily thing . and they got arp and drum mags
They both have there places!
Their*
Yesir!
There places have they’re their there
@@countryroadsoutdoorsyou tube tries to translate "yesir" to English ? apparently it's "yasir" in English ?
@@Doomer1984 Yes sir. Two words😂
Barry would tell you you’re wrong about the power argument of a snub nose 357. It’s still a lot more powerful than 9mm. Even in a snub barrel. You need to look at the energy not the velocity
Pauls video demonstrates it very well @@notso5734
@@Grooove_e That's what OP said: "... look at the _energy_ not the velocity" (emphasis mine). Velocity is good and well, but if you're getting the same energy out of a shorter barrel, then the velocity doesn't matter for that comparison. The only other places where velocity matters besides energy are distance and armor penetration, and you shouldn't be relying on a handgun for either of those regardless.
Energy *_Not_* Velocity.
Just ask John Moses Browning
and his .45acp
@@Grooove_e That isn't what OP was talking about, and you know it. Velocity is a component of energy, yes, but that's _irrelevant_ because when it comes to handguns, energy is what actually matters.
@@Grooove_e What started this entire thread is the idea that .357 out of a snub barrel will have less power than 9mm out of the longer barrel of a semi-auto because the velocity is lower.
Sure, the velocity is lower, but in this comparison, .357 has the same _energy_ as 9mm, so the loss in velocity from the shorter barrel is irrelevant because the energy is the same, and therefore, it does not deliver less power, so this is not an argument in favor of carrying one over the other.
Whatever you carry, practice constantly and stay alert of your surroundings.
I was issued a .38 revolver for the first 20 yrs of my career & it saved my life twice. Given those street experiences the EDC in retirement is a J Frame revolver.
45 shield, sp 101 ruger 3 inch barrel. Are my EDC guns. Both have limited firepower. But then again, I'm a civilian, and I don't plan on needing any more than a few shots. Practicing shot placement is key when it comes to defending yourself. One spare mag for my 45 shield and two spare speed loaders for my sp 101 and I'm good.
Right on brother! G19 primary Taurus 85 secondary. Of course a extra magazine and stripes.
You’ve been hittin the gym bro!
Most defensive uses of firearms are ended with three or fewer rounds fired, and in many cases, no rounds fired at all. I routinely carry a 6” Python or a 5” Rhino loaded with .357 mag in a shoulder holster under a jacket. I can get at it much easier, especially when seated in a vehicle where the greatest potential danger is a carjacking. A couple of speed loaders for the Python, or moon clips for the Rhino, and I never feel underarmed.
I hope you never have to use your Python and have it confiscated for "evidence" good god, man. Get something else for carry!!! Lol. A Python is one of my drean guns.
//rant over
Tell that to Elisha Dickens. He might disagree. Even if you say shootings like his are the outliers, you still can’t say the chance that might happen to you is zero. God forbid, if you are ever forced into a defensive shooting, stats will be completely meaningless.
Carry what you are comfortable with, but please don’t try to tell other people they don’t need high capacity. That’s a very personal decision.
@@rururu5630 It’s OK. It’s one of the new ones, not a vintage collector’s piece.
@@woodystube1000 so he shouldn't tell them they don't but you can tell them they do?
If you have one malfunction and that split second means you get a bullet in your chest, doesn’t matter if you have 50 rounds revolvers tend to be more reliable
Hate to critique.. but how do you have a revolver vs semi video without mentioning the facts that a revolver will go off no matter what position or cramped area it is in or in a physical tussle. You can have it in a jacket pocket, it will go off, it can be pressed up against something and still work. Cannot always be done with a semi. This works especially with a hammerless revolver. Depends on the scenario.
A good point, not mentioned in video.
Another would be the ability to thumb the hammer while holstering, with revolvers or hammer fired in general being “more safe”. [Insert Sig and strikers reference here].
Lots of little and big differences between them but this video was a decent overview for someone new.
But your point was a good one, that was missed in the video; and a good advantage to consider. When most attacks are up close and personal. Chances of someone robbing you is higher (with 1-3 shoots being enough) than a mass shooting where you’ll need (in the videos example of 39 rounds).
I've had a few semiautomatics that don't get pressed out of battery.
I suppose there are some obscure reasons cops and military use an auto.
I love revolvers. The look, feel and ammo options as well as familiarity make them my favorite. That said for concealed I opt for single stack steel framed auto. I prefer all metal guns but y'all carry what you want, just train with it!
I Feel Revolvers are Underrated, especially for Newbies or on Budget
Semi automatics are indeed the way to go in this modern year of 2024, they can be fired faster and reloaded faster and that's just the way of the future, but revolvers are great for people who aren't done dudescomma and can throw 5 to 7 shots down range in deadly manner if the user is practiced and reliable, my dad is 71 and I'm going to get him into guns anld he's going to move to A Different location with my mom soon, and I won't be close to him to train him up, , he isn't a gun dude but he has shot guns before with me and he Isn't that bad, but a revolver will be best for him because he still has a strong grip at his age and I don't know enough about semi autos to be able to train him up great on S.A., DOA, safeties, light trigger pulls, etc, and magazines and decockers and loader indicators and what not, so I am going to steer him towards revolvers which I shoot, And I think that's gonna be best for him. I own 2 Wesson J frames, 438 and a 649, and I am very skilled with them, but for my dad who isn't terribly technical and who I won't be Able to train him on semi automatics, the wheel gun is best for him to keep him and mom safe, So I believe that AK frameor medium size revolver like a Wesson model 10 or a Rug GP 100, will be best for him to understand
Excellent analysis. Thanks!
They’re also great for those who prefer something a bit more compact. Ultimately, it really comes down to personal preference and what feels right in your hand.
I think people who think a revolvers are obsolete are also the same types that envision themselves being in some sort of elaborate shoot out where they pop off 10-12 rounds in order to get the job done, which normally isn't the case. Another thing is that a lot of the bodycam footage we see from cops often involves the officer emptying their magazine so that could also influence people that they need all of those rounds. What they fail to realize is most cops aren't really into guns, carrying one is more apart of the job than it is anything else, therefore, while they typically know how to handle their firearm more than they average person (which isn't really saying much) that doesn't mean they are any good at shooting.
Living in a 2A state like Arizona, I mostly pocket carry a snub and I never feel out-gunned doing so and it's comfortable. I like semi-autos too and have no problem carrying one, but I love the simplicity of revolvers and I'm a .357 fanboy so that could have something to do with it as well. Revolvers, especially snubs, definitely require more practice, but that's where dry-firing comes in and IF you can shoot something like a snub effectively you can definitely be effective w/a semi-auto, but not vice-versa.
0:13
Depends on what you're using it for.
Revolver; In-N-Out
Regular pistol; pick your shells up
Pros:
Revolvers - Magnum loads. No brass ejected. Won't snag if fired from a pocket. Tough and can take abuse.
1911 - Great trigger. Accurate. Very customizable. Quick reloads. Tons of aftermarket parts. Tough, and can take quite a bit of abuse.
Glock/Polymer Double Stacks - Excellent reliability. Good accuracy. Unmatched ammo capacity in a pistol. Moderately customizable. Quick reloads. Tons of aftermarket parts.
Cons:
Revolvers - Poor ammo capacity. Not as reliable as most modern auto-loaders. Trigger pull can be horrible. Inconsistent accuracy due to cylinder. Can't be suppressed. Slow reload. Prone to rust.
1911 - Not as reliable as polymer framed auto-loaders. Heavy. Limited ammo capacity. Magazines are expensive. Prone to rust.
Glock/Polymer Double Stacks - Sloppy/Stiff trigger. Grip can be uncomfortable depending on model and manufacturer. Grip and frame not as durable as steel. Not as aesthetically pleasing as other firearms.
Eric, excellent video. You are spot on. I have carried both over the years but now feel that a revolver is better for me due to age and hand strength. Area and probable need for an a auto is something we all pray never surfaces.
Another great video as usual. Thanks. I think you nailed it when you said it depends on your situation. The choice of handguns for self-defense is influenced significantly by our individual threat assessment. For some, two-20 round magazines is just unnecessary weight unless they experience a magazine failure. Hammerless revolvers can be fired from inside a coat pocket. Arguably, they have a simpler manual of arms than semi-autos. No worries about magazine failures, or limp wristing failures, no weakened, no ammo related feed issues, no dependency on ammo for cycling to the next round, no need to tap and rack for failure to fire. My wife has MS and her left hand lacks the grip strength to rack a slide, even on pistols like the S&W EZ. But she can easily pull the trigger and control the recoil of a 38 Special Revolver with her right hand.
More compacity doesn’t mean your going to win a gunfight if your not proficient in your firearm then compacity mean little
I have my 638 j frame with me every day. I love how I don't even feel the weight of it and people don't even see it in my waistband. It does shoot really good for a short barrel too. Not saying I don't have a semi auto in my glove box most of the time also. Just in case
Carry more then one gun is always faster than reloading. 🇺🇸
The 327 PC is a fantastic conceal carry revolver. Lightweight like a Glock, moderate capacity with solid power per shot.
thank you so much for this helpful video, it perecfectly answered my question.
The best gun is the one you have with you. A lot of times in the Summer, you need to pack light so you don't print or pull your shorts down so there are times when this is appropriate.
Glad to be seeing you my friend! I got some catching up to do! Looking great bud!
My grand dad carried a 3in S&W 29 his entire adult life post-Vietnam. Never trusted semi-autos even THP switched to autos he had a 29 til he retired.
You didn't touch on what I consider the main reasons to choose a small, double action, hammerless revolver for concealed carry. Mechanics. A hammerless revolver not only takes up less space on your body or in your pocket, it requires less room to operate. In extreme close quarters, where the assailant has someone cornered or pinned on the ground, classic self defense situations, there may not be room for the slide of an automatic to reciprocate safely. There may not even be room for a revolver with a hammer to operate properly. Another reason is that the manual of arms on this type of weapon is very, very, simple for those with little to no experience. This is the type of weapon I would give to my mother to protect herself. She doesn't need to learn how to load magazines, rack the slide, operate the safety. It's very simple but has plenty of power for most self defense situations.
Very good discussion of the revolver vs automatic pros and cons. I’ve shot revolvers since the 70’s and love their simplicity. That being said, the time for reloading is a deal maker/breaker for me. I’ve shot just about everything on the market and I love my 1911, the grip design and angle are perfect for me, everybody’s got their own opinion and I favor the 1911. Mr Browning got it right!
I also thought your conclusion about choosing the design that suits your needs for whatever you think you’ll run into during the day!
Great discussion, thanks for sharing!
I have three guns that I alternate between for EDC, a 15 + 1 round sub compact semi auto 9mm, a 12 + 1 round pocket sized semi auto .380, and a six round .38 Special revolver with a 2" barrel. I always carry one reload for each. Which one I carry on any given day is dictated by how I am dressed and what I am doing. I am proficient with all three and feel that they are all adequate for self defense. I have IWB/OWB and pocket carry options that allow 4 season concealed carry. I find that having such options works much better than a one gun and done approach, at least for me.
Target center mass works pretty well but if you're face to face the human sternum covers the main pump and the important plumbing
I use both.
My EDC rotation includes 2 semi-autos and 2 revolvers.
Which I carry depends on my clothing for the day and my planned activities.
Luckily in tenn we get to open carry every where
@@alaneastman9920 Which handgun would you open carry in your doctor's office while doing a cardiac stress test? 🤔
Like I said, what I carry depends on my clothing and planned activities for the day. When I did my stress test on Wednesday, I had a S&W .380 Bodyguard in my gym shorts pocket.
I didn't ask if it would be OK with them because "concealed" has a meaning.
@@garyK.45ACP my 640 smith.
@@alaneastman9920 So...on a treadmill stress test, no shirt, 10-lead EKG wires and a blood pressure cuff attached to you, in a doctor's office, you would OPEN CARRY a S&W Model 640?
@@garyK.45ACP or my walther
Which is more concealable? You keep comparing a snubby to a 5" auto. You sound like you're trying to talk people out of revolvers. I watched a Harrell video where he explained that in must self defense situations, most were ended by the third or fourth round. Revolvers are plenty for most situations. That being said, carry what you like. Carry both.
My cousin carries a 357 mag revolver and a bersa thunder plus as a back up.
It doesn’t need to be binary.
I often carry a full-size of one backed-up by a compact size of the other. This wear-carry redundancy regimen allows me a MUCH QUICKER reload when necessary. The backup can be given to a trusted but unarmed other when required.
So I think you missed something that the late Paul Herrel once said about revolvers vs auto loading pistols.
With revolvers there are a lot less human errors with revolvers than auto loading pistols. Examples of this could be the person could forget to chamber a round because they are very uncomfortable carrying with a round loaded in the chamber or because the laws in the state they live in require that they cannot have a round loaded in the chamber. Or they forget to disengage the safety and try to fire. With double/single action revolvers it does not matter. With revolvers all you have to do is point and shoot. Plus if you are that if you drop your gun. Yes it's possible for revolvers and auto loading pistols to fire if they are dropped depending on the manufacturer and type of firearm. It has happened. But with a revolver. You can carry with one cylinder empty and it will never fire if the gun is dropped. And when you pull the trigger on a revolver it will still fire. You can't do that with revolvers. Now on auto loading pistols the biggest advantage you have with auto loading pistols that was not mentioned is that you can clean them in the field and they stay reliable. You can't do that with revolvers.
But either way a good video for beginner shooters who want a pistol.
I miss Barry. He would have loved talking about this.
I have a S&W 586-L comp that I carry from time to time.
Great video! RIP Barry
Right on , Exactly
Bro looking jacked, transformation from FaF happening quick
I alternate between a Hellcat, a SS MR920 and J Frame depending on my clothing. It's good to see some new content!✌️
It's simple. A Revolver is mechanically operated and holds (depending on the model) anywhere from 5 to 8 rounds. Although some may carry slightly more. A Semi-automatic is gas operated and holds (depending on the model) anywhere from 6 to 17 rounds. Even more with extended mags. Carry whatever you train and feel comfortable with.
Tim forgot to mention that auto pistol barrel length includes the chamber. So in reality, a 4 inch barrel 9mm is really a 2.87 inch barrel. Considering a SW 640 in .357 has a 2.33 inch barrel, the barrel length difference is only half an inch.
😂no1's as fast as Jerry, i swear he's half robot 🤖! Jerry M. The Greatest of all time, the real 🐐!
Great video, excellent job of explaining situations when both would work well. I would say that a J frame in a leather holster is extremely comfortable at the 4 o'clock on a belt is forgettable. And a fullsize striker fired pistol in a kydex holster on your appendix is not as forgettable. But both absolutely have their place. Also having no gun means your not in the fight at all. Where as if you have a wheel gun you may be under gun in some situations but you are at least in the fight even though at a disadvantage. So a gum is better then no gun.
A pocket j-frame can be drawn half a second faster than a strong side IWB semi auto. And you can stage your hand in/near your pockets. I'll take the quick draw. If you prefer a slower more likely to snag draw, you do you bro.
Run what you brung! Either can be useful if ou train with your tool. I prefer a semi auto, but those folk that run wheel guns all the time can get quite proficient with them. Awesome topic!
The revolver is for close in when a slide can jam on a semi-auto and only if the assailant doesn’t have a knife.
Most encounters require 5 or less shots. But I carry a revolver (6-Xtreme Defense rounds) as primary and a pistol for a backup (13 rounds)
Looking great Eric, happy for you
"One is none, two is one" Clint Smith. Carry one of each. One revolver, one auto loader.
EXACTLY RIGHT' I carry a S&W642 as a main gun, I will go to first. If that doesn't get the job done, I go to my "back-up gun", a S&W auto with a 12 round magazine and spare mag all loaed with carry ammo. Never unload the mags. have other mags I take to the range for exercise. Never carry a load chambered, safety off. TO EACH THEIR OWN.
The biggest advantages to a j-frame is it is easily pocketable, it is dead nuts reliable (no safety, no limp wristing) and it is discreet. Is it perfect? No, but it will resolve 99% of conflicts that can be resolved with a handgun. I live in a nice area and it is enough gun. When I travel to a city, I carry more gun, a lot more gun.
Finally, someone using the correct terminology, Auto-loader, instead of semi-auto, as you only have full-auto to include burst or semi-auto fire.
A rifle in semi-auto is functionally the same as a pistol in semi-atuo.
Good video. Thanks
Revolvers can be good for those who have hand strength issues and racking a slide can be a problem for them but they want something to keep the predators off with.
go with what fits your situation & get plenty of practice and carry consistently as per your situation
i have carried a revolver for over a decade and will carry it for decades to come...carries so well in my pocket
I have a couple of 10mm revolvers. Love em
You could also save for both if you can. Similar to the topic of bear protection bear spray or a gun. Can't hurt to have both.
Carry what you enjoy, I've carried my smith model 37 3" barrel daily.
My S&W 642 is always on me
I guess ultimately it comes down to training, context, and preference, but largely I think the consensus is basically that more rounds of less power will do you better than less rounds of more power.
As I continued further with this video, I noticed that the comparison of the snubby to a full size auto doesn’t make sense. If someone is carrying a snubby as a primary carry, they would carry a small auto. If you compared the G19 or 1911 to a normal carry revolver with a 4” barrel, then you would see an even greater divide between 9mm and 357 mag.
The greatest pro for a revolver is being able to fire it from a jacket pocket. The ability to keep your hand on your revolver while going around takes the need out of having to quick draw. Just point and shoot.
Yes, that is an advantage particularly with a hammerless revolver. Just remember to take off the jacket immediately afterwards since there is the potential that it might catch fire.
There's a possible future where the only ammo available are Black Powder Reloads with homemade primers. Good luck getting that stuff to cycle an autoloader!
Ok, here is an often overlooked and underestimated advantage of using a short-barreled magnum revolver .357/.44 : When used ACCURATELY and RESPONSIBLY inside your home, particularly at night, the muzzle flash and concussive noise directed at an assailant will most likely initiate an immediate retreat, and most probably cause them to sh*t their pants on their way out the door. Remember, you will be prepared for both the noise, and the flash, because you have already practiced and anticipated these phenomena. Additionally, there is a huge difference between standing behind the revolver, and experiencing flash and eardrum shattering noise directed right at you.
Revolvers close the gaps as laws get tighter. The state I live in is trying to pass magazine bans on anything over 10 rounds. Sure that’s 4 more than my model 66, but my SP-01 loses its luster after a near 50% reduction in capacity.
Carry both!! This America!!
I trust a da/sa action revolver more as a “get off me gun”- also if I have to fire under stress I am likely to get a misfeed from limpwristing than normal from a semiautomatic. I often have to go to an area that is high risk for an aggressive dog- I usually carry cs/pepper spray and a revolver in that situation. Though I do often cc a semiautomatic but usually stick with da/sa with a hammer if im carrying one in the chamber
If I need to carry more than a snubbie, I only have myself to blame for poor situational awareness.
EXACTLY!
I agree. Always be careful and aware of your surroundings and people near or around you
Very educational Thanks Eric!
Revolver. I can literally summer carry with no problem in shorts
Capacity is important especially if you can't hit what you're shooting at... most civilian gunfights are over in three seconds. Or less. There are exceptions i suppose. But not likely. A j frame or lcr with a laser is a great option.
For me, I am happy with my colt king cobra. Bigger than a j frame for sure, but I think it handles and balances well. Also for the argument that you want more rounds, I guess my question is how often do self defense situations involve more than 2 hostiles? I would imagine the common scenario is one or two people if they ever face that situation.
Semiautos work well if you need to shoot a lot. In other words getting into trouble. Revolvers are for getting out of trouble. They also excel at contact distance. A revolver can be pressed up against an attacker and it works where a semi might not function.
Both. I pocket carry a 38 snub-nose in a De Santis Nemesis, or I'll carry a plain old Glock 19, IWB, or a 4inch 686 OWB...it all depends
What about the reliability of a revolver compared to a semi-auto? Like there is almost zero chance of jamming/etc with a revolver.
There are several reasons someone might choose a snub nose revolver over a semi auto. When shooting with something in contact with the end of the barrel it won't go out of battery and fail to fire. Whether that is a purse, pocket or just pressed against someone. Someone who might struggle to rack a gun like in a jam situation. If they are going to keep it somewhere like a purse where it might get a little dirty. A failure to fire is usually as simple to clear as pulling the trigger again. When they honestly know they are no going to keep in practice. There isn't really much to think about when pulling it out and using it. They don't have to worry about the mag dropping out if they grab it wrong. If someone grabs the gun while you are trying to fire it will still work. Rotating ammo isn't really a thought either. I have some friends that use one as an ankle backup duty gun.