Semi-auto or revolver?

rjwright4

New member
I can't decide whether to buy a semi-auto or a revolver for a CCW. Opinions?
 
That's a pretty personal decision. Semi-autos are a bit more popular these days but a quality revolver is still a fine choice if it works for you. I generally carry a Glock but am about to purchase a S&W 642 for some occasional use.
 
If you are a small lady with small hands like my wife I recommend a revolver. You can shoot with your fancy fingernails. Easier to load. and reliable as a hell. trigger pull comes with practice

If your a big man or woman with big hands, my OPINION is 9mm or higher caliber in semi auto.

Revolvers are def not just for ladies though! I, (a 6ft 1inch man) want to try a ruger sp101. But I don't have any ranges around that rent out pistols. :(

Like others have said, go to the store and just hold a few different pistols. I personally carry a glock 27. Reliability is a price worth paying and glocks can take more than a beating. My opinion again is you get more than what you pay for with a glock. I'm never selling mine. Still check out that ruger for me. Just kiddin. It's all about you and your personal preference. I can only give you opinions.
 
I prefer semiauto for carry , thinner, more rounds. I find that the smaller revolvers are hard to shoot with any accuracy. My wife didn't like a revolver, the light ones have a ton of recoil, heavier ones don't have the recoil, but are heavy for her to carry. She likes shooting and carrying her DB380
 
My vote is for semi auto, it's just the platform I'm more comfortable with. That being said a real nice 357 mag is a dream to shoot!!!
 
A lady here I wanted a revolver at first but got talked into semi auto & like it. I love LCP .380 want an LC9 both are Rugers. I also have a Taurus PT145 but it has Magazine issues. I got it for winter carry but its not been reliable.

I have a Sneaky Pete holster, for the LCP & want another for the LC9 when I get it.

I Always carry. Haven't needed it, but have felt comfortable knowing its there a few times.
 
I carry a ruger Lcp I'm a 23 year old average male I'm confident I wouldn't want to be on the reviving end of it also.... Enough said it what you like
 
As others have pointed out, this is a personal decision. There are good things and bad to say about either type.

I like revolvers because they're simple. You pull the trigger and the gun fires. If for some reason it doesn't fire (very rare with revolvers from what I have read), you pull the trigger again. They're easy to clean. They're not damaged by being left loaded for extended periods of time. Yes, you have fewer rounds than in a semi-auto, but realistically, if I'm in a situation where I need more than five or six rounds, I'm probably screwed anyway.

There's one more reason I like revolvers. If your attacker is close, like on top of you, and your weapon is pressed against the attacker's body, you can still fire a revolver. A semi-auto is likely to jam because the slide can't move freely. At least, that is what I've been told.
 
What ever you get you'll want to be comfortable with it. No sense going full size if it stays at home. Revolvers are going to be more concealable, are very dependable, and work great at close range. Pistols are going to he harder to conceal but easier and more accurate to shoot.

Myself I prefer pistols whenever possible, but then I do carry revolvers when my attire calls for it.
 
One important factor to consider is (at least in our great state of Texas) that if you pass the practical test for CCW permit (CHL) with a revolver, you can only carry a revolver...If you pass it with semi-auto, you can carry both the revolver or semi-auto.....At least for me it's very important, because I like choices, I have both types of guns and want to carry whatever I want, whatever I need or whatever I feel like...Check the laws in your state!!!
 
I was weaned on revolvers in the 70's. Wouldn't consider a semi-auto. However with the progress they made in manufacturing and technology I now own both. They are ALMOST equally reliable.
 
Are you an experienced shooter? How much time are you willing to train? Choosing a carry gun requires a great deal of experimentation to try different guns. Your question is too broad. Semiauto in what caliber? Then there's steel, polymer, aluminum, titanium, etc. double or single action or both? No external safety? Grip safety? Thumb safety? What capacity?

Revolvers: What caliber? What size/weight? What capacity? Availability and cost of ammo? Is it just for you or is your wife/other going to use it?

Is this a primary gun or secondary gun?

Semiautos can be finicky with ammo. Cost of magazines vary by model and capacity. They require more maintenance. You need to know how to clear a malfunction. Some require a break in, and some shoot right out of the box. Striker fire with a grip safety is a good choice for a beginner.

Revolvers are for those who are willing to devote practice to reloading quickly: speed loader? Moonclips? Speed strip? Capacity is at a disadvantage. My Smith and Wesson 627 has 8 round capacity. My LCR only has 5 rounds. Most full size have 6 rounds but some have 7. Reloads are slower. They're more reliable, though. You have to learn to shoot in double action. Single action is not ideal and much slower.




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Semi-automatics require more thought, awareness, attention and skill.

If you're going to put in the time to become familiar with your gun to the point that it becomes second nature, I'd say go with a semi-automatic. Otherwise, stay with a revolver.

Semi-automatics demand more attention to carry safely.

I was recently directed to a lady at church as being interested in buying a gun I was selling. Speaking with her, it became clear that though she was moving towards purchasing a gun, she still had little or no experience with them. I told her that I felt until she became more familiar, a semi-automatic was probably not the best choice for her.
 
What ever you get you'll want to be comfortable with it. No sense going full size if it stays at home. Revolvers are going to be more concealable, are very dependable, and work great at close range. Pistols are going to he harder to conceal but easier and more accurate to shoot.

Myself I prefer pistols whenever possible, but then I do carry revolvers when my attire calls for it.

You won't find a revolver that's easier to conceal than my Kahr PM9. It goes bang every time and holds a couple extra rounds compared to a snubbie. I can shoot it almost as well as any full sized gun I own.. Semi or Revolver. The only gun I own that I can say is more accurate is my Kimber 1911, and that stays at home because it's not as easy to conceal.
 
Whatever you can shoot well. Autos are generally easier to carry as they tend to be lighter and don't print (show up) quite as much, being flatter. Carrying a revolver is better than carrying a pen knife.
 

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