I know this subject probably gets much more time and thought than any subject concerning firearms. I’m not here to change everyone’s mind, but perhaps my comments might initiate some thought and provide some alternate choices for some to consider. Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit to being a 1911-aholic with some Hi-Power thrown in. However, I started my handgun shooting and collecting with a Smith & Wesson Model 19 Combat Magnum revolver.
I know I am showing shades of a bifurcated personality but that is not uncommon with firearms enthusiasts’ wants, likes, and must haves… Is it? Anyway, it’s no wonder I display split affection. After all, my dad had a penchant for a S&W Model 12 Airweight and my uncle Pete earned the sobriquet of “Pistol Pete” for the Colt Detective Special he was never without in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn — despite the Sullivan Law.
So, it’s no wonder I do not display more “Trans firearm dysphoria.” However, I digress. My next handgun acquisition was a Browning Hi-Power, because one of my frat brothers was the manager of the sporting goods department at the local Monkey Wards. That’s Montgomery Wards for those not familiar with the term. He was able to put me in the driver’s seat for a whopping $84 out the door. My 1911 exposure began when I was issued one by Uncle Sam, which somehow conveniently disappeared due to “loss and battle damage…”
Revolvers
Since those early and might I say, formative days, I have owned and fired a boat load of revolvers. Most were Smith & Wesson’s and pistols, a lot of Colt’s with some Brownings thrown in. I’ve formed some opinions about how, and when, they can be most effectively deployed. In the 1960s and ’70s — after my military service — I became an avid shooter and hunter. I hunted everything from ground squirrels to grizzly bears. Regardless the quarry, I always had a magnum revolver of some sort and caliber with me as a backup (in case something untold occurred).
It didn’t take long before I concluded that if I could not stop the Grizzly with the .300, .338, .375, or .416, being armed with my revolver was not going to help much. I did convince myself, however, that around camp when doing chores, having it under the jacket that I used as a pillow, and for those midnight relief interludes, it did provide a convenient measure of comfort and security. To further ensure myself of my ability to render beasts incapable of rendering harm to my delicate body, I decided to try my hand at hunting with a pistol only.
I started out honing my skill on jack rabbits that were abundant everywhere in Southern California. Quickly, I identified my secret spots. I started with the Model 19, then moved to a Model 29, and finally a Model 57. I became quite proficient and got to the point where I would walk the desert and jump shoot them. We shot so many, I developed my skill to the point that I could fast draw from the holster when we startled one and hit it firing double action in mid air on its first jump. I could also shoot them consistently at distances of 100 yards without difficulty shooting single-action style. Needless to say, all that practice gave me a tremendous amount of confidence in the revolvers and my skills with them.
With that confidence, it became time to try my skills on bigger, and progressively more dangerous, game. The first hunt was for a hog over dogs. I told the outfitter I only wanted a meat hog, and it presented no problem for the model 19. Next on the list was a mountain lion. Again, I was hunting over hounds, and the model 19 was more than up to the task. I then booked a black bear hunt and decided the model 57 should get the call. Once again, the hunt was over hounds. The Grizzly that fell to the Model 29 came years later.
All the shooting and hunting provided me with a good feel and cemented some of the strong feelings I hold about revolvers. First and foremost, revolvers have always proven to be reliable and powerful enough to get the job done — if I do my part. That is indeed comforting. So, lets look at the reliability issue.
Revolvers have an economy of parts that are usually very sturdy for their intended purpose. A fact that makes them strong, versatile, long lasting, and durable. Revolvers also rely on the shooter to provide the energy to cycle them manually, either by cocking them if they are to be fired single action or double action using the trigger to cock the hammer, rotate the cylinder, and fire. If for some reason it does not fire, an ammunition failure for example, all you need to do is repeat the process. If there is ammo on board, it will likely go bang!
If one is within contact distance of man or beast, the revolver can be pressed into the flesh and will fire reliably. The only way to prevent the revolver from firing, assuming one has the presence of mind, reflexes, and strength to match… The cylinder can be grabbed and prevented from rotating into battery. That is, in fact, the only way I know of to prevent a revolver from discharging.
Additionally, revolvers are the strongest type of traditional handgun. Revolvers fire the widest variety of cartridges and some of the most powerful that a handgun can accommodate safely. That said, it is still important to understand that the chief asset of a handgun is, and always will be, its portability — not its power. The larger the caliber, the less portable, concealable, and convenient they become.
My personal choice for 90% of my everyday carry is the scandium-alloy, titanium-cylindered Smith & Wesson 360PD in .357 Magnum loaded with .38 +P wearing a Crimson Trace Laser Grip. The larger grip profile of the laser grip softens recoil while providing fast, instinctive target acquisition at close combat distances. I will, at this point, state the obvious. Due to the longer and heavier double-action pull of the trigger, no manual safety is provided or needed on double-action revolvers.
Pistols
Now for the pistol side of the argument. As previously stated, for the most part, I’m a 1911-a-holic — followed by much love and affection for the Browning Hi-Power. My reasons are many and very logical (at least in my mind). So, indulge me a few sentences.
As mentioned, my first pistol was a T-Series Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. It was the most comfortable handgun my limited experience ever held or fired. Truth be told, it is still one of the most comfortable handguns for many people to handle. Browning and Saive just got it right.
I carried that Browning everywhere and shot many jackrabbits and ground squirrels. However, I never hunted animals much larger because of the limited ballistics of the 9mm Para cartridge. It was very reliable if I did my part (by feeding it only the round nose FMJ jackets it was designed for). It was slim, compact, and very concealable with its slim flat slide. Best of all was the 14 rounds on board when carried “cocked and locked.”
The only complaint I have with the Hi-Power is that its trigger, although good, is no match for the smooth, light, short pull and reset of a tuned 1911. Because of the wonderful trigger, a manual safety is mandatory. The way John Browning designed the thumb safety it is positive, instinctive, seamless, and lighting fast to operate. To those who say the new style triggers without safeties are faster, I say, “Well…” What I would say can’t be printed in a family publication.
I also like the slide release. Again, because it is positive, faster, and more natural to use than a slide stop. With the slide release, after a reload or clearance drill, your weak hand just reestablishes its grip and releases the slide with the weakside thumb. The slide stop requires you to come over the top, grasp the slide, pull it to the rear, and release it before you can bring your hand back around and under to re-establish your grip which takes longer and invites missteps.
The most vaunted advantages of pistols over revolvers is that they carry more rounds and are faster to reload than revolvers, which is true. However, they also require more administrative tasks to be performed, so evidence (in the form of casings and magazines) are not strewn about. They can also misfire, fail to feed or eject, and suffer other hiccups inherent to their design when not properly maintained.
These failures could prove injurious or fatal in a gunfight. That said, when I am planning a night out on the town, meeting friends for dinner in an upscale area, I will up gun. Depending on where I am headed, and how I am dressed, I will add a Hi-Power or a 1911 Officers Model to the 360PD and relegate it to Backup. Heck, if it’s hot (when shorts and Hawaiian shirts are in order), I’ll grab the Seecamp instead of the .45. Nothing wrong with a New York reload.
So, back to the original question as to what is best choice for concealed carry? I believe they both the revolver and semi-auto have a time and a place where they are each at their best. For me, they are sometimes best together.
Stay safe, train often, and practice, practice, practice!
Which camp do you identify with revolvers, pistols, or both? Which gun would you prefer as a primary or backup? Do you carry a handgun while hunting? Share your answers in the Comment section.
The mountain lion that fell to the Model 19. 
One of my “secret” jack rabbit spots in the California High Desert that provided so many shooting opportunities. 
A much younger and less interesting version of me exploring the American West accompanied by my faithful “Dirty Harry” S&W .44 Mag seen being carried butt forward, a la Wild Bill. My first S&W Model 19 revolver with target trigger and hammer, sporting Hogue MonoGrips. A nice California hog taken in Monterey County with one of my Smith & Wesson revolvers. “Dirty” Harry Callahan described his Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver as “The most powerful handgun in the world!” I certainly felt that way about mine at the time. 
Some might think this trio (sometimes carried by me when in high threat areas of the city) is overkill, but I don’t. 
A California ground squirrel shot while it was running with a custom 1911 in .45 ACP, of course. A pristine T-Series Browning Hi-Power much beloved by collectors. Remnants from a better time. The Montgomery Ward, located in the old Panorama City Mall, where I got my first Hi-Power slatted for demolition. 
A badger shot at his hole, as most are. I used the Browning Hi-Power I was exercising on jack rabbits at the time he appeared.
DRAC, you make many good points few talk about. But one point i want to elaborate on. There are actually more grizzly stops with 9mm’s than you reported. Those 147gr lead hard cast +P 9mm specialty loads at 1100 fps are being carried by more people. The feeling is that emptying a whole mag into the bear will work better than only 1-2 shots of a heavier caliber. So your opinion that a .40 S&W might work is an opinion I also hold, but which I have not heard shared before. A 200gr lead hard cast +P specialty load could be fired repeatedly, with more sent at the bear than any 10mm. I also think your opinion that a gun fight will end after a few rounds makes sense, as well as the whole DA jury idea that more than a few rounds fired in self defense is seen as excessive force. I have felt the same for years.
I’m split between the 2 but probably favor revolvers more for the outdoors although I am finding myself carrying a 40 S&W or a10mm more often now. For personal defense it’s a glock 19 or 43x or my beloved S&W 386+, light weight to carry but manageable to shoot with 7 rounds of 38 special +p’s, best personal defense revolver ever made!
As for bears, I did a little research. Some calibers are actually fairly effective. I was surprised to learn .40 S&W was actually decent at stopping bears. Anything lighter than that had a rather low chance. While a handgun is far from optimal, it is many times all you get a chance to use. There are quite a few recorded incidents where bears surprised people and were on them before a rifle could be deployed. Obviously the heavy hitters like .44 magnum were much more likely to stop a bear than other rounds. However even .38 special killed a few bears. That also surprised me, though the failure rate with .38 special was pretty high. There’s one where a 9mm was credited with killing a bear but it was incidental. A guy shot at a bear, bear was found next day dead some ways away from where the 9mm owner shot at it. It is more likely that somebody else using a heavier caliber weapon actually killed it. The 9mm shooter shot at the ground not the beat itself. Did not believe he actually hit the bear and probably didn’t.
While many of the advantages/disadvantages were covered. One key one was not. People in a real self defense situation usually empty the gun. They keep firing until the threat falls down or is otherwise clearly to their adrenaline hyped mind is incapacitated. The exception being heavier rounds like magnums, 10 mm, etc. Incapacitation tends to more noticeable with the heavy hitters and the blunt force impact tends to stop forward progress giving the shooter more time to evaluate the threat level of the attacker. Lighter rounds, even mortally wounded people tend to remain functional and active for at least seconds after being killed. Seconds can feel like eons in a life or death situation.
The reason this is so important is jurors, especially in civil lawsuits tend to consider more than 3 hits excessive force. If you shoot somebody 3 or 4 times self defense is a whole lot more plausible than if you shoot them 7, 10, or even 15 times.
Extended gun fights are almost unheard of in self defense situations. Bad guys do not stick around waiting for cops to arrive. Once shots are fired they usually leave right then or might exchange a few rounds before running away. As such 3 or 4 rounds is more than sufficient for most self defense situations. 6 or 7 in the case of lighter rounds with less stopping power.
That said accuracy is usually rather poor, even at point blank range due to a number of factors. Thus the need for 3 or 4 typically. If you need 10 rounds to stop a single enemy, I feel you need to reevaluate your choice of caliber.
In self defense situations, while there are often more than one assailant, rarely do the bad guys stick around if one of theirs is struck down. Even when there are 5 or more, and the defender has plenty of rounds, the bad guys have usually run away before more than 2 or 3 can be targeted and hit.
So in a self defense situation, round capacity beyond 6 is actually a bad thing. I’ve researched hundreds pf se;f defense situations. It is extremely rare to need to reload or to need more than 3 or 4 rounds to end the threat.
So carrying more than 6 increases your chances of being prosecuted and sued, but has no advantage in terms of survival. The round capacity is a negative rather than a positive. Especially if you use both effective calibers with effective ammunition. The ammunition used is at least as important as the caliber.
It is police shootouts that tend to require rapid reloads and large capacity, both for the cops and the person shooting at the cops. Self defense tends to be sudden and over quickly. Fumbling for a safety, a weapon carried in a way that makes access difficult, a jam or similar problems can often be lethal. So too can attempting to take a range style modified Weaver stance. By the time you get in your shooting stance your opponent has had time to train and fire multiple rounds at you and squaring off like that makes you a big stationary target. Shooting distances are often less than 3 feet.
Another factor not covered is safetys. While millions carry every day without a safety failure, they happen far too often. Safety recalls happen every year, even with top end guns. Safetys that are difficult to operate can be impossible to operate when adrenaline is flowing. Safetys too easily switched may be accidentally switched unless your holster guards against this. People have forgotten to switch the safety in times of high duress. Trying to squeeze a trigger repeatedly and not realizing the safety is still on.
So my opinion is use a caliber and ammo with that caliber that has a higher chance of a 1 hit stop. Short barreled weapon is a plus. I like the reliability of a revolver. While it’s a good idea to have spare ammo it’s super unlikely to be needed. Ease of access is critical. So when I carry I make sure it’s in a configuration I can draw even when seated and can access with either hand in case my dominant hand is incapacitated or busy pushing an assailant away so I can get a shot off. Attackers do not always give you a choice as to which hand you have to use to fend them off with.
Great Job Ed for the way you brought a well balanced, well researched and thoughtful approach to a rather “Thorny” and contentious issue.
I’m sure that many of the readers are of one camp or the other and you respected that just as I do.
In my own earlier years I was of the Semi-Auto Pistol mindset and felt comfortable with that.
As of late I have developed a penchant for Snub-Nose Revolvers, primarily due to their reliability and ease of engagement.
Just as you did I will not dane to reccomend one over the other for anyone else but will happily share my preference and the reason.
On another note I too lament the demise of the Panorama Mall. I may have frequented the Topanga Plaza far more often but I recall purchasing my first LP album and listening to a demonstration of the Wollensak reel to reel tape recorder at “Monkey Wards” Panorama.
(BTW; CTD has my E-mail address for whenever you want to get some Lunch!)😊
Be VERY careful with the “pull the trigger until it goes bang” mentality with a revolver and a perceived ammunition failure. I worked at a shooting range while in high school and college. On the line one day, a shooter pulled the trigger and experienced what he believed to be an ammunition failure. I heard a muffled pop and just as I was telling the shooter not to pull the trigger again, he did. The result was an exploded revolver and an ambulance trip for the shooter as well as the person standing next to him. He was shooting handloads. Apparently he missed the powder step on one round but the primer was enough to push the bullet into the barrel. When the next round was set off, a really ugly mishap occurred!
Excellent article and comments
The Snubby revolver is a mainstay as an EDC tool. I EDC my Snubby probably 75% of the time
I do have SW EZ 380 $ SW EZ 9 – which are both incredible semiautomatics. I probably EDC , one of them 25% of the time.
The simplicity and forgiveness of a revolver- when my arm is having a bad day – is comforting
My first five in my Snubby are WC – very accurate- I carry snake shot in a speed loader for those Florida venomous snakes
Speed strips from zeta 6 make for a very fast reload
Thank you for showing a model 39 Smith!! My second 9mm after a P-08 bring back dated 1915 I got in ’64. That said; my thought for the new shooter is a 22LR in a semi auto and wheel gun.Then go to one of those fancy ranges and rent a pistol in center fire to see what you like, and go from there. Just remember to keep the rimfires as they are great for pest and critter control. Use whatever feels like shaking hands with an old friend you can hit with. That should be your home defense weapon. It’s that simple.
Being that my most common clothing attire is loose fitting and does not require a belt, such as gym shorts, tennis shorts, athletic warmup pants, I tend to front pocket carry.
So prefer something light, small and with a heavy trigger pull to cut down on the chances of a negligent discharge.
The Smith and Wesson 351C shrouded hammer 7 shot 22 Magnum revolver that weighs about 11 oz and has a long trigger pull fits the bill for me.
I also like the LW Seecamp 32 ACP internal hammer with a 6 round mag and one in the chamber for even deeper concealment. Heavy trigger pull again for safety.
On some occasions if I want to go heavier with more stopping power I am still able to use a sticky holster inside the waist band of my gym shorts on the hip for a 23 oz Kimber K6S 6 shot 357 Mag revolver. Though it’s not as comfortable so I may only use that setup for a few hours at a time.
It all comes down to how easily you can clear a malfunction in a Semi-Auto if one occurs.
With a revolver if you pull the trigger and if it does not go BANG… then you simply pull the trigger again until it does go BANG!!
@CAM – No, I have not had the pleasure of being on an outing with ED like you have.
The little smily face at the end of my comment translates like a little humor poke. Because it does kind of sound a little like, hold my beer and watch this, kind of story. Meaning I don’t doubt that ED did what he said, but his statement kind of implies he could do it every time, and no disrespect to ED, but I kinda doubt anyone is that good 100% of the time, but it is ED’s story, and like a good friend, you are sticking to it, and I doubt I am the first to poke ED about some of his stories.
I hope all, or at least most of us, have had at least one day like some of ED’s, where for us, we out did ourselves. I know a guy who, with a pistol, couldn’t hit a barn if he was standing IN it, but one day a buck came over the ridge top, he drew his Ruger Super Blackhawk, in .44 Mag, firing from the HIP, got a heart shot, and down it went. We paced it off at 85 yards. I commented on how lucky he was. He pretended to blow the smoke from the end of the barrel, and said: “No luck to it.” LOL. Hard to argue with success. Right? Needless to say, it never happened again, but it sure was a good day, that day. :-). CAM I hope you have more good days with your friend ED.
I have to get these boots off, its nap time. 🙂
I’m solidly in the revolver camp.
Someone said, “If you need to reload, you should have run away.” Granted, capacity & spare magazines are an advantage with semiautomatics, but absolute simplicity in the most dangerous moment of your life counts for a lot. A double action trigger pull takes a solid grip and lots of practice. I like my S&W Model 60 J-Frame with 38+P, and in “safe” places, I carry a 317 Air Weight .22LR with those solid truncated rounds.
@Don Ferguson. MHO would be a .22LR revolver for a new shooter. Plenty of practice on the cheap. And the inherent safety of a revolver as mentioned. Very little blast and recoil that can instill flinching in a new shooter. Lots of people will think I am all wet, but, it’s just my opinion.
I carried a scandium Smith and Wesson 638 in the back pocket of my uniform trousers (BDU) for 10 years, and the poor beast looks like it, but it’s still 100% reliable. I admits that I am a fudd. Th e looks of a classic Smith revolver or weathered 1911 makes my heart swoon. I love my BHPs as well. Shot thousands of rounds through my first one practicing for the state police academy, yeah I know, they were using Glocks, but the Glock , any of them and I have tried several, never seemed to fit my hand. But the BHP is a dream come true. I became pretty fair at taking cotton tails with it and could make good hits out to 100 yards (my eyes were younger Back then!
still carry my 638, my old Detective Special ( if it’s good enough for Jim Rockford, it’s good enough for me. And my SP101. I am currently developing a 158 Grain LSWCHP +p for my revolvers. And don’t overlook the Taurus 605, they are good guns as well!
Great article.
I just want to say that they are both pistols. One is a revolver and one is a semi -auto. Or you can call them side-arms. I don’t know when a semi-auto became a pistol and a revolver is not a pistol but this is just wrong.
Very nice article. Much of it hits right home with me. My first revolver was a S&W Model 19, 4″ barrel, target hammer and trigger. I bought it from a friend who was getting married and needed money. It inspired me to start buying and collecting S&W revolvers. At this point I have 60. They are like diamonds for guys. I used to carry a .38 bodyguard for concealed, and for my car gun. On the ranch I usually have a Ruger GP100, which is spectacular for a go to gun. At times my car gun has been a S&W model 19, although not the pristine one from my friend. Lately, I have gone to Glock 19 with a 3 lb trigger for my car gun. Sits in a magnet under the dash, with an extra magazine. In the side pocket, and also for conceal I have gone to Glock 43X. I also have Glock 48 (basically same gun) for conceal, and for my briefcase/travel gun. To me it is a toss up which is better. Both are good, but the best one is the one a person is comfortable with, and can handle unconsciously if having to use it under stress. Great comments from everyone, as well ! Thanks!
There is one other way to prevent a revolver from firing. Jam the web of your hand between the hammer and frame while the perp is trying to shoot it. It sounds crazy, but this is exactly what our sheriff did to save a police officer who had been shot and taken hostage by a criminal. It happened by the town square in broad daylight about 40 years ago. Sheriff W.A. was negotiating with the gunman when they got into a tussle. The man pulled the trigger while W.A. had his hand over the hammer trying to wrestle the gun from him. Whether on purpose or by accident, W.A.s hand slipped and firing pin struck the web between his thumb and index finger, preventing the revolver from discharging. Other officers quickly piled on the crook and successfully disarmed and arrested him. The wounded officer was taken to the hospital and made a full recovery. W.A. nearly lost his hand when the flesh wound became infected, but he too eventually recovered.
I always suggest a J frame for a first handgun. The person knows when it is loaded or not. The double action prevents accidentally pulling the trigger. Accurate enough for self defense use ( less than 10 feet) and small enough to drop in the pocket to step outside to look around the house.
Ken Boyer- Licensed Bail bondsman, Bail Enforcer, Private Investigator, Security & bail Enforcer
Very insightful article. I prefer a 4inch .357 with Hogue combat grips for EDC packing 125gr hollow point cartridge. I’m big enough that it doesn’t print so it does well for me. Any weapon that you’re proficient with is the one I would go with. I like semi autos but nothing compares to an old reliable wheel gun in .38+p or higher
You can’t get more protection from any 2 legged threat than that. Just my humble opinion. I began my shooting life in the Army with a 1911 and moved to the Beretta 9mm. I like them both but none compare to the old wheel guns. Load them with 6 rounds pull the trigger and BANG!!!
I carried a 6 inch Colt Python when I was a cop but with the advent of semi-autos just never cared about wheel guns any longer..I prefer a hammer fired semi, my carry now is a S&W CSX..perfect little pistol for me..
I’m in both camps with EDC depending on the location of my travels. My primary is a s&w 340pd.
I’ll keep 38s in it until I ‘feel the need’ for more gumption. Then the question becomes, Would the s&w 329pd with 44 specials be more in order. I started hurting with a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag. in about ’84.
I have taken many white tails and a few cotton tails with it.
When s&w introduced the 460 XVR I bought one and put a red dot on top. This too has taken many deer and punched a lot of paper out to 200yds.
My secondary carry, or my add to, is a Glock 32 357 SIG or sometimes my Glock 21 45 acp depending again on area of travel.
I also have 4 1911s for when the mood strikes me.
I have these readily available in my home. And keep a Mossberg 500w/pistol grip and 18″ barrel loaded with #4 shot. The smaller shot will take care of any business and will not go through as many walls.
Thanks for asking and for another great article !!
I’m in both camps with EDC depending on the location of my travels. My primary is a s&w 340pd.
I’ll keep 38s in it until I ‘feel the need’ for more gumption. Then the question becomes, Would the s&w 329pd with 44 specials be more in order. I started hurting with a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag. in about ’84.
I have taken many white tails and a few cotton tails with it.
When s&w introduced the 460 XVR I bought one and put a red dot on top. This too has taken many deer and punched a lot of paper out to 200yds.
My secondary carry, or my add to, is a Glock 32 357 SIG or sometimes my Glock 21 45 acp depending again on area of travel.
I have these readily available in my home. And keep a Mossberg 500w/pistol grip and 18″ barrel loaded with #4 shot. The smaller shot will take care of any business and will not go through as many walls.
Thanks for asking and for another great article !!
ROCKIT…you can take those boots off. I usually don’t chime in here but as someone who has known Ed for many years, shot with him at the range and served as an outfitter for him on a ground squirrel and varmint hunt out of country I can attest to his skill set. He’s well into his 70s now and still capable of excellent speed and accuracy with his sidearms. His technique, which you can learn about in previous articles is one that he has refined over many many years of serious training. There’s a reason so many police departments, armed service members etc attend his classes and leave content and better off.
In his earlier days he was at the top of his game. His firearms are exceptional specimens (as his accompanying photos show), and he has trained more than practically anyone I know. My point, I suppose, is that if you spent as much time hunting with him as some of us you’d not worry about… footwear.
Jimbo in Colorado
My favorite handgun is the one that the person who is carrying one can handle most effectively and safely. People should try both revolvers and semi-auto’s, I always recommend new shooters begin with revolvers, because they are almost idiot proof, (no firearm is idiot proof) once the gun has been fired, it takes an extra effort to rotate the cylinder and fire the gun again by accidently pulling the trigger again.
My father bought me my first gun when I was 6-years old a single shot, (know 81) when I was in my mid-teens, I acquired a revolver and that gave me an appreciation for handguns and have I used both over the years and have shot competition with single action, double action, and semi-autos.
When it comes to self-defense, I carry a revolver because of a disability I can reload a double action revolver quicker than I can a semi-auto, simple it comes down to one’s ability and what one is comfortable with, not all people should carry a revolver and not all people should carry a semi-auto, they should carry what they are most comfortable with. because if you find yourself in a situation of self-defense you will be under a lot of stress, and you will want everything to be second nature, while you are planning your reaction.
I carry two revolvers for self-defense, a second gun is quickest reload.
Jamming the hammer on a revolver or blocking it’s descent stops it from firing as well….doesn’t it?
My dad gave me a Browning Hi Power the morning of my 16th birthday 1965. $ 105 on the tag. Still have it in pristine condition. Really didn’t start shooting pistols regularly until I was 60 y.o. I became concerned about self defense and joined a Wildlife Club. Glock had exploded the market but it felt like a two by four in my hand. Smith M & P followed and when I picked it up, it fit my hand perfectly plus other grips were in the box. A self defense instructer I followed stated the best handgun was the one thar fit perfectly in your hand so that no grip adjustment was necessary and it pointed naturally where your hand pointed. For me the M&P fit perfectly. I could shoot 100 round without altering the grip and I never noticed recoil with a 9 mm. Living in the South presents challenges concealing a firearm with 95 degrees and 95% humidity on I 95. I happened upon a Kahr PM9 at a gun show and it too, fit my hand perfectly. I have carried it over 10 years without a hitch. Fired every cartridge. Now, the market is flooded with small nines and ummm, do I need to go with a new carry gun sporting 10, 13, 15 rounds instead of my current 7 or 8. The market is flooded with high cap micro 9’s. But that gives us the advantage of finding the perfect fit. A Shield plus, Sig 365, Glock 43, Hellcat etc. If is a privelege to live where I have the freedom to make a choice Don’t forget less the privilege will be taken away !
First off excellent article. I’m in both camps depending on my mood. Every gun is my favorite. I do like a wheel gun for reliability and just nostalgia.
Granted 5 shots is less than putting in 10 or better magazines. These days I carry 2 guns. One on my belt in or out and a pocket pistol. Anyway excellent article and thank you.
“We shot so many, I developed my skill to the point that I could fast draw from the holster when we startled one and hit it firing double action in mid air on its first jump.”
I had to put on my taller boots to finish reading the rest of this. 🙂
Best gun! Please include a paragraph or more about what beginners’ can do about selecting their first gun. All articles reference trained and experienced shooters. What is the safest gun for beginners?
Great article I’m very comfortable with both. I carried a custom shop 19 that I had tricked out by a young man out of Southern California named Don Kehoe. Who built my PPC guns. Might go to EDC is still my Tussey custom 1911 officer model . I just prefer the trigger and reset over revolvers. LaPorta, I think you’re a national treasure when it comes to Firearm knowledge sir.
Semiautomatics and revolvers both have their place in any gun safe (or carried), each having the ability to obtain the desired outcome if the shooter does his part and the caliber is appropriate.
I’ve always been of the persuasion to carry the most weight to ensure results as the situation permits. The evolution of ammunition over the years now has given us many alternatives in lower bullet weights/calibers that were not available before.
I was always partial to .45 and .357 (magnum) for many years. Today I am perfectly content carrying a 9mm with suitable 124gr, or a .38+ with a quality 125gr.
As always, great pictures to accompany anither great article. I had actually never heard the term New York Reload before, but figured it out from context.
Those Scandium S&W’s are amazingly lightweight. If anyone hasn’t handled one, put that near the top of your to do list. Gotta love those LDA Paras too.
Thanks CTD and TRMIMITW for another fine posting that everyone can enjoy.
Had family that worked at S&W, and Father was issued a S&W model 10 when he was a LEO. Me – Started as a 1911 fan. Now racking a Slide, as an “older shooter”, is a problem. Hense now I swapped to a revolver. A good SA/DA revolver can be a better choice for many of us “older shooters” as it is easier to open the cylinder than racking a slide. The current crop of “E-Z” pistols are a step in the right direction, and while aids like the ACTION JACK that act as an assist in racking a Slide help, the biggest issue that is overlooked is recoil control. Too Light, Too heavy, doesn’t fit your hand, then it is not the handgun for you. Yes – I still have my 1911, and a CW45 as well, but had to adapt to bracing my hand holding the Slide against my hip bone, and then pushing down on the grip to cycle the action. (Sucks getting old.)
My first handgun was a Ruger Security Six. That was my EDC for years. Of course, my first exposure to handguns was the good old M1911A1 while I was in the Army. I picked up a Ruger SP-101 in 357 Mag. I finally managed to get my first 1911 of my own, which became my EDC for years. Fast forward a few decades, and I have owned more than a few semi-autos, all in 40 or 45ACP. But I still love my 357 Magnums.
I rather prefer the .9mm, in revolver or full semi-auto handgun. One can carry oodles of ammo, and the gun stays in place between shots. 50rd magazines can be found, and add almost nothing to the weight of the firearm when carrying open, or concealed. And revolvers can be fired from a pocket, purse, or holster, without jamming. You can easily clean any .9mm handgun with a quick squirt of WD-40.
How is it the the all-too-common manufacturer’s are listed? My guess is kickbacks and/or perks for promoting their products.
Rarely, and I do mean rarely, di you ever hear about Ruger wheel guns as a backup. Why is that? The Ruger GP-100 is superior to any pistol, for either home defense or in the woods: we won’t even get into “Grizz” encounters. Having lived along bears for half my life, c.c.w., and comp, I believe the firearm is as proficient as the owner. Sem-iauto’s are a crap shoot in the woods. Maybe better j me in a wolf encounter than bear. But, even still, there are A Lot More factors than a firearm that need to be taken into consideration if your going into the wild. A caution, don’t give posers false hope. Just saying.
IMHO the best carry is one you practice with. When I was an active duty officer my preferred weapon was a 1911A1 in .45. Later I had a Bersa Thunder 45 and and a S&W 4506. Later I transitioned to concealed carry I carrief .40 cal and then .380. Then I got a Sig P365 which I’ve carried for years. It’s accurate, reliable and concealable. My backup is a Taurus 85 5 shot .38+p. These aren’t the only guns but they are the ones I depend on.
My favorite EDC is a Colt Commander style with the aluminum frame loaded with Winchester Ranger-T 230gr. JHPs. However, sometimes this weapon is too large to carry concealed. I then change to my Ruger LCRx in .38 SPL. I load that with Underwood Defender ammo. The LCRx has the smoothest trigger pull of any revolver I have every handled due to the design of the internal linkage. It disappears into an IWB Kydex holster or a pocket holster depending on how I am dressed. I have seriously considered adding a Springfield Hellcat Pro to the mix but these days I don’t want to spend the $$$.
Great choice on EDC, I also pocket carry a 360pd, same grip, with 4 357 critical defense loads and one snake shot (live in Arizona). My 1911 is a 1943 version still shoots straight and great.
This boils down to comfort thru training. Revolvers are more accurate but have less rounds; semi’s have more rounds but throwing more lead can give you more time. Also contrary to western movies, shoot-outs usually happened within 10-12ft of the opponent. Fanning a 45long with any accuracy is pure BS – but Hollywood makes it look routine.
Revolvers can be safer if you use the empty chamber rule; semi’s can be as safe or more depending on gun model. I prefer an ambidextrous safety (trigger safety do not impress me).
From a training and using perspective a hammer-less revolver is the simplest to operate but the long hard trigger pull is not loved. I have rarely ever have semi jamming or stove-piping, but they can happen. When it did it was due to using cheap reloads or a dirty gun such as a 22LR with lots of rounds thru it.
I prefer a semi as I want the extra rounds and speed of magazine flipping. I wore/used a 1911 in Nam, loved it but for the 7-round limit. I now carry a compact-semi 9mm or 40 w/laser.
NRA Cert Institutor of 7 disciplines & Range Safety
I am going to have to qualify my statements with the fact that I am a 1911 aficionado the first time I picked one up was at a military base in the 1960’s and have been sold on them since and also at a gun show I stumbled across a a pristine browning hi power about 20 yrs ago that was assembled in Belgium and of course I have Glocks and a couple of sig’s but I carry a colt compact 1911 with a couple of improvements if that is possible as my primary go to weapon and Glock 19 sometimes under certain conditions also I carry a sig 380 as back up for up close and personal. Just my opinions.
Thank you for this Article on Hand Guns. I am 84 years old and have never been let down by a Reviver in all the years shooting. Now I carry two 327 mag-revolvers when I think they are needed. One in my pocket and one in my Shoulder Holster. Normal carry is my 41 mag snub-noes. Have many more different Calibers of revolvers, but these three are my favorite. Rc
There is no “best”! Just the one the shoot shoots best. Hand over the top? All my Glocks have a thumb slide release on the left side. Easy to access with left hand thumb Great article though.
My nightstand and typical carry is a S&W .357 revolver. However we live on the edge of Grizzly territory and when in that territory (and I have never seen a grizzly yet) I carry a well tuned 10 mm double stack. If I could find a decent 1911 10mm that could mount a red dot, the ither two guns would become range guns.
I am in the revolver camp. Carried a 1911 style pistol for several years. Hadn’t shot it for a while. Took it to the field for target practice. 1 shot and jam. That was a wake up call for me. Got rid of it and got a S&W 38 bodyguard. My view: Better 5 sure-than 1 and the rest maybe’s.
I sure am glad I didn’t miss another article on the best handgun for self defense.