Revolver or Pistol - Which is right for you?The question, "Which should I buy, revolver or pistol?" is a universal one that almost every new gun owner considers before buying their first handgun. The answer for most people is generally more simple than the multitude of web pages and articles written on the subject would indicate. The issue is generally one of preference, not a matter of which one will work best (assuming that only quality firearms are being considered for purchase). The only factor that could make one a necessity over the other would be if the buyer has a physical condition that would make either the revolver or pistol clearly a best choice. But since it's generally down to a preference of one over the other, here are some things to consider. Guns are fun to shoot. Both revolvers and pistols have their charms and shooting both is a joy for people who enjoy shooting in general. A revolver is simple, dependable, and available in everything from .22 caliber up to the massive Smith and Wesson 500 magnum. While the multitude of quality pistols has somewhat overshadowed the revolver over the last couple of decades, there will always be a place for the wheelgun in recreation, sport and self defense.
Revolvers take a minimum of training to learn to use. They are inherently safe in that they are either single or single/double action. This means they must either be manually cocked (single action) or they may be shot double action (with a long, relatively heavy trigger pull). With the hammer down on a modern wheelgun, it is unlikely that they will be negligently discharged because of the long trigger pull and the firing pin block that keeps the gun from going off if dropped. CAUTION: Older revolvers will go off if dropped with the hammer down on a live round. My Ruger SP101 is small, powerful, fun to shoot, trouble free and durable. Hard to beat. Semi auto pistols, on the other hand are more complicated, and come in a mind boggling array of choices in both style and caliber. However that more confusing array of choices allows more options for all types of shooting as well as defensive concealed carry. Semi autos come in two basic styles: Hammer fired (Beretta 92; Cougar 8000; 1911 style pistols, etc.) and striker fired (GLOCK, Taurus 24/7; Springfield XD, etc.) Both have advantages and reasons to use and carry in specific situations. Then there is just plain preference. You can spend a long time trying to figure out which first semi auto to purchase. However, most quality pistols, if purchased with the actual "need" in mind will work great with sufficient use and practice in both firing and carry. Finally, semi autos offer large capacity magazines for up to 18 rounds in some pistols.
So, none of the above answers the question: revolver or pistol? And since you are reading this web page, it is generally considered the responsibility of the author to give an answer where information is sought. Well, here it is. I guess the best way to answer this question is to change the question slightly to: "If I were limited to only one handgun, which would it be and in what brand?" My answer to this may surprise you if you already read some of my other pages and saw my affinity toward GLOCKS. While GLOCKS are my "favorite" handgun, if I were limited to only one, it would not be a GLOCK or any other semi auto. It would be a stainless steel revolver with a 4" barrel, in a Smith and Wesson 686 Plus revolver.
This is a 7 shot .357 magnum that would be my gun if I was limited to only one. Below are the reasons: So, if you're looking at buying your first handgun, and it's not likely you're going to be able to buy more than one to start, the S&W 686 will make a fine gun to build your collection around. And no matter how many you get in the future, the 686 will always be ready to perform in multiple situations. Valuable Organizations and Businesses
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