Handguns: Revolvers Vs. Semiautomatics and other thoughts
As long as there have been revolvers and Semi-Automatic handguns the debate has existed, which one is better? which is the superior mechanism? Well folks I’m gonna tell you my conclusion straight out and clean before I go in to the details. The anser to the question is what works for you? What do you like? and that’s the spring board for the details. A revolver is extremely reliable, very safe compared to a semiauto and comes in a vareity of barrel lengths and can be used from applications ranging from concealed personal defense to hunting large game, also in the hands of a skilled gunman they are also wonderful for some amazing tricks on gun shooting. On a history scale revolvers are the gun that won the west carried by outlaws, inlaws, sheriffs, texas rangers, indian tribes and of course the rank and file citizenry who weren’t fond of being caught unarmed around any of the former. Semiautomatics deliver a larger ammo capacity and are faster to fire then a revolver for aimed shots, these are the weapons of war, conceived first as military tools then migrating over in to law enforcement and finally civilian hands. These are the histories of the weapons but in the modern era the past is through and excellent modern examples of both types of weapon are readily available for the consumer, again what you want is up to your personal taste. The same goes for calibers, a handgun can be hand in any format, caliber and for any purpose you can think of ranging from a custom 22.LR target pistol to the 50 cal Desert Eagle and Tarus Raging Bull. Quite literally BB guns and hand cannons and everything in between. Caliber wise you have to think what your using it for, if you want a gun for personal defense one of the best things you can do to promote your longevity is to see what the local police and state troopers are using. In the majority of the United States cops carry weapons chambered in the 40.S&W which is honestly a personal favorite of mine because it combines the capacity of a smaller cartridge such as the 9mm (which police and military forces world wide are currently moving away from in favor of something with a little more punch). Want something with a hit like you just smashed the guy in the chest with a sledge hammer? Maybe a 45.ACP. 357. Magnum or 44. Magnum is more your speed. Have slimmer wrists but still want to do damage? take a look at the 38. Special. Seriously all of this means nothing to any one but you, shoot various calibers and guns, shoot a wide variety and develop personal preferences like caliber, action and even aesthetics like the finish. Weapons are an extension of the owner just like any other tool, buy good quality, buy accredited (read as “legal”) but most of all buy exactly what works best for you, if you have the wrists for it and a 44. magnum is the most comfortable in your hand don’t stinge and settle for something less, a handgun especially in the self-defense setting is literally something you must be able to stake your life on, so why in the name of heaven would you settle for something less when your life is on the line?
Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark.
–Robert Heinlein
