If there’s one sure way to start an argument among gun owners it’s to get into a debate about the best carry gun. There are a lot of different calibers and platforms out there, and every category has a dedicated fan base. This means they’ll defend their concealed carry choice with their last breath. It also means those arguments typically revolve around the most well-known self-defense handguns like Glocks and 1911s. What about revolvers? Do they even matter anymore? Can you even carry a revolver for self-defense purposes?
Considering a revolver for self-defense?
Let’s start out by thinking about what you don’t want in a carry gun. This might sound simple—or like an odd place to start—but let’s go ahead and dive right in with some of the most common negatives about carrying a revolver that float around places like gun shows, gun counters, and social media:
- Revolvers are low in capacity. More is always better, right?
- It’s an outdated platform. Why would you want to carry such an old design when there are newer, better guns available?
- They’re hard to control. This is often accompanied by “My buddy has one of those snubby revolvers and it jumps all over the place.”
- Slow reloads. It’s way too slow dropping ammo in for reloads one round at a time.
- The calibers are lousy. Why would you use something like a 38 Special when there’s 9mm to be had?
- The triggers are awful. Revolvers have those long, heavy, gritty trigger pulls. You don’t want to fight that trigger defending yourself against an attacker, do you?
- Revolver holsters are hard to find. When was the last time you even saw one?
There isn’t a lot of logic behind these arguments.
These downsides are in stark contrast to the way the same people tend to tout the revolver as the ideal gun for women. They’ll say not to use them for concealed carry in the same breath they push a snub-nosed .38 Special on some unsuspecting female looking for her first firearm. Or—and this might even be worse—they’ll say if you can’t stop an attack with five or six shots of 357 Magnum, you’re a bad shot and probably deserve to lose the fight for your life.
Here’s the Good News
There are ways to handle or refute all the negative points listed above.
Revolvers are given a bad rap despite being a proven platform that’s been around longer than even the venerable 1911. Here’s what we have to say about the supposed downsides of carrying a revolver for self-defense:
Capacity
Yes, it might be lower than a double-stack Glock, but there’s such a thing as reloading.
Outdated Platform?
It’s a historically proven firearm. Revolvers aren’t outdated, they’ve been forged in combat fire. It isn’t just John Wayne you should be picturing wielding a revolver, it’s all kinds of people including members of law enforcement.
Control
Get proper training for better control of any gun. Revolvers aren’t really “harder to control” than other guns, they just require training (same as those other guns). Just like their semi-automatic counterparts, revolvers have good, bad, and best models for defensive purposes.
Slow Reloads
Reloads don’t have to be slow. Speedloaders and speed strips make reloading revolvers a great deal faster than trying to do it one round at a time. And just as you’d practice mag changes with your Glock, you should be practicing reloading using speedloaders or speed strips with your revolver. It’s all about training and practice.
Calibers
Revolvers are available in a wide range of chamberings from the classics like 38 Special and 357 Magnum to “newer” popular cartridges like 9mm. They’re even manufactured in 40 Smith & Wesson if that’s your preference. Also: Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.
Triggers
It’s true that many revolvers have longer, heaver trigger pulls because they’re designed as double-actions. Even a lot of the single-action revolvers don’t really have a beautifully short, light trigger pull like you’d find on a 1911 or Glock. This comes down to proper training, once again, and the handy reminder that a lot of people swap out their factory triggers for aftermarket models. You can have trigger work done on your revolver, too, if you don’t like it.
Holsters
This one has the most truth backing it. There simply are not as many revolver holsters out there as there are holsters for semi-automatic handguns. They do exist, though, and most like you’ll have no problem finding a good holster for your preferred revolver (unless you’re considering a Dirt Harry-esque one, then holsters might evade you).
So, should you use a revolver for self-defense?
Whether or not you use a revolver for self-defense is a personal choice. Maybe you’re more comfortable with revolvers or perhaps a revolver is currently the only gun available to you.
Some people like using smaller models for pocket carry because they feel they can simply drop the gun in their pocket and go. The logic there is often that the gun in question has a heavy double-action trigger, so it must be perfectly fine to let it rattle around loose in their jeans or cargo pants pockets. While it’s true a heavier trigger is a lot less likely to give you trouble, it’s also wise to use a decent pocket holster. Not only does a pocket holster cover the trigger guard, it holds the gun in place so it won’t fall out of your pocket—so it’ll be exactly where you put it should the time come to use it.
Although revolvers aren’t my first choice for carry for self-defense, there have been times I’ve holstered up with one. It depends on the situation and on your own training. Remember, all gun owners can benefit enormously from training, and revolvers are no different. Your semi-auto skills don’t translate directly over to revolvers. When it comes to running a revolver well, you need to learn how to empty spent brass, reload, and shoot it well in general. You did these things for your Glock; why can’t you put the same effort into a revolver?
A word on snubby revolvers:
No, they aren’t a great idea for concealed carry. They might have a smaller profile thanks to their super short barrels, but that doesn’t make them a good idea for self-defense. This is doubly true for snubbies that are extremely lightweight. That’s a case where it’s accurate to say they’re harder to control. It isn’t that it cannot be done, it’s more an issue of why would you make it harder than necessary? And why make it harder on your hands than need be (yes, recoil really can be punishing, especially to your thumb joints and wrists).
If you want to carry a revolver for self-defense, do it. If you don’t want to, then don’t. But whatever gun you intend to use for defensive purposes, get trained. That’s really what all of this comes down to—the need for good training. That, and taking the time to select the right caliber and model of gun to suit your needs, hand size, and skill level.
In other words, wheelgun on, guys.
Do you carry a revolver for self-defense? Which model?
