Revolvers have been around much longer than most of the modern-style semi-auto handguns we have today. They are typically heavier, bulkier, hold less ammo, and take longer to reload. Some would declare any type of wheel gun as obsolete and worthless when compared to modern semi-auto guns. But do they have a place in the long lineup of impressive auto-loading pistols? They do. Let’s look at what purpose revolvers, specifically the snub-nose revolver, still serves today
Strengths and Weaknesses of Revolvers
When considering revolvers, it is important to understand what their strengths and weaknesses are. A revolver would not be practical for soldiers to carry like they did in the 1800s. Compared to modern weapons like the Glock 17, a revolver is a primitive weapon.
The weaknesses of a revolver became apparent as the semi-auto was invented. First, a revolver is limited by its ammo capacity. Most popular models will hold five or six rounds and that is it. You can’t buy a larger mag or add an extension to it. Second, reloading is much slower and harder to carry extra ammo for. Speed loaders can make reloading a revolver faster, but not even close to the speed of reloading a semi-auto. Third, they typically have a much heavier and longer trigger pull. This makes them less accurate when shooting quickly or at a distance.
For all the weaknesses or downsides of a revolver, though, they do have a lot of strengths. A revolver is mechanical so it can break like anything else, but it is still considered more reliable than most modern-day semi-auto handguns. There are fewer moving parts, and they shoot a wide array of ammo while remaining consistent. As I mentioned above, they have a longer trigger pull, but that can also be a strength in some cases. If a revolver is being carried in a purse or kept in a glovebox, a longer trigger pull may be preferred.
The Snub-Nose Hand Cannon
Today we see more snub-nose revolvers on the market than any other type of revolver. Sure, the 500 Magnum with an 8” barrel is intimidating and just downright cool. We have all had that daydream where we pull out Dirty Harry’s 44 Magnum Smith & Wesson and ask someone if they’re feeling lucky. But when we snap back to reality, some of the cool guns are just not practical for self-defense. The snub-nose revolver was designed specifically for maneuverability and concealment. Even the small .357 Magnums are elegant little hand cannons in disguise.
One of the 1st things I do with new semi-auto handguns is take them to the range to see what type of ammo they like. Every gun is just a little different. The brand, grain, and type of bullet (hollow-point/FMJ) can all have an effect on how the gun functions.
With a revolver, however, you can shoot any weight of bullet, brand, or type and it will not affect its function. Because the bullets reset in a rotating cylinder, one bullet is not relying on the next one to function. If you have a bad round, pull the trigger again and go to the next one. If this happens in a semi-auto, the gun will stop functioning until it is cleared.
Simplicity
Another reason revolvers are great is because they are so simple. It is either loaded or not loaded and that’s it. If it is loaded it will go bang when you pull the trigger. Good gun safety with a semi-auto requires you to pull the slide back and check the chamber every time a gun is handed to you. If there isn’t a bullet in the chamber, it must be racked before the gun is ready.
With a revolver, the only thing it needs is the bullets. Getting the cylinder open is the most complicated part and that’s not even complicated. Because of this, I like revolvers for those extra defense guns to place around the home or in a vehicle. They are also great for people who carry but may not be comfortable with a semi-auto gun.
A revolver can also be a good option for those who have trouble manipulating the slide on a semi-auto. And for those wanting to adjust the recoil on their gun, changing the ammo type can be effective without jeopardizing the gun’s reliability.
To me, the most beneficial thing about revolvers is they can be fired at point-blank range. And by point-blank range, I mean up against something. If someone is being attacked by a person or animal, pressing a gun against them can cause a semi-auto to go out of battery and stop firing. This will not happen with a revolver. That makes them arguably the simplest, most user-friendly, and most reliable gun to have.
Primary vs Backup Weapon
Here is the nice thing about guns: you can have more than one! It is good to have a primary gun you train with regularly. This builds muscle memory with that specific gun, and you will be more efficient with it in a self-defense incident. But having more than one gun and being comfortable shooting different types of guns is also good. I have a place in my home where I keep my primary home defense weapon. But I also don’t move it around the house daily as I move around the home. Instead, I keep backup guns in several places around my home so if I need to get to one quickly, I can.
Years ago, I responded to a call where someone had broken into a home and was in the bedroom rummaging through things. The homeowner had a gun in his bedroom but had gone upstairs to use the computer in his office before bed. Now he was upstairs, and his gun was downstairs with the burglar. We arrested the bad guy and the homeowner bought two more guns to place in other rooms of the house. Both were revolvers. Sometimes the best backup weapon is the simplest one to use.
Summary
I love semi-auto handguns. I like 1911’s, Glock, Sig, Springfield Armory, CZ, and a host of other gun manufacturers. But I also own a few revolvers. They are great for placing in a vehicle, backpack, or around the home for self-defense. When you need it, you know it will be ready to go. Some can hold more than one caliber allowing even more options. A .357 Magnum can also fire .38 special rounds if a lighter bullet is preferred.
I may not pick a snub-nose revolver as my primary CCW weapon, but revolvers will always have their place in my arsenal of self-defense weapons.
