Revolver vs. Semi-Auto for CHL - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Piterek · 01-18-2006, 08:45 AM

Interesting article that talks about advantages of a revolver for carrying a self-defense handgun, rather than a semi-auto. Article is a bit long but brings up some good points. Who agrees with this author? Comments? Criticisms? I'm planning on getting a CHL and already own an XD-40. I'm just curious if I should take this guys advice.

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/infor...em.asp?ID=3195

qballwill · 01-18-2006, 08:59 AM

I personally agree with him....key phrase is "if your not a gun person or someone who will maintain and shoot regularly". If you are in this category, I would definately follow his advice.... I use 2 different weapons as my concealed carry depending on what I am wearing.... I use my XD9 service when wearing a loose untucked shirt, or a airweight S&W revolver as he described when the XD isnt gonna be easy to conceal. If you have any concerns about your ability to maintain the weapon and keep it oiled, then a Semi Auto is not for you when it comes to defending yourself. A revolver is a good choice for nearly anyone.

bd · 01-18-2006, 09:15 AM

Seems to be good solid advice. I think pistols are for the more dedicated CCW people. With a semi-auto I feel a little more training and knowledge of your gun is in order. If you are familiar with a revolver you can pretty much pick up and shoot any revolver. I don't find this to be the case with the different configurations of semi-auto pistols. A shooter with a semi auto needs to be very familiar with his gun.
Shooting .357 from a lightweight small framed revolver can be unpleasant for even the most experienced shooters. Full house .357 has a heckuva recoil - I don't care who you are. And I don't disagree with the authr's point that you might never notice the recoil from a small framed .357 revolver in a self defense situation. But I think the recoil might make practice a little less than fun after a few rounds. Regardless of what you might carry for self defense you must practice and practice a lot - or don't carry a weapon.
If you're thinking of a small framed .357 revolver for CCW then try to rent one or borrow one before you buy one.
They are not for everyone.

Bottom line - carry what you shoot best and feel confident with. There are no "magic bullets". I would carry a 115 gr round nosed .9mm load that I could consistently hit with before I'd carry the latest 145 grain jacketed hollow point - wonder bullet, guaranteed knockdown, man stopper that I could only shoot reasonably well.

Most often it's the first shot that counts.

bd

qballwill · 01-18-2006, 09:25 AM

BD makes a wonderful point about a 357 out of a lightweight revolver... even out of a heavy stainless revolver is packs a decent punch.... I think a 38 special is more than sufficient. Its shot placement that counts.... If you are looking into a revolver I would highly recommend a S&W model 638....

Brad Johnson · 01-18-2006, 09:29 AM

Take the qualifier with your .40. If you qualify with a semi-auto you are licensed to carry anything. If you qualify with a wheelgun, you are only licensed to carry a wheelgun.

Brad

bd · 01-18-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qballwill

BD makes a wonderful point about a 357 out of a lightweight revolver... even out of a heavy stainless revolver is packs a decent punch.... I think a 38 special is more than sufficient. Its shot placement that counts.... If you are looking into a revolver I would highly recommend a S&W model 638....

I carry an older all steel S&W model 49 Bodyguard .38 loaded with +p most of the time. I totally agree with your statement on shot placement.

bd

Piterek · 01-18-2006, 09:33 AM

"Take the qualifier with your .40. If you qualify with a semi-auto you are
licensed to carry anything. If you qualify with a wheelgun, you are only
licensed to carry a wheelgun."

Thanks Brad. I Didn't know that.

qballwill · 01-18-2006, 09:41 AM

definately qualify with the SA.... If you qualify with the revolver you stuck carrying one until you re-up your license.

Waldo · 01-18-2006, 12:43 PM

Thats a great article.

I carry a .38 in my pocket most of the time, if I am in a really bad part of town I carry the XD with an extra mag IWB and the revolver.

I can put the revolver in my pants pocket, my hooded sweatshirt front pocket, my back pocket, anywhere.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1087964/PA020049(1200x900).jpg

Lumberjack98 · 01-18-2006, 01:58 PM

Great article. Thanks for posting.

01-18-2006, 08:45 AM	#1
Piterek XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 23	Revolver vs. Semi-Auto for CHL Interesting article that talks about advantages of a revolver for carrying a self-defense handgun, rather than a semi-auto. Article is a bit long but brings up some good points. Who agrees with this author? Comments? Criticisms? I'm planning on getting a CHL and already own an XD-40. I'm just curious if I should take this guys advice. http://www.keepandbeararms.com/infor...em.asp?ID=3195

01-18-2006, 08:59 AM	#2
qballwill XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Port Bolivar, Tx Posts: 236	I personally agree with him....key phrase is "if your not a gun person or someone who will maintain and shoot regularly". If you are in this category, I would definately follow his advice.... I use 2 different weapons as my concealed carry depending on what I am wearing.... I use my XD9 service when wearing a loose untucked shirt, or a airweight S&W revolver as he described when the XD isnt gonna be easy to conceal. If you have any concerns about your ability to maintain the weapon and keep it oiled, then a Semi Auto is not for you when it comes to defending yourself. A revolver is a good choice for nearly anyone. __________________ XD-9 Bitone / XD45ACP Springfield Lt Wt Bitone 1911 S&W first model of 1899 / S&W M&P S&W 10,17,19,27,29,65,342,625,629,646,686x3,696x2 Kel Tec Sub 2000 Bushmaster AR15 M4 Winchester 1300 Defender Texas XD Practical Shooters Association

01-18-2006, 09:25 AM	#4
qballwill XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Port Bolivar, Tx Posts: 236	BD makes a wonderful point about a 357 out of a lightweight revolver... even out of a heavy stainless revolver is packs a decent punch.... I think a 38 special is more than sufficient. Its shot placement that counts.... If you are looking into a revolver I would highly recommend a S&W model 638.... __________________ XD-9 Bitone / XD45ACP Springfield Lt Wt Bitone 1911 S&W first model of 1899 / S&W M&P S&W 10,17,19,27,29,65,342,625,629,646,686x3,696x2 Kel Tec Sub 2000 Bushmaster AR15 M4 Winchester 1300 Defender Texas XD Practical Shooters Association

01-18-2006, 09:29 AM	#5
Brad Johnson XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 141	Take the qualifier with your .40. If you qualify with a semi-auto you are licensed to carry anything. If you qualify with a wheelgun, you are only licensed to carry a wheelgun. Brad __________________ Lotsa Springfields Lotsa Rugers A coupla Winchesters and Remingtons A Taurus A Stoeger ...and a vicious man-eating rabbit with nasty, big, pointy teeth...

01-18-2006, 09:41 AM	#8
qballwill XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Port Bolivar, Tx Posts: 236	definately qualify with the SA.... If you qualify with the revolver you stuck carrying one until you re-up your license. __________________ XD-9 Bitone / XD45ACP Springfield Lt Wt Bitone 1911 S&W first model of 1899 / S&W M&P S&W 10,17,19,27,29,65,342,625,629,646,686x3,696x2 Kel Tec Sub 2000 Bushmaster AR15 M4 Winchester 1300 Defender Texas XD Practical Shooters Association

01-18-2006, 09:15 AM	#3
bd XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,864	Seems to be good solid advice. I think pistols are for the more dedicated CCW people. With a semi-auto I feel a little more training and knowledge of your gun is in order. If you are familiar with a revolver you can pretty much pick up and shoot any revolver. I don't find this to be the case with the different configurations of semi-auto pistols. A shooter with a semi auto needs to be very familiar with his gun. Shooting .357 from a lightweight small framed revolver can be unpleasant for even the most experienced shooters. Full house .357 has a heckuva recoil - I don't care who you are. And I don't disagree with the authr's point that you might never notice the recoil from a small framed .357 revolver in a self defense situation. But I think the recoil might make practice a little less than fun after a few rounds. Regardless of what you might carry for self defense you must practice and practice a lot - or don't carry a weapon. If you're thinking of a small framed .357 revolver for CCW then try to rent one or borrow one before you buy one. They are not for everyone. Bottom line - carry what you shoot best and feel confident with. There are no "magic bullets". I would carry a 115 gr round nosed .9mm load that I could consistently hit with before I'd carry the latest 145 grain jacketed hollow point - wonder bullet, guaranteed knockdown, man stopper that I could only shoot reasonably well. Most often it's the first shot that counts. bd

01-18-2006, 09:33 AM	#7
Piterek XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 23	"Take the qualifier with your .40. If you qualify with a semi-auto you are licensed to carry anything. If you qualify with a wheelgun, you are only licensed to carry a wheelgun." Thanks Brad. I Didn't know that.

01-18-2006, 12:43 PM	#9
Waldo XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 1,160	Thats a great article. I carry a .38 in my pocket most of the time, if I am in a really bad part of town I carry the XD with an extra mag IWB and the revolver. I can put the revolver in my pants pocket, my hooded sweatshirt front pocket, my back pocket, anywhere. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1087964/PA020049(1200x900).jpg __________________ I.C.E. Hotline 866-347-2423 Toll free call to report illegal immigrants

01-18-2006, 01:58 PM	#10
Lumberjack98 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 863	Great article. Thanks for posting. __________________ XD-9 Service, DGR, CC 3.5# Trigger, TFOs, KG Gunkote Texas XD Practical Shooters Association

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