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Bye 1911, hello Ruger: Revolvers versus Automatics
03/09/09
The beginning of my blog coincided with the purchase of a Springfield Arms 1911 Loaded, and that 1911 had the honor, therefore, of being the subject of my first post. Well, the 1911 is no more, traded in for a Ruger GP100 revolver with a four inch barrel. I liked the 1911 except for the fact that one batch of re-manufactured ammo gave it fits, but my wife had trouble with the slide so I sought-out an easier-to-use weapon. When I saw a used Lady Smith and Wesson 357 with a three inch barrel, I purchased it immediately. It was the perfect gun for my wife-medium sized and relatively easy to handle (the gun, not my wife). "This is so much easier. Why would anybody want the other kind?" she asked after comparing the two guns.
"Well," I began to explain and then I couldn't think of anything to say, "I don't know."
At first I thought about keeping the 1911 for myself, but I felt two guns were overkill at the time and I chose, instead, to give it to my father. Alas, my father also had trouble working the slide. I finally decided to sell the 1911 back to the store and purchase my dad a revolver, the GP100 you see below. My father was much happier and he too asked, "Why use an automatic?"
Here's the point of this story: I'm not a super-expert on guns, but I've come to the conclusion that in almost every instance, it's better to have a revolver than an automatic. Here's my take:
1. Revolvers are easier to use. An automatic pistol needs to be loaded and cocked before use. You just pick up a revolver and squeeze the trigger. To an experienced user, an automatic isn't a big deal, but as I pointed out above, for some, that one action causes great frustration.
2. Ammunition use and storage is easier with revolvers. If you keep the rounds in an automatic's clip for a great length of time, the clip's spring begins to deteriorate. The clip may also become damaged if you drop it or bang it against something hard. For a revolver, you just keep the rounds in the gun or on a speed loader and you're all set. In addition, it's much easier to slide the bullets into a revolver's wheel than into an automatic's clip.
3. Revolvers are easier to maintain. After practicing with an automatic I don't look forward to taking it apart, wiping it down, lubricating it, and then putting it back together. I'd rather spend that hour doing something else. In contrast, after using a revolver, you usually only have to clean the barrel and grease the moving parts.
4. Revolvers are more reliable. Revolvers have only one sensitive part, the wheel, and as long as that works, you're in good shape. An automatic, on the other hand, can malfunction with certain ammunition even if you do your best to maintain it.
So why do automatics exist? In combat situations, automatics are easier to reload and, because they're thinner, easier to conceal, but I don't anticipate reloading in a self-defense scenario, and I live in California where concealed weapons permits are nearly impossible to get.
Follow up:
My wife's Lady Smith
Bye Bye 1911
Hello Ruger GP100
Tags: revolvers are better than automatics, should i buy a revolver or an automatic?6 comments
you said you automatics need to be loaded and cocked before use? you need to load a revolver too. Also the 1911 is a single action (most of them), thats why you have to cock it first. There are single action revolvers as well. There is also double action automatics too, which just like you current gun, you only need to pull the trigger. You also mentioned its easier to load a revolver, that may be true for you(i can load my colt1911 much faster then my s&w .357), but its much easier and faster to unload an automatic seeing as its done automatically haha :). I think one main reason for people liking automatics is because it automatically cocks the gun again so its less of a pull on the trigger, and if you were in combat (which i hope your not), its faster to reload if you have multiple magazines. i realize i sound like a jerk here, but i just thought i should put my 2 cents in because i love the 1911. 
You make an interesting case but if you have any gun for SD you need to have some experience. With minimum experience I would rather have my 92 fs or 1911 if life is on the line. 
Having a gun for any purpose, especially self-protection requires some education and practice. Both a revolver and a semi-automatic are fine instruments. The revolver might be the best choice for a nightstand drawer (no children) or for a concealed carry where limited time in danger is expected but for a sustained standoff I would choose my Beretta 9mm. 
I have a Glock 19, its boringly reliable.I also like revolvers, mainly snub noses for backup. If you hunt or like 5 to 8 shots a full sized revolver is fine. I dont dislike any gun and they all have their strong points, i wouldnt mind having a 3 inch ruger sp 101 but it might be to big to carry for back up to the glock, so a smith j frame or taurus will do! .38 with hollow pts or plus p's is enough to stop a man.
I think the fact that semi-autos can hold up to three times as many bullets as a revolver and can be reloaded faster is probably the main reason that they are not only around, but are the preferred choice in most cases. 
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