[GUN TALK] Revolvers vs Semi-Autos For Home Defense

Little Red Wagon Repairman

Little Red Wagon Repairman

MFOMBSoPGA
I have a couple of nice semi-autos (Sig-Sauer P220 .45ACP & Glock 22 .40S&W). I am thinking of switching to a revolver instead of a semi-auto. My main gun would be either my S&W 686 Plus .357 Magnum or S&W 629 Classic .44 Magnum. Stopping power is important but I don't want over-penetration either. I'd be looking for milder .357 or .44 Magnum loads or hotter .38 or .44 Special loads.

Do any of you who own semi-autos also choose a revolver for your primary gun? Which revolver and type of ammo do you use?

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Mr. Daystar

Mr. Daystar

In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Just get some #4 or#65 bird shot. 00 buck is gonna go threw stuff. Why you would even consider .44 mag., is beyond me, and if you go with a .357 mag,. use puny .38 spl loads in it Unless you live in an old stone castle, you ALWAYS better worry about a round over penetrating. In fact, if your 870 is able to chamber them, look into the short home defense rounds they sell for shotguns. They're like an 1 1/2" long, and designed for what you're looking for. If not, frangible rounds, or glaser saftey slugs are made for the same thing, Big bucks per round (like a couple $ per), but cheaper them legal council, and incarceration.

I have one of the guns I carry, handy for home use too. I have a S&W 442 air weight snub nose .38 spl. I load with Federal low recoil Hydra-shok defense loads. I carry either that little .38, or a Glock mod. 27 .40 cal. semi auto, I have Winchester critical defense loads in that. I switch off depending on what I'm doing, and wearing. I also have a small .38 spl. derringer I occasionally carry as a back up to the revolver, which holds 5 shots. I have carried full size autos, but never a revolver. They can be concealed, but are heavy, because of all the ammo in the grip.
 
Little Red Wagon Repairman

Little Red Wagon Repairman

MFOMBSoPGA
As far as my .44 Mag I was looking for something lower powered maybe in .44 Special that would be an equal to a .45ACP. I don't conceal carry out of the house anymore so concealment isn't an issue. Six shots in a wheelgun are more than I'd ever need.

If I were to carry a gun outside concealed it would be by Sig-Sauer P220 .45ACP. Probably the smartest gun for inside the house too since it's easy to shoot with a nice trigger and also powerful.
 
Mr. Daystar

Mr. Daystar

In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Actually, .45 acp isn't that powerful of a round. In fact the reason I like the round is because of just that. It's big and slow, and has tremendous stopping power....plus it's inherently sub-sonic, so suppression is much easier. I'm not very knowledgeable about .41, or .44 spl., but I know .45 lc, much like .45acp., also carries a large heavy slug, along with a pretty low velocity...like 800, or 900 fps., but rounds like 9mm, or .40 cal., are well over a thousand, some higher. I don't know if you're aware of this, but depending on Glock's production, you may be able to buy a .357sig barrel, and drop it right into the .40, and use the same mags. I was able to do it with my sub compact model, and I did it with my Sig .40 cal. Anyway, that round moves at about 1400 fps, and is said to give vests a run for their money. Even .38sp., is moving pretty quick, and that's where you run into your problems, obviously. That's why a lot of people, A LOT, have gone to either a S&W Governor, or the Taurus Judge. They can fire shot gun shells, and .45lc. I don't know if anyone makes it adaptable to .45acp also. I think they might still make a round called snake shot, for .38's and the like. They had blue plastic capsules full of tiny bb's, instead of a slug.
 
Mr. Daystar

Mr. Daystar

In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Mr. Daystar

Mr. Daystar

In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
I will never buy a Ruger, with the exception of the 10-22 rifle. I don't like them, I don't like their sell out owner, I don't like the construction of their weapons, and honestly, whom ever it is, if you are putting .38 cal rounds into a cylinder, anything more then 6 to me, is not something I would like. I get it in the various .22 cal's, or .32 cal., but above that, I like it old school. That's why we have semi auto. That's why John Browning gave use the .45acp, and the Browning Hi Power 9mm. But listen, the best gun out there, is the gun you shoot the best....so if it works for you, I'm not gonna judge, but I am a snob when it comes to firearms.

Oh yeah, watch out for S&W custom shop work, and pre owned revolvers. I have heard of some major issues with barrel canting and sight alignment. But nothing from standard production. Ironically it seems the high end stuff is falling short, and mass production is holding up. But this was a couple of years ago, and hearsay, from a couple of youtube videos, and forum talk.
 
Little Red Wagon Repairman

Little Red Wagon Repairman

MFOMBSoPGA
A snob or not your opinions are sound and worth paying attention to.

I think recently I’ve gone back in time buying swords and knives. During my primitive phase I began to have a new liking for my revolvers. I always like watching the great shooters unload revolvers quickly into a target. I’m fairly decent with a semi-auto but I would love to improve my skills with a revolver.
 
CrimsonBolt

CrimsonBolt

I AM A SLUT FOR RYAN GOSLING
We don't have this problem in Europe, the only people who got guns, riffle are the police, the hunter and the gangsters.

Normal people doesn't have guns... So we don't have massacre at our schools...

USA should think about it...
 
Little Red Wagon Repairman

Little Red Wagon Repairman

MFOMBSoPGA
This L-Frame is heavy but it holds 8 rounds of .357 Magnum. Definitely have to get a shoulder holster for it unless you like wearing your pants around your ankles. I think I’m going to check one out and maybe make another donation to Smith & Wesson.

 
Mr. Daystar

Mr. Daystar

In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Dino Velvet said:
I always like watching the great shooters unload revolvers quickly into a target. I’m fairly decent with a semi-auto but I would love to improve my skills with a revolver.
Click to expand...

The guy you wanna check out is Jerry Miculek.
You should see this guy unload a semi auto Barrett .50bmg sniper rifle.
 
Mr. Daystar

Mr. Daystar

In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Dino Velvet said:
Holy crap! I think that fella can defend himself just fine with a revolver. Thanks for posting that.
Click to expand...
He's got a signature models with S&W, it's a .45acp revolver. Again, heavy gun, low velocity round, less muzzle flip, back on the paper nice and quick..
They're offering a model now that takes both .40S&W, and 10mm, which interests me greatly.
 
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