The old wheelgun vs semiauto discussion again.

[pfgrone]

I have seen this article
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/200 ... tm#page_15
referenced in several forums in discussions about the "one shot stop."
Interesting that no one ever points out the very significant sentence in one paragraph, "The officer shot the individual four times in the chest; then, his weapon malfunctioned."
The wife and I just took our CHL qualification in a class of about 40-50 students. All of us were firing semiautomatics. You wouldn't believe the number of malfunctions that occurred on the range. On every magazine of five rounds, someone of each group of about 15 shooters would almost invariably have a malfunction. I'll qualify with my wife's semiauto but, thank you, I'll rely on my wheelgun after the license is received from DPS.

[gigag04]

To each his own. We have had this debate a few times on here.

It boils down down the fact that you have to carry what you are comfortable protecting my life. For me, that's a kimber ultra carry. For you it may be a revolver...more power to ya!

-nick

[Paladin]

If you can't handle a semi-auto, don't have a quality one, or don't have the time to maintain it, a wheelgun is probably a better choice.

I never have reliablity problems with my HK.

[longtooth]

+1 Paladine. When I talk to people learning to shoot that is one of the VERY 1st things I tell them. If you are not going to clean it, don't get a semi. If you get a semi make the decision to keep it clean. When my Mother qualified there was a man there that made the comment that his gun had not been out of the box since he qualified 4 yr ago. It was evident he did not clean it after that shoot. He had to hand push it into battery every round after the first few. I knew him, a Viet Naim Vet. I could not believe it. I thought if I were qualifying him I would send him off the range & tell him to return w/ a functional arm for a 2nd try. LEO's are often the same. Haven't shot since last qual. & haven't cleaned since then or the time before. All that said, I love my wheel guns. Need to carry semi though for concealability, ease & speed of reload, & fire power when needed.

[stevie_d_64]

Too bad no ones invented a semi-automatic flintlock...

Wouldn't that be exciting! and silly...














I couldn't resist...

No, no, by all means resist Steve!

[jbirds1210]

I am also a wheelgun fan, though I choose not to carry one most of the time. I am comfortable with a Glock for that purpose. Every now and then I will strap on my little SP101 and it feels just fine. Keep in mind that revolvers can gunk up just as bad as a semi-auto if not propery maintanined and in my opinion, shot every once in a while to keep things fresh and moving.
Long live the revolver....they are great guns!
Jason

[HighVelocity]

I'm carrying one of each today so

Glock 29 and S&W 340PD

[PX]

I love both pistols and revolvers.. My favorites tend to change with time,but my Sig P239 has been 100% reliable and extremely accurate for over ten years. The newer S&W Airweight Bodyguard has always been the same.

I DO clean my firearms after I fire them. Might not be necessary, especially on the J-frame, but it certainly can't hurt.

I think "regular" folks who don't have the time or inclination to clean their pistols on a regular basis are indeed better served by the more forgiving aspects of a quality revolver.

JMOFO..

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

[pfgrone]

Ok, I'm willing to learn and to say I was wrong when I am. I am admittedly prejudiced toward my 38 snubbie, but I've spent my life changing various prejudices of one sort or another.

What I hear you saying is 1) quality gun and 2) maintenance are the keys to no malfunctions with a semi. Is that right? My wife shoots a Kahr 9mm which hasn't malfunctioned ever with about 1500 rounds through it. I clean it meticulously after every range session. I just thought her gun was an exception. Have those of you who responded also experienced 1000-2000 rounds in your semiautos with NO malfunctions. Tell me "yes" and I'll be convinced.

Eager to hear from you. Paul G.

[gigag04]

Kimber Ultra Carry II 3" .45 - Yes

Colt 70 series Gold Cup - Yes

Previously Owned H&K USP Compact .45 - Yes

PO - Springfield XD 9mm Sub-Compact - Yes

Guns were clean and in good working order, but nothing special was done. One thing in common, they are all extremely high quality pieces.

Glocks, Sigs, and Kahrs are in the same boat I imagine, I just don't own any.

Millions of cops trust thier lives with autos, as do combat soldiers, and those that protect the president.

[longtooth]

YES, YES, YES. No one on this forum will be at all surprised at the 2K through the Kahr w/o a bobble. It is not the exception but the rule w/ quality arms. I have never experienced a malfunction in either of my carry weapons w/ factory ammo. The only reload malfunctions have been tracable to the load. My 2? Kimber Pro & SA Custom Loaded. There are many more reliable arms out there than just our 3 named here.

[stevie_d_64]

Have those of you who responded also experienced 1000-2000 rounds in your semiautos with NO malfunctions. Tell me "yes" and I'll be convinced.

Eager to hear from you. Paul G.

I have over 6 cases (1000 rounds) trough my Glock 23...Zero failures of the firearm...

I have a little over 4 cases through my SigPro 2340...ditto...

Of course I have had failures with ammo...A few clicks instead of bangs...But that doesn't bother me too much...

[HighVelocity]

Over 2000 rounds through my Kahr MK9 and not a single malfunction.

Over 5k rounds through my Sig P220 and also, not a single malfunction.

Coming up on 4k rounds through my Springfield Armory Trophy Match in 45acp and ONE malfunction caused by a bad crimp on a reloaded cast bullet.

Quality firearms does not always equal 100% reliability but it's the best place to start.

[gigag04]

It is not the exception but the rule w/ quality arms.

+1 - well said

[pfgrone]

Ok, I'm completely convinced. Another one of my prejudices down the tubes. Thanks for the flameless feedback. Paul G.