Why a revolver (rather than a semi-automatic pistol) is better for home defense

From my firearms instructor (and personal friend):

• It always goes bang
• There are no feeding or extraction problems (no "jams")
• Wide latitude of ammo is usable
• Simpler operation—no safeties, press checks, etc.
• No need to tear down ("field strip") to clean
• No need to shoot 200 rounds of self-defense ammo to ensure reliability
• Many accidental shootings occur when someone erroneously thinks he has unloaded a semi-auto pistol
• Revolver ammo can often be had in wadcutter, semi-wadcutter, or flat-nose bullets which make cleaner, easier-to-see holes in the target

Shotguns have well-known advantages; but, as others have noted, they are often inaccessible quickly, and may be unhandy in cramped quarters.

1. The chambers are always loaded--you loaded them. And, you cock the hammer, with thumb or trigger finger. Bang!

2. The semi-auto must feed the ammo in an awkward path, which may not function when needed. Some ammo, such as hollow point defense ammo, does not feed as reliably as hardball (aka FMJ).

A revolver operates well even when not handled ideally. But, a semi-auto may fail to function if the hand is weak (called "limp wristing".) That is, the semi operates by recoil. If the hand recoils, then the receiver of the gun also recoils, and the slide may not recoil sufficiently in relation to the receiver. Result: jam.

3. If ammo is too powerful, in a semi-auto, it damages the gun or at least the recoil spring, leading to possible serious damage. If ammo is not powerful enough, the slide may not cycle fully, resulting in a failure to feed or other jams. Revolvers (especially .357 Magnum) have a wide latitude of useable ammunition loadings; as, the functioning of the mechanism does not depend on specific recoil requirements.

4. Revolvers need no safety. So, you cannot have the safety engaged by mistake, when attempting to fire in self-defense. Semi-autos come in many designs and configurations: some have a safety that is up for Safe, down for Safe, Decock only, frame mounted, slide mounted, etc. A few have no thumb safety.

5. Field stripping makes cleaning easier than on a revolver. But, field stripping usually requires hand strength, dexterity, and a bit of mechanical ability. Re-assembly is a little bit more difficult.

6. After tentatively settling on self-defense ammo, one needs (as a rule of thumb) to run 200 rounds of that ammo through a semi-automatic, to prove reliability in feeding, extracting and ejecting. Self-defense ammo does not necessarily feed as well as FMJ range ammo, as the shape of the bullet is designed for maximum effectiveness in defense, and that requirement conflicts with the best shape for reliable feeding.

7. Many people, including kids, think that a semi-auto is unloaded by dropping the magazine. But, if there were a round in the chamber, the pistol would still be loaded, and many will fire. The exceptions are those pistols that have 'magazine disconnect' safeties. Assuming they work, these safeties prevent firing when the magazine is removed. Often, police prefer this design; the military prefers the opposite. Sometimes the same pistol can be ordered either way. In either case, after dropping the mag, one must rack the slide, to eject the live round in the chamber, and check to see that the chamber is empty. A revolver's ammo can be seen from the outside; further, opening the cylinder makes it easy to see if it is loaded, and prevent firing.

8. Flat nosed or target bullets make nice clean easy-to-see holes in the target, giving instant feedback on each shot.

There is no semi-auto that will provide both the effectiveness of .357 Magnum performance, and the low-cost pleasant practice of .38 Specials. You can approach one or the other, but, not both.

So, why do people buy semi-autos? Well, for many it is an error. If they do not get the instruction and practice to use it proficiently, they may regret it when under threat.

But, if a person carries a pistol concealed, semi-autos are flatter, and hold more ammo. That may be important. The semi can be fired faster, generally; but, if the shooter is not highly proficient, faster shooting will simply mean more misses. And that is where the extra ammo goes.

On average, cops shoot 2.5 shots in a gunfight, if equipped with a revolver. Semi-auto cops on average shoot 40% more rounds in a fight: 3.5.

So, why do I have a semi-auto? Because at the time I bought it, 1994, it seemed like the last chance to ever legally buy a pistol with a large capacity (over 10 rounds) magazine. It is pleasurable to shoot, as are all well designed handguns. But, it is not my home defense gun. The revolver is, equipped with very high quality defense ammo. No feed worries. Always goes "bang." Easy to shoot under stress. And, for extra ammo, if needed, I just pick up my other weapon.

~~Robert

[UPDATED 5/18/2010]