[TIMBERWOLF]

Which do you find more reliable, and if you were under attack
which would you prefer to have in your possession to ward off
and assailant...a semi-auto pistol or revolver? Why?

Kindest Regards,
Timberwolf

 

[thegrandenigma]

Another one of these huh?

I think whatever you are proficient at would be the best choice of equipment, regardless of caliber or style or any accessories, or ammunition, or anything else. Any amount of do-dads wouldn't help one bit if you can't hit what your shooting at.

If the equipment is well understood and looked after, I don't think you'd have a problem with either.

Remember, the gun isn't the most important thing in your self-defense tool box.

Take my advise with a grain of salt, I am Canadian after all.

 

[AVIVIII]

Revolver. Hands down.

One pull, one boom. No boom? Pull again! No tap-racks, double feeds, mag fails or fail to eject.

For that matter, I rely on a SxS, external hammer 12ga as well. As a "character" reference....

Realistically, I don't expect too many problems that can't be handled with 6 rounds of 357 and 2 doses of 00Buck.

If for whatever reason one does arise, I have additional fighting iron in the reserves!

 

[Gil Martin]

It depends

My CCW choice is usually a revolver. Pull, point and shoot. All the best...
Gil

 

[O'Connersun]

Military experience left me comfortable with .45 and a semi-auto. I carry an XD in .45ACP.

 

[mu2bdriver]

It doesn't matter what you carry - the way you're trained is the way you will react when tested. Find whatever you feel most comfortable with and find a formal training class.

 

[Jim Rau]

Modern hand guns today, both pistols and revolvers, are equally reliable.
BUT, if the pistol fails to fire it will require more assessment and correction than the revolver, which only requires you to simply pull the trigger again. Thus for those who do not wish to spend the time to become very proficient at the immediate action drills need to handle the different stoppages encountered with the pistol, the revolver is the best choice. And this is 95+% of the people who get a gun for self defense.

 

[MikeG]

12 ga. pump shotgun

Oh and hey, if it's just handguns, and I know it's coming.... I'll take my .500 JRH. Can't way to see the look on some miscreant's face looking down that barrel!!!!

 

[AVIVIII]

Modern hand guns today, both pistols and revolvers, are equally reliable.
BUT, if the pistol fails to fire it will require more assessment and correction than the revolver, which only requires you to simply pull the trigger again. Thus for those who do not wish to spend the time to become very proficient at the immediate action drills need to handle the different stoppages encountered with the pistol, the revolver is the best choice. And this is 95+% of the people who get a gun for self defense.

Its not that I don't want to be proficient (I believe that I am, though by no means an expert) I just don't want to put down the rifle/shotgun/club that I may be carrying in the other hand to do so!

 

[Stanger73]

My personal order of trust: Single barrel shotgun, double barrel shotgun, modern revolver, and then the rest.

I most often carry a revolver (S&W442 or sometimes a Taurus 66), but I do have a certain autoloader (SIG 239) that I really do like.

For home defense it is either a H&R 12ga or Stoeger coach 12ga.

 

[au2183]

I would put my trust in a revolver just due to simplicity. I hope I'm never in a situation I can't get out of with six shots!

 

[wildhobbybobby]

I sally forth every day armed with both; a Glock 19 in a belt holster and a S&W 638 in my pocket. I consider both to be relaible. I carried a backup gun for 25 years in uniform and it's a habit that's hard to break (as if I wanted to).

 

[Old Grump]

I have both, used both extensively, am comfortable with both, have had both have failures. Diagnosed failures, corrected problem and continue to use. Only gun in my possession with a function problem is at the gun doctor. When I get it back it will once again become primary HD gun and its a Dan Wesson revolver and you really don't want to know how many rounds have gone through it. Last gun that went in because of problems was a 1911A1 NM pistol, works fine now.

Answer to your question, no choice, both are reliable and I would trust either.

 

[mattsbox99]

Myself.

I've been trained to make effective use of whatever tools are present in the situation. Use your head and practice everything you think could use to prevent or end an attack.

 

[ironhead7544]

My pick is a G26 with CorBon 115 gr. 2 shot mag extension for 13 shots. Im able to hit a lot better than I can with a comparable revolver. Sometimes I use a 44 mag Taurus Tracker but its rare.

 

[jmortimer]

Agree with the posts recommending using what you like or are comfortable with. A SASS nut with a single action "cowboy gun" could wipe out a couple BGs quick. I would put hours of practice ahead of a particular revolver or pistol. Imagine Jerry Miculek and Bob Munden in a "duel" - Under the best circumstances for each Jerry would be a dead man. Now if both had their guns out - who knows.

 

[Jim Rau]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe the question here was about your opinion on the 'reliability' of the two types of equipment.
From strictly a mechanical stand point, as I stated above, there is very little difference with good quality modern hand guns.
But from a training stand point there is a big difference.