One shot to live ... Auto ... or ... Revolver

WildBill45 · July 29, 2013, 11:58 PM

You and your family are on a cross-country trip, and sleeping in a small hotel on the edge of some high crime city, when the door busts open in the middle of the night. The large silhouette in the doorway is holding a knife, a Big Knife, and your kids are still sleeping. You grab your handgun next to you on the bedside table as he enters the room and you only have time for one shot to save everybody.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND US:

Would you feel more nervous and think about if the gun will work more if you had an auto in your hand than if you had a revolver?

Seriously, that last time your handgun failed, was it an auto or a revolver?

Which would you choose with one shot and your family’s life was on the line … PERIOD … NO OTHER OPTIONS OR THOUGHTS … PERIOD

WHICH ONE AND WHY?

RodTheWrench · July 30, 2013, 12:17 AM

It's fairly obvious you want us to say "Revolver all the way!".

I'd use the gun I am most familiar, competent and comfortable with.

JimmyR · July 30, 2013, 12:20 AM

Last time I had a failure in a semi-auto, I just had to tap/rack.

Last time I had a failure in a revolver, I had to disassemble the gun 3 times to find the problem (washer from the grips came loose and jammed the main-spring).

subhuman · July 30, 2013, 12:40 AM

double barrel 12 gauge sawed off at the forearm with a pistol grip, pull both triggers at once

Morgo · July 30, 2013, 12:48 AM

I'd be comfortable with the first one out of the safe. I know my firearms, revolvers and autos, I maintain them and shoot them enough to be comfortable with them all. I can't remember the last time I had a failure that was not ammo related (i.e from load development, which doesn't really count)

Personal preference would be for an auto. HK, Sig, Glock, 1911 all work just fine though I'd choose the 1911, likely in .38 super

BornToLooze · July 30, 2013, 01:29 AM

Smith Model 28, only gun I've had bullet holes touching with, been shooting it the longest and feel the most comfortably with it, and nobody can deny that a .357 has some stopping power.

Last failure I had was when rounds were sticking because of the ring of gunk you get from shooting 38s out of a .357. Last failure I had in an auto was when I was using 8 and 10 round magazines at the same time and put 9 rounds in an 8 round mag and it jammed in the gun and I had to pull the magazine out. The only time I've had an actually failure in any type of firearm was in my 10/22 I put so many rounds through it the magazines just gave out.

FrankenMauser · July 30, 2013, 02:41 AM

Quote:

WHICH ONE AND WHY?

The one I brought. ...because it's what I have available.

That may sound a bit sarcastic, but it's a serious answer. If I don't trust a handgun, I don't use it. I have both revolvers and semi-autos that find themselves on self-defense/home-defense duty. I don't prefer one over the other, in general. On a trip, there are a lot of different factors that can influence me, as to which handgun I decide to bring.

Sometimes, it might be consideration of what a state I'm traveling through defines, or doesn't define, as "unloaded", and the requirements that go along with that. Other times, I grab whatever hasn't been on a "field trip" for a while. Other times, I might grab something specifically for its magazine/cylinder capacity (generally a consideration of wildlife in the area - not a preparation for fending off a flash mob). And, other times, I might grab something for its simplicity (DAO S&W J-frame comes to mind).

What I can tell you, for certain, is that if some one were to break into my house and come after my family tonight, I would be working the J-frame (simplicity and reliability) and my wife would be running a Ruger P-95DC (simplicity, reliability, AND magazine capacity

).

Tejicano · July 30, 2013, 03:57 AM

My current traveling kit is the following :

Primary Handgun - HK USP 45 ACP
Secondary Handgun - Para-Ord P-13 45 ACP
Primary Shotgun - Saiga-12, folding stock, 2 X 10 round magazines 12 gauge
Primary Carbine - AR "handgun" 11.5 inch barrel, 2 X 25 round magazines, 6.8X43mm caliber

I always have this kit with me when I'm on the road - especially if I am staying a motel. It all fits into a tennis racket bag which doesn't attract attention or even seem to be worth stealing.

To keep this in your narrative - let's say I was up (not in bed where I always keep the shotgun or carbine handy) and for whatever reason the handguns were closest to me - I would go with the HK USP because it is the gun which I have the most confidence in being able to hit my target. Reliability is not an issue with this gun either.

Salmoneye · July 30, 2013, 05:25 AM

Bear Spray

Kreyzhorse · July 30, 2013, 06:15 AM

One shot? I'd use my TRP 1911. Worried about a failure? Not at all.

When I carry or have a home defense gun handy there is always a round in the chamber so I would have zero concerns that I couldn't get at least a single round off.

My last jammed up gun was a revolver by the way, it was a Taurus M85.

4runnerman · July 30, 2013, 06:20 AM

What Frankenmouser said- I don't own one that I am not confident will go bang when I need it.

40-82 · July 30, 2013, 06:47 AM

One shot? Just awakened. I am disoriented, bad light. I don't have my glasses on. I choose a single action Army Colt 45. Barrel length, type of sights don't matter.

There may be a lot of reasons for choosing a great many other guns in other situations, and any doubts I have about other types don't include a fear of a 1911 failing to fire the round up the pipe, but in the scenario laid out where I might not be able to see the front sight, and might not have time for a second shot, and I have to rely on speed and instinctive pointing, I want the one I have known since childhood.

Seaman · July 30, 2013, 06:58 AM

Not too long ago, at the range my very first shot was a dud. Pulled the the trigger and the gun did not go boom. First shot dud despite repeated trigger pulls. Still have the cartridge. The gun, a S&W SW99 in 45ACP, DA/SA.... what are the chances of that ? Since then, had a somewhat similar thing happen with a Sig P239 in 9mm. (2nd shot ftf)

Nowadays I try to make sure my go-to gun is always a revolver. Even if the first shot fails the next trigger pull will do the job.

45_auto · July 30, 2013, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Would you feel more nervous and think about if the gun will work more if you had an auto in your hand than if you had a revolver?

No, why should I?

Quote:

Seriously, that last time your handgun failed, was it an auto or a revolver?

Last time my handgun failed to fire was a couple of years ago. It was an H&R Silver Sportsman .22 revolver I bought in a pawnshop. It was made in 1964 but looks brand new. It would misfire 2 or 3 rounds out of every cylinder of 9. Very aggravating. It's in the back of one of the safes somewhere, maybe one day I'll feel like fooling with it.

Quote:

Which would you choose with one shot and your family’s life was on the line … PERIOD … NO OTHER OPTIONS OR THOUGHTS … PERIOD

WHICH ONE AND WHY?

Why in the world would I only fire one shot? My splits between shots typically run just over a tenth of a second. I'll shoot till the threat is gone. Anyway, I'd go with any of my 1911's or Glocks that I've been training and competing with for the last 25 years or so. They're proven to be 100% reliable. Why would I throw all that training and practice away hoping to master the trigger pull of a revolver while some guy is coming at me with a big knife?

In over 25 years of running matches and training classes, every initial failure to fire that I've seen is because the shooter didn't have ammo in the chamber. Didn't make any difference whether it was a revolver or semi-auto.

The type of tool you use (revolver or semi) will be irrelevant. Your proficiency with the tool will be the deciding factor.

Whether it's a revolver or semi will be just as important to the outcome of the engagement as the color of the towels in the hotel bathroom.

mordis · July 30, 2013, 07:16 AM

This is a pointless thread, you obviously want to steer us into your chosen answer. The correct answer is the one you brought with you. As was said before, I wont keep a unreliable pistol.

I honestly don't see the point of this thread, its only going to start a auto vs revolver debate. I think this thread should be closed. As for trolling attempt I give you 1/10 for lack of creativity.

**OldMarksman** · July 30, 2013, 07:43 AM

Quote:

You grab your handgun next to you on the bedside table as he enters the room and you only have time for one shot to save everybody.

I don't want to appear to stray off topic by challenging the hypothesis, but I would not be confident in depending upon "one shot to save everybody."

A shotgun would likely do if it if one could get on target and score a hit quickly enough.

Otherwise, the issue becomes one of reliability and rapid fire controllability.

Either a medium to large frame revolver with a good DA pull or a single action semiautomatic would be my choice. If it has to be my carry weapon, that rules out the revolver.

45_auto · July 30, 2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mordis

I honestly don't see the point of this thread, its only going to start a auto vs revolver debate. I think this thread should be closed.

This is an internet gun forum. Why should it be closed? You'll find that if you're not interested in a thread and don't click on the link to it, it won't make any difference to you whether it's open or closed, but people who would like to discuss it are still able to.

Art Eatman · July 30, 2013, 08:18 AM

Seems to me that the proper choice would be the particular individual reliable handgun with which you are most proficient in hitting an intended target.

Rational thought and testing would have determined the reliability of your choice of weapon. Practice would have let you determine whether you are most proficient with either a revolver or a semi-auto pistol.

Stipulating that all of you are rational and thoughtful as well as practiced and skillful, I see no difference between a revolver and a semi-auto pistol.

I say again: "The best handgun is the one with which you can best hit your intended target."

skoro · July 30, 2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

WHICH ONE AND WHY?

The one that'll put the round in the best place.

Could be either auto or revolver.

Depends.

YMMV

WildBill45 · July 30, 2013, 09:11 AM

Boy ... are some folks sensitive or what?

This is about how one feels when it is real, nothing more. If you ask a combat vet or a cop, they can answer this quicker than most, as they know the feeling I was trying to convey, as most have been in that place ... Death standing before them ... therefore it is not theory or training ... that confidence in your chosen weapon really comes home at that last moment, on the edge of life or death in that flash of light. Why do you think double rifles have stayed so popular, two quick shots even if one round or primer was bad, or a firing pin was bad, etc...

This is all I am asking; how confident, without all the other factors being brought to bear here, do you feel more confident with one style of gun design over the other in that last grasp of the edge before going over the cliff ... just for a brief moment suspend your present choice of gun or agenda or firearm-political view and any anticipatory self-defense of your views or shooting styles...

If you have been there, the better, if not, open your mind with this very simple question. It is about you, not necessarily the gun. Fear is real whether perceived or actual...

Waspinator · July 30, 2013, 09:34 AM

If you find yourself in the situation as it was laid out, then you had better hit the brain or spinal cord or hope the shot that does hit gives the attacker enough pause to followup with more shots. Otherwise, be ready to grapple with a knife wielding criminal. How long depends on where you hit the assailant. From everything I have read, one stop shots are fairly rare and the distance between a doorway and a bed is usually a few steps.

I guess my answer would be I would rather have my 12 gauge with 00 buck for one shot. That said, I only have one handgun and it is a .357 revolver, So by default that would have to be my answer.

Oceanbob · July 30, 2013, 09:37 AM

One of these: G20/29 or G21/30

They all run 100% and I am very proficient with them.

Hopefully, this would never happen but we have the right not to be a victim.

(and protect to our family)

Jim243 · July 30, 2013, 09:49 AM

Sold off both of my 357 Mags, so it would be my auto's no problem.

jim

40-82 · July 30, 2013, 10:14 AM

One shot stops rare? Maybe. But I'll take my chances in the ensuing knife fight over the old boy in the doorway who just took my 45 Colt slug. Anything might happen, but I'm betting that from the time he takes my slug that I'll be facing an individual with markedly dampened enthusiasm for whatever designs he may have had in mind when he first stepped into that doorway.

Art Eatman · July 30, 2013, 10:26 AM

Looking back at the first post, I'd have some argument against this idea, "...you only have time for one shot to save everybody." I would change it to something like "...almost no time at all to get the first shot fired."

If I can get that first shot off, Mr. Bad Dude can have a free name-change: Mr. Colander.

A one-shot kill is for Bambi.

July 29, 2013, 11:58 PM	#1
WildBill45 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Location: Western PA. Posts: 1,630	One shot to live ... Auto ... or ... Revolver You and your family are on a cross-country trip, and sleeping in a small hotel on the edge of some high crime city, when the door busts open in the middle of the night. The large silhouette in the doorway is holding a knife, a Big Knife, and your kids are still sleeping. You grab your handgun next to you on the bedside table as he enters the room and you only have time for one shot to save everybody. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND US: Would you feel more nervous and think about if the gun will work more if you had an auto in your hand than if you had a revolver? Seriously, that last time your handgun failed, was it an auto or a revolver? Which would you choose with one shot and your family’s life was on the line … PERIOD … NO OTHER OPTIONS OR THOUGHTS … PERIOD WHICH ONE AND WHY? __________________ ......................................................... "If Ands and Buts were Candy and Nuts, everyday would be like Christmas"

July 30, 2013, 12:17 AM	#2
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	It's fairly obvious you want us to say "Revolver all the way!". I'd use the gun I am most familiar, competent and comfortable with. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

July 30, 2013, 06:15 AM	#10
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	One shot? I'd use my TRP 1911. Worried about a failure? Not at all. When I carry or have a home defense gun handy there is always a round in the chamber so I would have zero concerns that I couldn't get at least a single round off. My last jammed up gun was a revolver by the way, it was a Taurus M85. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 30, 2013, 06:20 AM	#11
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	What Frankenmouser said- I don't own one that I am not confident will go bang when I need it. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

July 30, 2013, 06:58 AM	#13
Seaman Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2011 Posts: 654	Not too long ago, at the range my very first shot was a dud. Pulled the the trigger and the gun did not go boom. First shot dud despite repeated trigger pulls. Still have the cartridge. The gun, a S&W SW99 in 45ACP, DA/SA.... what are the chances of that ? Since then, had a somewhat similar thing happen with a Sig P239 in 9mm. (2nd shot ftf) Nowadays I try to make sure my go-to gun is always a revolver. Even if the first shot fails the next trigger pull will do the job. __________________ For 20 years the sea was my home, always recall the sun going down, and my trusty friend, a 1911 pistol, strapped to my side.

July 30, 2013, 12:20 AM	#3
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	Last time I had a failure in a semi-auto, I just had to tap/rack. Last time I had a failure in a revolver, I had to disassemble the gun 3 times to find the problem (washer from the grips came loose and jammed the main-spring).

July 30, 2013, 12:40 AM	#4
subhuman Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 383	double barrel 12 gauge sawed off at the forearm with a pistol grip, pull both triggers at once

July 30, 2013, 12:48 AM	#5
Morgo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 471	I'd be comfortable with the first one out of the safe. I know my firearms, revolvers and autos, I maintain them and shoot them enough to be comfortable with them all. I can't remember the last time I had a failure that was not ammo related (i.e from load development, which doesn't really count) Personal preference would be for an auto. HK, Sig, Glock, 1911 all work just fine though I'd choose the 1911, likely in .38 super

July 30, 2013, 01:29 AM	#6
BornToLooze Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 108	Smith Model 28, only gun I've had bullet holes touching with, been shooting it the longest and feel the most comfortably with it, and nobody can deny that a .357 has some stopping power. Last failure I had was when rounds were sticking because of the ring of gunk you get from shooting 38s out of a .357. Last failure I had in an auto was when I was using 8 and 10 round magazines at the same time and put 9 rounds in an 8 round mag and it jammed in the gun and I had to pull the magazine out. The only time I've had an actually failure in any type of firearm was in my 10/22 I put so many rounds through it the magazines just gave out.

July 30, 2013, 03:57 AM	#8
Tejicano Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2013 Posts: 168	My current traveling kit is the following : Primary Handgun - HK USP 45 ACP Secondary Handgun - Para-Ord P-13 45 ACP Primary Shotgun - Saiga-12, folding stock, 2 X 10 round magazines 12 gauge Primary Carbine - AR "handgun" 11.5 inch barrel, 2 X 25 round magazines, 6.8X43mm caliber I always have this kit with me when I'm on the road - especially if I am staying a motel. It all fits into a tennis racket bag which doesn't attract attention or even seem to be worth stealing. To keep this in your narrative - let's say I was up (not in bed where I always keep the shotgun or carbine handy) and for whatever reason the handguns were closest to me - I would go with the HK USP because it is the gun which I have the most confidence in being able to hit my target. Reliability is not an issue with this gun either.

July 30, 2013, 05:25 AM	#9
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Bear Spray

July 30, 2013, 06:47 AM	#12
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	One shot? Just awakened. I am disoriented, bad light. I don't have my glasses on. I choose a single action Army Colt 45. Barrel length, type of sights don't matter. There may be a lot of reasons for choosing a great many other guns in other situations, and any doubts I have about other types don't include a fear of a 1911 failing to fire the round up the pipe, but in the scenario laid out where I might not be able to see the front sight, and might not have time for a second shot, and I have to rely on speed and instinctive pointing, I want the one I have known since childhood.

July 30, 2013, 07:16 AM	#15
mordis Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 560	This is a pointless thread, you obviously want to steer us into your chosen answer. The correct answer is the one you brought with you. As was said before, I wont keep a unreliable pistol. I honestly don't see the point of this thread, its only going to start a auto vs revolver debate. I think this thread should be closed. As for trolling attempt I give you 1/10 for lack of creativity.

July 30, 2013, 08:18 AM	#18
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Seems to me that the proper choice would be the particular individual reliable handgun with which you are most proficient in hitting an intended target. Rational thought and testing would have determined the reliability of your choice of weapon. Practice would have let you determine whether you are most proficient with either a revolver or a semi-auto pistol. Stipulating that all of you are rational and thoughtful as well as practiced and skillful, I see no difference between a revolver and a semi-auto pistol. I say again: "The best handgun is the one with which you can best hit your intended target."

July 30, 2013, 09:11 AM	#20
WildBill45 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Location: Western PA. Posts: 1,630	Boy ... are some folks sensitive or what? This is about how one feels when it is real, nothing more. If you ask a combat vet or a cop, they can answer this quicker than most, as they know the feeling I was trying to convey, as most have been in that place ... Death standing before them ... therefore it is not theory or training ... that confidence in your chosen weapon really comes home at that last moment, on the edge of life or death in that flash of light. Why do you think double rifles have stayed so popular, two quick shots even if one round or primer was bad, or a firing pin was bad, etc... This is all I am asking; how confident, without all the other factors being brought to bear here, do you feel more confident with one style of gun design over the other in that last grasp of the edge before going over the cliff ... just for a brief moment suspend your present choice of gun or agenda or firearm-political view and any anticipatory self-defense of your views or shooting styles... If you have been there, the better, if not, open your mind with this very simple question. It is about you, not necessarily the gun. Fear is real whether perceived or actual... __________________ ......................................................... "If Ands and Buts were Candy and Nuts, everyday would be like Christmas"

July 30, 2013, 09:34 AM	#21
Waspinator Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 517	If you find yourself in the situation as it was laid out, then you had better hit the brain or spinal cord or hope the shot that does hit gives the attacker enough pause to followup with more shots. Otherwise, be ready to grapple with a knife wielding criminal. How long depends on where you hit the assailant. From everything I have read, one stop shots are fairly rare and the distance between a doorway and a bed is usually a few steps. I guess my answer would be I would rather have my 12 gauge with 00 buck for one shot. That said, I only have one handgun and it is a .357 revolver, So by default that would have to be my answer.

July 30, 2013, 09:37 AM	#22
Oceanbob Member Join Date: December 4, 2012 Posts: 47	One of these: G20/29 or G21/30 They all run 100% and I am very proficient with them. Hopefully, this would never happen but we have the right not to be a victim. (and protect to our family) __________________ Being polite doesn't take much on your behalf and will take you far on someone else's.

July 30, 2013, 09:49 AM	#23
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Sold off both of my 357 Mags, so it would be my auto's no problem. jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

July 30, 2013, 10:14 AM	#24
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	One shot stops rare? Maybe. But I'll take my chances in the ensuing knife fight over the old boy in the doorway who just took my 45 Colt slug. Anything might happen, but I'm betting that from the time he takes my slug that I'll be facing an individual with markedly dampened enthusiasm for whatever designs he may have had in mind when he first stepped into that doorway.

July 30, 2013, 10:26 AM	#25
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Looking back at the first post, I'd have some argument against this idea, "...you only have time for one shot to save everybody." I would change it to something like "...almost no time at all to get the first shot fired." If I can get that first shot off, Mr. Bad Dude can have a free name-change: Mr. Colander. A one-shot kill is for Bambi.