Semiauto vs. Revolver - which is more popular in the US? - Page 4

kcub · September 18, 2013, 04:36 AM

As time goes on autos will be more and more popular. One of the reasons is that revolvers keep getting crappier and crappier whereas we are indeed in a golden age of semi autos and they will keep getting better and better.

I won't buy ugly Ruger revolvers with their billboard lawyer babble and transfer bars, ugly Smith and Wesson revolvers with useless holes in their sides, and both Colt and Dan Wesson are kaput for revolvers.

Correction about Colt: they are kaput for double actions but their single actions are still great.

Pianoguy · September 19, 2013, 06:04 PM

Based on what's in the stores, what people bring to the range, what are advertised in magazines, the fact that the majority of manufacturers do good business making no revolvers at all, the answer seems pretty obvious - semi-autos are much more popular. If it wasn't for some diehards and snub-noses being to good for CC, revolvers might become a thing of the past. I hope not, because I still like them.

Super Sneaky Steve · September 19, 2013, 09:20 PM

Most noobs go out and buy a Glock 23 as their first gun so I'd expect there to be many more bottom feeders out there than wheel guns, but not in my gun cabinet.

bedbugbilly · September 21, 2013, 07:38 AM

Just look at the numbers of viewers who are looking at the revolver and the semi auto section here. That tells you something.

Or . . . go in to any gun store that sells revolvers and semi-autos . . . . . that will also get you to draw the same conclusion . . . .

Myself . . . I'm 60 and much prefer revolvers over semis - but I have always shot revolvers. I was brought up with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, etc. and that probably had a great influence in regards to my likes and dislikes.

Today's kids are brought up with a whole different kind of "hero" who usually is blasting away with a semi-auto . . .

Not always true but I think that most younger people prefer the semis . . . most older ones prefer revolvers . . . with some "in the middle of the road"

Jim243 · September 21, 2013, 09:17 AM

The lure of higher round magazines have made pistols more popular than revolvers over the years. Reliability improvements and better pistol ammo also contributes to pistols being more popular. Just don't count revolvers out just yet they do have their place in the firearms industry.

Jim

orionengnr · September 21, 2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Semi autos have about a 2 to 1 thread count advantage, and I think the views are even more unbalanced.

Bozz10mm · September 28, 2013, 10:01 PM

Well, in the CHL class I took, there were 10 students. 9 had Semi autos and one had a revolver. I don't know if it's a 9 to 1 ratio across the board, but that's what it was in that classroom. Oh, and the instructors both carried semi autos also.

For me personally, it is a 5 to 2 ratio.

the357plan · September 30, 2013, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Well, in the CHL class I took, there were 10 students. 9 had Semi autos and one had a revolver. I don't know if it's a 9 to 1 ratio across the board, but that's what it was in that classroom. Oh, and the instructors both carried semi autos also.

I carry a revolver almost exclusively, but qualified with a semi-auto in my CHL class. I don't think the ratio in the quote is representative because in Texas, if you qualify with a revolver, you're stuck with carrying only a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry either a semi-auto or a revolver. All of the instructors that I've ever met will tell you to qualify with semi-auto even if you don't have one. A lot of them will also loan or rent one to you.

Which is more popular (not totals made)? Go to range, gun shows and sporting goods stores and look... Semi-Autos

**JohnKSa** · September 30, 2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

I don't think the ratio in the quote is representative because in Texas, if you qualify with a revolver, you're stuck with carrying only a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry either a semi-auto or a revolver.

I agree, it's likely that at least some of those participants are revolver shooters but took a semi-auto to the class due to the restriction.

The good news is that in the last legislative session, the handgun category on the CHL was eliminated. Now you can qualify with any handgun 32 caliber and above regardless of whether it's a revolver or semi-auto and it will have no effect at all on what you can carry.

Just a caution--if your permit has the category on it, you should continue to abide by the restriction until your next renewal.

TennJed · October 1, 2013, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnKSa

I agree, it's likely that at least some of those participants are revolver shooters but took a semi-auto to the class due to the restriction.

The good news is that in the last legislative session, the handgun category on the CHL was eliminated. Now you can qualify with any handgun 32 caliber and above regardless of whether it's a revolver or semi-auto and it will have no effect at all on what you can carry.

Just a caution--if your permit has the category on it, you should continue to abide by the restriction until your next renewal.

Wow Texas has that. I thought it was one of the better states. Kinda shocked they have a say in what you can carry

skeeter · October 4, 2013, 12:09 AM

All I know is if my life depended on it I would carry a revolver with a auto as a back up. If i could not carry a M1A.

Pilot · October 4, 2013, 12:24 AM

Look at the number of threads, and posts in the Semi-auto forum vs. the revolver forum. It is more than two to one in favor of semi-autos.

I like revolvers, but I use semi-autos for most of my shooting purposes. I like the ergonomics better, I like the grips better, if I want higher capacity, I can get it with a semi-auto, although I often carry an 8 + 1 single stack.

Glock20/460long · October 8, 2013, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Look at the number of threads, and posts in the Semi-auto forum vs. the revolver forum. It is more than two to one in favor of semi-autos.

That sums it up.

I carry a revolver S&W 638 Airweight .38

Nick_C_S · October 8, 2013, 11:07 PM

In my gun cabinet: 5 Semi-auto's; 6 revolvers.

My CCW: Semi-auto (9mm)

My nightstand gun: Revolver (usually)

My IDPA shooter: Revolver (yes, revolver - it's more fun)

My absolute favorite gun to shoot - Semi-auto (Colt 1911)

After it's all said n done, I consider myself a wheelgun guy.

September 21, 2013, 07:38 AM	#79
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Just look at the numbers of viewers who are looking at the revolver and the semi auto section here. That tells you something. Or . . . go in to any gun store that sells revolvers and semi-autos . . . . . that will also get you to draw the same conclusion . . . . Myself . . . I'm 60 and much prefer revolvers over semis - but I have always shot revolvers. I was brought up with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, etc. and that probably had a great influence in regards to my likes and dislikes. Today's kids are brought up with a whole different kind of "hero" who usually is blasting away with a semi-auto . . . Not always true but I think that most younger people prefer the semis . . . most older ones prefer revolvers . . . with some "in the middle of the road" __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

September 21, 2013, 09:17 AM	#80
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	The lure of higher round magazines have made pistols more popular than revolvers over the years. Reliability improvements and better pistol ammo also contributes to pistols being more popular. Just don't count revolvers out just yet they do have their place in the firearms industry. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

October 4, 2013, 12:24 AM	#87
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	Look at the number of threads, and posts in the Semi-auto forum vs. the revolver forum. It is more than two to one in favor of semi-autos. I like revolvers, but I use semi-autos for most of my shooting purposes. I like the ergonomics better, I like the grips better, if I want higher capacity, I can get it with a semi-auto, although I often carry an 8 + 1 single stack. __________________ Pilot

October 8, 2013, 11:07 PM	#89
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	In my gun cabinet: 5 Semi-auto's; 6 revolvers. My CCW: Semi-auto (9mm) My nightstand gun: Revolver (usually) My IDPA shooter: Revolver (yes, revolver - it's more fun) My absolute favorite gun to shoot - Semi-auto (Colt 1911) After it's all said n done, I consider myself a wheelgun guy. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

September 18, 2013, 04:36 AM	#76
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	As time goes on autos will be more and more popular. One of the reasons is that revolvers keep getting crappier and crappier whereas we are indeed in a golden age of semi autos and they will keep getting better and better. I won't buy ugly Ruger revolvers with their billboard lawyer babble and transfer bars, ugly Smith and Wesson revolvers with useless holes in their sides, and both Colt and Dan Wesson are kaput for revolvers. Correction about Colt: they are kaput for double actions but their single actions are still great.

September 19, 2013, 06:04 PM	#77
Pianoguy Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 235	Based on what's in the stores, what people bring to the range, what are advertised in magazines, the fact that the majority of manufacturers do good business making no revolvers at all, the answer seems pretty obvious - semi-autos are much more popular. If it wasn't for some diehards and snub-noses being to good for CC, revolvers might become a thing of the past. I hope not, because I still like them.

September 19, 2013, 09:20 PM	#78
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	Most noobs go out and buy a Glock 23 as their first gun so I'd expect there to be many more bottom feeders out there than wheel guns, but not in my gun cabinet.

September 28, 2013, 10:01 PM	#82
Bozz10mm Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2013 Location: Central Texas Posts: 287	Well, in the CHL class I took, there were 10 students. 9 had Semi autos and one had a revolver. I don't know if it's a 9 to 1 ratio across the board, but that's what it was in that classroom. Oh, and the instructors both carried semi autos also. For me personally, it is a 5 to 2 ratio.

October 4, 2013, 12:09 AM	#86
skeeter Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Posts: 883	All I know is if my life depended on it I would carry a revolver with a auto as a back up. If i could not carry a M1A.