Why do revolvers still exist?

[Nathan]

This is actually surprising to me that they have not disappeared. There has even been a resurgence!

Why?

Now, let me be clear. I’m part of the problem! I find there to be 3 cases where a revolver is better for me.

For a light weight, medium power CCW, lots of folks love the P365 or Shield Plus, etc. I really like my small 340 with moon clips. It shoots fast and accurate for its weight. Reloading isn’t bad, but not magazine quick. Frankly, it is just so light compared to the bigger guns.

I also prefer revolvers for hunting. I really like my 5” 629 with a dot sight. It carry’s well and shoots well to 100yds.

I also prefer revolvers like my GP100 for carry while hiking. It is good for whatever I may run into and looks good too.

Still….why hasn’t the revolver gone away?!

[74A95]

.

[44caliberkid]

You answered your own question.

[MrChick]

See reasons in OP

[Hawg]

They work.

[Shoots Left]

Russian roulette is not quite the same without one.

[BJung]

It's something else to shoot.

[Nathan]

You answered your own question.

Well, I gave my opinion, but I’m not the only opinion on the internet!

[rclark]

Because a lot of people prefer them... Including me. Because we are all different and have different tastes. I really don't care for semi-autos that throw cases everywhere. Don't need them either. I am not john law, or military. Just someone that target practices and has fun at the range. Open carry a revolver in the woods for just in case, and CC a little .44 special in town. Also revolvers have character unlike a slab sided semi-auto. A lot of history behind them. So give me a revolver any day....And if you don't 'get it', all the explaining in the world won't help ... And that is my opinion.

[paknheat]

Originally Posted by Shoots Left

Russian roulette is not quite the same without one.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Outpost75]

When the Democrats outlaw and confiscate all firearms capable of using detachable magazines holding more than ten rounds we will be limited to revolvers. If you don't yet have a concealable revolver or two you should get them now. In some scenarios you might not want to leave empty brass around....

[fastbolt]

Why do revolvers still exist?

Why do bolt and lever rifles still exist?

Because they sell ... and still satisfy a desire and 'need' for new generations of gun owners.

Any pistol owner who has lost a magazine, or had one unexpectedly come apart (dumping loose rounds), experiences the odd feeling of suddenly having a single-shot handgun.

[ZEBRARANGER]

Half of my collection consists of revolvers, many of them no longer made. I enjoy the mechanics and the history of some revolvers. I also enjoy the slower pace that a revolver offers at the range.

I have one that I don't shoot, but it's a revolver that's been in my family most of its life and passed down to me from my dad about 10 years before he passed away. It was his dads before that and so on.

It's a S&W 3rd Model Double Action .38 S&W made in 1886, making it almost 140 years old. When my dad owned it, we had both shot it a few times at the range with some older low powered .38 S&W ammo.

I sometimes pull it out of the safe just to admire the quality machining & craftsmanship that they were able to achieve without today's modern machinery or manufacturing methods.

I also enjoy semi autos, and I have a few nice semi autos in my collection, some classics. But I really don't pull any of them out of the safe to admire like I do the 3rd Model Double Action or some of my older Colts, it's just not the same thing or same feeling.

Pictured with some Morgan silver dollars from the same era.

[Nathan]

@ZEBRARANGER That is excellent! I wish we still had I frames. Sweet revolver!

[44 AMP]

Now, let me be clear. I’m part of the problem!

I don't see revolvers, or revolver owners as any kind of "problem".

Though I did see an instance on one of the "Cops" type shows (and at least a decade ago or more) where two young cops had stopped a guy and he had a revolver on him. There was no shootout or resistance, and the guy turned out to have warrants so the cuffed him, and put the revolver on the hood of their car, because neither of them knew how to unload it!!

The had to call the station and get one of the senior Sgts to come out and unload the revolver!

One of my favorite things revolvers can do is be magnums, without being exceptionally huge, spendy 4lb+ items.

And, no one makes a semi auto in one of my favorite "revolver" rounds, the ,45 Colt!

Revolvers "still" exist, because as the bard said, "there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

[Nick_C_S]

Russian roulette is not quite the same without one.

Best laugh of the day ^.

I love revolvers. If I'm in an environment where thorough concealment is in order, I'll carry my compact 9mm; otherwise, it's a Smith 686. I shoot it well.

I have more revolvers than semi-autos. But keeping 1911's out of the equation (they're their own thing, IMO), then I have way more revolvers than semi-autos.

Recreationally, revolvers are so much more fun to shoot. Frankly, semi-autos rather bore me at the range. Empty a couple mags, and I'm pretty much done and searching for a revolver to shoot.

And as a handloader, revolver ammo is much more fun and versatile to craft.

[WmMunny]

Pick up a Colt or Smith polished blue steel walnut-gripped 20th century revolver and you have your answer ;-)

[Hawg]

I have two semi autos, One only because it's the first gun my wife ever bought and the other is my 1911. I have somewhere around 20 revolvers.

[Mike38]

When you get old like me, bending over to pick up brass for reloading can be painful some days. Not a problem with a revolver.

[Sharkbite]

Revolvers exist to show who the old guys are on the range…like the gray hair doesnt give us away. Lol

[jmr40]

Same reason manual transmissions still exist. Neither revolvers nor manual transmissions offer any advantage over automatic pistols or transmissions, but a lot of people just enjoy using them.

You'd be hard pressed to find a single person making a living driving or shooting that isn't using an automatic pistol or automatic transmission. That includes big rigs.

I'm the same way. If I'm serious about shooting or driving it will be an automatic, but at times I do enjoy stirring the stick while driving and shooting revolvers recreationally.

[The Happy kaboomer]

I really think this is the DUMBEST question I've ever read on a gun forum...............

[1972RedNeck]

Multiple reasons:

- Can't fan a Glock
- Jerry Miculek
- 454 Casull
- 460/500 S&W
- You're obviously trolling us
- Pinned and recessed S&Ws
- Double action in case of a dud round
- Manhood

[44 AMP]

Same reason manual transmissions still exist. Neither revolvers nor manual transmissions offer any advantage over automatic pistols or transmissions, but a lot of people just enjoy using them.

Actually, the do have advantages over automatics, but its only most noticable in certain specific situations.

For a manual transmission, it takes a skilled driver to get better results than using an automatic, but slightly improved mileage and off road performance are possible, IF you are skilled enough shifting at the best time for the rpm load.

Few people are (or ever become) skilled enough to get a practical advantage though.

In handguns, the revolver offer some clear advantages over the semi auto, in mechanical terms, but those advantages are not necessarily the dominant practicality for everyone.

First off is the ease of getting the next round to fire if the first one does not. There is no "tap, rack, bang" there is only "pull the trigger again", or at most (SA revolver) cock the hammer and pull the trigger again.

And there are no issues feeding rounds due to bullet nose shape or feed ramp angle. And there is also no magazine to malfunction, become disengaged, or get lost.

The semi auto has its own advantages, which make it a better choice for some intended uses, but not every use.

And that is a key point, what you expect a handgun to do, and do best varies with each individual owner's preferences.

I'm not talking about people who carry a gun because its their job, to me that's a different category. Duty handguns are for that, and the users often don't get many options to choose from.

Speaking of options, show me the 47ounce .44 Magnum semi auto!
go ahead, I'll wait...

[Nathan]

I really think this is the DUMBEST question I've ever read on a gun forum...............

It was really just a fun, reflective question.

To me, they seem like push button transmissions. They nearly became extinct in the 2000’s, but now new revolver models are coming out!

S&W revolvers give me a lot of mental anguish. In the 70’s, S&W made a great revolver. I think they did this due to the availability of good skilled work with hands manpower, enough sales volume to fuel the machine and a fairly high technology level.

Then came the wonder nines, police departments leaving the revolver, 38/357 ammo price increases and finally a major popularity drop. Glock and the invention of a truely reliable semi-auto, was the final nail in the coffin…..or maybe the cost cutting due to production volume change and departing skilled manpower were the final nail.

As much as I love s&w revolvers, I only have 2 post 1984 samples.