What's more fun - revolvers or semi-autos? - Page 3

old bear · July 7, 2017, 05:38 AM

Both auto loaders and revolvers are fun to shoot. When shooting an automatic I find myself putting rounds downrange faster when shooting my revolvers, and my accuracy drops.

For pure fun I've really started to enjoy shooting my S&W model 18. Just slow down, reinforce whatever basic skill I have left, and enjoy time at the range with my friends.

**4V50 Gary** · July 7, 2017, 09:10 AM

I find revolver shooting more fun. I cut my teeth on a revolver back in the '80s.

**Mike Irwin** · July 7, 2017, 10:01 AM

Yes.

TruthTellers · July 7, 2017, 01:11 PM

Revolvers, especially percussion ones.

I agree, there's just something about a revolver, one with a 6,8, or 10 inch barrel that makes it feel special compared to auto loaders. Tho, even the small NAA I have I love shooting, when it works.

Then when you get a 100 year old H&R top break .32 and you find out it shoots better than some guns made today, yeah, that just make my day.

There's something about pulling the hammer back or doing a DA shot and watching the cylinder turn and the hammer move, ejecting the empties, and loading them back into the cylinder... it just feels more personal, like me and the gun are working together, where the semi auto pistols feel like a machine I'm just telling what to do.

Revolvers= Data from Star Trek
Semi-Autos= Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2

75218ron · July 7, 2017, 03:31 PM

Quote:

For pure fun I've really started to enjoy shooting my S&W model 18. Just slow down, reinforce whatever basic skill I have left, and enjoy time at the range with my friends.

I can see that....and I wish I had one.....also wish .22LR ammo was cheaper.

Hanshi · July 7, 2017, 05:38 PM

Both. I like and shoot both.

xcc_rider · July 7, 2017, 08:02 PM

There's so many different kinds of fun and there's a handgun for each of them.
I have great fun with my cap and ball revolvers. Fairly accurate and blows smoke everywhere.
My mod 66 with a 6" barrel and trigger job shoots 2" groups at 25 yards and is definitely fun.
And there's nothing like a semiauto to blast out 15-18 rounds (oops, make that 10 rounds here on the left coast

) rapid fire while kicking up dirt and bouncing a coffee can around. Great fun too...

All in all too many kinds of fun to list.

Don P · July 8, 2017, 08:59 AM

Revolvers. All my revolvers with the exception of my Python have the hammers changed out or the spur cut off. So they are DOA and use moon clips and picking up a clump of brass is a pleasure

Mike38 · July 8, 2017, 12:12 PM

I shoot mostly semis, but the older I get, the more appealing revolvers get. I don't have to bend over and pick up brass.

JoeSixpack · July 8, 2017, 03:05 PM

There is something special about revolvers, the act of loading and unloading them is much more rewarding then feeding ammo into a metal box.. I know that sounds weird.

The act of firing though I prefer the way semi's shoot.. so it guess it's a toss up, I don't usually carry revolvers.

ranchito457 · July 8, 2017, 07:34 PM

I used to love shooting my semi autos but one day I was messing around and started shooting some of my revolvers in DA and now I'm hooked. I'd say I spend about 80 percent of my time shooting handguns at the range with my revolvers now only in DA.

**Spats McGee** · July 10, 2017, 06:37 AM

Historically, I've always enjoyed semis more, but my LCR is gaining ground fast. It seems to get more enjoyable very time I shoot it!

Model12Win · July 10, 2017, 09:51 AM

I used to think revolvers but that was before I found the "right" autos for me. Now the wheelguns stay mostly in the safe.

Pikie · July 10, 2017, 10:44 AM

This is the most interesting question I've seen in quite some time. It can be over analyzed to ask; plinking, target shooting, competing or self defense? Then you have rimfire or centerfire? We already covered the high speed, high capacity questions a bit. Anyhow, to no further babble about the dozens of handguns I've shot over the last forty some years: The most fun handgun I've ever shot is my Ruger Single Six 6.5" in 22lr.

GarandTd · July 10, 2017, 09:47 PM

I picked up a Heritage Rough Rider 22lr with 6.5" barrel and while it's no Ruger or S&W, I gotta admit it's a hoot to shoot. With this SA 6 shooter, I'm consuming ammo faster than with the semi-auto I have...all in the name of fun!

chaim · July 23, 2017, 11:07 PM

Overall I find both a lot of fun, it is hard to pick a favorite.

Accuracy is fun so my 1911 and CZ 75B are my best, but a good medium or large framed revolver is a close 2nd.

Some guns aren't too fun to shoot. Try shooting .357mag out of a small framed revolver, or an LCP with no real sights to speak of at any distance, or...

Others are just inherently fun. A 1911, a .45LC revolver, full house .357mag out of a gun that is big and heavy enough to really handle it. After some time at the range with these, my face ends up looking something like this for the next few hours

brian33x51 · July 24, 2017, 12:11 AM

Definitely less stress with brass for a revolver. I do prefer my semi autos but hate brass chasing with a passion. I really enjoy shooting my 44 mag super redhawk with 9.5" barrel. I might even like a 357 with around a 6" or so.

darkgael · July 24, 2017, 05:14 AM

Why not ask a highly subjective question?
If it goes bang, I enjoy shooting it. In fact, if it shoots, I enjoy using it - bows n arrows, slingshots, Airguns.
Truth be told, my most fun gun is a single shot Muzzleloading pistol...50 cal underhammer.
Pete

peterg7 · July 24, 2017, 07:34 AM

It depends on the gun and the reason for enjoyment. my .45 Blackhawk is the most fun because its the gun I'm most accurate with, but my S&W 4566 is more fun when it comes to banging out rounds fast.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bassJAM1 · July 26, 2017, 11:49 AM

Hmm, I guess it depends on the gun and situation

Full sized centerfire, its a draw
Compact centerfire, another draw
Concealed carry, yup, a draw
.22, autoloader, but only because my High Standard Double Nine isn't a S&W 617. Once I find a Smith it'll probably be another draw

The only time for me a revolver wins hands down is when I haven't cut my grass at my range recently. I find my brass retrieval is only 60% successful with an auto then.

stephen426 · July 26, 2017, 12:15 PM

I have quite a few guns, but I only have one revolver. I shoot it once in a blue moon. I just find semi-autos more fun to shoot.

RickB · July 26, 2017, 12:50 PM

I probably have more "fun" with revolvers, because my expectations are lower than when I shoot autos.
I'm not as good with the DA trigger, not as good with reloads, so I can relax and accept my middling performance.

My go-to "fun" guns are a M&P 1905 that belonged to my grandfather, and to his uncle before that; and a Thunder Ranch M22.

July 7, 2017, 09:10 AM	#52
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	I find revolver shooting more fun. I cut my teeth on a revolver back in the '80s. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 7, 2017, 10:01 AM	#53
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Yes. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 7, 2017, 01:11 PM	#54
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	Revolvers, especially percussion ones. I agree, there's just something about a revolver, one with a 6,8, or 10 inch barrel that makes it feel special compared to auto loaders. Tho, even the small NAA I have I love shooting, when it works. Then when you get a 100 year old H&R top break .32 and you find out it shoots better than some guns made today, yeah, that just make my day. There's something about pulling the hammer back or doing a DA shot and watching the cylinder turn and the hammer move, ejecting the empties, and loading them back into the cylinder... it just feels more personal, like me and the gun are working together, where the semi auto pistols feel like a machine I'm just telling what to do. Revolvers= Data from Star Trek Semi-Autos= Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

July 8, 2017, 08:59 AM	#58
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Revolvers. All my revolvers with the exception of my Python have the hammers changed out or the spur cut off. So they are DOA and use moon clips and picking up a clump of brass is a pleasure __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

July 10, 2017, 06:37 AM	#62
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Historically, I've always enjoyed semis more, but my LCR is gaining ground fast. It seems to get more enjoyable very time I shoot it! __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

July 7, 2017, 05:38 AM	#51
old bear Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Not close enough to the beach Posts: 1,477	Both auto loaders and revolvers are fun to shoot. When shooting an automatic I find myself putting rounds downrange faster when shooting my revolvers, and my accuracy drops. For pure fun I've really started to enjoy shooting my S&W model 18. Just slow down, reinforce whatever basic skill I have left, and enjoy time at the range with my friends.

July 7, 2017, 05:38 PM	#56
Hanshi Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2017 Posts: 239	Both. I like and shoot both.

July 7, 2017, 08:02 PM	#57
xcc_rider Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2016 Posts: 169	There's so many different kinds of fun and there's a handgun for each of them. I have great fun with my cap and ball revolvers. Fairly accurate and blows smoke everywhere. My mod 66 with a 6" barrel and trigger job shoots 2" groups at 25 yards and is definitely fun. And there's nothing like a semiauto to blast out 15-18 rounds (oops, make that 10 rounds here on the left coast ) rapid fire while kicking up dirt and bouncing a coffee can around. Great fun too... All in all too many kinds of fun to list.

July 8, 2017, 12:12 PM	#59
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	I shoot mostly semis, but the older I get, the more appealing revolvers get. I don't have to bend over and pick up brass.

July 8, 2017, 03:05 PM	#60
JoeSixpack Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2017 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,048	There is something special about revolvers, the act of loading and unloading them is much more rewarding then feeding ammo into a metal box.. I know that sounds weird. The act of firing though I prefer the way semi's shoot.. so it guess it's a toss up, I don't usually carry revolvers.

July 8, 2017, 07:34 PM	#61
ranchito457 Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2013 Location: Manhattan,Illinois Posts: 179	I used to love shooting my semi autos but one day I was messing around and started shooting some of my revolvers in DA and now I'm hooked. I'd say I spend about 80 percent of my time shooting handguns at the range with my revolvers now only in DA.

July 10, 2017, 09:51 AM	#63
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I used to think revolvers but that was before I found the "right" autos for me. Now the wheelguns stay mostly in the safe.

July 10, 2017, 10:44 AM	#64
Pikie Member Join Date: August 26, 2002 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 33	This is the most interesting question I've seen in quite some time. It can be over analyzed to ask; plinking, target shooting, competing or self defense? Then you have rimfire or centerfire? We already covered the high speed, high capacity questions a bit. Anyhow, to no further babble about the dozens of handguns I've shot over the last forty some years: The most fun handgun I've ever shot is my Ruger Single Six 6.5" in 22lr.

July 10, 2017, 09:47 PM	#65
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	I picked up a Heritage Rough Rider 22lr with 6.5" barrel and while it's no Ruger or S&W, I gotta admit it's a hoot to shoot. With this SA 6 shooter, I'm consuming ammo faster than with the semi-auto I have...all in the name of fun! __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

July 23, 2017, 11:07 PM	#66
chaim Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,095	Overall I find both a lot of fun, it is hard to pick a favorite. Accuracy is fun so my 1911 and CZ 75B are my best, but a good medium or large framed revolver is a close 2nd. Some guns aren't too fun to shoot. Try shooting .357mag out of a small framed revolver, or an LCP with no real sights to speak of at any distance, or... Others are just inherently fun. A 1911, a .45LC revolver, full house .357mag out of a gun that is big and heavy enough to really handle it. After some time at the range with these, my face ends up looking something like this for the next few hours

July 24, 2017, 12:11 AM	#67
brian33x51 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: Denver area Posts: 221	Definitely less stress with brass for a revolver. I do prefer my semi autos but hate brass chasing with a passion. I really enjoy shooting my 44 mag super redhawk with 9.5" barrel. I might even like a 357 with around a 6" or so.

July 24, 2017, 05:14 AM	#68
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Why not ask a highly subjective question? If it goes bang, I enjoy shooting it. In fact, if it shoots, I enjoy using it - bows n arrows, slingshots, Airguns. Truth be told, my most fun gun is a single shot Muzzleloading pistol...50 cal underhammer. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

July 24, 2017, 07:34 AM	#69
peterg7 Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2017 Posts: 316	It depends on the gun and the reason for enjoyment. my .45 Blackhawk is the most fun because its the gun I'm most accurate with, but my S&W 4566 is more fun when it comes to banging out rounds fast. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

July 26, 2017, 11:49 AM	#70
bassJAM1 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 147	Hmm, I guess it depends on the gun and situation Full sized centerfire, its a draw Compact centerfire, another draw Concealed carry, yup, a draw .22, autoloader, but only because my High Standard Double Nine isn't a S&W 617. Once I find a Smith it'll probably be another draw The only time for me a revolver wins hands down is when I haven't cut my grass at my range recently. I find my brass retrieval is only 60% successful with an auto then.

July 26, 2017, 12:15 PM	#71
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	I have quite a few guns, but I only have one revolver. I shoot it once in a blue moon. I just find semi-autos more fun to shoot. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

July 26, 2017, 12:50 PM	#72
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I probably have more "fun" with revolvers, because my expectations are lower than when I shoot autos. I'm not as good with the DA trigger, not as good with reloads, so I can relax and accept my middling performance. My go-to "fun" guns are a M&P 1905 that belonged to my grandfather, and to his uncle before that; and a Thunder Ranch M22. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.