Steven

I carry a revolver because if I ever get into a situation where I need it, I want to know that when I pull the trigger it's gonna go bang.

3482jl

Old farts like me that have been shooting revolvers for years (competitve, hunting, plinking, etc.) just have a "thing" for them. I also own and shoot semi-autos, but IMHO, (with the exception of a good 1911, Beretta 92, or CZ75), there just isn't the same affection and dedication as there is for a fine wheel gun.

Meeteetse

++1 . . . .This is a perfect description of why revolvers are my favorites. I too enjoy several types of semi-autos and would depend on them for personal protection, especially in an urban environment, but beyond that the revolver is my choice in the woods and country where power may be more important than high capacity.

Part of my decision to favor revolvers is dictated by others in the family who might have a need to use a firearm to protect themselves. The manual of arms for a revolver is much easier to teach and a revolver is much easier to operate and understand. The youngest and the oldest may find a semi-auto difficult to operate and intimidating to understand. A double action revolver is about as simple as it gets and you can set the power level to whatever fits your needs. Most who want or need a firearm for personal protection will seldom practice or use it at all. Simplicity of operation is a must.

McD

Meeteeteetsee has a point here, and it has been supported in this thread by numerous posts. This may indicate that the "other members of the household" argument is more prevalent than we knew. A revolver does not need as much experience and training to employ at shorter ranges.

I, too, like my autos, but I am getting sick of the "blocky Glocky" look. I do like the look of the SR series of pistols (SR9, SR40). They are American made by American workers. I just traded a Glock like auto for another Ruger revolver and I do not regret it.

leftofcentre67

Couldn't have said it better myself. I never figured out the fascination that people have with glocks.

Nothing beats the look of a good revolver in my opinion.

LunaticFringeInc

McD hit on the main reason I own a couple of revolvers and why the next couple of handguns I buy will most likely be a revolver. One is not likely to replace my 1911 for EDC though in the near future.

CharlesRiverCobb

a) Ammo flexibility. You can load what bullets you want, not just what will feed.
b) Consistent trigger. Yes a Glock is consistent, but you have to rack the slide every time when dry firing, etc. (So, get a DAO semi instead? Some SIGs, some old Rugers, Kahrs, convert your trigger if you can.).
c) Long DAO trigger for pocket carry (Get a DAO semi instead?).
d) More powerful ammo (.357 Auto/SIG is still not .357 mag).

RAC55

I kinda' look at it this way. Once in a while, I like to leave the minivan in the driveway, and take the old T'bird out for a drive...pure pleasure....

elrondo

As the old saying goes never trust your life to a women or and automatic.

NoahsArk

Ditto on the reliability! Simplicity, fun and to repeat, reliability.

leftofcentre67

That's awesome!

dolfin

I like the way a revolver feels in my hands. I like how it points and shoots. there is nothing wrong with an auto. I own both. I carry a revolver. love shooting them both. for me its the revolver.

Maybe watching to many westners growing up....

McD

Why buy a Revolver??? Reliability is the most frequent response here... So something like: "A revolver? You gotta have something at the ready when the wonder-auto jams!!"

However, there are quite a few reasons, besides the agreed on reliability, to work into our considerations:
power - revolvers offer more powerful options
versatility - revolvers can shoot various loads in the same gun without modification. in one cylinder there can be light loads, shot loads, and full power loads - and without require a "governor" or a "judge".
easier care
easy care of brass at the range
intimidation factor
longer range hunting accuracy

Truly, the revolver is a great option.

Llano Dan

Double action revolver was my first handgun in LE and still my favorite, although I use a traditional double action semi-auto on duty. I would like to get a single action, such as a Blackhawk .357 some day. Not only did all my childhood movie and TV heros use revolvers, but my Uncle in LE did as well. Good enough then, probably good enough now.

BasinBictory

Whenever one of my non-gun owning friends or relatives inquires about buying their very first gun, I almost always steer them towards getting a quality DA revolver. Generally speaking that means either a Smith & Wesson, or a Ruger.

Many others in this thread have already laid out the reasons for favoring a revolver over a semiauto (particularly in a nightstand, wake up in the middle of the night and wipe the sleep from your eyes capacity), so I won't reiterate them.

Yes, revolvers can fail, and fail spectacularly. There's no tap-rack-bang drill for a jammed up revolver, and generally they require the loving hands of a gunsmith if they stop working. However, this would generally only happen when you are packing the revolver in a holster in the field and are rolling around in mud or something. Plenty of open nooks and crannies for silt, mud, and fine debris to lock up the cylinder of a revolver.

So, if I were going to war, or otherwise knew I would be using a gun very hard in the field, I'd go with an auto, and probably a plastic one at that. But for general range fun, teaching newbies, or pulling out of the nightstand drawer, a revolver is perfectly suitable.