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Hey all, today we are going to talk about why a small revolver may not be an ideal choice for concealed carry purposes in the modern day. We are mainly going to be comparing them to semi-automatic pistols and seeing how they measure up to them in a variety of ways. We here at True Shot Academy recognize the long-standing effectiveness of revolvers in the concealed carry world and simply wish to stir the pot and provide a thought-provoking blog post. Now let’s get into it.
Before we get into some of the downsides of carrying a small revolver, lets go over some of their good aspects because there certainly are some.
An obvious and immediate truth about revolvers is the fact that they lack a slide. This means that they cannot be pushed out of battery if one ends up grappling with a potential assailant.
An often-overlooked aspect of self-defense is the potential for physical altercation. While the presence of a weapon light on a semi-automatic handgun can potentially serve as a standoff device, a revolver is capable of doing this without any augmentations. If it came down to it, a revolver could be pressed into an assailant and fired with little potential of disrupting the operation of the firearm.
Double action revolvers feature a stout trigger weight that require a deliberate pull in order to fire. With practice, an end user can become familiar with a stout double action trigger pull and produce judicious marksmanship on demand. When adrenaline is pumping and seconds count, a stout trigger pull will feel much lighter and easier to handle. The heavier trigger weight is also a boon for defensive use as a deliberate and intentional pull is required to shoot and it is unlikely someone will have an accidental discharge.
Small revolvers intended for carry also will lack features such as a manual safety which can potentially impede a shooter’s ability to get their gun into action. Revolvers are simple in nature and feature a simple manual of arms, making them easy to load and fire.
The common capacity of a centerfire revolver is generally going to be somewhere between 5 to 8 shots depending on model and caliber. Typically, a revolver intended for concealed carry use will hold either 5 or 6 rounds total.
These capacities are eclipsed by most semi-automatic handguns on the market, with even compact and subcompact offerings holding twice as many rounds. For example, a Glock 43X or Glock 48 ships from the factory with 10-shot magazines. These magazines hold twice as many shots as a 5-shot Smith & Wesson Model 642. The advent of higher capacity compacts and “micro compacts” in recent years have certainly afforded shooters a plethora of small carry options that are accompanied by a healthy round capacity.
The odds of having to reload a firearm in a self-defense situation are very low, with FBI statistics stating that encounters happen generally at three yards and involve three rounds being fired during the span of three seconds. That being said, small revolvers are simply not as easy to reload and get back into action as a semi-automatic handgun.
Granted, someone like Jerry Miculek could probably reload circles around most people with a revolver, but we are talking about the Average Joe here today. Changing an empty magazine and replacing it with a fresh one is simply a more expedient process than unloading and reloading a cylinder.
The process of loading a revolver can certainly be assisted by the use of either a speed strip or a speed loader, but these reloading aids take a bit more practice to use when compared to replacing magazines in a semi-automatic.
Acquiring speed strips or speed loaders is also an additional expense one must make if they choose to utilize them as revolvers do not come with these tools. Without the use of one of these tools, one will have to load each round individually into the revolver’s cylinder, making for a slow and potentially clumsy process depending on the user’s proficiency.
Generally, snub-nosed revolvers commonly used for concealed carry tend to be snappy and produce higher recoil impulses than most semi-automatic handguns. The weight of revolvers can lend to a slight reduction in felt recoil, but most revolvers purpose built for concealed carry will make use of lighter materials such as aluminum or even polymer to reduce weight. Semi-automatic handguns feature reciprocating slides and recoil assemblies that both ensure reliable operation of the firearm and tend to dampen recoil impulses.
Modern semi-automatic handguns are available in a wider variety of caliber options than those provided by revolvers. Generally, revolvers can be found in rimfire and centerfire chamberings with calibers like .357 Magnum and .38 Special being some of the more popular options in the realm of concealed carry.
When it comes to semi-automatic handguns, they are available in common service calibers such as 9mm, .40 Smith & Wesson, and .45 ACP in addition to other options such as 10mm Auto and 5.7x28mm. Odds are, if you want to shoot a commonly used round that is popular in semi-automatic firearms, you can find a litany of options that will accommodate your wants and needs.
One is able to acquire a utilize a litany of parts and components if they wanted to customize or modify a semi-automatic handgun like a Glock. For example, one could easily swap the sights, magazine release, or add a light or laser to a Glock if they so desired.
Less options are afforded to revolver users. While some revolver models exist that feature removable sights, most revolvers intended for concealed carry feature fixed sights that are integral to the barrel and frame. With the exception of something like Smith & Wesson’s large R8 or TRR8 offerings, most revolvers will lack a provision for mounting something like a light or laser.
Granted, there is a fair number of concealed carriers who are perfectly content with their firearms as they come from the factory and even prefer to stick to factory configurations for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, it is up to the end user to determine whether or not it is worth modifying their personal firearms is worth it for them or not.
It is also apparent that small revolvers are inferior to subcompact and “micro compact” options when it comes to examining their dimensions and what you actually get from the gun as a shooter. Once again, we will be looking at the Smith & Wesson Model 642 as an example and this time, we will compare it to Sig Sauer’s P365 “micro compact” in 9mm.
Smith & Wesson Model 642
Weight: 14.6 oz
Width: 1.3 in
Length: 6.31 in
Height: 4.3 in
Sig Sauer P365
Weight: 17.8 oz
Width: 1.06 in
Length: 5.8 in
Height: 4.3 in
When considering the width and length of these two firearms, it is apparent that the Sig Sauer P365 is going to be a smaller carry option than the Smith & Wesson Model 642. The height for both firearms is identical from the factory but can be subjected to change if someone were to utilize an extended magazine in the Sig Sauer or swap the grip out on the Smith and Wesson.
When it comes to weight, the Sig Sauer is going to be slightly heavier than the Smith & Wesson offering due to the fact that it is carrying more ammunition and relies on steel magazines. When these considering these aspects, it becomes apparent that the Sig Sauer P365 proves itself as a more efficient and capable option for carry than the Smith & Wesson Model 642 does.
Additionally, the Sig Sauer pistol features night sights and the ability to accept attachments such as lights or lasers if so desired by an end user. At the end of the day, a micro compact like the Sig Sauer P365 will provide the shooter with more capabilities and the benefits of a modern handgun that a small revolver simply cannot compete with.
Earlier in this post we went over the disparity between size to features when comparing a small revolver and some of the smaller semi-automatic options on the market today. Rather than beat a dead horse and discuss the same issue again here, we are going to focus on the multitude of options available in the realm of semi-automatic handguns.
Whether you prefer a single action, double action, or striker fired handgun, the market will have you covered. Most manufacturers will offer multiple variations upon an established design of theirs, such as smaller or more compact options or offerings with additional features or items included.
Sometimes companies will offer the same firearm in more than one caliber, such as the P30 and VP9 line from Heckler & Koch which can be found in both 9mm and .40 Smith and Wesson.
Sticking with Heckler & Koch, one can find “SK” variants of some of their firearms such as the P30 and VP line of pistols which are subcompact versions of those designs. The availability of these products allows an end user to essentially have a standard and compact version of a pistol of their choosing. Having more options allows prospective buyers to check out a wider variety of firearms and find something that truly works best for them.
At the end of the day, revolvers have served generations of shooters well at the range and in self-defense roles. Many shooters are proficient in their use and will continue to carry with them and hone their skills.
Just because technology keeps progressing and newer designs emerge doesn’t mean that previous options lose all effectiveness. If one is proficient with a revolver and prefers to carry one, they shouldn’t abandon their mainstay simply due to modern options becoming available.
Older-style designs still persist when it comes to concealed carry which transcend the small revolver vs semi-automatic, particularly when it comes to hammer fired vs striker fired handguns. Just because hammer fired guns are an older design and tend to be more exposed doesn’t mean that they are ineffective when compared to striker fired designs.
Ultimately, one should find a firearm they like and get as proficient with them as they can. We here at True Shot Academy want everyone to be the best shooters they can be and will provide ammunition and information to help achieve that goal. Happy shooting.
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