Several decades ago, Law Enforcement transitioned from the revolver to the semi-auto for service weapons. Once of my Field Training Officers was the last dinosaur in our agency to carry a revolver (a Smith and Wesson Model 10 with 4-inch heavy barrel) and he reluctantly gave it up. Eventually he came to see what most had already recognized: the semi-auto pistol was a better choice for defensive use. Semi-auto pistols typically have a higher round capacity than revolvers and they are easier to reload provided the users have multiple magazines. And nothing fundamental about these differences has changed. However, revolvers are certainly not dead and, in some cases, the revolver as a defensive tool is making a small comeback.
One of the driving forces behind the revolvers uptick in popularity is politics. Or more specifically, politicians. In some states, magazines are now limited to 10 rounds. Revolvers are available in 8-round configurations. That means that you can carry the same amount of ammunition in 357 magnum, as you can in a standard 1911 with a 7-round magazine. When the firearm is reduced in size to a pocket carry version, the round count differential might shrink to an even smaller equation.
Another factor here in California is the Roster of Approved Handguns. Sometime back, the California legislature passed a law requiring semi-autos to micro stamp all shell casing with a unique number, ostensibly to track a suspect’s firearm. Unfortunately, the technology to economically make this happen does not exist. So, no new semi-auto handguns can be added to the roster, and have not been for some time. One of the serendipitous outcomes of this law, is that new revolvers can be placed on the roster, while new semi-autos cannot be. Thus, as new and improved revolvers are available in California, our semi-auto options stopped advancing somewhere around the Gen3 Glock.
One of the nice things about revolvers is the ability to use either powerful magnum ammunition for defensive work, and less powerful ammunition for target practice or competition. The 357 magnum revolver will accept 38 special ammunition which offers significantly lower recoil and cost compared to the standard 357 magnum ammunition. The same relationship is available with the 44 magnum and 44 special rounds. As ammunition costs continue to rise, this presents an economic alternative for many shooters. Additionally, revolvers do not rely on magazines. As such, then can be loaded with speed loaders, speed strips, or straight into the cylinder. This gives the user some flexibility as well as freedom from magazines.
As metallurgy has advanced, manufacturers are able to make strong revolvers in smaller sizes. This makes the revolver a viable carry alternative, where you can get 6 rounds of 357 magnum in a 26 ounce pocket gun. And while you might not enjoy an extended training session with this combination, 38 special ammunition is tolerable for many rounds in these new lightweights. Without starting an ammunition debate, I will say, that 357 magnum certainly does carry its water in the power department. So much, that many hunters consider it a viable deer and hog round. It is also nice to have a rifle that can chamber the same rounds as your handgun. There are plenty of 9 mm PCC’s available but there are also many lever guns, bolt action rifles, and even single shot rifles that will chamber common revolver rounds.
Finally, as the shooters age, the revolver is still easy to manipulate as there is no slide to have to rack, and fewer malfunctions to address. Open the cylinder, load the gun (or reload the gun) and go about your business. Hand strength is less of an issue with manipulations and triggers having become decently refined for some revolver so the trigger pull is not a hindrance to practiced shooting performance.
Here at California Tactical Academy, we are fans of diversity. To that end, we offer a Revolver Only course for those who want to experience or master this viable option. Come out and join us. We’ll see you at the range!
About the writer
Mike Lazarus
Military and Law Enforcement Veteran
FBI certified firearm instructor
MP5 and Sub Machine gun instructor
Defensive tactics instructor
