Am I Carrying a Semi-automatic Pistol when I Should Be Carrying a Revolver?

Nowadays, many seem to look down upon the old double action revolver.  While they may consider it to be a good "starter handgun" for a novice because it is simple to operate, they prefer semi-automatics-- 1911s, Berettas, Glocks, SIGS-- the list could go on and on.  They like the advantages these pistols offer such as a flat profile, magazine capacity, and fast reloads; they may also prefer a certain trigger, such as that of he single action 1911.  While semi-automatic pistols can provide advantages, many who carry them would be better served carrying a revolver.

This is because, even though they may shoot regularly, they do not routinely draw from a holster to engage a target (some ranges do not permit it) nor practice malfunction and combat drills.  As a result, it is not unusual to see experienced shooters, who are not accustomed to shooting timed courses of fire, make mistakes when shooting under a clock.  They forget to disengage safeties after drawing and presenting their weapons; freeze when encountering stove pipe jams, double feeds, and misfires; and accidentally engage safeties and dump loaded magazines at inopportune times.  Such mistakes, while embarrassing amongst friends or during a concealed handgun course can be fatal in a defensive situation.

While practice will reduce the likelihood of these mistakes, many do not practice enough, if at all, even when they know that they should.  This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe, unskilled, or cannot shoot effectively but it does mean that they could make a serious mistake or be unable to overcome a malfunction during a deadly force encounter.  As a matter of fact, some who are well practiced would be hard pressed to expediently clear a double feed because they eschew the bulk of carrying a spare magazine.

Habits develop through repetition and are maintained with practice.  For those who are unlikely to practice malfunction drills to the point that they become and remain habits, revolvers are better defensive weapons. They do not stovepipe or double feed and, in the event of a misfire, all that is necessary is to simply pull the trigger again.  Revolvers also usually lack mechanical safeties that can be forgotten or accidentally engaged and they do not have magazines that can be inadvertently dumped on the ground.  This not only eliminates the need to know malfunction drills but the potential for three serious mistakes that can occur under stress.  Anyone carrying a handgun for self defense should assess themselves by honestly answering the following question: "Am I carrying a semi-automatic pistol I should be carrying a revolver?"