EDC Revolver- as I get older, starting to make sense

Guns & Gear Guns
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As someone who owns a revolver and has recently started EDC a revolver, I’ve spent quite a bit of time Googling revolvers. In a YouTube video featuring Guns and American HandGunner Magazine, Darryl Bolke is quoted as saying that a revolver is a “get OUT of trouble gun,” not a “GO to trouble gun.” I agree with his perspective—at my age, I’m not looking to intervene in public to protect others. That might sound like an A-hole, but as I get older, considerations like my age, family, and financial situation all influence my stance on this issue.

For me, having a revolver—whether it’s a 7-shot model or a 5-shot J frame chambered in .357—is sufficient. Statistically, civilian self-defense cases typically involve only about three shots. I haven’t found any evidence that civilians often need to reload during such incidents or encounter situations involving multiple attackers that require reloading. As Darryl points out, shot placement matters more than the number of rounds you carry.

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8-shot :eyes:

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With 44 magnum you only need one shot. Right @Don102 :grinning_face:

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That is my philosophy My Good Sir, (1) round of .44 Special Double Tap *240 grain will do the trick!

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Sounds like you have put time in research and thought what makes you comfortable is what is right for you. Just be sure to train with whatever you choose so that shot placement does count.

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You are absolutely right, sir :+1:

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My older brother shared the same. Reminds me of “Human Factors Engineering”, and how the the type of tools we work with - influence our thought, serve as reminders, and can influence our behaviors, calmness:

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There’s a Steven Rinella “pistol” story; While hunting, a male moose trampled him, Steven shot, but then racked his slide again one too many times - accidentally expelling good live unused rounds, facing the moose with an empty handgun. Extremely rare, but his point was “in the heat of the moment, we mere humans, do some funny things”. He made it out ok though.

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I’ve started carrying my GP100 7-shot concealed, I carry a S&W 329 in a cross-draw holster for hiking, but have ordered a custom strong side holster for it as well. For summer I still wear my XDS .45 during shorts weather.

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that is a very practical way to look at it. For example, something like the Amazon Basics Steel Security Safe on Amazon can be a simple and reliable option for secure storage. At the end of the day, having dependable equipment matters more than extra features.

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I totally understand, and feel the same.

I live a pretty low risk lifestyle. My work does sometimes take me in and through some sketchy areas of the big Florida cities, but not often, and only when I choose to set meetings, so I can control the timing and my routes in and out. Otherwise, I’m not out at night, not “clubbing” or in the areas of town where most shootings are happening, not driving a fancy car or wearing a fancy watch, etc…

Like you said, statistically, I’m not likely to ever actually need my gun. If I defy the odds, and I do need it, Statistically, I’m not likely to need more than three shots. Pretty much no one, ever, reloads during a civilian, non police gunfight. I carry a speed strip or two so I can reload after, so I’m not standing there after a major, loud event, waiting with an empty gun. If my clothes allow, I have a little belt pouch that holds two speed strips. This way, if, after a really bad event, and I’m mentally messed up, if I drop a speed strip or rounds trying to reload, I have another. If clothes don’t allow the belt pouch, I drop one in my pocket.

I always had guns in the house since I was a little kid. Shooting was always recreational, either rifle or shotgun. When I made the choice to EDC, I just kept thinking of all the times over the years, in zero pressure, recreational situations, where I’m all lined up with a rifle, breathing slow and steady, perfectly still, sight picture dead on, squeeeeeze… and… nothing. I forgot to charge the rifle. I forgot to click off safety. I didn’t realize it hadn’t fully cycled. I didn’t realize the magazine was empty. Whatever. If I couldn’t guarantee a bang 100% of the time in those situations, I knew that I needed a gun that could guarantee a bang under the most stressed, adrenaline dump, stuff-is-happening-at-1000MPH shoot NOW, you’re-dead-if-you-mess-up situation.

I do have a carry pistol that I like, shoot well, and have practiced enough with to know it will go bang if I need it, but on a truly daily basis, everyday, everywhere, I have a revolver on me, and feel sufficiently armed when I’m out. Now, at home, in the night, I will not be grabbing a revolver if bad guys are coming in.

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Just my opinion but any gun carried is get out of trouble or a bad situation tool whether it’s a revolver or full semi auto. As for the public around me I’m only responsible for myself and family. I’m not a LEO so I don’t have to defend everyone else. And as for entry into a third party situation that is probably not going to happen.

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Harry Callahan: “Uh uh. I know what you’re thinking. “Did he fire six shots or only five?” Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you’ve gotta ask yourself one question: “Do I feel lucky?” Well, do ya, punk?”

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Love it

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Can you all explain why you consider a revolver more desirable for EDC and self-defense? I don’t understand the pros & cons, difference, benefits.

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Its simplicity, for one.

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If a pistol fails to fire, you need to clear the bad round. If a revolver does the same, you simply pull the trigger again. Stovepipes with a revolver are also a non issue.

That being said, I have 12 pistols and zero revolvers lol.

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Same here :man_shrugging:t4:

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To summarize, no chance of failure to feed, stovepipe, jam, etc., no safety to remember, always one in the chamber, no chance of a magazine failure, or accidntially dropping the mag.

A mechanical failure of the gun or a squib are about the only two ways a revolver will fail in a fight, but those can also happen in a pistol, and with a good quality gun, well maintained, and good ammo, both are extremely unlikely for either platform. I had one squib, once, but it was crappy reloaded ammo.

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Want to address both Jamey1 and Roger172 post.

Revolver advantages: some already mentioned here.

Simplicity- just pull the trigger

Malfunctions are cleared by pulling the trigger no “tap rack” to clear the round.

Since I have only seven shots, both my practice and technique need to be precise—I focus on aiming not just for the larger A box, but also the smaller one. Compared to when I use my USP compact equipped with a red dot sight, I am indeed quicker, and I also have extra rounds available in case I miss any shots.

In self-defense cases, presenting the use of a revolver in court may be advantageous, as individuals unfamiliar with firearms might perceive semi-automatic weapons equipped with larger magazines or red-dot sights as unnecessarily aggressive. There have been instances where juries questioned the necessity of using more substantial firearms. In contrast, a revolver is generally regarded as less intimidating by those who lack knowledge about firearms. I am not saying that is right, but it’s something to think about.

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