Both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols have prominent places in the world of handgun applications today. For over a century, however, a debate has continued as to which one is better for which particular application and why. Each has its place, although personal preference is as large a factor as the following variables:
reliability (likelihood of jams; how to recover from jams; how to recover from misfires) degree of user training needed degree and frequency of gun cleaning needed ammo capacity speed and ease of reloading bulkiness with regard to concealment weight center of gravity storage issues
reliability (likelihood of jams; how to recover from jams; how to recover from misfires) degree of user training needed degree and frequency of gun cleaning needed ammo capacity speed and ease of reloading bulkiness with regard to concealment weight center of gravity storage issues
Advantages of revolvers
Colt King Cobra revolver.Easier to cycle to next round in the unlikely event of a failure/blockage: all that is needed is a pull of the trigger, while in semi-autos one must rack the slide, which takes the pistol out of the shooting position. See Tap Rack Bang. The inherent simplicity of revolvers allows for a sturdier design. Thus, more powerful cartridges are available: the largest and most powerful handgun rounds are rimmed rounds for revolvers only. Revolvers will easily fire blank ammunition. Most semi-autos will not fully cycle with blank cartridges, causing jams. (Semi-auto pistols must be specially modified to properly cycle with blank ammunition, as in the case of prop weapons for cinema) Spent cartridges are kept in the cylinder whereas a pistol ejects them. This is useful for reloaders and eliminates forensic evidence (and litter). Revolvers and speedloaders can be stored loaded indefinitely with no issues. Auto-pistol magazines have springs under tension when loaded. These springs may weaken and fail to load the cartridges effectively if the magazine has been stored loaded for long periods. The simplicity that is inherent of revolvers' design allows for the chambering of cartridges with unusual loads, an ideal capability for many sport shooters. Additionally, they can load certain interchangable cartridges, those with identical calibers but different case lengths. Interchangeable cartridges include .22 short/long/long rifle, .357 magnum/.38 special, .44 magnum/.44 special. Sights are mounted to a fixed barrel, theoretically allowing greater accuracy. Easier to determine if loaded: bullets in a loaded revolver are readily apparent. An unloaded semi-automatic is often visually identical to a loaded one.
Advantages of semi-automatics
Larger ammo capacity: semi-automatics typically carry 7 to 17 rounds; most revolvers carry only 6 rounds, although some carry 7, 8 or even up to 10 in .22 caliber. Some jurisdictions limit the magazine capacity on handguns to 10 rounds, largely negating this advantage in these places. Faster to reload: magazines are faster to load, easier to use and more ergonomic to carry than speedloaders. Flash and noise can be suppressed. (Noise and flash suppressors are ineffective in most revolvers due to noise and flash escaping the gap between the cylinder and the barrel.) Less expensive ammunition: semi-autos often fire standard military ammunition, which is more readily available and cheaper thanks to extensive mass production. Have a significantly slimmer and easier to conceal frame as they do not suffer from the bulge produced by the revolver's cylinder. Some contemporary automatics are made of light-weight materials, (such as polymer) making them lighter and more comfortable to carry for long periods. The nature of most semi-auto's operation makes the trigger pull much easier after the first round is fired, allowing for quick and accurate follow-up shots. Revolvers will always have strong trigger pulls unless the hammer is cocked before each shot, which greatly slows the shooter's rate of fire. Automatics include safety switches/devices to help prevent accidents.
