Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Self defense, which is better auto or wheel gun?

[Texas Diesel]

Self defense, which is better auto or wheel gun? Why? What caliber?



Wife and I carry Ruger SP-101's . 357 magnum. Greater reliability than auto WITH LESS maintenance.



Comments?

 

[Sageair]

If you shoot well with them I would not even consider changing. Rugers are great relaible firearms and the . 357 has the best record for one shot stops, especially with Federal 125 gr jacketed hollow points. The FBI compiled alot of info on law enforcement shootings which yielded the above info. I was forced by my department to transition to a 45 H&K USP. Great weapon but nothing beat the first six rounds out of my . 357 S&W.

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

Well, it comes down to what you shoot best, The gun that fits your hand.

Beyond that, autos are prone to jamming from lack of platform support (limp wristing, shooting from behind a barrier causing the same, etc). Revolvers are making a comeback due to the relaibility factor.

 

[hammersley]

And when all else fails a wheel gun

makes a much better club than a plastic one... ... .

 

[WDixon27]

if you are use to packing a wheel gun then i wouldn't change and not much will match . 357 mag, my carry piece is a glock 31 357 sig which has about the same performance with a 125gr ashtray

 

[Texas Diesel]

That . 357 Sig is an awesome round! I loved reloading them.



I'm considering getting another Sig P239 in . 357 Sig.



Hammersly, good point about the club. Pop the cylinder open and I can get two fingers through the frame, and that makes a good grip.

 

[AMink]

The SP101 is a great gun and if you shoot it well, stick with it. IF you decided to go to an auto, check them all out and find the one you are most comfortable with. I have a Beretta . 380 that I like, but it is a smaller, weaker round. New improvements in ammo have made good . 380's, but it's still small. I also have a Springfield XD40. Very good gun, but mine is the 5" Tactical, so it's a little big. They do make a 3" which I would look at. As for caliber, I think the . 38+P+ or . 357 are two of the best, though . 357SIG, . 40S&W, and . 45ACP are right up there. The . 45 is a little harder to get in a concealed mode and still be controllable, but if you like it, go for it.



In the end, wheelguns are MAYBE more reliable, but many of the new autos are dead reliable too. On the other hand, revolvers are an AIM-PULL-GO proposition. Since most of us don't have the opportunity to train in a stressful environment, I stick with my S&W snubbie in . 38. Five pulls, five bangs!



Have fun!

 

[WDaniels]

Sageair is correct. The SP101 is one of the best. It will not fail. Period. It is small and easy to carry without a hammer to catch on anything. I carry the Para-Ordinance 12-45. It is just to big even for a small auto, so I leave it in the truck almost all the time when I carry. Besides, small autos with short slides have too many problems with the spring. When I get another carry, I'll get the SP101

WD

 

[BigPapa]

I wouldn't trade my Kahr P40 for anything... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... except MAYBE a Kahr P45.



Scott

 

[kelly4463]

I cannot say enough about my springfield xd40 in a 40 caliber with a 3" barrel

its small and easy to carry

 

[Jumbo Jet]

My Colt Pocket 9 does me just fine! 7 shots of hollow point silver tip placed correctly is enough for me.

 

[JoshPeters]

I like the simplicity of a wheel gun, although... . My 1911 is VERY basic, and really reliability isn't much of an issue either.



I like the semi-auto in the respect that you can reload very quickly and easily. Almost without thought, should the need arise.



I think both are good self defense weapons. I chose the semi-auto, although either is better than nothing should the poop hit the spreader!



My next handgun purchase will also be a semi-auto. After that... maybe a wheel gun.

 

[broncojohn]

I use my beretta cougar 8045 45 acp alot. I have at least over 800 rounds through it with various types of rounds. Most of the rounds through it have been 230gr MFS hollow points. I haven't had one jam or misload ever with any loads. Its been super reliable and I have had no issues with it so far. I will say though the sight of a large caliber handgun is a intimidating sight. My father and a lot of people I know swear by revolvers, less moving parts to act up on you.

 

[2broke2smoke]

the best gun for you is whatever you can shoot well consistantly ...



had a surveyor that carried a derringer and i made fun of him "you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn" kinda thing ...



he shot a beenie weenie can twice at 10' ...



never teased HIM again ...

 

[JLEONARD]

I like my Ruger speed six 357. I figure if I get off one or two shots that will be all one of us will be able to handle.

My little Colt govt . 380 is nice for under the matress in the boat... not lumpy

 

[The patriot]

My Colt Pocket 9 does me just fine! 7 shots of hollow point silver tip placed correctly is enough for me.

Yea, I have one of these also, it was all done up by SM&A when they were together.

Dont feel outgunned with the 101. If you practice, you got a fine piece. It's also an excellent tactical idea to carry the same as the wife.

 

[Skydiver]

We just purchased a S & W mod 360sc . 357 . Over 11 ounces makes for a comfortable pocket wheel . I got to carry it for 45 minutes . Wife came home and said "I like that" I said " Good ,then you carry it" .

 

[smartineau]

If your wheel gun works well for you keep it. My Sig's have had no problems but I am looking at a Les Baer 1911.



BTW I have had two wheel guns fail, my S&W 29 failed to index to the next round and a Ruger Blackhawk in . 357 that failed to index to the next round.



steve

 

[TSpecht]

I don't think it matters what you carry, especially in terms of legality. If you shoot a revolver better than a semi-auto, it's what you should carry. Essentially carry whatever you feel most comfortable with. When I get my permit later this year (hopefully, if all goes well), the weapons I'll choose to carry will be either my Springfield 1911 in . 45ACP, or my Sig P226 stainless in 9mm. I have quite a bit of confidence in both, and can shoot them nearly equally.

It all comes down to your level of comfort with a particular gun IMO. If you like it and can shoot it well, go for it.

 

[AABEN]

I like a good wheel gun .