Narrow minded gun owners

[contender]

I visit a local gun forum some. It's obvious that most folks there are of the "semi-auto, plastic-fantastic" crowd. Recently a new member there posted an honest question about revolvers. Apparently, his CCW instructor was VERY adamant & negative against any revolvers. He wanted a bit more of an education on revolvers, and even mentioned enjoying the "cool western factor."

Well, right off the bat, many offered their own reasonings as to why semi's were better than revolvers. Yet, some allowed how a DA revolver had some redeeming qualities. Only a very few offered much in the way of actual HELP in answering the OP's thoughts.

I politely posted that his instructor did him a dis-service, and was not a good instructor because he was not open minded, allowing how no two people are alike, or have the identical needs or wants. And to totally disregard a whole class of firearm based upon a personal prejudice was just wrong. I also added several reasons a revolver can be a good firearm, depending upon the use, or needs of the owner. I did NOT post negative stuff about semi's. I did do a comparison of features & why a revolver MIGHT be a good choice. I also allowed how revolvers are used for all sorts of uses over semi's in other areas besides CCW. I was trying to be polite, and informative.

The OP also wished he could find a gun class where he could attend & try out all sorts of firearms of different calibers etc. Since he hadn't posted his location, I allowed he was welcome to visit me if he was close enough to WNC & I'd try my best to offer him many choices.

With all this info above,, to allow y'all here the opportunity to see what was going on, I was surprised at the number of narrow minded gun owners who got really harsh against revolvers for anything. One guy was VERY adamant that "NO revolver has ANY advantages over a semi-auto."
After some of that stuff, and my post a few others chimed in with positive stuff about revolvers & their pros in many ways. But a few guys, were totally dismissive & narrow focused on their own ideas that it is sad to this instructor. To see a gun person, who should be helping a new gun person get good solid information, be so negative & narrow minded. I really wanted to say that kind of thinking reminded me of the media, or politicians, or others who think; "My way is the only way!"

So sad.

While I have a PERSONAL love of Ruger firearms,, and use a lot of them in my classes, I also have other brands I share. I also teach my students to find what works for THEM, and THEIR needs or desires. The only thing I stress is that a person who is looking for a self defense firearm, choose a quality firearm that they can bet their life on. Cheap guns can be extremely expensive if really needed.

But to be so negative & narrow minded, especially to a new gun owner,, is just plain wrong.

On a positive note,, there have been enough open minded gun owners who have defended revolvers & such with good info that the truly negative & narrow minded ones have settled down somewhat. And, I have discovered the OP of all that,, lives 6 hours away. But he has an open invitation to visit me here, AND sample different types of guns.

 

[Jeepnik]

Well, when those types of folks mouth off my first thought is “more for me”.

 

[Bob Wright]

I have been branded with many names for my choice of the Ruger Blackhawk as my personal proection. I'm not an instructor butI have determined if I were I'd be more tolerant of folks' personal choice of carry. I've nothing against any reasonable gun/carry option so long as the carrier is proficient with his mode of carry and firearm choice.

But there is that class of instructor/expert who believes the only combination for carry is to be prepared to stalk the streets like WW II GIs sweeping a European town held by the enemy. And to be prepared for a long siege with unnumbered assailants.

Bob Wright

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Any open web forum will attract trolls whose only goal is to cause dissention among the participants. The more negative feedback they get, the better they like it. I try not to feed 'em.

 

[hittman]

Revolvers.
Mag is always in gun.
Mag is always loaded.
Safety is never on.
Always one in the chamber.
Limp wristing is no problem.
Never FTF.
Never FTE.

 

[eveled]

It’s in some people’s nature to loudly claim they are right. It makes me wonder who they are trying to convince? Themselves?

Why can’t people understand 2 different answers can both be correct.

I have a friend who is a relative new comer to shooting. I try to help him along without forcing my preferences on him.

He got snippy with me once and I told him when we were in elementary school while he was reading comic books, I was reading gun magazines! Lol.

 

[Captain America]

I’ve carried a revolver every day for about 35 years now, like Contender said it‘s personal to everyone. For the reasons I carry a 5 shot revolver is perfect, my wife will only carry a revolver simply because she doesn’t want to deal with the extra scenarios involved with carrying a semiautomatic. I will say that my wife always finds it interesting that she gets questioned about carrying a .22 by men that think she should carry a larger caliber with far more capacity…even though she ALWAYS carries and they almost never do.

 

[Ashbow]

The kind of thinking you're describing is indicative of the inability to perceive nuance in general. I suspect you'd see the same approach to non-firearm related topics too. I also doubt that any of these anti-revolver types would be willing to assault a revolver-carrying citizen to "prove" their opinions.

 

[HW11]

I started my career carrying a revolver, a Ruger, we transitioned to the Glock 21 probably in the first 5 years I was there. While now I do carry a simi auto most days I can say with no uncertainty that I never felt any "less armed" because I was carrying a revolver. It is my observation that most of the time someone expresses a negative attitude toward a particular proven product simply doesn't know how to use said product. Anybody that thinks a man armed with a good revolver and a few speed loaders carried correctly isn't capable of getting the job done is incorrect.

 

[Kevin]

This forum is one big reason I like revolvers over semi autos. I believe I can shoot revolvers better. I think it's because of the recoil; no slide etc.

 

[beentheredone]

Your observations are true about every internet forum I can think of -- at the very minimum, 50% of all information posted is utter claptrap, typically old myths about (name your subject) that have been repeated for so long and so often that they have hardened in to concrete, accepted and passed along ad infinitum as solid gold BS. And since it's all anonymous, might as well be as stupid or snarky as you wish without risking the punch in the nose you'd undoubtedly get sooner or later if you spouted such garbage face-to-face and in public.

But it's not all bad. The is some good advice and solid knowledge, coming from some good people, but you need to become adept at sifting the good from the junk. And when you post something as fact, make sure it IS fact -- then walk away, because someone is sure to call you out as an idiot. Cast ye not pearls before swine...

 

[BearBiologist]

Versatility is the key! I carry Glocks for defense, except in bear country where I favor an OM Blackhawk in 45 Colt (hot loads with heavy hard cast) or, previously, my Reeder SBH in 454. No one tool does it all-don't hammer with a gun butt or pry with a screwdriver (I KNOW, we all do but...) I don't hunt elk with an AR, either.

 

[daveag.]

I wouldn’t trade a Ruger Single action for a handful of plastic auto loaders. That shows how little they actually know about firearms.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Great story Contender. I have shot thousands and thousands of rounds through my revolvers but I have never owned or even wanted to shoot a semi-auto handgun. I just don't like them but I also don't disparage them or the people that shoot them. To each his own. ...oh wait I HAVE CALLED THEM BOTTOM FEEDERS A COUPLE OF TIMES.

 

[Paul B]

My normal carry is a Colt Combat Commander with 8 round Wilson magazine, two Wilson 10 round magazines for refills if necessary. An S&W M60 in my right hand pocket and two speed loaders in the left pocket for back up. That's for urban carry.

When out and about in my desert rat mode I could be carrying anything from a Ruger Single Six to a Colt peacemaker and only God knows what might be in between.

I've even been know to (GASP!) carry a 9MM on occasion although those times are quite rare.

My question for those semi-auto only snobs is this;"When the stuff hits the fan, which would you rather have, a reliable wheel gun or a handful of rocks?"
Paul B.

 

[daveag.]

I have been shooting a friend’s Glock in .40 SW. It’s accurate enough. My knees hurt and I can’t bend over to chase the empty brass. Now, I would like to own the 10mm/.40 SW in the BlackHawk convertible.

 

[Wvfarrier]

Everyone and I mean, everyone, i have ever taught to shoot was more accurate with a revolver. Plus, a revolver can be shot from INSIDE a jacket pocket....try that with a semi auto. I have carried a semi auto of one sort or another professionally for 20+ years however I CHOOSE to carry a revolver on my own time

 

[blume357]

I'm a semi-auto fan/fanatic.... with that said... I'll welcome anyone to come to the next East Coast Ruger forum gathering and watch me go through Contenders' set up combat course with my Sig P226 and then watch Contender do it with a revolver.... all of this with reloads.... talk about being humbled.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Both are fun and we have firearms, both long and short, in a variety of configurations and a good sample of makes and brands. Revolvers are just fine and often some of the most fun pistols. All are tools, and have uses that may be best suited to specific actions.

 

[GypsmJim]

Revolvers are good. Semis are good. How much time do you want to spend practicing?

In the old days, some semis were not 100% reliable. Not so true today.

Give a little girl a double action revolver and she might make out ok.

Give the same gurl a semi and under pressure there's a good chance she will limp wrist it and not do well with her perpetrator.

Bottom line - insufficient practice and you're screwed.

 

[contender]

I truly appreciate the open minded folks here who understand the heart of my first post.

I will admit that I laughed out loud when I read blume’s post. I actually thought about posting a similar challenge on the other forum to see what would happen. But as noted above, I don’t like feeding the trolls.
I did try hard to be as friendly and respectful with a lot of things that the OP there might find helpful. Like here, I wanted to offer answers and suggestions for him.

But Blume, thanks my friend for the good laugh.

 

[bigbillyboy]

I wouldn’t trade a Ruger Single action for a handful of plastic auto loaders. That shows how little they actually know about firearms.

My feelings as well.

 

[blume357]

For those that don't understand....

what I remember was my time was 36 seconds with one reload...

Contender's with two reloads was 19.

I think I have a video of them somewhere....

 

[harley08]

I have Ruger revolvers and semi autos. I carry then both (not at the same time) If you are more proficient with one over the other. Then carry that one. Also practice, practice, practice!

 

[Lt Choate]

It's not just isolated to this topic. Many folks, once behind the screen and keyboard, become "10 feet tall and bulletproof" and they say and do things they would never say or do in person. "Keyboard warriors."

 

[dhains1963]

Every person on most forums is an expert. If you don't believe it, just ask them. It's a lot like work. Even the worst workers will tell you they are the best and most taken advantage of by their employer.

It is very easy to run into jerks on the internet.....most people won't listen/talk to them in real life! Regarding instructors, I think of the old saying, "If you can't do something, teach it!" While not true in all cases, it is true In many.

I never felt safe with striker fire pistols with one in the chamber. I carry a sp101 357mag snub, or my Sp2022 9mm da/sa sig. I agree that one in the chamber is better for ccw, however there are may accidental discharges wot striker fire pistols.

Hated to bring it up, due to the "trigger finger discipline trolls" out there. In a fast draw situation it could be very easy to hit the trigger in a high stress situation. Practice at the range is very different than a 6'3" 250 pound man charging at you with a baseball bat.

 

[lipofsky]

I’ve carried a revolver every day for about 35 years now, like Contender said it‘s personal to everyone. For the reasons I carry a 5 shot revolver is perfect, my wife will only carry a revolver simply because she doesn’t want to deal with the extra scenarios involved with carrying a semiautomatic. I will say that my wife always finds it interesting that she gets questioned about carrying a .22 by men that think she should carry a larger caliber with far more capacity…even though she ALWAYS carries and they almost never do.

My Grandfather always believed that a direct hit with a .22 beat a miss with any other caliber every time.

 

[JBP]

I've always favored wheel guns over semi-autos. For range shooting semis offer a wider selection of calibers but for CCW I always wear a revolver.

 

[maxfam]

Hittman left out the strength needed to rack the slide. I carry (in my car console) a S&W model 60 with a Pachmayr grip that holds 5 extra rounds.

 

[g5m]

Thanks, contender. Good post.
Reminds me of a few people I have known who went into a gunstore to buy a gift or something for themselves and they were treated so rudely by the staff that they vowed to never go back and were even so turned off that they never got a gun at all. I know I have been in some gunstores where that has happened to me. Won't go back to them.
Too bad.