Semi-Automatic Pistol or Revolver
Mark Cartwright
ENG 121, English Composition I
Instructor Lisa Tietler
June 04, 2012

Semi-Automatic Pistol or Revolver With more states issuing “right to carry” weapons permits and the expansion of the firearms market; people are looking at semi-automatic pistols or revolvers in order to fill their concealed carry defensive needs. Both firearm platforms are made for protection purposes, but each one has their limitations and advantages. Citizens consider many aspects when choosing a handgun for defensive purposes such as ammunition capacity, ease of operation, reliability, and conceal ability. Many factors affect people when choosing a handgun for defensive use, but in the end it comes down to personal preference, the mission intended for the firearm, and skill level of the person when deciding on whether to pick a semi-automatic pistol or revolver for concealed carry. Semi-automatic pistols tend to hold more ammunition than a revolver. Most semi-automatic pistols carry anywhere from six rounds to eighteen rounds, whereas, a revolver usually carries anywhere from five rounds to eight rounds depending on the model. Semi-automatic pistols have replaced most revolvers in the inventories of police departments and military units due to issues concerning magazine capacity. Most individuals tend to go towards a semi-automatic pistol due to the amount of firepower that can be brought to a gun fight versus a revolver. However, revolvers are regarded to be used in a more defensive role versus an offensive role. In this type of scenario a revolver would be used in a role for someone needing protection from being robbed from one or two subjects instead of going up against a room full of Mexican drug cartel criminals. Ammo capacity is a factor that comes down to personal preference, training, and the mission intended for each respective weapon. Depending on the skill level of person and the ease of operation of getting a firearm in service can have a deciding factor on whether a semi-automatic pistol or revolver will be chosen as a concealed carry weapon. Highly trained individuals coming from military, police, security, sport/action shooting circles tend to gravitate towards semi-automatic pistols. This is because, of the training needed to bring most semi-automatic pistols into action and the issues that can arise from their operation. Semi-automatic pistols tend to be prone to more malfunction issues and failure to fire problems versus a revolver. Semi-automatic pistols deal with magazines than can cause malfunctions if you have a weak spring or if they are clogged with dirt and debris. Improper cleaning practices or lack of cleaning of semi-automatic pistols can cause problems while firing, which can be detrimental during a “life or death” situation. Training in how to conduct remedial actions of your pistol is needed in order to bring your weapon back in service and back into the fight. Revolvers on the other hand tend to be less prone to malfunction problems due to the lack of an external magazine and due to the fact that revolvers do not have to rely on the cycling of a slide to chamber a round such as semi-automatic pistol. Revolvers also lack an external safety that most semi-automatic pistols possess, though some do not. Most revolvers rely on a heavy trigger pull in order to prevent accidental discharges by the operator. Sometimes, in stressful situations and when fine motor skills are needed to disengage a safety, a revolver can be a better choice, especially for more unskilled persons. Revolvers also tend to have a slower reload time versus a semi-automatic pistol. A revolver’s manual of arms is a bit more complicated when reloading than a semi-automatic pistol. Usually depending on the ease of operation and the skill level of the person a semi-automatic pistol or revolver will be chosen as a primary carry piece for defense. Conceal ability is another factor to consider when choosing a semi-automatic pistol or revolver for defensive uses. Large frame handguns are terrific for someone who openly carries their weapons such as police officer or soldier. The same can be said when a firearm is used in a role such as home defense weapon and is stashed in drawer or closet, etc. Semi-automatic pistols tend to be flatter, but can print through clothing if the handle contains a large capacity of ammunition. Semi-automatic pistols in their smaller configurations can be easily concealed, but usually give up effective stopping power on adversaries due to smaller calibers being used to facilitate the overall smaller size of the weapon. However, due to new technology, extremely light and portable semi-automatic pistols with effective calibers can be found with higher capacity than a revolver and can facilitate easier reloading through the use of magazines versus a revolver’s cylinder. Revolvers can be found in small configurations and usually have calibers that are more effective per size ratio than a semi-automatic pistol of similar size. However, revolvers can print more due to the bulkiness of the ammunition cylinder when carried in places such as the front pocket of a pair of blue jeans. Due to the needs of person, conceal ability can be a major factor when deciding a semi-automatic pistol over a revolver for concealed carry. With more states issuing “right to carry” weapons permits and the expansion of the firearms market; people are looking at semi-automatic pistols or revolvers in order to fill their defensive needs, but depending on the individual need and use of the firearm depends on what type of weapon will be chosen. Ammunition capacity in semi-automatic pistols tend to be higher than most revolvers, but lack the reliability found in most revolvers. Revolvers are also less intimidating to new shooters and persons lacking skills or training in the use of firearms compared to semi-automatic weapons. Conceal ability of the weapon is also a major concern for most people when comparing weapons due to the fact that it makes tactical sense not to let your enemy or potential criminals know that you have a weapon on your person. Also, most states require by law for individuals to carry their weapons concealed in order not to alarm the public and to keep people safe from being a victim of a criminal who sees a person with a weapon as an easy target to acquire “said weapon” in order to be used for criminal activity. As a police officer I carried a semi-automatic pistol as my primary weapon due to the fact that it was not concealed and could be brought into action with superior firepower and ease of reloading than a revolver. I however concealed a small revolver of either .38 special or .357 magnum on my ankle as a “back up” weapon. My reasoning was that if I had to access my “back up” weapon that meant my primary weapon was either out of service or I couldn’t access it due to a fight with a suspect, etc… and if I accessed the weapon, it needed to get into action at close range with the utmost reliability. Overall, it boils down to personal preference, the mission intended for the weapon, and the skill of the person when it comes to deciding whether a semi-automatic pistol or revolver will be used in concealed carry defensive role.