9mm backup or 357/38 special revolver

[Jack_Mack]

I have a 38 snubnose, and a Ruger P95 semi-auto.
I am considering getting a backup for my two concealed carries. Should I get a 9mm semi-auto or a 357/38 special revover?

I like how the revolver never malfunctions, and can sit unsued for years without a spring wear-out. I have probably a crate of 38 ammo, already.

However, 9mm is the most accessible ammo, and may be easiest to get in hard times. Revolvers may be ancient history.

[speedsix]

...if you bought a second P95, that's still not too much to conceal...and two would give you 30+ rounds with 15-shot mags...if your primary .38 is a K or L, another in snub length wouldn't be too much...if it's a J, I'd move up to a K or L and use speed strips to feed both of them...I've carried both a P95 and P97 for backup for my P90 comfortably...and carried a GP100 3" and a J for backup...the range of sizes you're in is very easy to conceal...
...good points about the ammo...when times get rough, 9mm may be the most "available" ammo...

[thatguy]

I don't think revolvers will ever go away. Some of my LEO friends will only carry a revolver as back-up, the feel the reliability factor is greater. Personally I like a small pocket pistol in .380 like a P238 or P380 because they are slim and easier to carry.

[The Annoyed Man]

I carry both. Both will get the job done. 9mm may be universally available now, but I remember a time just a couple of years ago when it was real hard to find......and .38 Special was still available.

My snubbie is a .357, so I have the choice of carrying .38, .38+P, and .357. Whatever you choose, buy yourself a reloading setup with the dies you'll need for the various caliber weapons you possess, so you'll at least be able to practice when commercial practice ammo is unobtanium.

[sugar land dave]

I carry both. Both will get the job done. 9mm may be universally available now, but I remember a time just a couple of years ago when it was real hard to find......and .38 Special was still available.

My snubbie is a .357, so I have the choice of carrying .38, .38+P, and .357. Whatever you choose, buy yourself a reloading setup with the dies you'll need for the various caliber weapons you possess, so you'll at least be able to practice when commercial practice ammo is unobtanium.

Any of the choices mentioned will be fine.

[The Annoyed Man]

Revolvers may be ancient history.

People still buy and shoot black powder guns and muzzle loaders. The revolver is here to stay. Why? Because it is a great design. The 1911 has been around for 100 years (this year) and it is far from the first semi-auto, but people still buy tens of thousands of brand new revolvers every year. People are going to keep buying tens of thousands of revolvers every year because there is no reason not to. As long as there is a market, the manufacturers are going to keep making them. Revolvers are going to be around as personal defense weapons as long as firearms firing modern cartridge type ammo is the norm for self-defense. And even when the pocket Phaser replaces the firearm as the personal weapon of choice, people will keep buying and shooting revolvers as a hobby, just like they do black powder weapons today.

Put it this way, we are not likely to see the revolver disappear as a personal defense weapon in our lifetimes.

[threoh8]

Wow ... No offense, but is this a troll? What the heck, I'll bite.

I like how the revolver never malfunctions, and can sit unsued for years without a spring wear-out.

While I have and occasionally carry revolvers, I have no illusions about their infallibility. Like any mechanism (Glocks and 1911's included), the revolver can and will malfunction. I've seen name-brand American-made revolvers malfunction with factory ammunition and require serious tinkering before they could fire another round. They require care in selection, practice, and maintenance, too.

And who lets their defensive weapons sit unused for years?

Revolvers may be ancient history.

So are many of the forum members!

[speedsix]

...sadly, about 80% would be my guess of those who load a handgun and put it by the bed and NEVER check or clean it again...much less practice with it...I once talked to a widow customer about security in her home...she perked up and said "Oh, I have my revolver and I'm READY"...trotted off down the hall to get it from under the bed, and brought it to me...I literally peeled a layer of dust off of one side to see it...a fine S&W Model 60 she'd had 30+ years...and never touched it...even with the vacuum...
...I like to read the new guys' questions...they refresh a lot of our ancient minds...and sometimes prod us to think...

[michael e]

I have a LCP and SW642 as BUGs , but am thinking of adding a LC9 to the mix too. I like the 642 as a BUG.

[wharvey]

Wow ... No offense, but is this a troll? What the heck, I'll bite.

I like how the revolver never malfunctions, and can sit unsued for years without a spring wear-out.

While I have and occasionally carry revolvers, I have no illusions about their infallibility. Like any mechanism (Glocks and 1911's included), the revolver can and will malfunction. I've seen name-brand American-made revolvers malfunction with factory ammunition and require serious tinkering before they could fire another round. They require care in selection, practice, and maintenance, too.

Don't disagree that revolvers can malfunction, any mechanical device can. However you continually hear/read about malfunction drills when semi-auto training is discussed. Don't hear those mentioned with revolvers. I'd admit that it could be that when a revolver does malfunction it does require serious tinkering like you say. But then most revolver malfunctions, if even a modest amount of maintenance is done, are ammo related. A squib load will certainly cause a revolver to malfunction, but then the auto loader isn't going to work very well with a bullet stuck in the barrel either.

By the same token you don't hear/read as much about reloading drills with auto loaders like you do with revolvers either.

[threoh8]

However you continually hear/read about malfunction drills when semi-auto training is discussed. Don't hear those mentioned with revolvers.

There are revolver malfunction drills. I understand that the FBI in particular taught them well way back when - but autoloaders are front and center these days.

But then most revolver malfunctions, if even a modest amount of maintenance is done, are ammo related. A squib load will certainly cause a revolver to malfunction, but then the auto loader isn't going to work very well with a bullet stuck in the barrel either.

True, most malfunctions are related to ammunition , regardless of action type. Squib loads can tie up any handgun. Bullets in chambers adjacent to the barrel that jump crimp in recoil can lock up a revolver as well, making a tough situation to clear. Trash under the extractor star - grass, unburned powder granules, dirt kicked up in the fight, whatever that might get picked up during loading or reloading - can lock the cylinder in the frame, and prevent opening or even turning the cylinder. Some extractor rods can unscrew and do the same thing.

By the same token you don't hear/read as much about reloading drills with auto loaders like you do with revolvers either.

I've seen quite a bit of discussion of reloading drills with autoloaders. That's a basic skill for running a semiauto pistol. Maybe we're reading/listening to different crowds?

Make no mistake, I own, use, and trust revolvers and have no problem with carrying a good example. But while they may be close, they aren't as reliable as the myth suggests. That's all I'm saying.

[wharvey]

True, most malfunctions are related to ammunition , regardless of action type. Squib loads can tie up any handgun. Bullets in chambers adjacent to the barrel that jump crimp in recoil can lock up a revolver as well, making a tough situation to clear. Trash under the extractor star - grass, unburned powder granules, dirt kicked up in the fight, whatever that might get picked up during loading or reloading - can lock the cylinder in the frame, and prevent opening or even turning the cylinder. Some extractor rods can unscrew and do the same thing.

By the same token you don't hear/read as much about reloading drills with auto loaders like you do with revolvers either.

I've seen quite a bit of discussion of reloading drills with autoloaders. That's a basic skill for running a semiauto pistol. Maybe we're reading/listening to different crowds?

Make no mistake, I own, use, and trust revolvers and have no problem with carrying a good example. But while they may be close, they aren't as reliable as the myth suggests. That's all I'm saying.

I admit the revolver malfunctions you mentioned can and do happen. If fact thinking back I can remember an ejector rod unscrewing on one of mine. A week or so ago I took an old Dan Wesson .357 out of the safe to play with. (It is so old I remember it costing me $79 new!) I hadn't shot it in almost 15 years. Action locked. Turned out the spring that fits into a grove in the back of the hand had slipped out. Five minute fix but sure couldn't have done it in the middle of a social issue. Thinking about it, that was the gun with the ejector rod problem also.

All my auto malfunctions have been ammo related or my failure to properly seat the mag so I'd admit that autos are as mechanically reliable as revolvers. So far I've had no ejector problems or any other thing go wrong. I think the issue is primarily that autos are more ammo sensitive.

I admit that there is a lot written about reloads, tactile or otherwise and how to hold the magazine to insert. However it seems to have a lower over all priority that the proper use of speed loads or speed strips. These always seem to be a major issue on a lot of revolver forums and "training" sites.

FWIW, I use and carry both. Have faith in both.

[Dave2]

By the same token you don't hear/read as much about reloading drills with auto loaders like you do with revolvers either.

From what I understand of how they work, if a revolver's action malfunctions there's not that much you can do. If debris gets in a pistol, you may be able to field-strip it and clear the debris while behind cover and under fire. If the timing mechanism in a revolver fails, the best case is that things are loose enough for you to manually rotate the cylinder in alignment with the barrel and hold it there while you're firing.

I think. I can't remember the last time I even held a revolver, and I know I've never seen the inside of one.

[wharvey]

I think. I can't remember the last time I even held a revolver, and I know I've never seen the inside of one.

You're missing out on a lot of fun. They are really fun to shoot and snub nose revolvers are really easy to conceal. The lock works are often fairly simple. Have taken mine down for a good cleaning and lube many times but wouldn't want to try and tune one.

The Dan Wession I mentioned above that malfunctioned was a case of the side plate loosening a bit after 1000's of rounds since my last maintenance. In that design the hand is held in place by the side plate. The slight added side play allowed just enough lateral movement for the spring to slip out of the grove. That gun had 10,000+ rounds fired through it before I retired it. Most were rather warm .357 hand loads from back in the days before I learned better.

[Dave2]

I think. I can't remember the last time I even held a revolver, and I know I've never seen the inside of one.

You're missing out on a lot of fun. They are really fun to shoot and snub nose revolvers are really easy to conceal. The lock works are often fairly simple. Have taken mine down for a good cleaning and lube many times but wouldn't want to try and tune one.

The Dan Wession I mentioned above that malfunctioned was a case of the side plate loosening a bit after 1000's of rounds since my last maintenance. In that design the hand is held in place by the side plate. The slight added side play allowed just enough lateral movement for the spring to slip out of the grove. That gun had 10,000+ rounds fired through it before I retired it. Most were rather warm .357 hand loads from back in the days before I learned better.

Oh I intend to get one someday. I've dry-fired an LCR and thought it had a fantastic trigger, and the Chiappa Rhino intrigues me.