Confessions of a Wheelgunner

JLaw · Post by **JLaw** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:37 pm

Hi, my name is Joshua and I'm a...a...WHEELGUN FANATIC!!! Oh, what a relief it is to get that off my chest.

I took my darling out today (old Taurus model 65 .357 Mag, 4" barrell, fixed sight revolver in the blue. I finally came to the conclusion that I love revolvers. Don't get me wrong, I like my semi-auto pistols, but my six-guns are close to my heart. I shoot them better than my semi-autos, and I feel a close "bond" to my revo's. I know it sounds silly, but anyone else who is a wheelgun-a-holic knows the feeling. I'm sure it's the same feeling as those who have an addiction to 1911's, or Glocks. These are the reasons that the 65 is the firearm that keeps me & mine safe at home.

However, I am a hypocrite. My usual carry piece is a S&W 908 9mm semi-auto. I like my 908, it's been good to me. But I've been considering replacing it with a Ruger GP100 with a 3" barrell. Possibly a Smith wheelie, not sure yet. It's still up in the air as to what make/model.

I have been considering a number of firearms here lately to purchase, from an AR15 (now out of by budget unfortunately) to a Kimber, to a Smith 686. But today I finally realized why I have more fun with and shoot better with my revolver...because I'm a wheelgun guy! Imagine that, a 29 year old revolver fan! Other's in my age bracket are drooling over Glock, Sigs, and Beretta's (which I confess are all very good firearms (I do own a Glock)), but thanks to my wonderful father I cut my teeth on revolvers and have been hooked ever since. Do I plan to sell my semi-auto's?? NO!!! Absolutely not. Well maybe the Glock, just can't come to terms with it, even though it's been 100% reliable. I have a good selection of quality SA's that I shoot well and function properly. I like them. But I prefer the double action wheelgun and shoot it better than the SA's.

You know what one thing that worries me with my revolvers is?? Anyone around the Houston area will understand this. Home invasions. And around Houston home invasions are usually always involving multiple bad guys, 2-3 at the least. With my beloved revolver I have 6 shots of .38 Spl, +P or .357 Mag at my fingertip, and one speed loader in the bedroom and one speedloader in the living room. But even with the speedloaders I am not sure I could reload before a bad guy got to me. On the flipside from what I hear most confrontations are resolved before a reload becomes an issue. Now I understand that if a bad guy see's that I'm armed and willing to protect my family, he might reconsider his venture, but he may not. Since you cannot "spray and pray" with a sixgun, I must practice. Since I have now come "out of the closet", I will be looking for some training sessions to attend in 2006...with my revolver!

JLaw.

My blued beauty...Taurus model 65. Too bad she doesn't conceal a little easier.

quidni · Post by **quidni** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:29 pm

What's hypocritical? You're simply maximizing your options!

If you're concerned about being limited on reload opportunity with the wheelgun, just keep a second one handy.... there's a reason that most people envision two holsters when they think of a cowboy! (now, did you really need an excuse to keep two by the bedside?

)

JLaw · Post by **JLaw** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:34 pm

quidni wrote: (now, did you really need an excuse to keep two by the bedside? )

I see you're from El Paso Co. huh? I spent 7 years there ('88 to '95), graduated Coronado High School in '95. I find myself missing the mountainous desert of El Paso sometimes!

JLaw

jbirds1210 · Post by **jbirds1210** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:18 am

JLaw......it sounds like our tastes are very similar. I am also a wheelgun nut!
I also carry a semi most of the time....but if I had to choose (I know that sounds awful) I would stick with my 686! BTW, we are about the same age, so it is not unheard of!
Jason

KBCraig · Post by **KBCraig** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:29 am

I'm not a wheelgun nut, but I appreciate good ones.

For some time, I've been planning my next purchase as a one of the Para 'hawgs (Nite or Wart). But they're getting popular, and the price, at least locally, has gone from the upper end of what I could hope to spend, right on out of my zone.

Beside, the Para would be for me, and I'd really like to get my wife something she's more comfortable with. A DA revolver is just the thing for that. I like the Taurus 65 a lot, but I'm leaning towards the little 85 as a concealable piece for her.

So no, the revolver isn't dead. Just ask Jerry Miculek!

Kevin

JLaw · Post by **JLaw** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:35 am

jbirds1210 wrote: BTW, we are about the same age, so it is not unheard of!
Jason

Alright! I gotta go wake up the wife and tell her that I'm NOT stuck in the 80's!

JLaw

JLaw · Post by **JLaw** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:39 am

KBCraig wrote:

So no, the revolver isn't dead. Just ask Jerry Miculek!

Kevin

And all God's people said...Amen!

(Good call on the Taurus 85!)

JLaw

quidni · Post by **quidni** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:29 am

JLaw wrote:I see you're from El Paso Co. huh? I spent 7 years there ('88 to '95), graduated Coronado High School in '95. I find myself missing the mountainous desert of El Paso sometimes!

JLaw

We've been here since '86. Our son graduated from Clint in '02. And, the son and I both like wheelguns, so there's really nothing "generational" about them at all!

I grew up as an Army brat, moving every year or so most of my childhood. Of every place we've lived, I love the desert southwest the most.

MoJo · Post by **MoJo** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:22 am

If concerned about multiple home invaders and you are dedicated to the use of a revolver then the only practical reload, unless you are as fast as Jerry Miculek, is the "New York Reload" (go to second gun) even with auto-loaders a NYR is faster.

But, to really even the odds in a home invasion or, any multiple attacker situation, use a long gun.

A shotgun or rifle loaded with ammunition that will put an attacker out of the fight with one or two solid hits beats tattooing them with any handgun while their accomplices are shooting at you.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:35 pm

I am a fan of a good carbine or shotgun for home deense also, but one should remember the length of the weapon makes it easier for a bad guy to see a person as they negotiate corners, etc.

Also a long gun adds leverage for a bad guy should he get his hands on the weapon, making it easier for him to take it from a person.

Everything has advantages and disadvantages, and we should consider them all when deciding on the best weapon for home protection.

As far as revolvers, I have a S&W Model 10 with a 4" bull barrel I LOVE. It has pachmyers on it. I am looking for a good .41 to keep it company.

Post by **Crossfire** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 2:06 pm

We just picked up a new "used" Ruger Blackhawk in 41 mag yesterday at Cabela's. I haven't even been to the range with it yet. It looks like "right out of the box" new. I think someone brought it in because they couldn't afford the ammo. Hubby's gonna get dies and take care of that ammo issue. Every new toy he gets just adds to the growing pile of accessories!

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 2:52 pm

JLaw, you are right that MOST confrontations are resolved at around the three shot average I believe. Today there are more & more BG's that have decided not to run for a fast get away but to stay for the fight. When that happens then the round count goes well over ten I believe. The two gun option or long gun is the option. I choose the shotgun. Especially since the wife & I are old & have an empty nest. Anyone in this house at 2 am & not close enough to hear me whisper "get your gun & get in the closet" is in a heap O trouble. I look at every possible confromtation from the standpoint that they came to stay. I know I have. AT my age, poor condition of legs & especially knees, retreat is not an option even if I wanted to. Move & shoot is not fast, quick, or sure footed any more. My 2 guns are pistol & shotgun. Two R's with the speed loaders handy is a good option. I would think when the round count approaches the 15-20 area that a lul for reload would be probable. Presence of mind & calmness to do it may be the issue. Shot placement is still more important than many misses.

Wilson · Post by **Wilson** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 3:22 pm

Maybe you should make a small concession if you are really concerned about home invasion. Kel-Tec makes a nice little .223 pistol with a 9-inch barrel called PLR-16. It accepts 30 or 40 round M16 magazines. http://www.kel-tec.com/images/plr16_pic03.gif . Even if you miss the invaders, it throws out enough fire from that short barrel they will think you have a flame thrower

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:39 pm

Wilson, I had not thought of that thing & that is a good idea. Have seen one but not shot it. W/ .223 recoil cannot be much is it? If you have to reload that one you are in a heap O trouble.

Wilson · Post by **Wilson** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:21 am

longtooth wrote:W/ .223 recoil cannot be much is it? If you have to reload that one you are in a heap O trouble.

Iâ€™ve swapped lies and seen pictures of it firing (visible flame in daylight) with friends online but my Dealer is still waiting on mine from the Distributor. From all reports the recoil is mild but the noise is deafening, so they recommend using only the best ear protection. I doubt that reloading would be necessary but CDNN sells a twin drum feed magazine that should fit the PLR-16

I hope to get mine before the Senators from New York and Kalifornia find out itâ€™s being sold