Thinking about switching to a revolver

[xenaxdsc]

My current EDC is a Ruger LC9 and I love it. However, the arthritis in my shooting hand thumb is getting pretty bad such that I'm developing quite a knob at the base of the thumb. That, coupled with very small hands, I've been noticing that I'm having more trouble reaching the trigger without shifting my hand such that my thumb "knob" is taking much of the recoil of my semi-automatic. I've started having more failures to eject, or failure for the slide to stay back at the last round, and it's because of my arthritis and not being able to keep the proper grip through the recoil. (We tested that it was me and not the gun. My husband ran through all the different ammo we use and couldn't get a single failure. So we knew it was me and my grip, not the gun.)

For this reason, plus I happen to think revolvers are more elegant than semis, and I like their trigger pull, I'm seriously considering switching to a revolver.

At first I felt bad about this decision, mainly because there are more rounds in a semi-automatic and they're easier/faster to reload a lot of rounds. But as I got to thinking about it, I see an advantage to using a revolver as my EDC and at-home self defense gun. This will sound extreme, but bear with me. When I think of the main situation I'm likely to have to defend myself in, I think of rape. If I'm lucky (smart?) enough to have my firearm with me and still in my possession, then the advantage of revolver over semi automatic is that you can hold a revolver against a rapist's body and fire multiple shots without worrying that the slide won't go back into battery. And since rape is one thing I am most likely to defend myself against, I want something that I can reach for and shove into the abdomen of a rapist.

Trust me, I hope I never have to find out. But given the arthritis and the close-range consideration, I'm seriously considering this. I'm going to start renting small and large revolvers to see what I think.

If anyone else has made the switch or has reasons they decided not to, I'd be interested to hear about it.

[Keykutter]

I don't think there is a problem in the world with a revolver. I have a bunch of them and I love them.

You pull the trigger and shoot, nothing to remember, nothing to go wrong, no safety, on most.

I seriousley doubt your ever gonna need more than 5 or 6 rounds anyway. I feel perfectly at ease with my 6 shot 1911.

Those who carry multiple 17 rnd mags are waiting for the world to end. I'm not that scared, YET! :):):)

If I can get home after the world ends, I'll pick up my bigger guns and loaded mags. Until that, I don't think I'm gonna be in a shootout. If I'm wrong, I guess they can tell me 'I told you so'. :):)

KK

[Teluch82]

Sounds like you have already decided what you want to do and I agree with you if you can't properly handle the weapon then your pretty much a fish outta the water if you want something that has a good punch I recommend a derringer that shoots .410 shot shells they come with a variety of loads from slug to double 00 buck shot and also 5 .357 pellet slugs. They are small pocket guns that would probably best fit your needs

[Providence Ranch]

Does Glock make revolvers? I don't think so...

[Keykutter]

Does Glock make revolvers? I don't think so...

Spoiler! :):)

KK

[walt629]

My wife has much the same problem with nerve damage in her strong shooting hand. It's confined to the last 2 fingers. She's been a wheel gunner since day 1 and lately we have been shopping for a semi for her EDC but so far she hasn't found anything that suites her in the semi class. She hasn't found one that is thin enough to fit her grip comfortably that still gives solid support to her entire grip. The semis that fit the width requirement, with rare exception, leave her pinky un-anchored.

So it looks like we'll be shopping for different carry rigs for her Ruger Snubbie instead of a semi. She has a 'custom' grip on it that has finger grooves and is extender to giver her pinky some purchase on the grip. It feels good in her hand and she hit what she aims for.

The main thrust to get her into a semi was to increase the initial ammo volume. I wanted her to get something with at least 7 round to give her 2 up on the Ruger. She's been having more and more problems with the speed loader and I thought a semi would be the way to go. But it seems she will be sticking with the Ruger wheel gun.

I guess this is just a long way of sayin' you're not alone with the grip issues.

[Phillip Gain]

If you want to give semi-autos another shot (no pun intended) - I highly recommend trying out the Smith and Wesson M&P compact 9mm or compact .40 caliber. Each gun comes with 3 interchangeable backstraps - small, medium, and large. You might find that one of them is a good fit for your hand.

Otherwise - there are plenty of good revolvers out there. Check out the Ruger LCR in .38 Special. It has a pretty sweet trigger. (FINALLY Ruger gets a trigger "right" from the factory. Charter Arms has a pretty nice selection, less expensive, with a wider variety of calibers. (Of particular note is the .44 Special "Bulldog" snubbie.)

Lastly, whichever you choose, you may want to consider finding someone to custom - carve a grip to fit your hand. Maybe have it carved from wood then dipped in a liquid polymer for comfort.

[defender829]

xenaxdsc, I sympathize with your condition. Arthritis forced me to end one of my favorite activities --running. I wish you the best.
As to your great idea of trying a bunch of revolvers for size, what if you find one with the caliber and action you like, but the grip isn't right? If that happens, you can do a Google search and have custom grips made. Good luck!

[xenaxdsc]

...
As to your great idea of trying a bunch of revolvers for size, what if you find one with the caliber and action you like, but the grip isn't right? If that happens, you can do a Google search and have custom grips made. Good luck!

That was my thinking too!

[VERDAD Investigations]

Revolvers are reliable, and with time and practice can be shot more quickly than any semi-auto. Why? The revolver doesn't require any "action" movement to fire. Less malfunctions can occur with a revolver, and with a speed loader, you can easily carry and fire the same number of rounds. Don't knock em...they have been around forever for a reason!!!