The double-action handgun, whether revolver or autoloader, is a great threat management tool. The long, heavy trigger means that accidental discharges under stress are less likely to occur than with a light, short action. What happens, though, when shooting has to be done? The trigger that requires deliberate action to fire also requires more attention…
I did a very casual and unscientific review of gun sales in my local area. Gun-store operators told me that about 30 to 40% of the guns they sell for personal defense are revolvers, and the vast majority of these are small-frame pocket-type guns. If you carry a revolver for personal defense, you need to…
Renowned gunsmith Grant Cunningham has worked on precision machinery since he was a teenager. So when his first revolver needed work and he couldn’t find a gunsmith who would take the job, he did it himself. He progressed from working on his own revolvers to helping others, and today is one of the most sought-after…
Understanding, developing and refining an effective and consistent combat or final firing grip on the pistol are essential to repeatedly engage a designated target with both fundamental (precision) and combative (getting the hits necessary to stop the threat) marksmanship. While a less than optimal grip will allow us to hit a target once, follow-up shots…
Revolver shooters tend to be a pretty smug lot when it comes to dealing with malfunctions, enjoying the reality that serious revolver malfunctions are fairly rare. When severe malfunctions do happen, however, they usually take the gun out of commission. The usual prescription to “stroke the trigger again” doesn’t solve these unusual problems, and most…
Today’s lightweight revolvers are a joy to carry. Small and bereft of mass, they ride easily in a pocket and even more easily in a belt holster. If you can tolerate the high recoil impulse of full-power defensive ammunition, they are a viable choice for concealed carry. A recent and extensive repair job for one…
Hard-to-see sights on a snub-nose revolver are a common complaint. One of the main reasons people don’t use the sights is because they can’t see them. The sighting system has two components, front sight and rear sight. Both can be improved on, in many cases with just a few minutes’ work and very little cost.…
One of the things I do most frequently as a defensive firearms instructor is give advice on which gun a person should choose to own for personal or home defense. Over the years, I have even made video clips and written several essays and articles on that topic. Appropriately, my opinion on which types of…
HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE THE WHEELGUN I’m sure you’ve heard it before: someone asks, “Which is better: revolver or autoloader?” Everyone chimes in that revolvers are more reliable and simpler to operate. Over and over again. Yadda yadda yadda. Related PDN Video: Getting Started Shooting a Revolver Those things are generally true, but there…
