Is the Revolver dead? Has this iconic piece of self-defense machinery gone the way of the DoDo Bird? I don’t think so. I think that it still has a place in today’s society as a valuable tool in the Self-Defense tool box. Okay, what started this topic? You guessed it, two men.
I was recently talking to a buddy of mine and this question came up. His opinion was yes, the revolver was obsolete. Being the scientist that I am (really I will argue with a stop sign), I began to think about this question. I took it one step forward and told him, “If you’re going to throw that question at me, let’s go further. What is better to have in a fight for your life, eight rounds of .357 Magnum or eight rounds of .45ACP?” I asked this question because he carries a Kimber 1911 in .45ACP.
I have recently been looking at a Smith & Wesson R-8 .357 Revolver, thinking about purchasing one. So, I had the specs in my head. I think this will be a good comparison. As far as cost, the Smith & Wesson and my buddies’ Kimber were close in cost. Below are the overall specs of the two pistols:
S&W R-8 .357 Kimber TLE/RII .45ACP
- Weight: 35.9 oz 39 oz
- Caliber: .357 Magnum, .38 Special .45ACP
- Capacity: 8 Rounds 7+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 5 inches 5 inches
Kimber TLE/RII .45ACP
Smith & Wesson R-8 .357 Magnum, 8 shot.
Ok, let’s get to the argument, I mean discussion. Below are his statements, followed by my answers:
-My Kimber holds 8 rounds of .45acp.
The Smith & Wesson hold 8 rounds of .357 Magnum.
-Kimber uses a magazine that is faster to reload.
The Smith & Wesson uses a Full Moon Clip that holds the 8 rounds together. It is basically a speed loader that stays in the gun. Open the cylinder and place the Full Moon Clip complete with ammo in the Chambers. Close cylinder.
Smith & Wesson Full Moon Clip
-The Kimber is easier to carry.
I will give him that the Kimber is flatter than the Smith. However, the Smith actually weighs less than the Kimber.
-I can put a light on my Kimber to help with target identification.
Hmm, so can I.
-The Kimber can be shot faster.
Go to Youtube and check out videos of Jerry Miculek. He is one of the world’s fastest revolver shooters.
-The revolver does not have a place in today’s Law Enforcement.
Really, let’s look at that theory. The Smith that we are using for comparison was designed by a request from a Police Department that wanted them for their SWAT Officers that were utilizing a Ballistic Shield. It seemed that the Officers with the Shields were experiencing malfunctions from their Semi-Auto pistols due to getting the slide to close to the shield during firing. Don’t have that problem with the revolver.
Smith & Wesson R-8 .357, 8 shot revolver. **Pic taken with remote camera*
Smith & Wesson R-8 .357, 8 shot revolver. **Pic taken with remote camera*
- The Kimber utilizes the .45ACP Cartridge which is a proven “man stopper.”
Before I get into the answer of this, please be aware that there is no such thing as a “Magic Bullet” or “Man Stopper”. Let’s look at facts. Back in 1990s, Evan Marshall and Edwin J. Sanow began research and published 3 volumes of research about “One Shot Stop Percentages.” This information was taken from actual police reports. The information was broken down in caliber. I happen to have the 3 books. I checked them.
The .357 Magnum posts a proven factor of 96 % of one shot stops.
The .45ACP posts a proven factor of 94% of one shot stops.
Now, please remember these factors come from actual police reports. Just as a comparison, I am including a couple of more. Calibers that you think would have a high “One Shot Stop” sometimes doesn’t.
.44 Magnum posts a proven factor of 90% of one shot stops
.22 Long Rifle posts a proven factor of 34% of one shot stops
.380ACP posts a proven factor of 70% of one shot stops
.9mm posts a proven factor of 91% of one shot stops
Now with all the information above, who won the argument, I mean discussion? No one, we are men; of course we are not going to admit that we were wrong. With that being said, both sides had good points and both sides countered these points. If a semi auto pistol is your choice, as long as you can operate it, use it. However, some people do not have the hand strength to operate a semi-auto pistol and a revolver may be what they need.
Actually, here is the real basis to this article. I have been a semi-auto pistol shooter forever. I have never carried a revolver in my 21 years as a police officer. However, yesterday, I went shooting and realized that I do not have the dexterity in my hands anymore for operation of the semi-auto pistol. I figure this is due to the Stroke that I have had. So now I make the change over a revolver. It is going to be different. Whatever your choice of a self-defense firearm, make sure you practice with it and stay proficient. I hope this article has helped you.
Kimber TLE/RII .45ACP. **Pic taken with Remote Camera***
Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He is the Store Manager of Southern Heritage Gun & Pawn in Tuscumbia. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon, Kobo Writing, as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is a Senior Investigative Reporter for the Quad Cities Daily.
