Kevin Michalowki at Gun Digest offered an article on the classic gun store argument of Revolver vs. semi-auto pistol for concealed carry. He starts with an interesting premise – it’s a great question to start an argument among gun enthusiasts. Unfortunately, he finishes his article with the great equalizer, “you decide.”
I don’t see the point of framing both sides of the debate over which type of gun to choose for concealed carry: revolver or semi-auto pistol. In my view, you have three general requirements for a good carry weapon, and there’s a definitive reason for making a clear choice.
Let’s start with the “concealed” elements of concealed carry. Yes, you can carry a revolver in a concealed fashion. You can carry a revolver on your hip in a really good concealment holster, but to avoid printing your wheel gun, you will need to wear concealment clothing. Inconvenient and uncomfortable in the summer months, challenging for the rest of the year. Any big revolver prints through light shirts easily, so many people use jackets or vests. Pick a shooter’s vest, like so many hardcore types, and you may as well wear a sign that says “I’m carrying a gun.” Not a smart idea.
Of course, many revolver fans choose the ankle holster, but that option severely limits your gun selection to the range of snubbies available. The Ruger LCR offers a small light frame in .38 or .357, and several quality holsters for your ankle. Unfortunately, I don’t know too many firearm instructors, and no combat instructors who recommend the ankle holster as the most effective means to carry a gun.
For less than the cost of a quality revolver hip holster, I can buy a kydex holster that effectively conceals virtually any mid sized or compact semi-auto. I can carry inside the pants with a tuck in holster without bulging my pants, and with the range of quality mid-sized and compact handguns available, the semi-auto format offers a much wider array of choices to conceal comfortably, effectively, and safely. No worries of printing the gun. No challenges with awkward ankle carry. No problems with an ankle holster failing while I’m walking or running. Semi-auto gets my vote for concealment options, price and effectiveness.
As Michalowski reminds us, the first rule of a gun fight is to have a gun. I would add that we need to carry enough gun. I won’t argue the case for revolver calibers versus semi-auto pistol calibers. Manufacturers have been creative recently launching several high quality revolvers in pistol calibers like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. No questions about the calibers available.
No, I’m talking about capacity. 5 rounds of .357 in a Ruger LCR is great, but by any reasonable definition, 16 rounds of .40 S&W or 19 rounds of 9mm or 13 rounds of .45 ACP is BETTER. Yes, statistics suggest that most engagements involving civilians and firearms result in 3-6 shots being fired. Do you want to be in the one fight that requires 8 rounds, but you don’t have it? I err on the side of capacity, which makes me ready for any battle, not just the statistically average one.
In that worst case scenario, my final selection criteria comes into play, reloading. With an affordable modern semi-auto pistol in 9mm, I can comfortably carry the firearm and 38 rounds of 9mm on my belt. I can draw, fire, reload, and continue firing with only a few seconds of delay during my reload time. With a revolver, the mechanics of the reload make the strongest case available for carrying the pistol instead. Even with intense practice and reloading devices, the above average concealed permit holder cannot meet the reload efficiency of a semi-auto pistol.
For me, the concealability, capacity, and efficient reloading mechanics of the modern semi-auto pistol makes it the obvious and overwhelming best choice over even the best revolvers. I can think of a few situations where carrying a revolver makes an acceptable compromise choice. I’ve even carried a Ruger LCR as a pocket gun on occasion, but those events are fringe cases and leave me less prepared in the event I’m called upon to use a firearm to defend myself or my family. If you are serious about carrying the best choice for concealed protection, I recommend a semi-auto pistol.
