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Ex-Spurt O’pinions

Ex-Spurt O’pinions

There’s been quite a lot of talk over the past three or four years about “The Revolver Renaissance.” This movement alleges that revolvers are back, and in a big way. 

Well, maybe. What I can say is that revolvers are back (and in a big way) amongst firearms trainers and gun writers. Has this movement trickled down to the affect the buying habits of gun-owning Americans? Yes and no.

Retro revolvers, like the Colt Python are pretty popular, as are “resto-mod” guns like the Heritage Roscoe. Consider this, though. Over the last five years, I’ve had over 200 hours of training in classes that I would consider to be “entry level,” everything from an NRA Basic Pistol class to a Gunsite 250 to John Murphy’s “Street Encounter Skills.” I’ve had more training than that (lots more) in that time period, but these are all entry-level classes that I have paid with my own money to attend, not industry events where they ship somebody in to show off a new product. 

During that time, I have seen exactly one revolver in a class, a 686 at the Gunsite 250. Everything else was all semi-automatics. The same is true for the classes I teach. In four years of doing this, I’ve seen one wheelgun, a Ruger LCR. 

Now, do my experiences represent the entirety of the gun-buying world? Now, of course not. However, I just can’t shake the feeling that the experts are believing that there is a revolver renaissance going on because that’s what they’re seeing in their peer groups (see also, “Nobody I know voted for Nixon. How could he have won?”). Is there anything wrong with choosing to carry a revolver over a semi-automatic? Oh heck no, they’re great guns and very effective defensive tools. A lot of bad guys got dropped by a wheelgun prior to the arrival of the wonder nine. Are they the most efficient option we have to defend ourselves against lethal force? No, and yes, I understand my hypocrisy here, considering that I currently carry a 1911. I don’t suggest that everyone do it, though. What I suggest to everyone is simple: Buy a Glock G19. It’s easy to carry, easy to shoot and can be endlessly upgraded with accessories. Plus they never not work. Do I like them? No, not really. But I’m not buying a gun to fall in love with here, I’m buying something to save my life. 

Is the Glock G19 an expert’s gun? No. It’s everyone’s gun.