| Preparing to buy your first handgun can be quite | | | | Semi-Automatic pistols fire a single cartridge each |
| daunting. They aren't cheap. New handguns range in | | | | time the trigger is pressed. It automatically extracts |
| price from $250.00 to $2,500.00. And to complicate | | | | the spent casing and prepares to fire another round. |
| the matter even further, there are many different | | | | A semi-automatic is sometimes called automatic, but |
| manufactures and choices. I tell people in my carry | | | | the difference is a true automatic can fire multiple |
| permit course that there are as many different types | | | | rounds per trigger press. This seemingly small |
| of handguns as the manufacturers can talk people | | | | difference can cause tens of thousands of dollars in |
| into buying. What is probably most confusing to | | | | fines and years of time in federal penitentiaries, so be |
| someone new to this field is the fact that for every | | | | sure to know the difference. A semi-automatic holds |
| make and model of handgun, there are 3 gun | | | | its rounds in a single device called a magazine (it is |
| magazine writers telling their readers that their | | | | possible to offend some hard-line gun enthusiasts by |
| particular brand or caliber or gizmo is the best, and 4 | | | | calling a magazine a clip). This magazine is normally |
| others saying that the gun in question will get the | | | | inserted into the grip of the handgun. These |
| reader killed. | | | | handguns are the most popular, and they are that |
| Yesterday I was asked my opinion about Glocks. I | | | | way for many reasons. Some of the most |
| said that what I thought didn't matter; it wasn't my | | | | recognized reasons are: |
| money or my safety on the line. My preference does | | | | Semi-autos can hold many rounds compared to a |
| not matter in the decision to buy your gun. My wife | | | | revolver. Normally a semi-auto magazine holds 8 to |
| likes Glocks; I feel the same about revolvers. Our | | | | 10rds, but there are magazines capable of holding 15 |
| preferences differ. As long as you know your gun, | | | | to 30. |
| why you chose it, and it fits your needs, then it's the | | | | They allow faster reloads. |
| best gun for you. Now, that being said lets discuss | | | | Due to popularity, there is a wider choice of |
| the benefits and drawbacks of the two main types | | | | accessories such as holsters available. |
| of handguns, semi-automatics and revolvers. | | | | They are easier to conceal due to thinner action than |
| Revolvers are a type of pistol that has a rotating | | | | a normal revolver. |
| cylinder containing a number of firing chambers. They | | | | It is easy to carry spare ammunition via preloaded |
| typically hold 5 or 6 rounds, each held in its own firing | | | | magazines. |
| chamber. They are generally cheaper to purchase | | | | Iyt is because of the amount of rounds easily carried |
| than a semi-automatic, with a new one from a major | | | | in magazines upon one's body and the amount of |
| manufacturer such as Taurus or Rossi being in the | | | | rounds in the pistol that caused the semi-automatic |
| neighborhood of $250.00. The major benefits of this | | | | to replace the revolver in the arming of our nation's |
| type of handgun include: | | | | police. What has kept it there is the different |
| They are easier to learn to manipulate, because there | | | | features that are possible in a semi-auto. A police |
| is generally fewer functions than a typical semi-auto. | | | | force or a private user can decide the type of |
| They are normally easier for weaker handed persons | | | | safety devices or modes of operation that they |
| to operate. This is due to the lack of a slide. | | | | want in a firearm and buy a brand that has those |
| They are generally more reliable. | | | | features. While this is a benefit, it also can become a |
| There is more choice of ammunition. | | | | drawback. The reasons for this are: |
| Revolvers are not as training intensive as a | | | | They are very training intensive. Before one begins |
| semi-automatic pistol (more about this later). | | | | to carry a semi-automatic for self-defense, it is |
| I prefer revolvers for home defense, as a home | | | | recommended that the user fire 2 or 3 thousand |
| protection weapon will be stored loaded for an | | | | rounds of the type of ammunition they intend to |
| extended period of time. This is because they have | | | | carry in their firearm in order to fully understand the |
| fewer moving parts, which in turns makes them less | | | | function of their firearm. |
| sensitive to a lack of cleaning and maintenance than | | | | Semi-autos are more complex. This means more |
| semi-automatics. I also recommend them for | | | | prone to fail. While modern firearms and ammunition |
| someone who is not going to train as intensively as | | | | can fire thousands of rounds without malfunction, it |
| recommended because this type of handgun has | | | | can and does happen. |
| fewer functions to remember. In order to manipulate | | | | They are more expensive than a revolver. |
| a revolver, one only has to operate the trigger and | | | | Firing them can be harder for people suffering from |
| the cylinder release, whereas a semi-automatic pistol | | | | arthritis or of weaker stature to manipulate slide. |
| generally has a trigger, a magazine release, a slide | | | | This type of handgun is more sensitive to ammunition |
| lock, and at least one safety lever. | | | | type. Some types of semi-automatics are more |
| Revolvers do have disadvantages, and it is because | | | | prone to jam with certain types of ammunition, which |
| of these disadvantages that police departments | | | | is another reason it is suggested to train with the |
| around the county have changed from them to | | | | type of ammunition you intend to carry. |
| semi-automatics. These disadvantages should be | | | | The semi-auto type of firearm is very well |
| understood if the reader wishes to make a decision; | | | | represented in the world of guns. Because of this |
| therefore I will list them: | | | | sales popularity, there are many different functions |
| Revolvers are slower to reload than the typical | | | | and characteristics. Comparing this is like comparing |
| semi-automatic. | | | | pickup trucks to cars. There are many brands of |
| They are sometimes harder to conceal, due to width | | | | pickups (revolvers), but generally they all are basically |
| of cylinder. | | | | the same. In the car (semi-autos) world, they have |
| Revolvers do not normally hold as many rounds | | | | sedans, sports cars, wagons, convertibles, limousines, |
| (5-6rds compared to 8 or 10rds in a semi-automatic. | | | | economy class, and luxury designs. You can buy a |
| Because a revolver contains separate chambers for | | | | vehicle or a firearm based solely upon an arbitrary |
| each round, to fully load a revolver, the operator | | | | reason such as looks, popularity, or what the |
| must put a round in each chamber (6 actions for 6 | | | | marketing hype in a gun magazine tells you. You may |
| rounds). To fully load a semi-automatic the operator | | | | also buy a tool such as this by deciding your needs |
| has to insert a single magazine into the pistol (one | | | | and weighing your options. |
| action for multiple rounds). | | | | |