During my previous posts regarding a firearm for self-defense on a budget, I initially looked at getting a 1911 from Armscor. Reason being is that the 1911 platform has been a reliable pistol since it's introduction up until today. It is still currently being used by police and military elements. It's also the most popular competition pistol in the world. And here in the Philippines, the 1911 pistol has a very large group of owners. But since I discussed about the 1911 pistol last 2011 as my preferred defense firearm, I did some research on the other pistol platforms, designs and brands that are available in the market. And I came to a conclusion, that for me, the best home/self-defense and survival pistol would be a revolver or wheel gun. Yes, you got it right, a revolver. Specifically chambered in the .38 Special cartridge.
If you are into guns and firearms then you would know that in terms of years of service, the revolver has been around longer that the 1911 or any type semi-automatic pistol. Everytime you watch a cowboy movie or show, you would see a revolver. The first models were only single action, this means that every time you want to fire the weapon, you would need to pull the hammer back. Hence, cowboys would hold and shoot the firearm with their dominant hand and cock the hammer using the other hand. And of course, the most basic way to shoot the SA (single-action) revolver would be to pull the hammer back with you thumb.
Wild West Style Single Action Revolvers
As technology improved, the revolver also changed it's firing mechanism from single-action to a double/single-action firing mechanism. You can still fire the pistol by pulling the hammer back to cock it then pulling on the trigger for the hammer to strike the bullet. But this, you can also fire the pistol even if the hammer is not cocked or pulled back. It had a 2-stage firing process thus it's double action. The first stage is to pull the trigger and in doing so, the hammer would pull back, it's a long and heavy trigger pull usually about 11-12 lbs. The second stage would be when the hammer strikes the bullet and fires.
During the 60's to 80's, the PC or Philippines Constabulary used the .38 Special Revolver as a duty gun. The FBI and Secret Service also used a revolver, it was the snub nose Colt Detective also chambered in .38 Special for concealed carry. And as the model name suggests, most detectives used the same pistol.
Today, the .38 Special Revolver is being used by security agencies as the standard duty gun for guards mainly because of it's reasonable unit price.
I'm sure, like me, you watch The Walking Dead right? And I'm also sure that you noticed the gun that Rick Grimes uses in the show. Yes, that it a revolver but it's not chambered in .38 Special, it's a Chrome Colt Python 357 Magnum revolver with an 6 inch barrel. Aside from him, I also noticed that when Lori was still alive, she was carrying a snub nose revolver, looks like a Smith and Wesson and definitely in .38 Special as well as other characters like Merle Dixon also used a 38 Special revolver in the show.
Colt Python .357 Magnum
So the question remains, why a .38 Special revolver for defense. Aside from its long history and popularity, I have several reason why I recommend having a revolver for self/home defense and as a survival pistol.
1. Reasonable Price:
Again, this is prepping on a budget, so cost is number one. A locally manufactured revolver would only run for around Php10,000 to 15,000. Ammunition costs almost the same if not less compared to a 9mm or .45 auto cartridge. You don't need to buy extra magazines since a revolver does not need one.
2. Ease of Use:
There are no magazines that you need to load, you don't need to cock before you can shoot, there are no external safety levers or buttons, just pull the trigger and it goes bang! Anyone in the household can shoot the gun even under stress if need be. Loading and unloading is also very simple to do. Just do a demo and if you can, practice with your family members using fake plastic bullets or spent cartridges. Cleaning the firearm is also very easy, you don't need to fieldstrip the firearm for you to clean the barrrel.
Cleaning a Revolver
3. Reliability:
Unlike a semi-auto pistol, you don't need to do a lot of troubleshooting in case it does not fire or if you experience any issues with the bullet. No stove-pipe, failure to eject, failure to go into battery issues with a revolver. If the gun does not fire, all you need to do is pull the trigger again for the gun to cycle to the next round and it should shoot. There is no break in, you just initially need to make sure that the pistol does fire.
4. Ammo Options:
Like other firearms, there are many choices when it comes to the cartridge type. There are FMJ (full metal jackets), copper plated, lead reloads, semi-wad cutter, +P and of course for home defense, JHP (jacketed hollow points).
5. Accessories:
When it comes to customizing the pistol, there aren't a lot of things you can change or would need to change from the stock version. You can change the grips, there are Pachmayr and Hogue grips available for revolvers of different frames. You can also get a speedloader for faster reloading, since there are no magazines for a revolver or you can also but a strip loader or a ring loader usually used in shooting competitions. There are also aftermarket sights but depending on the type of revolver that you have, most of them have fixed sights. There are also a lot of holster options for a revolver if you would look for one. There are holsters made from synthetic materials, you can also have a custom kydex holster made, a race holster for revolvers is also available, and the most popular for them would be a leather holster.
Pacmayr Rubber Colt Revolver Grips
Speed Loader
Strip Loader
Moon Clip
6. Concealed Carry:
If you carry a firearm on you or would like to, there is an option for you to carry the 2 inch snub nose revolver. It's small that you can put it inside your pocket or if you are a female, in your purse. There is also an option for a hammerless type revolver that you can shoot even while inside your pocket. There are lightweight revolver frames from Taurus and Charter Arms that you can check, but would cost you a bit. It's up to you.
Hammerless 5-shot .38 Special Revolver
The revolver is not a perfect firearm, there are also downsides to having and using one. First would be firepower. Most full sized revolvers would be 6 shots, and an imported brand, specially if it's a snub nose usually has 5 shots. And since it does not use magazines, it would take some time for a shooter to reload the firearm the traditional way. But practice would make reloading the gun faster, and if you get a speedloader, it will be quicker. If you're used to a light trigger pull like in the 1911, shooting a revolver would need some getting used to.
In conclusion, the revolver would be a very good choice for a self/home defense and survival gun because it's practical and easy to use even under stress. The cons of using one can all be compensated with practice. As with any other firearm, you need to train how to use it for you to be effective. Besides, in a home defense situation, you don't need too many bullets.
Remember: Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
