When I began my journey into discovering firearms I found myself asking a lot of questions about what is a good first gun. There are many options to choose from and I’ve always had a certain affinity for revolvers, but like many new shooters I had to ask myself ….. Is a revolver good for a beginner shooter? So after doing hours of research I found my answer.
Is a revolver good for beginners? The short answer is YES! Revolvers can be a great option for new shooters and here are a few reasons why.
Revolvers are straightforward and easy to use. To explain this I think it’s best to start with how a revolver works and how it compares to semi-auto pistols. Revolvers use a rotating cylinder that houses multiple chambers where rounds are placed. This differs from a semi-auto pistol that uses a magazine to hold the rounds of ammunition and a reciprocating slide to chamber a round after the previous is fired.
Revolvers are grouped into single action, double action and single/double action.
A single action revolver is named such because pulling the trigger only performs a single action. Each pull of the trigger drops the hammer on the firing pin which inturn fires one round. Because the trigger only drops the hammer you will need to cock the hammer manually prior to each shot. When you cock the hammer the cylinder will rotate to the next chamber allowing you to fire multiple rounds without reloading. While you have to manipulate the hammer prior to each shot you also gain the advantage of a short light trigger pull. This allows for a more accurate shot placement, typically. Single action revolvers have been around since the mid 1800’s and are still commonly used in cowboy action shooting competitions.
A double action revolver differs from a single action in that each pull of the trigger performs two actions simultaneously. When you pull the trigger it will cock the hammer and drop the hammer. This is what makes double action revolvers so popular as concealed carry pistols. This allows you to simplly draw and fire without taking additional time to cock the hammer. True double action revolvers will function in this manner each time you pull the trigger. The downside to this is that a long heavy pull is required with each followup shot. For those people who want the safety of a double action first shot, but would like a better trigger pull experience on subsequent shots you should look at single action/double action.
Single/double Action revolvers give you the best of both worlds. As the name suggests the first trigger pull is double action giving you the safety and ease of use that double action revolvers are known for. But each following trigger pull will be in single action. As I previously noted, this gives you better trigger control and typically more accurate shot placement.
When I first heard that a long heavy trigger pull was safer, I have to admit, I was a bit confused. What makes a long heavy trigger pull safer? As I looked into this I found out that most experts agree this long heavy trigger pull makes it harder for you to have a negligent discharge by snagging the trigger on your clothing while holstering. Also, and maybe more importantly, that long heavy trigger pull requires you to be very intentional when firing. You are not very likely to “accidentally” pull the trigger in a stressful self defense situation.
Because revolvers use a rotating cylinder to hold the rounds, it is very easy to manipulate the gun while loading and unloading. One thing I found when looking for my first gun was how difficult some semi-auto pistols are to manipulate.
The first time I went gun shopping I was more than a bit nervous. Honestly, I was so nervous about going into the gun store that my hands were sweating profusely. I hope I’m not the only one to experience that, but I remember walking into the store with excited anticipation. This is how I first realized that semi-autos have some drawbacks. When the clerk handed me the first semi-auto pistol and I tried to pull the slide back, it slipped right through my sweaty fingers. While I was a bit embarrassed at the time, thinking back I realize that is exactly what could happen during a stressful self defense encounter.
My first experience with a revolver was the exact opposite. While I was still nervous and my hands were still sweating (can you tell my hands tend to sweat) I had no issues manipulating the cylinder and loading the rounds. This inspired more confidence in me quicker.
While revolvers have a lot of positives, you will want to remember when firing a revolver is your grip will be different than how you hold a semi-auto pistol. While most instructors train you to use a thumbs forward grip with semi-auto pistols, you will need to keep those thumbs tucked back while firing a revolver.
Because a revolver uses a rotating cylinder to house the rounds there will always be a small gap between the cylinder and the barrel. That small gap will release gas as the round is fired and that gas will escape from the front of the cylinder. If your finger is in the way of the escaping gas, you might have a problem to say the least. While this can be a bit uncomfortable with smaller calibers like .38, it can be downright dangerous with more powerful rounds like 44 magnum. While I’m not suggesting that 44 magnum is an appropriate caliber for a beginner to start with, I think you get the point. If you want to come back from the range without a bandage, keep those digits clear from the front of the cylinder.
The last point is recoil. While smaller calibers like .38 don’t produce a large amount of recoil the 357 and larger can definitely sting a little. Many revolvers come with wood grips and an exposed metal backstrap. I highly suggest choosing a model that comes with rubber grips or replacing the standard grips with rubber. Hogue makes a very nice replacement grip for most revolvers on the market today and they make shooting much more comfortable. I’ve talked to a few people that have said “well you’re only going to shoot five rounds, why do you need better grips?” Well, for starters, you should be practicing at the range regularly if you own a firearm. And secondly I can tell you from experience, a comfortable grip to mitigate recoil can keep your time at the range more enjoyable and fun instead of a painful chore.
Another note on recoil. While many new shooters think they want a small gun, please take note. The smaller the gun, the more felt recoil. I highly suggest that new shooters start out with a full size revolver or semi-auto in a mid range caliber like .38 or 9mm.
Bottom line, there are many great guns out there for beginners from semi-auto Glocks, 1911’s, and yes… revolvers too. The most important thing is to find what feels comfortable to you and get out to the range. I think a great way to find that perfect fit is to go rent a couple different options and try them out. You’ll never really know for sure until you spend some time behind the gun.
Firearms not only represent our Constitutionally Guaranteed Rights, they are also great hobby and sport. So go out find a local range, have some fun, and be safe.