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