"I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?" The immortal words of Clint Eastwood will always be brought up when people start talking about revolvers. Why not? Some say Dirty Harry saved the S&W company from getting hit with an old chapter 11 bankruptcy when the first Dirty Harry premiered. Now, nearly 50 years later, people are starting to ask once more, why are revolvers still used? Well, that's a solid question and asking good questions is how we learn, evolve, and adapt. Like most things, the answer isn't simple, and there are three big practical reasons people still cling to their six guns.  

More Power!

The design of a revolver involves 5 to 6 separate chambers and no operating slide. The use of a rotating cylinder and the lack of a slide means a revolver can be chambered in incredibly powerful rounds and can do so at an affordable cost. Sure, Desert Eagles and Wildey Magnums exist, but they are far from practical and reliable. No automatic that I know of can chamber the 500 S&W cartridges either, so revolvers win on the power spectrum. From 357 to 500 S&W, revolvers utilize powerful magnum cartridges better than automatics in every way. Clint's done some shooting with powerful revolvers, check out his video here!

Magnum Research BFR .500 S&W Revolver

Less Power? Revolvers can also handle reduced recoil loads better than automatics. Some folks are recoil shy and 90 grain 38 Special, reduced recoil loads are a much better choice for defensive use. A revolver doesn't rely on the gas or recoil of a cartridge to cycle the cylinder. This means the guns can handle lower-powered rounds without malfunctions. This includes competition guns like the cowboy guns shooting single-action society competitions.

Rock Island Armory M200 38 SPL Revolver

Size to Power Efficiency When it comes to concealed carry, I will challenge you to find an automatic with the power of a 357 Magnum in a gun small enough to fit in your pocket. You can do that with a revolver. You can find a 357 Magnum, 38 Special, 44 Special, and more in snub nose variants that are well suited for concealed carry.

Taylors And Company 1873 Cattleman .357 Revolver

Simplicity Revolvers are simple guns, and simple guns are perfectly fine. With a revolver, should your gun fail to go bang, the immediate action is nothing more than pulling the trigger again. There is a good degree of comfort in a gun that's so utterly simple and reliable.

Standard Manufacturing Thunderstruck .22 Magnum Double Barrel Revolver

Unpractical Reasons I could list a dozen less than practical reasons why revolvers are still used. For one, they are a whole different kind of cool. We live in a world where the primary handgun chosen by most is an all-black, polymer-frame striker-fired pistol. A revolver most certainly stands out as a cool option for concealed carry. Revolvers are still quite practical despite the few drawbacks they may have. They might not be for you, but for many, they are a viable and capable choice for a variety of roles from self-defense to hunting. Shop All Revolvers
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