+1 on the 12 gauge and the .38 revolver, for all the reasons stated above and one other consideration in favor of the revolver: reliability and low maintenance. A semi-auto handgun relies on various springs etc. to feed. Dirt, time, just laying around unused might cause a failure to feed just when you need it most. You don't have that problem with a revolver, which will sit happily in a drawer and fire when you need it most: everything is strictly mechanical.
Revolvers are not more reliable then semi autos, this is a myth. Every army in the world used semi autos, they are in the killing business, if semi autos were not reliable, they would not use them. Also a revolver is an open gun it can become clogged with debris causing the cylinder to stop indexing to the next round.
The working / moving parts are open to outside influence. If not cocked, a person can grab a revolver that you are pointing at them tightly and keep you from firing as the cylinder is open and needs to turn to fire.
I use to work at a gun shop years ago, my friend still owns his own shop and we have tried this experiment many times (with unloaded guns) you point a revolver at a person, they grab it and hold on tight and twist the gun to point away from them. You can’t fire the gun while they are gripping the gun tightly.
PS It’s always a good idea (according to what I’ve read) keep a person 12-feet away from you when you are holding a gun on them, it’s close enough to not miss, and far enough to keep them from grabbing the gun and also they can’t cover that distance before you react to their movement(shoot them).
Previous Topic
Index
