Why Don’t Modern Revolvers Exist?
BY Herschel Smith
4 hours, 12 minutes ago
First, I don’t agree with him that bolt action rifles are old and passé. Most sniper rifles in use in militaries around the world are still bolt action rifles (for tolerance issues, seating near the lands, etc., things that a semiautomatic doesn’t do as well).
Second, I like wheel guns for the same reason I like walnut furniture on rifles and lever action guns. The elegance and beauty of the thing, as well as the tip of the hat to older times. There’s just something about being connected to your heritage.
Third, I still think wheel guns are a valid and viable carry firearm. Semiautomatics haven’t replaced wheel guns, just supplemented them.
On August 20, 2025 at 9:26 pm, Paul B said:
Wheel guns go click, bang every time. Autos can misfire at the most important times. They jam easy. In fact post auto shooters have drills to make malfunction clearing easier. That being said once the gun goes dry it is easier to reload an auto.
But revolvers are bone simple.
On August 20, 2025 at 11:03 pm, Georgiaboy61 said:
I am not a wheel-gun nut, so to speak, but I know enough about their virtues that if I was putting together a desert island collection of firearms, a number of pieces would probably be wheel-guns. I absolutely love Ruger’s GP100 DA/SA 357 Magnum with a 6″ barrel. I am also a fan of Smith & Wesson’s Model 27 SA/DA with a 6.5″ blued barrel and walnut grips.
Although I like other chamberings, if I had to choose only one cartridge for use with a revolver, it would be 357 Magnum. Close alternates would be 44 Magnum and 45 Colt. That’s for center-fire; I’d also want one in rim-fire preferably capable of handling both 22LR and 22 WMR.
Not only do I like revolvers, so does the cowgirl I call my wife. She just loves her lever-action and wheel gun pairing.