Why Don’t Modern Revolvers Exist?
BY Herschel Smith
1 month, 3 weeks 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.
On August 21, 2025 at 8:18 am, Pat H. Bowman said:
Agree with you on the wood and steel concept. Every time I pick up the Savage 99, built in 1930, I marvel at what those guys could do long before CAD/CAM and CNC. The gun is a work of art, built by artists. And it still works as well as it did 100 years ago. The heavy lifting of modern firearm design was largely complete by the 1930s.
On August 21, 2025 at 10:19 am, Don W Curton said:
He seems to be complaining about, well, nothing. Reduced weight, exotic materials, different calibers, special sights? All of that and more are already available on the current crop of revolvers. The Ruger LCR and S&W M&P series with polymer frames are probably the most modern of current designs. I’m not sure what he’s missing, unless he just needs to put out a certain number of videos to get the required clicks. The reality is that manufacturers are making the guns that sell well, and for most revolver purchasers that is the classical design.
On August 21, 2025 at 1:26 pm, Bill Buppert said:
Leave no brass behind is advantage one.
On August 21, 2025 at 1:27 pm, J J said:
Agree with Herschel on all three points.
I watched 2 or 3 minutes of that video before I determined it must have been a slow, low idea day at Lucky Gunner content development.
On August 22, 2025 at 10:59 am, xtphreak said:
Revolvers are less “load dependent” than autoloaders.
My usual “outside around the cabin” carry is a Charter Arms .44 Spl Bulldog, 3″ barrel, walnut “old school stocks”.
The first 2 chambers are CCI “Big 4″ (#4 shot vs #9 shot) snake loads for Mr. No-Legs.
The remaining 3 chambers are 210gr SWC over 5.6 gr Unique for around 850fps.
Just a note, I tried Underwood’s 200gr hardcast WC .44 Spl in the Bulldog.
Now related to use in my 629 4”.
Like being smacked in the palm with a baseball bat!
1) autoloaders don’t play well with snake loads (generally)
2) this gun is light on the belt (Bianchi 5BHL thumbsnap)
3) shoots to POI at 25 ft with the 210 gr (shoots 1.5-2″ high with 240gr)
4) my EDC is a Sig 938 with 8 rds Fed 150 gr HST for Micro 9’s (can’t find it anymore though) because it’s pocket sized, accurate, reliable; but won’t cycle snake loads.
It’s causing a decision dilemma for my planned motocamping trip out west next year.
Do I carry a 1911 (.45ACP 255gr hardcast coated Underwood) with a 10rd McCormick Power Mag
or
the 4″ 629 (allows snake load options) for a campgun?
I’d love a takedown (love ’em) lever gun or shotgun, but can’t justify the space.
Have a Good Day
On August 22, 2025 at 11:06 am, xtphreak said:
I HATE AUTOINCORRECT ON THIS STOOPID SMARTPHONE!!!!
The above post said “…relegated…”, when I hit submit, not “…related…”.
Also, I intended to say, that’s a big issue with polymer guns/lightweight guns in general.
Easier to carry
Painful to shoot fullpower loads.
Have A Good Day
On August 22, 2025 at 1:39 pm, Tor Likes Meatballs said:
5-6 shooters don’t jam and the shell casings stay with you.
Every weapon has its pluses and minuses.