Since I first became involved in the firearms industry, I’ve heard numerous stories about men coercing women into using revolvers for personal protection. There are complaints about a husband purchasing his wife a small revolver or the man at the firearms counter saying, “Well, little lady, what you need is a nice revolver.” Now, bear with me; I want to convince you of the validity of some people choosing revolvers for personal protection and a way to set them up for success.
Sponsored by Taurus
Some people want a firearm for home defense and personal protection. Perhaps something happened in their lives that caused them to need a gun quickly. These people may be willing to purchase a gun, learn the laws and get trained. However, for whatever reason, they may only be able to spend a minimal amount of time on the range. I believe for these people, revolvers are a valid choice for personal protection because they don’t need an extensive amount of training to learn how to shoot them. Point, pull the trigger, and then, if necessary, pull the trigger again. There is no need to learn how to create a proper grip to avoid malfunctions, like it is with a semi-auto, and then how to clear them. Yes, revolvers are much easier to shoot than semi-autos, and there is no shame in having them for protection. The two revolvers I recently had time to work with are the Taurus 82 medium frame revolver and a Taurus 856 Ultra Lite, both in 38 Spl +P.
Taurus 82 is a six-shot revolver with a 4-inch barrel, fixed sights and a custom single action/double action trigger. MSRP: $479.99
Taurus 856 is a lightweight, single action/double action, six-shot revolver with a 2-inch barrel. MSRP: $376.05
I contacted some of my friends in the firearms industry to find out what they had to say about choosing a revolver for personal protection.
Kay Miculek
I have often suggested a revolver to new shooters, especially those that I know are likely never to pursue any training past a basic safety and marksmanship class.
Two of the biggest advantages of revolvers:
1. Reliability. Other than pulling the trigger, the revolver does not rely on the shooter for its function. Even shooters with poor grip and/or stance techniques can make a revolver go bang repeatedly. These same poor techniques will cause malfunctions in semi-autos.
2. Simplicity of operation. Operational features of most revolvers are similar and easily understood. If it doesn’t go bang, pull the trigger again. No “jams” to clear.
Becky Yackley
If your local laws prohibit you from owning a semi-auto handgun, you can always purchase a revolver. While they hold fewer rounds, revolvers can be much easier to conceal.
Also, if you shoot a semi-auto with a heavy recoil spring and are not creating a solid platform to manage recoil, your likelihood of creating malfunctions rises. A revolver is a great solution for people with less strength to manage recoil.
If you’re not sure how to grip a revolver, Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager for Taurus Brands, has a very informative YouTube video explaining the various options. Try them to find out what works best for you.
As with any handgun, learn the basics with a larger framed gun. It’s just easier to shoot because there is less recoil. The large framed revolver is also perfect for storing in your house for home defense. You may even want to purchase revolvers with a laser already on them. Then, get a more compact size to conceal and carry. Learn how to load and unload them. Spend some time at home with dryfire, working the trigger smoothly before heading to the range.
Note: Barbara Baird wrote a compelling post about learning to shoot a revolver one-handed for personal defense reasons. If you can’t shoot a revolver with one hand, it might not be the best option.
Peruse all the guns Taurus offers to find your revolver for personal protection here.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
