Revolvers vs. Semi-Autos: Handgun Type Differences

I’ve been playing with handguns for years, and I’ve enjoyed shooting for far longer, and one of the common comparisons that come up is the choice of revolver vs semi-auto.

While many people might be quick to jump to one conclusion or another, I can assure you there is much more to consider than you realize.

Both revolvers and semi-automatic handguns have their fan loyalty, and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages.

We’re going to dig into those points here, we’ll dissect all of the key differences and compare the specs, ammo, and more to give you all of the valuable information you need to make an educated decision on your next firearm type.

Timeless Wheelgun Wonder

Revolvers are the quintessential handguns of yore. They have a design that’s been around since the 19th century, and they have a rotating cylinder that commonly holds 5-6 rounds of ammo. They are well-known for their simplicity, reliability, and durability and are still popular to this day for their use in sport shooting and self-defense.

Examples of Revolvers

Taurus Judge

Smith & Wesson Model 69

S&W Model 640

Modern Firepower Efficiency

Semi-automatic handguns, usually just called semi-autos, use a self-loading mechanism that automatically chambers a new round after each shot, rather than having the shooter advance the cylinder.

They will generally have higher ammo capacities than revolvers, as well as faster reloading times. Semi-autos are the default choice for military and law enforcement due to their versatility.

Examples of Semi-Automatic Handguns

Canik TP9SFx

Glock 17

SIG Sauer P365

Ammunition Capacity

One of the biggest differences between revolvers and semi-autos is the ammo capacity.

Generally speaking, most revolvers are limited to just 5 or 6 rounds in the cylinder before they need to be reloaded. Semi-autos, on the other hand, can hold anywhere from 7 to 17 rounds in the magazine, with one more in the chamber. This means semi-autos have the edge where more ammo is needed.

Reloading Speed

Another advantage that semi-autos have over revolvers is their speed in reloading. Semi-autos have removable magazines, which means they can be reloaded by simply ejecting the empty one and replacing it with a full one, in just a matter of seconds.

Revolvers, however, have a more involved process for reloading. The cylinder must be opened, the spent shells removed, and the new rounds inserted. The new rounds must be inserted one by one unless the shooter has a speedloader.

Malfunction Rates

Shooters that are looking for a reliable firearm should pay close attention here.

Revolvers have far fewer moving parts than semi-autos and are less prone to malfunctions or breakage. This simply means that things like failure-to-feed or failure-to-eject errors are essentially eliminated.

Semi-autos, while reliable, can be at risk for more frequent jams, feed issues, or similar failures if they are not maintained properly.

Size & Weight

Revolvers tend to be heavier and bulkier than semi-autos due to their cylinder design. This has the potential to make them less comfortable for situations where you may carry or concealed carry them for extended periods.

Semi-autos are frequently lighter, slimmer, and more compact, making them more comfortable for extended wearing scenarios. Additionally, the slimmer profile of many semi-autos makes them harder to detect while being worn, while revolvers may be more noticeable.

Trigger Pull

Revolvers are known for having a much longer, heavier trigger pull, particularly when being used in double-action mode. Without sufficient practice, this can significantly affect accuracy.

Semi-autos will often have lighter, smoother trigger pulls, allowing them to be more precisely controlled.

Additionally, many semi-autos can be disassembled and customized, so if you like a lighter pull, you can install a lighter pull spring, one of the rare benefits of the more complex nature of the semi-autos.

Recoil Management

Semi-autos utilize recoil energy to chamber the next round, typically resulting in far less felt recoil. This will often lead to benefits like better accuracy overall, faster follow-up shots, and greater accuracy during rapid-fire situations.

Revolvers transfer more of the recoil energy directly to the shooter’s hand, which can be challenging for some shooters, particularly when shooting larger calibers.

Customization and Accessories

This is one of the differences that semi-auto fans go to first, but we can’t blame them. Semi-autos usually have much more accessibility to options for customization and aftermarket accessories.

Some of the accessories available for semi-autos include lasers, lights, optics, grips, and other modifications.

For revolvers, there are far fewer options, even though many modern revolver manufacturers are adding short rails for attachments like optics and lasers.

Caliber Options

To the surprise of many shooters, revolvers offer a wider range of caliber options, including massively-powerful options like the .44 Magnum and the .500 S&W Magnum, which can even be used for bear defense.

Semi-autos, while available in a range of caliber options, tend to focus mostly on the most popular options, like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Some specialty calibers, like 10mm, can be found in semi-automatic, but in most cases, revolvers will offer more diversity in their selection.

Manual Safeties

For those who prefer firearms with more manual safety devices, semi-autos are likely going to be the best choice.

They frequently come with devices like grip safeties and trigger safeties, which can help many shooters to feel reassured. Revolvers, on the other hand, generally lack those safety features and rely on the design of the gun and the heavier trigger pull to prevent accidental discharges.

Ease of Maintenance

For shooters looking to cut down on the time they spend maintaining their firearms after a day of shooting, revolvers are where it’s at. They are simpler to maintain than semi-autos in just about every way.

They only have a couple of moving parts and don’t need to be disassembled for a basic cleaning. Semi-autos require more attention to maintenance and can be much more complex to take apart and put back together.

Aesthetics and Collectability

Even if you have never shot a revolver, there are probably some that you love the look of. There are nostalgic old long-barreled cowboy revolvers, snub-nosed models that a detective would carry in a hard-boiled crime story, and more futuristic types.

Semi-autos tend to be seen as more utilitarian, even when highly customized.

Training and Learning Curve

For those new to shooting, revolvers can be less intimidating and easier to learn than semi-autos due to the simpler operation. One drawback, however, is that revolvers transfer more recoil energy to the shooter, so they can be more intimidating to fire.

In practical terms, there aren’t any viable alternatives if you don’t want a revolver or semi-auto.

Sure, there are Derringers, single-shot pistols, and even bolt-action handguns for niche uses or the true collector, but if you’re looking for something that you can grab ammo for easily and hit the range, it’s semi-auto or wheelgun, that’s it.

When it comes to choosing between a revolver and a semi-auto, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each firearm type offers unique advantages and specific drawbacks, making them each suitable for a different range of uses and situations.

Be sure you carefully consider your intended use and personal preferences, as well as your level of experience or potential lack of experience, and everything you’ve read here before deciding which handgun is going to be best for you.

If possible, spend a few hours at the range one day trying out several different types of guns, and see if something pulls your trigger. Ultimately, the right choice for you is the one you determine feels right.