Why You Shouldn't Carry A Revolver

Published on May 4, 2026
Duration: 9:29

This video from Honest Outlaw presents a critical analysis of carrying revolvers for self-defense in the modern era. While acknowledging their historical significance and certain advantages like simplicity and reliability in close quarters, the instructor argues that for most individuals, especially new shooters, modern semi-automatic pistols offer superior capacity, shootability, accuracy, and ease of maintenance. The video highlights potential drawbacks of revolvers such as limited capacity, challenging trigger pulls affecting accuracy, and higher recoil, making them less practical for widespread concealed carry compared to contemporary alternatives.

Quick Summary

While revolvers are historically significant for concealed carry due to their simplicity, modern semi-automatic pistols often present a more practical choice. Key advantages of semi-automatics include higher ammunition capacity, easier-to-manage triggers for improved accuracy, less recoil for better shootability, and simpler maintenance, making them more suitable for the average concealed carrier.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Introduction: Revolver Carry Debate
  2. 01:15Historical Advantages of Revolvers
  3. 02:53Revolver Reliability: Mechanical vs. User
  4. 03:50Con: Limited Capacity
  5. 04:20Con: Accuracy and Trigger Pull
  6. 05:22Power vs. Shootability Debate
  7. 06:14Con: Price and Value
  8. 06:41Con: Maintenance Requirements
  9. 07:27Conclusion: Who Should Carry a Revolver?
  10. 08:06Recommendations for New Shooters
  11. 08:34Are Revolvers Bad Guns?
  12. 09:13Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main disadvantages of carrying a revolver for self-defense today?

The primary disadvantages include significantly lower ammunition capacity compared to semi-automatics, a more challenging trigger pull that impacts accuracy, and potentially higher recoil making them uncomfortable for frequent training. Maintenance can also be more involved than with modern striker-fired pistols.

Are revolvers less reliable than semi-automatic pistols for concealed carry?

Mechanically, revolvers are very reliable. However, user-induced reliability issues, such as short-stroking the trigger under stress, can cause timing problems. Semi-automatics, while having more parts, are generally considered more forgiving for the average user in high-stress situations.

Why is the trigger pull on a revolver considered a disadvantage for concealed carry?

Revolvers typically have long, heavy double-action trigger pulls. This requires more force and a longer travel distance, making it harder for many shooters to maintain a consistent sight picture, often leading to missed shots, especially when shooting quickly.

What are the advantages of modern semi-automatic pistols over revolvers for concealed carry?

Semi-automatics generally offer higher ammunition capacity, easier-to-manage triggers for better accuracy, less felt recoil with comparable calibers, simpler maintenance, and often a lower price point for equivalent capability, making them more practical for most users.

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