Question for Gun Folks

Don · 10-02-2008, 02:54 AM

Revolver or plastic? Looking to purchase my next gun and trying tp decide between a revolver shot a SW 686 that was awesome but also like the new XDM from Springfield. Thoughts and opinions?

JimmyH-AD · 10-02-2008, 03:09 AM

The solution is to get both.

Don · 10-02-2008, 03:11 AM

You know me to well

Don · 10-02-2008, 03:13 AM

I have the Kimber and the Beretta and was looking for something different the next logical step is plastic with a striker or a revolver. I was amazed at how well I shoot the 686 with a 38 load for the first time touching a revolver. 50 rounds head shots and only 4 were outside the head.

BigBubba · 10-02-2008, 03:27 AM

Do you like the .40 S&W round? It you do, and already have 1 or more guns in .40 (or you're adding another caliber ammo to stock up on), I'd give the XDM a try.
If not, you can wait for some other calibers to become available.

Personally I love the feel of .40s, my favorite being a XD SC.

Not a wheelgun fan myself, but to be fair I haven't tried many.

Don · 10-02-2008, 03:31 AM

No all I have is a Kimber Gold Match II in 45mm and a Beretta 92FS 9mm

Hawkeye5 · 10-02-2008, 04:08 AM

Don, as you have excellent taste in pistols and razors, I might suggest you try a Colt Python 4 or 6 inch barrel or a Colt Trooper (a downscale from the Python if you must have a .357). These only come in .357 Mag., so you could shoot .38 Special through them also. I prefer the blued finish, but Pythons came in nickle too.
The Python was the closest to a custom that a production revolver ever came, all hand fitted.
Next on the list would be a Colt Diamondback 4 inch .38 Special.
I'm a bit of a Coltaphile when it comes to revolvers (I own 3). A good revolver is a thing of beauty.
As the Colts are no longer in production the used market is the only option. If you don't know what to look for in a used revolver, I can send a scan of the important items to check (assuming I can find it, I seem to be misplacing things I swear I have just seen not long ago).

JimmyH-AD · 10-02-2008, 04:31 AM

I used to prefer revolvers to semi autos until a friend talked me into trying his Glock 40. I shot ten rounds and fell in love with it. The Glock is indestructible, functions flawlessly under adverse conditions and like all autos is easier to clean then a revolver. Holds way more ammo too. I still like to take a revolver to the range once in a while though. S&W has some 357mags that hold 8 rounds now.

cannonfodder · 10-02-2008, 05:54 AM

Revolvers have some good points over autos, the first and foremost is simplicity. If you have a misfire, no tap, rap routine, just pull the trigger again. I learned combat shooting on a S&W revolver, darn accurate and fun to shoot. You can pop 38’s all day and stuff 357’s in it when needed. I could drop a speed loader in the cylinder and pop round 7 off faster than may could shove in another mag and drop the slide, just takes ten thousand rounds or two of practice. I have a 44 Colt Anaconda Team RealTree special from Colt, another nice weapon. I can bounce pop cans all day long at 100 yards with it, download it with 44 specials and shoot all day.

Push comes to shove I grab my Sig 220, but if the wife ever has need of a weapon, a revolver is simple and easy to use. They are just darn fun to shoot as well.

Quick Orange · 10-02-2008, 07:28 AM

Out of those two, I think I like the S&W. I'm not a big fan of the locked and loaded indicator on the XDM. If I were to get a revolver though, I love the .44 magnum. What a joy to shoot!

I recently had the (dis)pleasure of shooting an S&W 500. Holy god that thing is a hand cannon!

Mike7120 · 10-02-2008, 08:48 AM

I'm not a big fan of revolvers. However, I did buy my mom a S&W 642 chambered in .38 special. It's a nice revolver, both lightweight and simple to use.

The XDM looks like a nice gun, but I'd for sure want to shoot it first before buying.

Although my next purchase will be a Kimber, I don't think anything beats a Glock. I've shot probably 2000+ rounds out of my Glock 26 and never had any problems. The material that glocks are made of seems to repel burnt powder. My friend never cleans his Glock 19 and shoots it more than I do mine, and he has never had a malfunction.

Bruno · 10-02-2008, 08:56 AM

I once browsed a website dedicated to describing the abuse a glock can take and still function.
Some of it was almost unbelievable, but they had pics and videos to back up their claims.

If I would own a gun, it would be a glock.

zombiehunter80 · 10-02-2008, 11:25 AM

Obviously, as many have noted before me, both guns have advantages and disadvantages.

I think the bottom line is that you would be happy to own either weapon.

S&W have been making revolvers for a long time, and I've never held one that I don't like (the .500 being a notable and rare example).

On the other hand, the XD has a serious following. I own a Springfield 1911 A-1 and I love it. I have fired the XD, and I think it is every bit as good as a Glock, if not better.

Ultimately, I would suggest that you find friends or a range that will allow you to shoot these weapons (or similar ones) before you drop a bunch of cash.

Hope this helps.

Bill S · 10-02-2008, 12:26 PM

+1 on a Colt Python. I have one with a 6 in barrel you can try if you want. Great gun.

mparker762 · 10-02-2008, 12:26 PM

I've seen two Glocks (not mine) blow up at the range. After I saw the second one blow I sold mine.

As for the OP's question, different people prefer different types, and you'll just have to try 'em and see. I've owned a bunch of semi-autos over the years, but I eventually discovered that for some reason I shoot double action revolvers very well. The only semiauto I shoot better is my Wilson CQB, but that's not a plastigun. My bedside pistol is one of those 8-shot 357 magnums, which supplanted a H&K USP40.

Navaja · 10-02-2008, 12:28 PM

It depends what you want it for.

For self defense/carry, get a Glock.
For simplicity/durability/reliability, get a Glock
For looks/collection/fun, get another Kimber (you'll never have enough Kimbers)
For a great/tight/accurrate custom, get a Les Baer 45 ACP.
To get rid of extra money: all of the above

Bruno · 10-02-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker762

I've seen two Glocks (not mine) blow up at the range. After I saw the second one blow I sold mine.

Were there special circumstances or anything?

If you said it happened I am perfectly happy to accept that.
But I have heard nothing but good reports from Glocks, and I've seen vids of glocks being fired after being submerged in mud, having been spun out from under a truck wheel, ... and they always worked when other guns would jam, misfire or blow up.

So perhaps these were cases of being used with bad ammo or somethign else?
As you know I don't have guns myself, so consider my opinions to be laymen's.

Photoguy67 · 10-02-2008, 01:29 PM

There have been cases of Glocks blowing up, almost always in a .40 s&w. It seems that glocks don't have a fully supported chamber for the .40 and in rare cases a case blows out and destroys the weapon. Glock will replace the gun at their expence if it happens but none the less it has happened. But back to the case Don was asking about the Xd-m or a 686. Personally Don, I think you would be more than pleased with either weapon both are very good and accurate weapons. I carry a Xd .45 for a carry gun and I don't own a revolver, but have a good friend with a 686 and its a very accurate pistol and have amazed myself with it, but thats a whole other story!

Photoguy67

sicboater · 10-02-2008, 01:30 PM

Don,
I have shot an XDm and I must say that the only thing I didn't like about it was the stupid grip safety and the chambered warning tab that sticks up waiting to be caught on something. I think that the grip safety is an outdated solution to a non-existent problem personally. Even on old 1911's. As for the chambered warning, if you are the type of person who treats a gun like it isn't chambered ever you shouldn't own a gun. But that is where it ends with that gun.

The thing had a very high "grin" factory when I was shooting it. I was able to empty the magazine (16+1!) in short order and hold it down to get them all in the 9 ring at 50 yards. It's all about the trigger on that pistol, it has one of the quickest trigger resets I have ever experienced and really short trigger travel.

Hope that helps!

-Rob

mparker762 · 10-02-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruno

Were there special circumstances or anything?

Not that I know of, but they weren't mine. Google turns up an awful lot of similar cases though, so this is definitely not a rare phenomenon. The problem is that the Glock design doesn't use a fully supported chamber - the cartridge guide cuts into the chamber area, and allows the case to bulge or in extreme cases rupture in that area. I checked the cases coming from my Glocks and they all (both 9mm and 40 S&W) had visible bulges at the bottom.