There was a lot of interest and response to my last column on the double-action revolver. I appreciate that and, like a lot of you, I think the DA revolver is often overlooked as an option when folks select their defensive firearm. However, I think there are a couple of issues that prospective revolver buyers should consider.
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You can calm down because this is not another one of those “Revolver vs. Semi-auto” articles. I am, however, curious about all of the recent interest in defensive revolvers that I see on social media. Colt has recently made a big splash with the reintroduction of their Python revolver. At the same time, we continue to see and hear from shooters who cleave to their Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers. And there seems to be continued interest in revolvers manufactured by several other companies. A custom holster maker recently told me that 70 percent of his orders are holsters for revolvers. I am curious if we are seeing a solid trend back to the defensive revolver or if this is just some sort of fad.
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Above: A popular drill in defensive-training classes is to have instructors run perpendicular to the shooter in a measured space of 21′. The goal is for the shooter on the line to draw and engage a paper target before the instructor can make it to the 21′ line. This is designed to illustrate the realities of the Tueller Study using real-world CCW methods.
In 1983, Dennis Tueller, a police officer, published an article discussing the need to defend against an attacker armed with a knife or blunt weapon. Through his tests and studies he determined that a person would be in danger if the attacker came at him from 21′ or less.
In short, the attacker could get to his victim before the victim was able to draw and accurately fire his handgun. While this study was done to educate police officers, it obviously is just as important to the armed citizen. However, through the passing years, various interpretations of Tueller’s study have led to some confusion. And it is confusion that just might get the armed citizen in trouble.
Ruger’s PC Carbine is just one of the many options available for those who choose the PCC lifestyle. Accepting Glock magazines and with a variety of options for attaching accessories, the PC Carbine makes a lot of sense for defense.
Students of firearm history know the concept of pistol-caliber carbines is not a new one. They really first became a hot item back in 1873, when Winchester introduced the Model 1873 carbine and rifle. Coincidentally, that is the same year Colt unveiled the Single Action Army revolver. In short order, Winchester offered the Model 73 in .44-40 WCF, .38-40 WCF and .32-20 WCF chamberings. Colt responded by chambering its big revolver in the same calibers.
Surprisingly, in those days the Winchester was not chambered in .45 Colt; that only occurred in more modern times. Marlin and other companies soon got on the bandwagon, too, offering carbines that were compatible with Colt, Smith & Wesson and Remington revolvers.
