Revolver: coming full circle

Standing on the firing line, some of the students was becoming impatient. They have had there semi-automatic pistols loaded and made ready for a full 20 seconds (to them and hour). I could see the anticipation of there breathing as they was awaiting the commands. Once the other student was ready, and the line was ready the shooting began. After all the string's of fire was complete and the range was clear and cold, the students began to gather their gear and go back to the classroom. As I passed one table, one student looked at the "slower" one and said, "you should really upgrade to the 21st century", half joking. The other student kind of smiled and kept at the task. I then decided and impromtu discussion should take place here, for the benefit of the students. I stopped them all and had them come into a school circle on the range. I then asked, "what is the most reliable pistol they have ever shot?". The class was made up of mainly younger men, and two ladies, one was closer to my age (that young). While they was stating a few "name brand" pistol's, I began to clear and lay out a few different models on the table. After they was done,I said "which one would you put in a new person hand and have them defend your life, of the ones on the table?" There was a look of confusion, then one asked "which would you?" I reached over and picked up the open cylinder revolver, raised it to my chest and said "this one". The looks of doubt was all about. I then began to fill the students in as to why this was my personal opinion of the choice. I pointed out a few key things for them to thing about; 1) For well over a hundred years, the double action revolver has in essence been unchanged. That is because it works! 2) The Double action revolver is the most reliable pistol, (you could see some defensive looks, almost feel some chest raise as they was ready to defend there brands). This is the only pistol that you can load, set in safe area, come back months or years, pick it up and it will fire! There is no spring of the magazine to get week, or lack of lubrication ont he slide to dry out. 3) I pointed out that with this design you can place it in "single action", to acquire a more precise shot on a small target. Instead of having just one set trigger. 4) The double action revovler has a fixed barrel. You don't have to be a gunsmith or designer, to grasp that a fixed barrel will be more accurate than one that moves. 5) The mechanics of the revolver are a whole lot simpler that those of a semi-automatic. 6) The manipulation of the pistol is far easier. All that is needed is to be able to open the cylinder, insert cartridges, close and shoot. 7) Being manipulation is simpler, those with small hands, or arthritis find it a joy. 8) A person will have better muzzle control,as there is no "fighting" of the slide to lock back. 9) There is no safety on the pistol, as well as, no doubt if loaded or not. Pop open cylinder and can see, at same time makes the pistol clear. 10) If you experiance a malfuction there is one simple immediate action drill, press the trigger again. After I was done, you could see the light bulbs burning bright on the new found information of the old "wheel gun". I told them I am just giving you information to think about. That there is no free lunch as that the revolver does have a few limitions. One being that if you experiance a "squib load" or if it does lock up, you now have a club. Many cite that the revolver is limited on capacity, and a great many of them agreed with that statement. I then said "what is quicker performing a reload on a semi-automatic or grabbing a "pre-loaded" pistol?" Majority said the reload was the quickest. I then gave them a demonstration of both since I normally carry a semi-automatic with spare magazine and a snub nose revolver. We did not run any timer, but I did a reload and then went to the other pistol 3 times. Afterward, they all said that giong to other pistol was quicker and they was stunned. We live in the golden age of personal protection pistols. A person has there choice of sights, trigger, magazine, grip designs made by hundreds of fine manufactures. You can buy a inexspensive pistol and it will for the most part be reliable, accurate and if maintained last to be handed down to your children. But in this age of "poly", do not overlook the revolver option (you can even get one of those in poly too). It served our military and law enforcement a long time and saved many of there lives. If someone is struggling with a semi-automatic, educate then on the Revolver option. Stay aware, train right