Revolver
- Thread starter Garnfellow
- Start date
The .454 Casull is used for Big Game Hunting, I thought sure Warthogs and stuff like that right? But after a bit of netfu research I discovered that the .454 Casull in a handgun has been used to take Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Lion; all of the classic "Big Five" dangerous game animals.
...Then there is the guy that killed a Kodiak Bear with one shot.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/08/31/man-kills-charging-bear-with-454-casull/
Fair disclosure: He said it was a "lucky shot" but that was (I think) because it was not aimed, the Bear was practically on top of him and he was back-peddling as he fired. Jeez.
Best quote about this revolver monstrosity comes off a guy from another gaming board. Someone mentioned that these were overkill, an example of midlife crisis fetishism, though he ended with a caveat: "But I can see some value to these weapons... if you have a problem with Rhinos getting into your trash."
Sure, I can see that.
"Honey, the Rhino's in the garbage again..."
<sigh>
...Then there is the guy that killed a Kodiak Bear with one shot.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/08/31/man-kills-charging-bear-with-454-casull/
Fair disclosure: He said it was a "lucky shot" but that was (I think) because it was not aimed, the Bear was practically on top of him and he was back-peddling as he fired. Jeez.
Best quote about this revolver monstrosity comes off a guy from another gaming board. Someone mentioned that these were overkill, an example of midlife crisis fetishism, though he ended with a caveat: "But I can see some value to these weapons... if you have a problem with Rhinos getting into your trash."
Sure, I can see that.
"Honey, the Rhino's in the garbage again..."
<sigh>
I doubt "the guy that killed a Kodiak Bear with one shot." , when He needed to , is one of those "someone"'s .
Khan Trav
SOC-12
Revolvers
I am new here and with that said, I realize I am joining this thread way late but I could not help myself. I am impressed by everyone's knowledge and perspectives. One thing I think of as far as why would a branch of service issue a revolver as a handgun as opposed to an auto-pistol;
When book 1 was written, revolvers were generally considered much more reliable than semi-autos and this might have been a factor. In the late 70s to early 80s very few police agencies carried semi-autos. Even military police officers generally carried revolvers and that was when other military personnel were carrying sem-autos.
As for power and loading variety, this also was true, a revolver would shoot dang near anything and sem-auto pistols of the day were very particular about what types of ammo would feed and function.
In both cases as time passed, the semi-auto improved and now most police agencies do not even allow their officers to carry a revolver as a duty weapon.
As for brands, I would look at some of the megacorporations and determine which would be likely to provide military contract firearms to the Imperium.
On a side note, I streamlined my slug throwing weapons into metric, the standard auto-pistol fires a 10mm round (like a .40 S&W) and the typical body pistol fires a 5mm round. The cartridge being universal between branches so that pistols, magazines, holsters and mag pouches would be interchangeable.
Like I said, I'm new here and I don't want anyone thinking I am trying to butt in but this thread was very interesting to me and I could not resist.
I am new here and with that said, I realize I am joining this thread way late but I could not help myself. I am impressed by everyone's knowledge and perspectives. One thing I think of as far as why would a branch of service issue a revolver as a handgun as opposed to an auto-pistol;
When book 1 was written, revolvers were generally considered much more reliable than semi-autos and this might have been a factor. In the late 70s to early 80s very few police agencies carried semi-autos. Even military police officers generally carried revolvers and that was when other military personnel were carrying sem-autos.
As for power and loading variety, this also was true, a revolver would shoot dang near anything and sem-auto pistols of the day were very particular about what types of ammo would feed and function.
In both cases as time passed, the semi-auto improved and now most police agencies do not even allow their officers to carry a revolver as a duty weapon.
As for brands, I would look at some of the megacorporations and determine which would be likely to provide military contract firearms to the Imperium.
On a side note, I streamlined my slug throwing weapons into metric, the standard auto-pistol fires a 10mm round (like a .40 S&W) and the typical body pistol fires a 5mm round. The cartridge being universal between branches so that pistols, magazines, holsters and mag pouches would be interchangeable.
Like I said, I'm new here and I don't want anyone thinking I am trying to butt in but this thread was very interesting to me and I could not resist.
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Welcome aboard Khan Trav 
I think you nailed the facts on the reasoning. And there's no worries about anyone I know of thinking you're butting in. You posted on topic, reasonably, after reading the thread. And we're pretty forgiving about thread resurrection around here. So if you find any more old topics you have a mind to add quality to or ask for clarification on don't hesitate.
I think you nailed the facts on the reasoning. And there's no worries about anyone I know of thinking you're butting in. You posted on topic, reasonably, after reading the thread. And we're pretty forgiving about thread resurrection around here. So if you find any more old topics you have a mind to add quality to or ask for clarification on don't hesitate.
A couple things to remember about revolvers:
1) they can feed a lot of special ammo types without any issue, while many autos can not due to bullet shape catching on the feed ramp
2) revolvers can chamber rounds of sub-standard lengths. Most autos can not
4) with quick-replace cylinders, it's only a bit slower to reload than an auto.
5) special cylinders can be manufactured for down-sleeved barrels.
6) "breach loaded" percussion cylinders can be retrofit easily on most revolvers.
7) Revolver actions are powered by the firer, not the round; changes in pressure thus do not affect performance as much.
8) Revolvers can use dry lubricants such as graphite more easily than can automatics.
9) Revolvers tend to be less affected by temperature expansion/contraction.
Lots of good reasons.
1) they can feed a lot of special ammo types without any issue, while many autos can not due to bullet shape catching on the feed ramp
2) revolvers can chamber rounds of sub-standard lengths. Most autos can not
4) with quick-replace cylinders, it's only a bit slower to reload than an auto.
5) special cylinders can be manufactured for down-sleeved barrels.
6) "breach loaded" percussion cylinders can be retrofit easily on most revolvers.
7) Revolver actions are powered by the firer, not the round; changes in pressure thus do not affect performance as much.
8) Revolvers can use dry lubricants such as graphite more easily than can automatics.
9) Revolvers tend to be less affected by temperature expansion/contraction.
Lots of good reasons.
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
Would autos work in a vacuum, or thin atmo?
Work? yes. Reliably? no.
at issue isn't the firing; you'l always get shot #1... but the pressure differential going up an atmosphere is like running hot-loads... it increases wear.
In a dense or exotic atmosphere, however, the auto fares worse... it may not open far enough (especially on low recoil weapons) to cycle the action. A .45acp underwater fires fine, but won't load the second round.
at issue isn't the firing; you'l always get shot #1... but the pressure differential going up an atmosphere is like running hot-loads... it increases wear.
In a dense or exotic atmosphere, however, the auto fares worse... it may not open far enough (especially on low recoil weapons) to cycle the action. A .45acp underwater fires fine, but won't load the second round.
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
It was cycling the action I meant.
If you travel a lot, that alone is a good reason to carry a revolver.
If you travel a lot, that alone is a good reason to carry a revolver.
Khan Trav
SOC-12
I have never rolled a mis-fire but in my world we have a saying with regards to handguns. Two is one and one is none. This refers to the notion that if you have a failure then seek your backup. If you have a failure and do not carry a backup then you might have to get rapidly creative. I personally carry a Glock 22 and a Glock 27 both chambered in .40 S&W and both equipped with lasermax units. Back in the day I carried a S&W Model 13 in .357 Magnum and a S&W Model 60 in .38 Special as a backup and I felt quite well armed. Times change here but the way Aramis has presented it you would almost be better off with a laser weapon. I don't have one of those yet 
Well, I know that Fairbanks PD switched to issuing Glocks in .40smith... many officers carry a snub revolver as a backup, because the glocks tend to fail at -20°C, but the revolvers don't. (Recoil springs break on the Glock.)
Likewise, FPD allowed .45ACP M1911... and newer variants... a well worn one is more reliable in the winter due to not binding from thermal expansion. (That is, the steel compressing the brass and not allowing extraction, and the slide binding on the frame.) FPD and Nome PD both issue autos... and both still have officers carrying revolvers during the winter.
I am unaware of any departments having a wider range of temperatures through the year... (Fairbanks annually suffers at least 70°C variability in temperature.)
The first batch of Glocks used in Fairbanks failed; first shot fractured the upper receiver at -40°C.
Likewise, FPD allowed .45ACP M1911... and newer variants... a well worn one is more reliable in the winter due to not binding from thermal expansion. (That is, the steel compressing the brass and not allowing extraction, and the slide binding on the frame.) FPD and Nome PD both issue autos... and both still have officers carrying revolvers during the winter.
I am unaware of any departments having a wider range of temperatures through the year... (Fairbanks annually suffers at least 70°C variability in temperature.)
The first batch of Glocks used in Fairbanks failed; first shot fractured the upper receiver at -40°C.
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Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
Picking this up a bit, and it is a good thread. I have a ..38/.357 Magnum that has a spare cylinder to handle 9mm automatic rounds. That is something that would be hard to do with an automatic. The Taurus/Rossi Circuit Judge in .45 Colt will also take .410 shotgun shells and .45 ACP if you use moon clips. To handle the .410 shotgun shells the cylinder is over 3 inches long, but that does add barrel length for the standard revolver loads.
During WW II my father was with the US Army in New Guinea, a very "damp," muddy and close-in battle zone (to say the least). After a few weeks, he traded his .45, some liquor, and $20 to an Aussie soldier in exchange for his Webley. As my Dad put it, with a revolver if the first round doesn't go off, just pull the trigger again and again till one does - with an automatic, you are left trying to clear the misfire while someone with malign intent is lunging at you with his bayonet.
During my own 3 years in Uncle Sugar's misfit boys in the early '70s, I never had a misfire with my .45 (albeit I only used it on the range), and had about 3 misfires with the M-16 (again on the range - so stakes were significantly lower than in combat) which took a couple of seconds to clear.
During my own 3 years in Uncle Sugar's misfit boys in the early '70s, I never had a misfire with my .45 (albeit I only used it on the range), and had about 3 misfires with the M-16 (again on the range - so stakes were significantly lower than in combat) which took a couple of seconds to clear.
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
In the Traveller context, besides whatever law levels and specific firearms regulations exist in the local jurisdiction, the advantage would be long term storage.
The cylinder could be loaded, vacuum packed, sealed and separate from the frame, for decades, possibly centuries; could be one use hard plastic and caseless.
The cylinder could be loaded, vacuum packed, sealed and separate from the frame, for decades, possibly centuries; could be one use hard plastic and caseless.
And a magazine for an automatic pistol couldn't be ??
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
Might not be quite able to spring to action.
