Pistol vs. revolver
Moderator: carlson1
Pistol vs. revolver
You get a new pistol. You run at least several mags full of ammo, from every magazine you'll carry, through to confirm proper functioning and readiness just in case.
How many rounds do you need to run through a new revolver to confirm proper functioning and readiness?
How many rounds do you need to run through a new revolver to confirm proper functioning and readiness?
It's fine if you disagree. I can't force you to be correct.
NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, GSSF Member
A pistol without a round chambered is an expensive paper weight.
NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, GSSF Member
A pistol without a round chambered is an expensive paper weight.
Re: Pistol vs. revolver
I think a box of my preferred carry ammo is sufficient in a new revolver, just to weed out light primer strikes, firing pin issues, etc. Although, truth be told, 12 rounds is probably enough.
Re: Pistol vs. revolver
This is a very good question. The only malfunction I can foresee is firing pin issues, timing issues and.. well.. I think that's it?
I would like to hear someone with revolver experience to chime in on this.
How many rounds do you consider it is ready to go?
I would like to hear someone with revolver experience to chime in on this.
How many rounds do you consider it is ready to go?
We don't need no stinking badges!
Re: Pistol vs. revolver
Yes, I hope folks with experience and opinions on revolvers will chime in.
It's fine if you disagree. I can't force you to be correct.
NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, GSSF Member
A pistol without a round chambered is an expensive paper weight.
NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, GSSF Member
A pistol without a round chambered is an expensive paper weight.
- myntalfloss
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Re: Pistol vs. revolver
Fifty.LDB415 wrote:You get a new pistol. You run at least several mags full of ammo, from every magazine you'll carry, through to confirm proper functioning and readiness just in case.
How many rounds do you need to run through a new revolver to confirm proper functioning and readiness?
One to check the firing pin, one to make sure that the cylinder is indexing properly.
The other 48 to calibrate your funometer.

Re: Pistol vs. revolver
If it's a carry gun my "number" is at least 500 rounds, bare minimum. I don't start feeling warm and fuzzy until about 3000 rounds.
That being said, I've seen numerous revolvers malfunction on this gun range. Some new, some old, bad ammo etc... But a malfunction just the same.
Just one man's opinion.
That being said, I've seen numerous revolvers malfunction on this gun range. Some new, some old, bad ammo etc... But a malfunction just the same.
Just one man's opinion.

In the endless pursuit of perfection, we may achieve excellence.
Texas LTC and School Safety Instructor and NRA Training Counselor
Texas LTC and School Safety Instructor and NRA Training Counselor
Re: Pistol vs. revolver
My S&W 19-4 had issues with certain primers. On my reloads Federal and Remington worked great but CCI and Winchester did not. I found that I needed to tighten the main spring adjusting screw ( which took less than 5 minutes to do but required Google and YouTube to guide me). So, revolvers can have problems too and can be ammo sensitive. I don't know if the big ammo companies use the same primer brands each time so even knowing that one ammo brand works is no guarantee that it will always work. On the other hand I like revolvers better than pistols because I reload and I don't like picking up brass
Re: Pistol vs. revolver
Are you saying 500 through a revolver or a pistol? And how many through the other one?thatguy wrote:If it's a carry gun my "number" is at least 500 rounds, bare minimum. I don't start feeling warm and fuzzy until about 3000 rounds.
That being said, I've seen numerous revolvers malfunction on this gun range. Some new, some old, bad ammo etc... But a malfunction just the same.
Just one man's opinion.
It's fine if you disagree. I can't force you to be correct.
NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, GSSF Member
A pistol without a round chambered is an expensive paper weight.
NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, GSSF Member
A pistol without a round chambered is an expensive paper weight.
Re: Pistol vs. revolver
I always go around 500 rounds thru my carry pistols... never really thought about revolvers though. I would use several different brands of ammo to see how picky the gun was and to make sure she functions the way I want & going thru that process would probably take me at least 300-400 rounds.
Re: Pistol vs. revolver
AndyC wrote:However many it takes for you to feel confident that you can trust it.LDB415 wrote:How many rounds do you need to run through a new revolver to confirm proper functioning and readiness?
I ran literally thousands of rounds of ammo through my 1911 to see what worked and what didn't (the only one that didn't - unless I really tweaked the OAL - was the overly-long Lee cast 200gr SWC). For a revolver, I'd be slightly less-picky.


In the endless pursuit of perfection, we may achieve excellence.
Texas LTC and School Safety Instructor and NRA Training Counselor
Texas LTC and School Safety Instructor and NRA Training Counselor