In the age of optics-ready, double-stack micro-compacts and high-capacity wonder pistols, it might sound borderline heretical to suggest that a 5-shot revolver could be your best concealed carry option. But hear me out. While the gun community loves new tech—and there is a lot to like about modern semi-autos—there is still a solid case for the humble snub-nose wheelgun.
The Case For the 5-Shot Revolver
- Reliability – A revolver has fewer moving parts. No magazines, no feed ramps, no slide failures. Pull the trigger, it goes bang. If it does not, pull the trigger again. There is no “tap-rack-bang” ritual here. For folks who do not train regularly or who are facing a high-stress, real-world defensive shooting, that is a major advantage.
- Simplicity Under Stress – Stress makes people stupid. Fine motor skills tank. Decision-making gets clumsy. A revolver is intuitive: load, close, point, shoot. It is the original point-and-click interface. Especially for those who carry sporadically or are newer to defensive shooting, simplicity equals survivability.
- Size & Concealability – Modern 5-shot revolvers—especially in .38 Special or .357 Magnum—are incredibly compact. Models like the Smith & Wesson J-Frame or Ruger LCR melt into an ankle holster, a purse, or even a front pocket with the right rig. That means you will actually carry it, instead of leaving it in the glove box because your holster feels like a seatbelt wedgie.
- Safety and Retention – There is no external safety to forget under pressure, and a revolver is far less likely to snag or get dislodged in a scuffle. And if someone tries to grab it mid-fight? Revolvers do not jam when pressed against something (unlike many semi-autos that go out of battery). That is an edge in up-close entangled encounters.
Now, the Trade-Offs
- Capacity – Let us state the obvious. Five rounds. That is, it. You either solve the problem with five, or you are doing a mag dump with bad aim in your dreams. In a world where active shooter events and multiple attackers are not just movie plots, that is a limitation. That said, statistics bears out the most violent encounters with handguns follow the 5/5/5 rule – 5 rounds, 5 yards, in 5-seconds max!
- Reload Speed – Unless you are Jerry Miculek—and you are not—reloading a revolver under pressure is a snail race compared to slamming in a fresh semi-auto mag. Speed strips and moon clips help, but you still will not beat the clock against a trained semi-auto shooter.
- Recoil and Control – Lightweight revolvers are snappy. A 15-ounce .357 is not fun to shoot, and follow-up shots take practice. A small semi-auto 9mm is far more manageable for most shooters, especially in rapid-fire strings.
- Trigger Weight – Double-action triggers on revolvers are heavier and longer than most striker-fired pistols. That can be a plus for safety, but a challenge for accuracy—especially without regular dry-fire training.
Final Word from the Range
At C2 Tactical, we train people across the spectrum—from off-duty cops and special operators to first-time CCW holders. I have seen firsthand that the best gun is the one you can carry consistently, draw quickly, shoot accurately, and maintain reliably.
For many people—especially those who want minimal fuss and maximum concealability—a 5-shot revolver checks all the boxes. It is not sexy. It is not high-tech. But it works. It is my carry gun of choice. And in the world of self-defense, working beats looking cool every time.
Come down to C2 and try one out. You might just rediscover the power of simple.