The revolver is one of the most well-known and iconic handguns in the world. With its unique design, where multiple cartridges are housed in a rotating cylinder, it represents a significant advancement in the development of firearms. But how did this remarkable weapon evolve?
In search of the right revolver, sports shooters and hunters encounter a wide variety of types and models - whether among new or used firearms. There are many different revolvers manufactured for various purposes due to their different calibers and designs.
Therefore, it is advisable when purchasing a revolver - similar to any other hunting or sporting weapon - to ensure that it truly serves the purpose for which one intends to acquire it. While revolvers are by no means as common in the shooting sports as pistols, they do appear there as well.
Among hunters, the revolver is as popular as the pistol as a sidearm. With a revolver, the hunter can protect themselves against dangerous game at close range and also use the revolver for the finishing shot. For the latter, it can be used both during tracking and in trap hunting. Here, different characteristics, such as the design or type of revolver and the caliber, play a significant role.
Particularly regarding the various mentioned uses, the caliber used varies greatly.
Just like with long guns, one can also spend a lot of time in one of the most notorious "caliber discussions" in most forums regarding handguns. Now, these discussions are not always uninteresting, but they are often exhausting because one ultimately realizes that taste is subjective.
There are many different calibers. However, these calibers can often be grouped into certain categories. These groups usually represent calibers of a certain size and thus also correspond to a specific purpose for which they are suitable.
One of the most well-known small calibers for handguns is the caliber ".22lfb / .22lr /.22 short". Revolvers of this caliber are wonderfully suited for hunting small game (hares, rabbits, etc.) as well as for the finishing shot on predators during trap hunting. The caliber ".17 HMR" also serves these purposes. While it is more common in pistols than in revolvers, it is also found in the latter. The manufacturer Taurus, for example, produces revolvers in this caliber.
The revolver caliber ".38 Special" originating from the USA is widely used there and frequently found in both civilian and military/police sectors. The caliber was developed by Smith & Wesson in 1902 and was even used for infantry weapons of the United States Army in World War II and the Korean War.
Revolvers are popular among hunters as sidearms also because they can fire very powerful ammunition. This is particularly important when tracking strong or dangerous game. Revolver calibers like ".357 Magnum", ".44 Magnum", or even the particularly powerful ".500 S&W" provide ideal protection for the hunter against dangerous game and ensure a quick end when used for the finishing shot on large game.
Those searching online, for example on Gunfinder.de, for used revolvers quickly see that there are thousands of different offers for used revolvers. Prices also vary widely. This is mainly due to the fact that there are different models and the conditions of the weapons are very different.
While one only has to pay a few hundred euros for simple revolver models from manufacturers like Hermann Weihrauch in common calibers, it usually requires at least a four-digit amount to acquire collector's revolvers like a Colt Python.
How far one can shoot with a revolver depends on various conditions. In particular, the ammunition used, the angle of fire, and the environment are relevant for the maximum shooting distance.
If one wants to cover as much distance as possible with a revolver, one should ensure to choose a fast caliber, that the environment is as windless as possible, and that the bullet is fired at an angle of 35°.
While in shooting sports, shooting at longer distances is also common, the use of revolvers in any context is usually limited to a distance of up to 30-40m. Such distances are usually overcome abroad and primarily during hunting smaller game species with revolvers equipped with optical sights.
Many old-school hunters would answer this question with a clear "no." After all, even the forefathers accomplished great hunting feats with just a rifle and a blade.
However, there are indeed good reasons today for hunters to acquire a revolver. On one hand, some hunters like to carry a sidearm to defend themselves against dangerous game (boars, wolves, etc.) at close range in an emergency, and on the other hand, the revolver is useful for trap hunting for the finishing shot.
According to the legal regulations in Germany, the revolver may also only be used for small game (e.g., rabbits, predators) at close range. Especially in trap hunting, the use of a revolver makes sense. Unlike a shotgun or rifle, there is no great risk of damaging the trap or catch basket, and the catch can still be dispatched humanely.
There are therefore good reasons for a hunter to at least own and carry a sidearm/revolver in their hunting area.
Whether a hunter carries a revolver or a pistol in the hunting area is ultimately just a matter of taste. Both types of handguns are available in various calibers for various purposes.
Only regarding the different loading sizes are there stronger differences in usability. While revolvers can hold between 5 and 10 cartridges in the cylinder magazine, modern pistols with special magazines can hold up to 30 cartridges in the magazine.
There are also small differences regarding disassembly and cleaning effort. The pistol can be disassembled more easily than the revolver; however, the latter is somewhat easier to clean since there are not as many different parts that can get dirty.
Especially for hunters who require a particularly strong handgun caliber, the revolver is a good choice.
Here you can find more information on the topic "Pistol or Revolver".
In Germany, security personnel and police officers, as well as soldiers, primarily carry pistols as sidearms. Most models come from the manufacturer Walther and are based on the almost legendary Walther PPK.
Revolvers are only found occasionally among employees of certain security companies and security personnel in the cash and valuables transport industry.
In the USA, however, there are still some states that arm their police officers and sheriffs with revolvers. There are also security and police officers in South America who carry a revolver as a service weapon instead of a pistol.
In Germany, only those who possess a firearms acquisition license can generally acquire weapons. Such a license is usually held only by sports shooters, hunters, or employees of specific security authorities and companies.
As a hunter with a valid hunting license, one is entitled to acquire and possess up to two handguns without stating special reasons after a preliminary entry from the relevant authority. There are also hunters who own more than two handguns. They have received the corresponding approval from the responsible firearms authority for each additional handgun by stating a special need. Such a reason could be, for example, the need for different calibers due to intensive trap hunting.
Hunters and also sports shooters who want to acquire a handgun with such a preliminary entry must possess the Green Firearms Ownership Card.
A so-called firearms permit, which also allows one to acquire, possess, and carry weapons, does exist, but it is only granted to certain individuals under very specific circumstances.
The average citizen only has the option to carry non-restricted weapons outside their own home, business premises, or enclosed property with the help of the Small Firearms Permit. However, there are also strict regulations regarding where these non-restricted weapons can and cannot be carried.
