I'll have to argee with Semi on shooting what YOU like best. From my experince most people tend to shoot semi's better than revolvers. It has to do with the angle of the grip. I like Semi's best because of the feel and the extra firepower. They are not as reliable as a revolver. I shoot a Sig so it's not an issue for me. I think semi's are safer than revolvers. I keep my magazine in my Sig loaded but, nothing in the chamber. I would not even consider keeping a loaded revolver around.

My dad was a cop and he used a revolver as a back-up. The reason was not realibality. It was because he had enough crap on his person already. He had a S&W snubnose in .38 spl.. It was small and light. Not to mention cops usally have to buy their own back-up weapon. Unfortantly they are not the best paid profession on the planet. Revolvers generally cost less than semi auto's.

I would think in a revolver the .38 spl. would be fine. For semi-auto's I would say the 9mm, .357 sig, .40 s&w, or 10mm. First choice.40s&w then 9mm. I like jacketed hollow points. FMJ's are good for plinking ONLY!

Oh my goodness, I have heard it all now.

Barring my race guns, I've yet to buy a semi-auto that cost more than any of the revolvers I've bought...they pretty much cost the same from a quality standpoint, yes you can buy a cheap revolver for a couple hundred, and a glock costs nearly a grand, but that's comparing the cheapest old ford with a brand new cadillac, you can buy a new llama semiauto for cheaper than a used Ruger vaquero wheelgun, it's all relative.

Both have pros and cons.A revolver is more reliable but limited to 5 or 6 shots as a rule.To me a semi auto is easier to conceal and more comfortable since they are flatter in design.The semi auto mags have a higher capacity.The modern revolvers with the Transfer bars might be a little safer to carry.Ones with the shrouded or concealed hammers are a pleasure to carry.My carry gun is a Glock model 27. No exposed hammer which it a plus for carrying concealed.I do prefer carrying a semi auto.Any gun you carry being a wheelgun or a semi auto needs to be fired allot to check for reliability. Especially a semi auto.Allot of people carry semi auto (Eg 1911's Browning HP's etc) cocked and locked.I've never liked that idea myself.I've done it but was never comfortable doing so.My Glock has three safeties built in to it. I carry mine with one in the pipe ready to rock-n-roll.When your life is on the line and seconds count ,you don't have time to be jacking in a round.For someone experienced with semi auto's it's good choice. For the novice a revolver might be a better choice.
Ruger Redhawk

Auto-
Pros-rapid fire, some have hammerless designs, more magazine capacity.
Cons-Some say they are more succeptable to jamming, a little more complicated to shoot.

Revolvers-
Pros-point and shoot, easy to operate, come in stout loads like a .357 mag, rarely jam.
Cons-pack a few less bullets in the cylinder, some might say not as fast to shoot.

I choose to own both! There are all sorts of opinions, just go with what you can shoot well and what feels comfortable.

Depends what you want to use it for... With alot of the new pistols, reliability is not really a issue. I prefer to carry a Ruger Blackhawk in 44mag while hunting, cuz it is as simple and rugged as can be...

Choose the accurate one.

HMMMM, might want to ask around about wheel guns for a BUG. Alot of people carrying "baby" Glocks now, i.e., Glock 26, 27 & 33.

I like both, carry both, and have used both as a duty weapon. It all comes down to what you like, what you feel comfortable with wearing and shooting. Both guns can have problems, wheel guns can jam, ever get a raised primer and you will find out. Granted wheel guns tend to be more trouble free, even though my Glock has never malfuncitoned.

Jeez, where do shop?

I can buy new glocks all day long for less than $600 out the door.

Why not have a home defense gun that you could hunt with also. The 6" 357 mag will shoot 38 special for home defense and loaded hot the 357 will kill deer or pigs. I like revolvers. I have only had one jam and that was my own fault. I didn't crimp the bullet good enough on my reloads and the bullet creeped out from the 44 mags recoil so that the cylinder wouldn't revolve.

You can also get shot ammo for snakes.