SHTF, I want a weapon that tolerates dirt and grit and won’t bind up, that is an auto. I also want something that will shoot through barriers and can take medium to large game if needed, that would be the .357. Now how do you pack the power of a .357 into a usable pistol? My friends, it’s called the 10mm.
“SHTF, I want a weapon that tolerates dirt and grit and won’t bind up, that is an auto. ...” [dangerdoc, post 26]
“My old Colt Python 357 with a 6 in barrel. Still my favorite.” [Oldexpat, post 36]
Despite developments since 1980, a revolver is still 100 times more reliable than a semi-auto - in terms of the probability that you will fire any second (or subsequent) shot.
An autoloader can be accurate, or it can be reliable. If it’s tight enough to be accurate, reliability goes down. If it’s loose enough to be reliable, accuracy suffers and effective range is reduced. Especially true with Colt’s Government Model autoloader - which is not the equal of today’s autoloaders, neither in accuracy nor reliability (it did appear over 107 years ago).
45 ACP is not some world-beating cartridge with magical powers. It’s simply the biggest-bore round that could fit into what was considered the upper limit of size, for a military issue sidearm. It was superior to the issue cartridge of the day - 38 Long Colt.
Colt’s Python has no equal in accuracy nor smoothness of function. But it’s not the strongest now available. Developed an unhappy reputation for unscrewing the barrel if subjected to a diet of heavy loads; handgun silhouette competitors discovered this.
And there are fewer gunsmiths every day, willing to work on any DA Colt. Drop-in fit of replacement parts is almost non-existent; practice, patience, and skill are needed. Parts are getting more scarce, now that it’s no longer in production. Perhaps not the greatest choice for a SHTF scenario - quite apart from the climb in asking prices seen of late.
The primary advantages of an autoloader are higher capacity and quicker reloading (proved one has loaded magazines handy), and less bulk than a revolver.
Revolvers are more flexible when it comes to ammunition. All bullet types, all load levels will work equally well. It is also easier to recover empty cases. And cases last longer - the revolver’s action is very kind to them. Important points for the handloader, moreso in any situation where chaos and societal breakdown might figure. Disadvantages: limited capacity, slower reloading.
No compromise is perfect: each design has advantages, and drawbacks.