I hope it's not dead. I am just starting out with competition and have been completely a CZ guy until a few months ago when the revolver bug hit.
I now have a 929 ... well because my local active club is USPSA, so I should have that to start.
Then I got a 625 PC, because ICOR happens once a while around here and everyone should have a six-shot revolver ... right?
Oh and a 617, so I can practice trigger control with a revolver without counting how many cents per trigger pull (of course not thinking about the cost of the first two purchases and supporting gear!!!)
And I have GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome, a common saying in photography, haven't heard it here), so maybe I should add to the collection .. a 327 for Steel Challenge ???
AS a newbie into the competition world, it does seem counter-intuitive that the more "reliable" revolver takes more effort and investment to have an equal level tool then in the semi-auto world. Yes, it is the operator, not the tool that dictates the outcome, but let's face it most people want a straight swinging hammer to hit the nail. From the CZ world, I can go buy a CZ Shadow 2 for $1,100 and be at the top of the production division, equipment wise. With A revolver that leaves me with a mediocre trigger, investment in moon clips, expensive loaders for the moon clips, moon clips to match brass, and you likely will not be buying ammunition so you are into reloading. When I first started down this path I figured that buying a Smith and Wesson PC revolver was like buying a CZ Custom Shop piece ?.Buy it an be done ... Not even close!
So it seems like a steep learning (spending) curve to get going in the revolver class. There does seem to be a purity to the operation of the revolver vs the semi-auto and that is what has drawn me to it. I know that if I can become proficient at competing with a revolver, my ability with my semi-auto will improve. Not sure about the other way around.I have learned more about trigger control using a revolver than with my loved CZ's. And due to the smaller numbers of people, I have quickly met a great group of people, by just having an interest in revolvers, that have graciously given me knowledge, there time, and a commitment to getting me up to speed.
So I hope it isn't dead. I think that for complete beginners the revolver has some benefits, except for reloading. No racking, or decocking, or full decocking vs half decocking, or safety swipes. Loading 18 rounds and dropping once and finishing the stage is convenient.
If the cost and ease of entry were better, maybe there would more new participants going into revolvers. I know that I will be doing my part to make sure that whenever there is a chance to get someone interested in revolvers, I will do everything I can to help. People in my area have helped me (are helping), and I will do the same.
Maybe revolver shooters are just a more enlightened group, and the masses may eventually understand this. So not dead, just selectively refined?
