Modern Top Break Revolvers?

[Fail-Safe]

Everytime I get the desire to own a revolver I am reminded that this is a right hand dominated world. Its not just the push or sliding button, but how the cylinders always swing out. To reload I have to break my firing grip. As a lefty, I have always wondered why top break, cartridge ejecting revolvers arent made. It seems they would be as close to ambidextrous as possible, and yet might be faster to reload.

Lets discuss.

[Cerberus]

The nature of the modern revolver means reloading in a different manner than a semi-auto. I actually reload mine fastest using my firing hand to manipulate the speed loader.

[RGoose]

I've asked this question before on another site. Why no modern break top revolvers? The answer I was given (by some very wise individuals) was that it is questionable whether or not the locking mechanism and hinge mechanism are up to the task of dealing with modern high pressure defensive loads. Could these limitations be overcome by modern materials and perhaps a new design? Probably. Is it going to be financially advantageous for weapons manufacturers to do so? Doubtful. Which is pretty sad because I've always liked the ambidextrous capability of the break top design, even though I'm a righty.

[Eliakim]

There have been three recent producers in the past few years of the S&W Schofield top break revolver; Armi San Marco, Uberti and Smith & Wesson. I think Uberti is still offering them for Cowboy Action Shooting

Here is a link: http://www.uberti.com/firearms/top_break.php

[brushy bill]

I have a distinct recollection of a gun rag from 80s or early 90s that prophesized a break open detonics that apparently never got off the ground. It was a single paragraph in an article on the Detonics .45 series, but it was something that piqued my interest.

[dewatters]

I have a distinct recollection of a gun rag from 80s or early 90s that prophesized a break open detonics that apparently never got off the ground. It was a single paragraph in an article on the Detonics .45 series, but it was something that piqued my interest.

You remember correctly. It was a 7-shot .44 Magnum. Here is the patent: US Patent #4,539,771 - Handgun of the revolver type.

[Fail-Safe]

I've heard the whole "wont handle the pressures" excuse, and I have serious doubts. If we're talking .38spec, even +P there is no doubt in my mind that a modern lock could handle that.

What caused me to ask this was I was looking at the S&W .38spec Bodyguard. The way you go about releasing the cylinder looked like it could be adapted towards a top break.

Instead of the ejector swing open with the cylinder to be actuated, either a spring loaded ejected like a double barreled shotgun could eject 5 casings, and as the barrel tilts down, it falls back into position under gravity. Or instead of the small hand operated ejector, both the ejector and shroud (stippled, checkered, etc) is operated by the shooter.

[brushy bill]

You remember correctly. It was a 7-shot .44 Magnum. Here is the patent: US Patent #4,539,771 - Handgun of the revolver type.

Thanks for that. Good to know old memory is not completely gone.

Wonder why it never got off the ground.

[Alaskapopo]

Everytime I get the desire to own a revolver I am reminded that this is a right hand dominated world. Its not just the push or sliding button, but how the cylinders always swing out. To reload I have to break my firing grip. As a lefty, I have always wondered why top break, cartridge ejecting revolvers arent made. It seems they would be as close to ambidextrous as possible, and yet might be faster to reload.

Lets discuss.

I think a break top revolver with moon clips would be great but frankly most revolver enthusiests don't like inovation if they did they would carry a semi auto. They like nostaliga. I am the same way to a degree. I carry semi's and shoot them the most because they are better tools for most jobs but I still like to break out a wheel gun once in a while for fun. I also think revolvers still have a role for back up guns. Nothing beats a J frame for power to weight ration and reliablity in a pocket pistol. Revolvers are also the best woods guns in bear country. No semi auto has the power needed in a size that is packable.
Pat

[anachronism]

I'm left-handed, and learned from the start how to speed-load a revolver. There are many excellent left-handed revolver shooters out there. I also cross train right-handed a bit, but don't make it's my life work. I would think the manual of arms for speedloading a top-break would be more involved than simply transfering the revolver to the right hand while simultaneously releasing the cylinder and using the right thumb to pop the cylinder open. To try it out, go buy yourself an H&R 999 top break 22, there should be plenty on Gunbroker. You can get speedloaders for them. Live with the gun for a few months, shooting it a lot, and practice your reloads. Only this will tell you if a top break is really for you. Nobody elses opinion really matters.