Fire Safety

Over two weeks we found a lot of interesting places to visit in Morocco, starting and ending in Casablanca. The “real trip” started in Marrakesh. From there we did a clockwise loop that took us over the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert. Continuing, we drove southwest towards Icht where we could see Algeria off in the distance. Then we turned north and headed to Essaouira via numerous stops detailed below to complete the loop and finish at the Casablanca Airport.

It was a marvelous trip that was organized with the help of Sun-Trails, a local Moroccan company I found online and would recommend.

There were certain things I absolutely had to do while in Morocco. That list included a multi-day hike and an overnight visit to the Sahara Desert but we were open to other suggestions, especially from someone who lived in the country. What you see below is our agreed upon route – with a private driver for most of the trip. 

The trip cost about $Cdn5000 – and yes we could have done it for less if we’d rented a car and done the route ourselves. But when you’re really busy and you just want a holiday, I think a personal driver who intimately knows the country, is the way to go. Especially in Morocco.

A driver allowed for huge flexibility everyday – stopping where we wanted for lunch – usually with a picnic that Mustafa, our driver, had purchased for pennies in a local market. If we wanted a photo or just to get out and walk, it was always easy to do.

We also never had to get out the map to figure if we were on the right road. And there’s no chance we would have had the same experience in the Sahara without Mustafa. Actually there were a huge number of experiences that made the trip much richer because of him, especially as he grew up as a nomad in the Sahara and was a master at telling stories.

We had a couple of breaks from Mustafa – and he from us – while on a two day hike in the Anti-Atlas Mountains (a highlight) and for the couple of days we spent in Essouaira. 

Here’s a look at our two week trip – in chronological order – and 14 places to visit in Morocco covering the southwestern part of the country.

Allow a day for Marrakesh – even though it was one of my least favourite places to visit in Morocco 

Exotic images probably come to mind when you think of Marrakesh. Colourful, noisy souks, snake charmers in Djemaa el-Fna, fancy riads and a lot of brilliant colours. Marrakesh is partially that but it’s also noisy and polluted. The medina is full of motorbikes – an addition in the last 6-7 years – and not a good one. 

Overall it was my least favourite city that we visited in all of Morocco (though we didn’t see them all) so I really wouldn’t recommend a lot of time here. Allow 2 nights and a full day with a guide so you can see the main sights. Then get out of town. It’s also if you’re a solo traveler where you’re most likely to be hassled.

Read: Marrakesh Places to Visit When You Only Have a Day

Drive through the Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains, the highest mountain range in North Africa, stretch for almost 1,000 kilometres from the Atlantic Coast northeast to northern Algeria. They are easily accessible from Marrakesh as a day trip, but if you’re planning to visit the Sahara or many of the places listed below, you’ll see them one way or another. 

The Toubkal area of the High Atlas is the most visited area – and is accessible by public transit from Marrakesh. If you’re into hiking or rock climbing then you may want to spend an extended time in this part of Morocco. There are local and international trekking companies that run tours here, some several weeks long.

But even just a drive through the Atlas Mountains will give you a sense of their grandeur. The road is good and if you’re heading to the Sahara Desert, rest assured you’ll get a taste of the Atlas Mountains. The road we drove took us over Tichka Pass at 2260 metres.

From there we followed an itinerary hitting the following interesting places in Morocco over a two week time frame.

Tour the Kasbah Telouet – one of the unusual places to visit in Morocco

The Kasbah Telouet is on the former camel caravan route to Mali. It served as headquarters for the Glaoui tribe until Morocco gained independence in 1956. Then it was seized by the state and has mostly been left to decay.

Today it’s hardly a major tourist stop but if you’re driving across the Atlas Mountains to Tamdaght, it’s definitely worth a stop. Only about 10% of the structure can be visited, including a climb up onto the roof. What you will see are some magnificent tiled rooms – the site of many a lavish party back in the day.

The view from the top out to the countryside is very beautiful so be sure to explore what you can. There is a very small entrance fee of about a dollar. Allow about 45 minutes.

Visit the fortified Kasr of Ait Ben-Haddou – a UNESCO site

Ait Ben-Haddou, near Ouarzazate, is one of the best preserved kasbahs in Morocco’s Atlas region. You may have seen it unknowingly in theatres or on TV as its been included in scenes of at least 20 movies including Lawrence of Arabia and more recently in the Game of Thrones.

Ait Ben-Haddou won UNESCO status because it exemplifies “traditional earthen habitat representing the culture of southern Morocco”. The community was on a trading route between Marrakesh and ancient Sudan. As such it had to protect itself which it did by building dwellings onto the side of a hill. At the top is a fortress, the last line of defense.

Ait Ben-Haddou sees throngs of tourists and tourist buses so get here early to beat the rush. You have to get past the souvenir shops to get across the river and the main entrance – near more souvenir shops. You don’t need a guide – even though many men will offer their services.

Admire the Drâa Valley

The Drâa Valley, home to Morocco’s longest river, the 1000 kilometre Drâa River, is a gorgeous oasis, home to kasbahs, Berber villages, lush green plains and endless stretches of palm trees.

The valley starts around Ouarzazate and continues into the Sahara Desert. Mostly we just drove through it, stopping to get photos – and for one lovely hour to hike in the shade of some giant date palms on route to Zagora.

Buy pottery in Tamegroute

While the village of Tamegroute is home to the Nassira library that contains a 10th century gold-engraved Koran, it’s the pottery that draws people to stop.

You can buy pottery in a rainbow of colours. But it’s the tell-tale emerald glaze that you see on mosque tiles and on dishes all over Morocco that people seem to be crazy for. Personally it’s anything blue for me.

Collecting pottery when I travel is something I love to do, especially if it helps support a community. Here, where we saw people toiling for long hours, whether it be pounding clay or using the pottery wheel like the gentleman below, I cherish the few pieces that made it home intact. I feel like they have a real story to tell.

Spend a night in the Sahara Desert – one of the outstanding places to visit in Morocco

A true highlight of any trip to Morocco is a night or two in the Sahara Desert. The Sahara will mesmerize you with its otherworldly beauty and the infinite sand patterns in the dunes. It may surprise you with its lushness after a winter rain. And if you lie on a carpet outside your tent, you just might find magic in the night in the form of shooting stars.

Camel trips are optional at most places you stay in. If that sounds exotic to you, then do it. And be sure to catch either a sunrise or a sunset.

But be aware. There are two main desert camps in the Sahara. One has a quieter atmosphere – and one a party atmosphere. Be sure to choose one that fits the type of traveler you are.

Read: A Trip to the Sahara Desert in Morocco

Drive across dry Lake Iriki – one of the unusual places to visit in Morocco

If you’ve been to the dunes at Erg Chigaga, then you’re very close to dry Lake Iriki. Drive across it on an almost-as-hard-as-tarmac road – stopping to look for fossils in one place, and to admire the Fata Morganas mirage, that is more often than not seen at sea.

The mirage, named after the sorceress Morgan le Fay in the legend of King Arthur, appear when the light is “bent” by contrasting air temperatures. It’s a regular occurrence on Lake Iriki.

Nomads are famously hospitable and many well welcome you into their simple tents. It’s an entrance into as foreign a world as I’ve ever been privileged to see. Cross your fingers your driver can organize something or that you get lucky and meet a family that invites you in as it’s a true highlight of a trip to Morocco.

Explore Amtoudi

Amtoudi is a small village that sits at one end of a gorge, at the base of a 600 metre cliff.  It is well off the beaten track and perhaps that’s why I loved it so much.

The village was the end point of our two day Anti-Atlas trek. The final hike into the village through the gorge is absolutely stunning and would make a fine day trip in itself.

There is also the option to climb 600 metres to reach the ancient granary. It is here that locals would store water, stock grains and raise bees – in case of attack. It’s worth doing the steep hike. Views are spectacular and the place just oozes history.

Read: A 2 Day Hike in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Southern Morocco

Hike or mountain bike in Taroudant

We didn’t have much time in Taroudant which is a shame as its ideal for hiking and mountain biking. Still we got a chance to explore near our hotel – slithering over and around massive rocks and enjoying the views. The following morning we checked out the painted rocks – just strange – along with the otherworldly landscape.

Visit Souss-Massa National Park

We were both ready for a nature break before heading to Essaouira. We opted to change our itinerary from a stop at an ancient apiary to a trip to Souss-Massa National Park. It turned out to be a real joy with a tremendous amount of bird life especially around the lagoon. We basically just walked in along a dirt road as far as we could go – taking a couple of hours to admire the birds and stretch our legs.

The park is supposed to contain some rare wildlife too though we didn’t see any of it. If you’re lucky you might see the Egyptian mongoose, the common otter or the Eurasian wild boar.

There’s a fenced in part of the park which is home to Dawker’s gazelle, Arabian oryx and the red-necked ostrich. The rare bald ibis are the biggest attraction but no luck for us.

Spend a few days in Essaouira on the coast

Located on Morocco’s windy Atlantic Coast, Essaouira a former Portuguese stronghold, is a popular holiday destination spot. Its got lots going for it from a rich history, excellent restaurants, a laid-back beach culture along with a medina that’s far more fun to explore than the one in Marrakesh. 

If you’re a windsurfer you must visit Essaouira. And if you’re not, just enjoy the beach, perhaps adding in a massage and a few days of relaxation in this pretty Moroccan city.

Read: 5 Great Things to Do in Essaouira, Morocco

Stop in Oualidia for oysters, beaches and swimming

Oualidia is a relaxed fishing town halfway between Safï and El Jadida north of Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. The majority of the town is sandwiched between a peaceful lagoon and the sea. There’s a nice walkway above the beach along with what looks like miles and miles of beautiful sandy beach.

The town – called Morocco’s “oyster capital” is also good for swimming if you stay in the lagoon. If its adventure you want try windsurfing.

Visit El Jadida – a UNESCO site and one of the unusual places to visit in Morocco

Only an hour away from Casablanca, El Jadida is a former Portuguese stronghold on the south Atlantic coast. The area around it is becoming popular because of beaches. But it’s a visit inside the Portuguese Cistern, another UNESCO site that makes this one of the more unusual places to visit in Morocco. 

The cistern is a water reservoir – that was used in the 1951 Orson Welles movie Othello. There isn’t a lot of light in the reservoir – except for an opening in the ceiling so the place oozes eeriness – and hence the reason it was used in the movie. 

The Portuguese fortifications are also what give this part of El Jadida UNESCO status. According to the UNESCO website “the fortification with its bastions and ramparts is an early example of Renaissance military design.”

You only need about 45 minutes inside the cistern and perhaps another hour at most to walk the fortifications.

My favourite places to stay in Morocco

All the places I’ve listed below I stayed in except Amtoudi Adventure – and we did take tea in their house.

In Mmarakesh we stayed in Riad La Parathese. They have a lovely rooftop patio, a great breakfast BUT ask for a room that doesn’t back onto the street or the noise will drive you crazy.

In Tamdaght, not far from Ait Benhaddou, I highly recommend Kasbah Ellouze. Try to arrange to bake bread with the old ladies in the morning.

In Zagora the Azalai Desert Lodge, with its beautiful pool, is absolutely lovely.

In Icht stay in Borj Biramane – with a swimming pool and rooftop terrace. Rooms are simple but still a very nice place in what feels like the middle of nowhere.

If you don’t mind modest accommodations I’d recommend Amtoudi Adventure. We used Hassan as our guide for two days trekking in the Anti-Atlas Mountains (the highlight of our trip!!) and I can tell you his wife makes the most delicious bread – served with their own honey.

If you want a more upscale experience book Tigmi Boubol in Amtoudi. The village itself feels like you’ve stepped back in time.

In Tata I highly recommend a stay at Dar Infiane.

In Tafraoute you will enjoy a larger than normal room at Elmalara and very good food. Plus there is great hiking from the hotel.

Stay at Dar Zahia just outside of Taroudant. It’s a lovely spot with very well-appointed rooms. A great asthetic throughout the hotel.

Essaouira has loads of great accommodation choices.We stayed in the lovely Riad Perle d‘Eau with windows that opened to beautiful views of the sea. And at high tide, the waves pounded the building which was actually really cool but a little scary too. They serve an awesome breakfast with a view on an upper balcony.

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

The post 14 Interesting Places to Visit in Morocco appeared first on Hike Bike Travel.

(Guest Post) It’s almost Christmas time, and we all know what that means: Spending LOTS of money. Between Christmas gifts, special events, and hosting your entire family, expenses add up faster than you can say “Happy Holidays.” So how do you keep on prepping amid a holiday spending spree? Read on for some tried and […]

You’re reading Prepping on a Budget: How To Save Money This Holiday Season, originally posted at Graywolf Survival – Emergency preparedness from a Counterintelligence Agent by Graywolf.

Former British Army officer Andy Roe will take over as the head of London Fire Brigade (LFB) on 1 January 2020.

The post Andy Roe appointed as London’s new Fire Commissioner appeared first on SHP – Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources.

Exploring the fjells by bike, hollering with happiness as we ride down the beautiful singletrails. Mountainbiking in Lapland in the autumn is a unique and beautiful activity, and with many trails available you can go off adventuring by bike for many days!

Disclosure: This trip was supported financially by the Arctic Outdoor project. As you know: I’m keepin’ it real and tell you how it is – I maintain full editorial control of the content published on Hiking in Finland. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

I’m a cyclist, and on my backpacking and work trips riding my bike is one of the few things I miss. I like the speed, the new perspective on things, the ability to see more in a shorter amount of time. It’s great, fun, too! So when I saw that one of my Polarlife Outdoors activities would be to go ride Mountainbike in the fjells, I was really happy and excited. Last year in Åre I learned to ride downhill mountainbiking and I have looked forward to another opportunity to ride a bike in the hills of Lapland.

The forecast for the day was grey and rainy, but tht did not dampen my spirit. I met up with Reima & Tiina from Saariselkä Training and Anni at the bike shed, where we got our bikes, and then we were altogether off to the hills!

Now this was not a downhill ride. We powered up the fjell with our own power (no eBike or gondola!) and rode from wide, easy paths over swampy duckboard sections to a very short stoney trail to the summit on many different kinds of terrain, which is excellent for beginners like me. That way the trail got a little more demanding the higher we got, and once at the summit it was wide views, happy high-fives, and getting excited about the downhill ride.

As these things tend to go, by the time we rolled towards the single trail the weather decided it was time for a bit more moisture, and so a light drizzle started to accompany us on our way down. This did not curb our enthusiasm for the singletrail, though! Reima and Tiina were shredding fast down their home trails, and I was hollering with joy in the beautiful nature!

After a way too short section of easy downhill singletrail Tiina & Reima guided us on gorgeous paths through the autumnal forest. Pine needles from many years made these trails soft and enjoyable, with little curves, small ups & downs, and around us the forest with all the beautiful colours of red, orange, yellow and green.

Sadly also this delightful forest ride was over too quickly, as we arrived at a cozy Kota, where Reima brewed us a fine coffee and and we ate some home-made cake. This is such a nice touch, eating real, home-made food outdoors, and drinking good coffee, and in hindsight it seemed to be a unifying thing between all the Polarlife Outdoors activities I did that week: Tasty food, prepared at home, enjoyed with kind people, in nature.

We chatted about cycling, the outdoors and life in the North during our coffee break, and then saddled our bikes for a final time as we had a short ride back to the village in front of us. We continued our chats on the bike, and it made me want to go for another mountainbike trip here with these two in the beautiful nature of Lapland. Reima and Tiina were excellent guides, very calm, friendly and down-to-earth – I really enjoyed spending time with them, riding in and around the woods & hills of the Urho Kekkonen National Park, and I hope to ride again with them the next time I visit Saariselkä ????

Read about the other Polarlife Outdoors activities I did, like preparing Wild Foods in the forest and hiking to the Akupää summit!

Practicalities!

I stayed in Saariselkä, which is probably THE place to be when you want to explore the North-Eastern corner of Finnish Lapland. Besides a dozen or more options for accommodation options – I stayed at the Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna‎ – the village lays right at the border of the Urho Kekkonen National Park and is just a short 2 hour stroll away from the Hammastunturi Wilderness Area. This means you don’t need a car to go outdoors in Saariselkä, as you can walk in a few minutes from your Hotel or log cabin to the start of a trail. Here’s the full list of Hotels and Cabins in Saariselkä, and feel free to use that Affiliate Link when you’re making a reservation!

Getting to Saariselkä happens in one of three ways: You drive your car north for a veeeeeeery long time but are mobile there. Useful if you want to drive to different places, but hopefully you’re not alone in that car! The second and best option is to take the train and Bus. Taking the Bus from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä is a short and scenic 3 hour ride, and it really gets you in the mood for the outdoors as you ride past lakes and forests and every so often slow down to let the Reindeer get off the road. Taking an (overnight) train to Rovaniemi from Southern Finland is also very convenient, as you wake up well rested and just a short ride away from your next outdoor adventure. This is also a good way to travel if you want to explore Helsinki before or after a visit in Lapland. Finally, if you come from abroad you also can fly directly to Ivalo, from where you can take a bus or Taxi to Saariselkä.

Saariselkä has for a village its size a variety of different options for eating out, from Anne’s Garden which serves delicious Burgers (great for backpackers who just returned to civilization!) to fine dining at Santa’s Hotel Tunturi and Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna‎ or the tasty Buffet at the Holiday Club. Cafe Porotupa at the market square makes really good coffee (On a side note, I’m always baffled how much bad coffee you get served in a variety of places in Finland, the World Champion in coffee consumption) and also fresh pancakes and cakes. If you rather cook yourself, then the supermarket in the village has everything you need, or if you need to stock-up on dehydrated meals for another backpacking trip then visit the Partioaitta Saariselkä, probably the most-northern Outdoor Store in Finland!

During my visit at Saariselkä I participated in many different Polarlife Outdoors activities, include going to the Sauna and Spa at the Holiday Club, hiking on one of the dozen of trails around the village, visiting the AMAZING Aurora Open Wilderness Hut when you want to see Northern Lights, participate in a wild herbs Workshop, visit a Sauna and going to swim in a stream, or rent a Mountainbike and explore one of the many single track trails and holler with joy when you ride down the fjell! During the next weeks you’ll be able to read more about my adventures in the far north and some of these activities, so consider becoming a Fan on Facebook or Twitter to not miss the next instalments!

Support me on Patreon and get some useful rewards (like hanging out on Discord with me, and Discount codes for kit from partners!) or buy me a coffee – I work Full-Time on Hiking in Finland to bring you inspiring trip reports, in-depth gear reviews and the latest news from the outdoors. You also could subscribe to the rarer-than-ever Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!

I have been fascinated by cartridge adapters since I read an article about the .22LR to .223Rem adapter when I was a kid. The idea that you could have a full powered firearm, and be able to use a less powerful round for taking small game or practice with, just made sense for this aspiring […]

I created a plan that would ensure I was prepared for almost anything in just two weeks. If you want, you can stretch out this plan. #urbansurvivalsite #preparedness #prepping #prepper #survival

The post How to Get Prepared for a Disaster in Just 2 Weeks appeared first on Urban Survival Site.

Black Friday is here, and I want you to make me rich.

No, I actually do not want that you make me rich. Sure, you can support me on Patreon (which won’t make me rich, but very happy ????), but most of all I’d like you to consider if you need to shop this Black Friday – Cyber Monday weekend at all. Yes, discounts are steep again, gear got lighter and a fresh colour, but is your backpack at the end of its life or the tarp broken? If not, use the money you want to spend on gear on a hiking trip, like the European Trail Days in the end of May in Sweden. Or invest your £$€ into something that helps protect our environment, and support a NGO like Protect our Winters or 1% For The Planet.

However, maybe you need a new pack or want a lighter tent, and also a warm myssy could be useful for the cold days ahead. If you will go out and buy things this weekend please click on the links underneath to make your purchases, that way I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It’s an easy way to support your favourite Outdoor Blog in Finland, and you get the shiny new gear you want. In no particular order, if you go shopping and want to do something good to me without any extra costs to you, use these links for your Black Friday/ Cyber Monday/ Holiday shopping:

• Awesome Maps makes your gear shed prettier with beautiful maps (use the code HIKINGINFINLAND to get a 10% Discount)

• With the ANYCUBIC PHOTON S 3D Printer you can print your own linelocs and other handy items

• AirBnB is a great place to find affordable and cozy accommodation before or after a hike, and clicking that link gets you up to 40€ off your first stay!

• Alpinetrek.co.uk is THE outdoor shop in the UK

• Backcountry.com sells everything for your adventure, near and far, with an UNIQUE name ????

• Bergfreunde.eu is a great online shop in Europe

• And Bergzeit.de is a fine German online outdoor shop with a wide variety of gear, from skis to backpacking gear

• Black Diamond makes my favourite Windjacket, the Alpine Start Hoody

• Booking.com is a good place to find Hotels and flights ✈️

• Campsaver.com gives you 20% off on any Item

• DJI is THE Maker of Drones and Gimbals ???? like the OSMO Pocket Gimbal or the OSMO Action Cam

• evo takes care of your skiing and snowboard needs

• Garage Grown Gear is home to a variety of cottage-made gear and have a huge Sale

• Good To-Go makes delicious meals for your next outdoor adventure

• GORUCK makes the most durable backpacks in the world

• GearTrade.com helps you sell and buy used gear

• HUCKEPACKS produces ultralight high-quality backpacks in Germany!

• Hyperlite Mountain Gear is your source of ultralight & durable gear for your next adventure if you want Cuben Fibre, with 20% Discounts this weekend

• Jaybird makes superb headphones for active people

• The Kammok Gift Guide has a few nice ideas for gifts for the holidays

• Get Luminar 4 for all your Photo Editing and never pay again for editing your photos!

• Lifeproof protects your phone on your adventures

• Luna Sandals makes my favourite sandals!

• With On Running Shoes you’ll be faster than the wind

• Patagonia makes sustainable, durable and high-quality outdoor apparel and gear

• Peak Design makes the Capture Clip, my favourite way to carry my camera ???? and it’s 15% off this weekend

• REI.com is one of the largest Outdoor Co-ops in the world ⛺️ and wants you to #OptOutside

• Into HDR Photography? Then get Aurora HDR 2019! And with the Coupon Code MORKEL you’ll save even $10 more!

• Sierra Designs makes lightweight tents, sleeping bags and backpacks for your next backpacking trip

• Stio creates gear for all your mountain needs – from skiing to downhill biking!

• Tent Meals makes my favourite food for backpacking, and my Patreons get a 25% Discount!

• Trek Light Gear sells hammocks, blankets and other outdoorsy kit.

• At the trekking-lite-store.com you can get the finest UL kit in Europe

• ULA Equipment is a UL backpack manufacturer out of Utah, and their Everyday Carry Line might be something for the city

• Ultimate Direction makes some of the lightest and most ergonomic trailrunning gear and fastpacking backpacks

• And via the Outdoor Black Weekend Portal you can find a bunch of different offers from over 20 shops

And for all other things, visit your local taste of Amazon:

• Amazon.com for all your shopping needs in North America

• Amazon.co.uk for all your shopping needs in Brexitlandia

• Amazon.de for all your shopping needs in Germany

Or if you need some inspiration, check out some of my favourite kit:

Thank you for reading and supporting me! Regular content will resume next week =)

There are plenty of writings about how a collapse “should” be, or “should look like”, filled up to the top with all kinds of suggestions, “tips”, warnings and precautions that should be taken. That is fantastic.  All of this must be … Continued

Ever since the semi-automatic pistol was invented, there has been a considerable degree of controversy over whether these guns or revolvers are better.  Each of these handguns has advantages and disadvantages.

If you are looking for the perfect handgun for bugging out, you can consider the pros and cons presented in this article while you are making your choices.  Bear in mind that the gun that looks best for you as a beginner, intermediate shooter, or expert may also look different.

When evaluating guns for bugging out, you should always be aware of how your abilities change and also how your view the situations you may encounter.

Semi-automatic Pistols Pros and Cons

Pros

The most popular type of handgun in use today for protection is the semi-automatic pistol. The main reasons people choose these guns include the high capacity magazines, reliability, less recoil, the triggers are easier to use, the sights are better, and they fire faster.

The ability to shoot quickly with a pistol is one of the most important advantages of this type of firearm. Most people who use semi-automatic pistols would rather be able to fire off several bullets even if they aren’t as well placed rather than rely on one or two shots that were better aimed.

At the end of the day, this belief can be a “pro” to some, but make others with more experience think twice because surviving a gun fight is still very much about hitting the optimal place on the adversary as quickly and efficiently as possible.   That being said, the fact that a semi can carry 12 – 20 bullets versus 5 or 6 in a revolver still gives you the chance to hit multiple targets if needed. Since the semi-automatic also come with better sights these days, the high capacity magazines definitely add up to an advantage over the revolvers.

Semi-automatic pistols are also much easier to reload.  Since the magazines are smaller and more compact, you can also carry several of them pre-loaded and be ready to fire again in a matter of seconds.  On the other hand, the speed loader for a revolver can be quite bulky and take more time to reload.  Even if you plan on carrying them. It is still easier to fit a semi magazine into your pocket.

Cons

There are few drawbacks with a semi-automatic pistol.  First, they must be kept meticulously clean.  They can also be very picky with the ammunition that will go through them without causing damage or jams.  For a semi-automatic pistol, the cartridges must have the proper shape for reliable feeding.  It must also have enough powder in the case to fully function the slide without battering and breaking the internal parts. The case must have the proper head spacing so that it moves easily in and out of the chamber without hanging up.

A semi-automatic pistol to a new shooter can be complicated because they must learn how to operate slides, slides stops, magazine releases, decockers, and safeties.  In addition, some individuals are not strong enough to pull back the side. This problem is as old as the pistol design itself because of the heavy recoil spring and the small width of the slide.   If you have problems fully pulling back the slide, but still want to have a semi for your bug out gun, try the following:

• First, hold the back of pistol slide in the grooves with your left hand.
• While holding the frame of the pistol in your right hand, with your trigger finger outside of the trigger guard, push the frame forward to work the slide. This will load the chamber of the pistol. The reason this works is that it takes less muscle power to push the frame forward than it does to pull the slide back.

Another problem with pistols is that if the magazines are lost or broken your pistol turns into a single-shot weapon. If your pistol has a magazine safety and you have lost your magazines this pistol will not be able to fire at all.

When compared to revolvers, semis have limited energy and penetration. In some shooting scenarios, limited penetration could be an advantage, however, it will not work in other situations. For example, a  nine-millimeter hollow point projectile is much less likely to penetrate multiple walls then the classic    357 Magnum projectile.  On the other hand, if you need to get past low-grade body armor or shoot longer distances, the lack of penetration can leave you with a serious problem on your hands.

If you keep your pistol with a loaded round in the chamber. It is to your advantage to have a pistol that has a safety or a decocker to keep the pistol from accidentally discharging if the trigger is pulled.

Pistol malfunctions represent the greatest problem with semi- automatic pistols when compared to revolvers.  You must know how to recognize and clear the four most common different types of pistol malfunctions.  While the following steps may not seem complicated, bear in mind they can cost you in terms of valuable concentration and time in an actual situation.

The Hang fire

• The trigger is pulled and no bang. A hang fire occurs when there is a delay in the powder being ignited.
• Keep the pistol pointed down range for about 30-60 seconds to ensure the round will not go off.
• Remove the magazine.
• Clear the pistol by pulling the slide back.
• Check the chamber to ensure that it is empty.
• Reinsert the magazine.
• Clamber a new round.

Squib load

• This is an extremely deadly malfunction that can cause serious injury or death to the shooter.
• It is caused when a bullet doesn’t leave the barrel when fired and a second bullet hits the front bullet causing a bulged or a ripped open barrel.
• If there is the possibility of a squib load, the sound of the round in question would be quieter than normal.
• If something doesn’t sound right, clear the pistol, lock the slide back, and check the barrel for obstructions.
• To check the barrel use a pencil down the barrel to feel for any obstructions.
• If there is an obstruction or a bulged barrel, stop shooting and take the pistol to a gunsmith for repair.
• If the barrel is clear, you should still take the pistol to a gunsmith for a safety check.
• A squib load can be caused when a round has a primer, but little or no powder in the case.

Failure to feed

• Is when a pistol fails to feed the next round from the magazine into the chamber.
•  In this situation, the slide will not be all the way forward because the round did not travel all the way that is needed to be chambered.
• To fix this problem, first, remove the magazine from the pistol. Then remove the round from the magazine well if it hasn’t already fallen out.
• Put a fresh magazine in the pistol and chamber the round.

Stovepipe

• A stovepipe happens when a spent casing fails to eject correctly. This causes the spent casing to get trapped upright in the ejection port.
• The stovepipe is caused by not holding the pistol correctly or limp wristing.
• To clear the pistol remove the magazine.
• Lock the slide to the rear to remove the spent casing.
• Put a fresh magazine in the pistol and chamber the round.

Revolvers Pros and Cons

Pros

Revolvers are known for their simplicity and dependability.  They are extremely safe handguns to operate in either single or double action mode.  New shooters can grasp how they function easily.  Revolvers take a minimum of training to learn how to use.   Another reason some individuals prefer to carry revolvers is that they simply do not need to worry about having the strength to pull the slide back on a pistol and chamber a round.

It is very easy to recover brass from a revolver. When the revolver is empty, just swing out the cylinder and push the extractor rod. The spent cartridges will fall into your hand.  From there the brass can be saved in your pocket and used with reloading equipment later on to make a new bullet.

Revolvers are also far more forgiving in terms of ammunition choice.  Basically, if the ammunition fits in the cylinder and the cylinder locks, the revolver should fire the bullet.  While you should never use ammunition that is too hot for the gun in question, a revolver will take a lot more variance than a semi-automatic pistol.

Cons

Revolvers only have a few drawbacks as a prime personal protection sidearm. They have a limited capacity, are extremely slow to reload, and the cartridges which they shoot can be too heavy for city or in home use. To fix these problems, practice with the speed loaders regularly and carry ammunition that will not shoot through walls.

In conclusion, there are pros and cons associated with both semi-automatic pistols and revolvers.  At times, you may think that the revolver is the best bug out gun for your needs; while a semi-automatic pistol may seem more appealing to others. As Jeff Cooper would say: “The police cannot protect the citizen at this stage of our development, and they cannot even protect themselves in many cases. It is up to the private citizen to protect himself and his family, and this is not only acceptable but mandatory.”   In the end, this is a highly personal choice, and the best gun will be the one you have with you and know best how to use.

If you have any comments, please put them in the comment section below.

Further Reading

• Four Types of Pistol Malfunctions and How to Clear Properly
• Revolver or Semi-Auto: What’s Right for You?
• Carry Guns: Semi-automatic vs. Revolver

 

About Fred Tyrell:

I am an Eagle Scout and a retired police officer. I love the great outdoors and I am very conservation minded. It is my wish to pass along to other generations what I have learned in my lifetime. I am a champion marksman with handguns, rifles, and shotguns. You can read more of my articles on Survivor’s Fortress.

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