Looking for a revolver that holds the most rounds? Most revolvers only hold five or six rounds; therefore, it’s commonly referred to as the six-shooter. There are a few revolvers that have seven to ten chambers, and at least one with twelve chambers. But which revolver can hold the most rounds?
The 48-shot Enouy is the revolver that can hold the most rounds in history. This revolver has a compound magazine consisting of eight cylinders, each with six shots. Due to the number of rounds this revolver holds it is also incredibly heavy.
The 48-shot Enouy revolver holds the most rounds, but are there other revolvers that also hold a staggering number of rounds without being impractical? Let’s keep reading to appreciate these other revolvers.
Why Do Most Revolvers Only Hold Six Bullets?
When it comes to revolvers, the most common size you’ll find is one that can shoot six bullets. We refer to these as six-shooters. But why is it so common to have six bullets?
Revolvers usually only hold six rounds of bullets because of geometrical reasons. The optimal packing solution for bullets is a method called hexagonal tiling. A Hexagon is strong and efficient when it comes to packing bullets because it doesn’t waste space; more spaces for bullets leave a huge amount of metal in the middle that has no function.
But even though, structurally speaking, having a revolver that can hold five or six bullets makes a lot of sense and shows the use of a number of bullets without losing the quality of the shots, there are some revolvers that push the limits of how many bullets you can accommodate.
What Are the Most Bullets a Revolver Can Hold?
The revolver with the highest ammunition capacity in history is the Enouy 48-shot revolver, but this is not practical, especially in modern times. If we’re looking for a modern revolver that can hold the most bullets, then this would be a revolver with a 12-round capacity.
For more practical and modern options with the biggest bullet capacity, we’d look at revolvers that have a capacity of 12 bullets in total.
Here’s a cool video of 10 round revolver, with more info below:
I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what I’m getting and that it will actually show up.
Are There 12 Round Revolvers?
They might be a bit more elusive than the usual five or six shooters, but there are a few revolvers with a 12-round capacity. The US Firearms Model 12/22, Cattleman 12 Shot, and the .36 Walch Navy Revolver are some popular 12 round revolvers.
The .36 caliber Walch Navy revolver is a revolver that can hold the most rounds. This is a 12-shot revolver, so it has double the capacity of the average revolver. The Walch has a six-chambered cylinder that is double stacked to accommodate 12 rounds.
This revolver was patented in 1859 and consists of six chambers that hold two shots in order to reach the 12-round capacity.
The US Firearms Model 12/22
Produced by the United States Firearms Manufacturing Company, the US Firearms Model 12/22 is a more modern revolver with a 12-round capacity.
This classic full sized single-action (SA) revolver was produced from 2009 to 2012 and is an intriguing take on the Colt Single Action Army.
Cattleman 12 Shot Revolver
This full-sized Cattleman is built with six extra chambers as opposed to the standard Cattleman cylinder. This revolver was built for practicing for competitions and for inexpensive shooting.
Are There Any 10 Round Revolvers?
Yes, there are 10 round revolvers available on the market today. Although they are harder to find than other revolvers, the Ruger GP100, Chiappa SAA 1973, and the Smith and Wesson Model 617 are all popular 10 round revolvers.
10 round revolvers seem just as elusive as their 12 round relative, but that doesn’t mean that people don’t want them.
Even if certain model revolvers aren’t available in the 10-shot range, it’s possible for gunsmiths to customize guns to fit 10 bullets. However, here are a few of the 10 round revolvers that exist on the market.
The Ruger GP100
It’s not common to find a 10 round revolver, but the Ruger GP100 is a .22 caliber revolver and is one of the best known 10 round revolvers. This double-action revolver is brilliant for target shooting, and recreational shooting and is great for hunting small game.
The Chiappa SAA 1873
Another excellent, and affordable, 10 shot revolver is the Chiappa SAA which is a single-action addition to the firearm market. This revolver is known to be the classic American handgun and is available in different barrel lengths. It’s perfect for plinking and competitions.
The Smith and Wesson Model 617
The 22LR caliber Smith and Wesson 617 model revolver is one of the newer 10 shot revolvers out on the market.
This revolver has been getting more popular due to its non-exist recoil which makes it a brilliant trainer revolver for professionals and novices alike. Another reason it’s been growing in popularity is that its ammunition is quite cheap.
Are There Any Nine Round Revolvers?
Yes, there are 9 round revolvers available on the market today. Although they are harder to find than other revolvers, the Diamondback Sidekick 22 and the LeMat Revolver are popular 9 round revolvers.
Nine round revolvers are used as an alternative to the conventional six-shooters. These revolvers are usually chosen for their ability to hold more ammunition without adding too much to the weight of the gun. Here are some options for nine round revolvers.
The Diamondback Firearms Sidekick 22
The Diamondback Firearms Sidekick 22 is the cowboy nine shooter. It’s a classic revolver but great when using it for hunting small game, self-defense with manageable recoil, and is excellent for an inexpensive target practice.
The LeMat Revolver
The LeMat Revolver is a 9 shot revolver that either comes as a .46 or .32 caliber. Designed by Jean Alexandre Le Mat in New Orleans, this revolver is also commonly known as the Grape Shot Revolver.
This is because of its ability to also function as a short-barreled shotgun, as the shooter can select whether to fire from the smooth-bore barrel or the main cylinder.
I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what I’m getting and that it will actually show up.
Conclusion
When looking for a revolver that holds the highest ammunition capacity, it’s great to admire its ingenuity and peculiar designs. However, as intriguing as it is, its ability to hold the most number of rounds definitely made it impractical to use.
It gives us a deeper appreciation for the revolvers with a smaller capacity but are more efficient to have in action. The ability to test the limits of the round capacity of a revolver is a true art form.
