".a renaissance of interest in revolvers. . ." Michael Bane. You think that's true?

[dwever]

New York gun owners—who strongly opposed passage of the anti-gun SAFE Act back in 2013—have now cast their votes against the semi-auto firearm registration portion of the law, this time by simply ignoring the requirement.

Recently released New York state police data indicate that out of an estimated 1 million semi-automatic firearms required to be registered under the law, 23,847 people have registered only 44,485 of the guns—about a 4 percent compliance rate.

Under the SAFE Act, noncompliance with the registration of one's guns could result in either a misdemeanor or felony charge, with the possibility of one to four years in prison—so Gov. Andrew Cuomo's SAFE Act has turned hundreds of thousands of gun owners into criminals.

Yet gun owners—familiar with the fact that registration has so often led to confiscation, even in their own state—apparently would rather be considered criminals than to comply with the punitive registration requirements.

For the rest of the article America's 1st Freedom | New York Gun Owners Defy SAFE Act.

Posting represents information only and does not represent any position relative to the article.

 

[Will Carry]

Wheel guns still make a lot of sense. When I carry my revolvers to the range I seem to be more relaxed. I shoot slower, aim smaller and devour less ammo. I don't know if it's just me on not.

 

[Clark B]

Wheel guns still make a lot of sense. When I carry my revolvers to the range I seem to be more relaxed. I shoot slower, aim smaller and devour less ammo. I don't know if it's just me on not.

No, not just you.

 

[sw282]

l only see bottom feeders at my range. They have maybe 15 different guns for rent.. 2 revolvers of the bunch . A Taurus Tracker 357 and a SW640..Rest auto. The 2 wheel guns are shunned

 

[frankcr]

Semis are more popular and people want the biggest, badest ones which hold a large number of cartridges in the magazine like the people in the movies. Many young shooters have never enjoyed the experience of a well made revolver at the range.

For self defense guns, they want to arm themselves for a battle with numerous adversaries, but that just causes spray and pray shooting. They give up the advantage of a handgun which will accept a wide variety of cartridges and often forego adjustable sights in the bargain.

Popular is not always the best measure of a product.

 

[BE Mike]

https://www.atf.gov/file/97936/download

Once again, numbers don't lie.

I agree that interest in revolvers is probably at an all-time low, however a few days ago I was in a local gun shop and saw some older revolvers. I mentioned to the owner that revolvers aren't popular. He said, "Well that might be, but I sell every one I get in!"

 

[HorizontalMike]

Revolver Revolution

I have had my S&W 686 4" .357Magnum x6 for nearly 30yr. This past Spring I bought a little J-Frame for CCL and Home Defense. I hear the argument about "...semi-autos carry more ammo than revolvers...". Sooo... ...I actually DID something about that issue.

I bought an EIGHT-BANGER... S&W 627PC 2.62" .357Magnum with Full Moon Clips:

NOW, I have not only a "larger" capacity handgun, I also have barrels of 1.875", 2.62", and 4.00"... all wheel guns.

Truth be told, I cannot think of a better combination to have!

Not that I'm bias or anything against plastic guns. I HAD plastic guns as kid, but even THOSE plastic guns were plastic 6-Shooter Wheel Guns!

 

[BigBill]

Here's my thoughts why the up swing in the revolver numbers/owners.

I believe the new Tupperware owners finally figured out that the plastic guns aren't the only handguns out there. More of the new guys to guns need to wake up.

I own both metal pistols and metal revolvers. I have pistols but just can't really care for them other than the 1911 & CZ. The big heavy revolver just feels right in my hands.

Give me a K or N Frame revolver I'm happy.

Maybe it's watching the cylinder turn mechanically as the hammer moves to the rear. The revolver never died it took a back seat to plastic.

Plastic pistols are cheaper. Ever notice the plastic guns are traded in more and more. They have taken over the used handgun case in every local gun shop. I think every time the gun rags say this new plastic pistol is better over the last year's model the plastic guys can upgrade cheaply. Thus there used guns are stacking up in our lgs.

We don't see so many trade it's with revolvers. Check some lgs offered very little in New and used revolvers, decades ago it's been this way.

Will the revolver ever return to the top of the heap? It never left with us guys who still perfect them.

Supermarket, paper or plastic? Gun shop, metal or plastic?

I think with all these used plastic pistols being traded in its a matter of time as they pile up the lgs may stop accepting them in as trade or offer way less rather then see them pile up in the store. There is a lot of used plastic pistols being offered today. It's a growing problem that no one sees yet.

Funny my first ruger police service six in 357mag will turn 40yo in the springtime. At 40yo your plastic gun has to be retired its life expectancy is over.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I have a Smith & Wesson revolver that shipped in about 1882. I have one Smith & Wesson revolver that was issued to my grandfather in 1918. I have one Smith & Wesson revolver that shipped in 1977. I have three Smith & Wesson revolvers that shipped in 1982. And I have one that shipped last Tuesday! (Actually, it shipped sometime this month, and I bought it over the weekend!) All of them are functional, and most of them have better triggers now than when they were made. Except for the Model 1½ in .32 S&W, I would and do trust any of them with my life and the lives of my family. Don't know that I would do that with anything plastic.

 

[BigBill]

I was done thinking about a plastic pistol when the Leo's were experiencing the magazine's coming apart on there very first new glocks with the bullets all over the ground. Someone forgot the glue I guess.

When a gun doesn't work it becomes a throwing piece plastic guns aren't heavy enough to do any damage.

 

[USARMYSPEC4]

At 70 years young, I got another revolver for my 70th B Day from my wife. It's a 986, has no problem with canted barrel and with only a few $ in springs my arthritic fingers can shoot it just fine at the steel events it was bought for. Started with wheel guns when I was in my teens and still like them. I do have two Colt Semi's for self defense, but really like sport shooting my wheel guns. Just to keep with the original post, I think the are on the upswing, and believe that will continue seeing younger folks at the range with them.

 

[frankcr]

Funny thing, but no one has ever come by my shooting bench to see the semi I was shooting. With the revolvers, people do come by and comment.

I think it is curiosity over something they are not familiar with to be truthful.

No idea if there is more or less interest today and actually do not care what someone else might prefer. I just enjoy the revolver, both single and double action type more that a semi. It just shouts class and workmanship.

 

[dwever]

I was done thinking about a plastic pistol when the Leo's were experiencing the magazine's coming apart on there very first new glocks with the bullets all over the ground. Someone forgot the glue I guess.

When a gun doesn't work it becomes a throwing piece plastic guns aren't heavy enough to do any damage.

For revolvers to be recognized as the capable platforms that they are, it's probably not necessary to scoff at other capable platforms.

"In the hands of knowledgeable persons the revolver is more than an equal of any other defensive handgun." Thunder Ranch

 

[eTripper]

There's a lot of 'ways' you can look at the "Revolver Renaissance" topic. Mostly, it comes down to 'personal taste', philosophy of use, and economics. Let's face-it, each platform has it pluses, and minuses. The revolver has very-strong points in it's favor: ease of operation, accuracy, versatility, and reliability. Equally, the automatic has things in it's favor: hi-cap, quick-to-reload, narrower foot-print, can be suppressed, more fire-power in a smaller package. Both have aesthetic 'charm', and can be employed for either defense, or used as hunting arms. Either platform can be tailored for, and personalized by their owners. Maybe, people that have never considered a revolver before, are waking-up to the real 'punch' a big-bore can deliver. Whether, or not there's a 'renaissance' for revolvers, it's hard-to-say. I like both platforms equally.

 

[7shooter]

We just did the annual retired cop national carry permit class. Out of 19 cops there was one revolver. Some years there are none. Years ago there were more but those guys were getting pretty elderly and no longer show up .

 

[Checkman]

I'm a revolver fan and own far more wheel guns than semi-autos. But as a police officer I carry a Glock 19. The last time I saw an officer (here in Idaho) carrying a revolver as his primary sidearm was in 2003. I was a detective then and attending the basic investigators course at Idaho P.O.S.T. He was a detective from one of the sheriff offices up in the northern part of the state. He had to get special permission from the sheriff to carry it. It was a 3" Model 65. That was over thirteen years ago. I believe the semi-auto is the design of choice for most people. However the revolver still has it's fans. Many years ago a poster here on this form said that the revolver has been moved to boutique status and I have to agree. Never thought I would see the day that I would be a boutique shopper, but here I am.

 

[jessebogan]

If you REALLY want to get funny looks at a range, take out your revolver and sit and shoot at the 50 or 100 yard line. I am still working on the ins and outs of "long distance" shooting with my Model 28 (usually), but most pistol shooters seem happy at 10 to 15 yards...

 

[usmcchet9296]

I have more revolvers than semi-autos
revolvers are just cool

 

[jtcarm]

I only see it in carry guns, pocket revolvers.

I'm hoping the 2 3/4" model 66 is a sign of interest in medium frame carry revolvers that could lead to a scandium K-frame, i.e. a model 319.

 

[Bullzaye]

Threads such as this make me chuckle. Lots of opinions about the superiority of revolvers, and the inferiority of "bottom feeders".

I own quite a few revolvers. Multiple Dan Wessons & Rugers, a respectable collection of S&Ws, and a smattering of Colts. I don't keep track of the numbers, but I suspect my semi-autos outnumber my revolvers. I love my revolvers, and I truly enjoy shooting them. The power and accuracy are great. I rarely, if ever, go shooting without taking along at least one revolver.

But...lets keep things in perspective. Semi-autos are popular for a reason. They're generally lighter, slimmer and more compact, easier to carry, spare magazines are slimmer & easier to carry than speedloaders, reloading is quicker, and requires less fine-motor-skills, which is a boon in a high stress situation...and of course, they generally hold more rounds. They come in powerful chamberings, and are plenty accurate.

You can call the semi-autos "bottom-feeders", "Glock-a-matics", "Jammamatics", or plastic toy-guns all you wish. But...they're here to stay. The semi-autos currently available are reliable & accurate, and easy to carry & conceal.

I love my revolvers. I have no plans to sell any of them...and I hope to acquire at least a few more. But, my daily carry gun is a semi-auto (with a 642 as a BUG, frequently), and I don't see that changing. I guess my point is...isn't it possible to enjoy our revolvers, without having to dump all over the semi-autos? Just sounds like sour grapes.

Tim