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

[dwever]

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

MY HEART BE STILL: Recently Michael Bane, Host and Executive Producer of Shooting Gallery asserted, "We've seen a renaissance of interest in revolvers and revolver shooting over the last couple of years," http://www.ammoland.com/2015/02/per...st-significant-handgun-of-2014/#axzz3l40VKZBQ

This was at an event where Shooting Gallery was awarding the 929, Most Significant Handgun of 2014. "The first time I shot this Smith & Wesson revolver I was amazed at what a leap forward it created. The Smith & Wesson Revolver Model 929 is a truly unique product that literally revolutionizes revolver competition."

Are revolvers making a comeback? What kind? I would be elated but I haven't heard.

What's your take on the alleged Revolver Renaissance???

An uptick in revolver sales is not enough, it is market share that is key. Or, other metrics such as a bigger presence in competitions such as USPSA.

 

[Bob T]

Used to have 9 semi's and one revolver. Now it's 3 semi's and 9 revolvers.

 

[LedFowl]

Are revolvers making a comeback?

Other than my own, I rarely see revolvers at our local range. If they're making a comeback, I don't see it among my small group of shooting friends.

 

[shawn mccarver]

If there is a renaissance of interest in revolvers, I am not seeing it. There remains much interest in J frames for the CCW market. That said, I do not believe we will see a resurgence in mid-size revolver sales for self-defense or LE use without some strange law being passed.

Years ago, someone wrote that future revolver sales will primarily be J frames and large hunting-type revolvers. That is, in fact, what has happened.

I have even started to see articles in the last 5 years, mostly since the Shield was introduced, that pistols such as the Shield will one day eclipse even the J frames because of advantages in size, power, capacity, recoil control, etc.

Perhaps Mr. Bane is selling a product for an advertiser on his program? Perhaps he is privy to some fact others are not? I think the best way to interpret his comments is that some types of revolvers are selling, and on that show, he decided to showcase the large, sporting use type, which is not particularly useful for defense. It can be used, but it is perhaps not the ideal choice.

 

[Pizza Bob]

My revolvers have always outnumbered my bottom feeders. I have been using revolvers, almost exclusively, in local USPSA and IDPA matches and that has generated enough interest from other shooters that a few of them have tried wheelguns in competition.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[NYlakesider]

I have a few circle guns and enjoy shooting them.

My often trips to the many gun shops in a 40 mile circle from my house show me they have at least 10 bottom feeders for sale for every revolver(New or used)

 

[27 Man]

Sad truth is people are enamored with awfulmatics and Glockitis is raging.

 

[Dave Lively]

Everything old is new again. At this point auto pistols are so common it is more interesting to read about revolvers for many people and the gun press knows it.

It kind of reminds me of the supposed comeback of film cameras in some circles I hear about on photography forums. The internet makes it possible for like minded individuals to find each other and since they all like the same thing they convince each other it is becoming much more popular than it really is.

I really like my model 69 in particular and revolvers in general. But I have not noticed an increase in the number of people shooting them. Auto pistols have improved a lot over the past few decades and are now able to serve many roles that used to be the exclusive domain of revolvers. The small 9s have replaced J-frames for many people. And compared to striker fired service pistols like Glocks revolvers no longer have a big advantage in reliability and simplicity. There are still a lot of reasons to prefer revolvers but except for firing 44 magnum and stronger cartridges it is hard to claim you need a revolver.

 

[Goblin]

I think the Renaissance is only in competitive shooting where the USPSA and IDPA may be getting some more interest. As others have said, I don't see it on my local public ranges. Nor do I see it at the local gun shows.

 

[dwever]

Yeah, that's my read as well. I've noticed the big box outdoor stores like Gander Mountain and Bass Pro have decreasing real estate for revolver display cases.

I'm usually the only guy at the range shooting a service or sporting sized revolver. Lots of j frames though.

Myself as well, but my 627 UDR and L-Comp tend to get some compliments from the auto guys.

The only place I see wheel guns talked about is right here.

Yes. But I took a little comfort when I checked today at 4:00 Central Time and there were a total of 583 viewing the three revolver sub-forums on this site.

 

[Gunhacker]

I've seen it recently at one LGS where ownership changed hands and they have made a fundamental shift towards getting in more revolvers.

Previously their display case had just the usual over abundance of Glocks, XD's and Sigs, with a few "token" revolvers limited to Charter Arms or S&W snubs, and one or two Ruger SA revolvers.

But suddenly within the last month, they've gotten in 617's, 986's and Ruger GP100's... and not just an odd one here and there, but multiples of each.

I missed out on the 617's which went fast before I heard about them, but I did manage to latch onto the last 986 they had, and it's now in the CA 10 day wait jail. So in the mean time I'm stocking up on 7 shot moon clips and more 9mm ammo, which I highly suspect I'll need.

Not having to chase brass is a luxury that comes with shooting revolvers and at my age with the onset of arthritis and suffering from "dunlap disease" (you know... belly has dunlapped over my belt), shooting the bottom feeders has become less enjoyable and I've really slacked off on shooting them... so much that recently, I've actually started to contemplate culling my pistol herd down to just a few key players that we're the most difficult to obtain, like my 1006.

Maybe that goes towards providing a partial explanation as good as any why a revolver renaissance appears to be taking shape... old fat guys are coming to the realization that they would rather spend their range time shooting than chasing/sweeping brass?

 

[Adk Mike]

I handload all my shells. I like my model 27. shoot the gun drop the shells in my gun box. Digging 9mm brass off the ground is not for me.

 

[smithman]

I'm usually the only guy at the range shooting a service or sporting sized revolver. Lots of j frames though.

 

[Nightowl]

I have rediscovered the Browning Hi Power and really appreciate Blazer ammo with aluminum cases. Just leave them where they fall. My shooting buddy spends about 15-20 minutes chasing his .45 brass.

 

[Laketime]

If there is ,no one is capitalizing on it.Cant find a new revolver for sale anywhere.The only place I see wheel guns talked about is right here.

 

[VictorLouis]

Considering that Ruger spent years and dollars to engineer the LCR, to compete in J-frame territory, I suspect there is 'something' to his assertion. Cobra has come out with J-frame clones (in appearance) of their own fairly recently. Armscor's importing that cruddy little D-frame-ish snub.

 

[Mike@NDS]

I see lots of wheelguns for sale in MN at the shops and gunshows.

More plastic autos of course, but plenty of new and used revolvers.

 

[RV4driver]

Plenty of interest in Colorado. All the shops I frequent have extensive selections.
Personally, I've seen increased interest. I just picked up a model 10 trade-in and will be sending a MO tomorrow for an H&R topbreak that I bought on this forum. I already had a 686+ and Ruger Single Six. I can't seem to get interested in semi-autos these days. In my pistol classes, I almost always have at least one wheelgun show up, and usually two or three. Lever action rifles have been taking up more space in my safes lately, also.

 

[10mmauto]

I must have missed the part where revolvers went out of style!

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

I love revolvers so that makes my opinion biased. When my wife did her CCW class out of 30 students she was the only one with a revolver,her 637-2 J frame. She had a Ruger LCP and had trouble cycling slide and didn't enjoy shooting it either.

 

[DonD]

I handload all my shells. I like my model 27. shoot the gun drop the shells in my gun box. Digging 9mm brass off the ground is not for me.

My only centerfire semi auto pistol is a 9mm Ruger SR9C, great gun. Reload for all my other centerfires both revolvers and rifles but I can't reload for the $10 box of 50 Walmart is charging for aluminum cased 9mm Federal ammo.

Even if I were so inclined, there is so much brass lying around at the range that I use that trying to find my 9mm among all the others would be a real pain in the butt and really not worth the effort. Range is OK with you policing your own brass but sells leftovers and doesn't appreciate you scavenging other's brass. I have no issue with that. Don

 

[Rick_A]

In the past couple years we went from none to six...and there's a few more to be had yet...

A decade ago I had a couple and sold them off. The chances of that happening now are pretty slim.

My autos have increased by merely one in comparison. Where the revolvers used to be a challenge to shoot double action, I do just as well with them than the autos these days and they are simply a pleasure. It's practical handgun shooting in its purest form.

 

[JMC502]

Was teaching the other day with a model 65 in my holster. 5 of our new officers didn't even know how to open the cylinder. I would love a come back but just don't see it. All the better for me though as prices are lower.

 

[tndrfttom]

I'm not seeing a great increase in the popularity of revolvers.

I shoot at an indoor range/club in Florida where the average age of the active shooters seems to be around 60-65. The membership demographic includes a pretty good segment of transplanted Yankee retirees (and many are retired law enforcement that served when the revolver was standard issue). From what I've seen of the active shooters, self-loading pistols outnumber revolvers by a considerable amount. When you do see a revolver on the firing line it is most often a S&W J Frame or small frame Taurus or Ruger LCR.

I think revolvers got a big bump in popularity/sales with the rise of Cowboy Action shooting but that seems to slipping with the popularity of 3-gun, IDPA, etc. They also got a bump with the introduction of the X-Frame Smiths and Ruger-made hand cannons and "Judge" 410 revolvers.

Out of curiosity I did a quick check of my inventory and I'm almost equally divides between revolvers and autos.

One of the LGS that I frequent keeps a good supply of used, realistically priced, handguns but used Colt, Ruger and Smith revolvers just don't stay on the shelf. So, somebody else besides me is buying them.

 

[slickracer]

Call me a "Renaissance Man"

 

[sodacan]

When I go to my range, I am usually the only guy with a six-shooter. Most of the others are plastic semi-autos. Many of the shooters are fascinated by a model 1917 or a Python, and I am always willing to let them try one out. Many of them bought a plastic gun as their first one and have never fired a revolver. I get many different types of reactions, from wow to no big deal. I don't know about a comeback for wheel guns, as long as there are much cheaper plastic alternatives. Shoot what you like, and like what you shoot.

 

[68sixspeed]

I am finding myself shooting more with the revolvers, they are just cool mechanical works of art in a way, and the versatility of shooting mild hand loads works great for my bad back. I have sold most of my plastic guns. Kept the 1911's and sig's.

I let a friend of mine shoot my python and 629dx the other week at the range, I think I may have converted him, or at least cost him some $ as he wants a 357 revolver now... next time I'll let him try a L frame s&w and see if that makes him buy one. Best thing to do is share the hobby, I always get a kick out of letting someone try a revolver who has never shot one.

 

[Buford57]

While there is much more space devoted to semis, my LGS has a 6' 3 shelf cabinet dedicated to new revolvers. They run heavily to J-frames, BGs and LCRs, with some SAs and hunting stuff. Used revolvers rarely stay a week.

I wouldn't say renaissance, but the revolver is far from dead for particular applications, IMO.

 

[S&W Fan]

I'm usually the only guy at the range shooting a service or sporting sized revolver. Lots of j frames though.

My experience as well. There is one shop in my area that is known for having a very good consignment selection (made even more so after July 2013 when our law changed mandating ffl/background check for transactions not between blood relatives). While they always had a nice selection of wheelies (especially S&W) it's greatly increased. As far as the new stuff the semis considerably outnumber the revolvers.

 

[BE Mike]

I think the only area where revolvers are popular are with pocket guns like the j frames and hunting handguns. I think revolvers are fascinating to younger adults who haven't shot one. Although I'm from the days when revolvers ruled the earth, I'm convinced that autos are hard to beat these days. They are very reliable, reasonably accurate and carry more ammo. Ammo for autos has vastly improved in performance over the years.