Are revolvers becoming more popular?

[DennisE]

I've bought 3 S&Ws in the last 6 weeks and both new and use ones seem a little scarce. Are there others like me who are buying revolvers again?

 

[Carrier]

It sure seems that way.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I never stopped. Older models don't last long on the market.

 

[daddio202]

I think in my area of Florida they have become more popular. When I found a local little hole in the wall type gun store, he had a whole slew of smith and wesson revolvers all marked under $600. I gradually bought 4 of them and that was last year. Now they hardly ever have any. When they do I buy them and the last 2 he had put in the case only the day before. Owner said there is a few other guys just like me that stop by regular just looking for older Smith and Wesson revolvers. I just had to buy the 4 inch Dan Wesson 44 mag last week and it too only been out for 2 days. Maybe it's just me but seems like others are catching on about finely made revolvers being a better gun.

 

[dr. mordo]

Granted my LGS owner prices his used guns a bit below market value, but most used revolvers, especially snubbies or .22s, only last a day or two before they are bought.

 

[Jimmyjones]

I never stopped, like BIGGGBBruce, but I could let them lay and go back and get them at my leisure.

Not anymore, the few I snoozed on receintly were gone when I went back for them.

 

[gman51]

I don't think revolver ever did really go by the wayside. Just all the hoopla was about the semi autos. The only guns I really check out in pawn shops or LGS is basically used revolvers. Sometimes you find a good deal. I passed on a few I should have grabbed but oh well.

 

[dwever]

The J frames were the last stronghold of revolvers doing something best, and the Glock single stacks such as the model 43 are more capable. The revolver side of this web site will increasingly be the domain of collectors.

Once I had eleven revolvers, this year I sold down to a PC 627 and M&P R8. My 627 2.65" barrel and 586L-Comp were outstanding carries, but now with the MRBF rates of some service pistols exceeding 12,000-35,000, there is just no argument left for revolvers for defensive carry. Qualifying with my 586 L-Comp at my former agency took seven reloads, the same 50 round course of fire with a Glock 17 took two reloads.

I love revolvers, but in the same way I love a 1969 Mustang. A classic point in history, really fun to drive, but an anachronism that technology has long left behind.

 

[charles_the_hammer]

I'm new to revolvers, but I have been browsing a bunch of shops lately and talking to a bunch of the old smiths and pawn brokers. The ones around here say that 5 or 6 years ago, older pre-lock smiths were flowing out of the display cases, but now they are few and far between.

 

[poorbroker]

I also bought three S&W revolvers in the last 4 weeks. Must be a trend.

 

[WisconsinKen]

The J frames were the last stronghold of revolvers doing something best, and the Glock single stacks such as the model 43 are more capable. The revolver side of this web site will increasingly be the domain of collectors.

Once I had eleven revolvers, this year I sold down to a PC 627 and M&P R8. My 627 2.65" barrel and 586L-Comp were outstanding carries, but now with the MRBF rates of some service pistols exceeding 12,000-35,000, there is just no argument left for revolvers for defensive carry. Qualifying with my 586 L-Comp at my former agency took seven reloads, the same 50 round course of fire with a Glock 17 took two reloads.

I love revolvers, but in the same way I love a 1969 Mustang. A classic point in history, but one that technology has long left behind.

I am glad you gave up your 586 L-Comp as it has fit nicely in my DC routine. Had to put an uglier pair of grips on it for better shootability.
For law enforcement, I can understand. However, for me as a private citizen concealed carrying, this 7 shot .357 and my S&W 1911SC .45 are my prefered. Loud, big holes in the target or high energy.

 

[Andy Lowry]

If revolvers were dying out, Kimber wouldn't have bothered with the K6, I think. Or Colt with their new .38 snubnose.

 

[500SNW]

People finally starting to get feed up with all the me-too polymer wonders out there? Rediscovering style and good taste?

That's what I've been thinking. The "polymer wonders" have stagnated...nothing radically new has come out...still mostly the same Glocks and Glockoid copies. I also think a lot of people who watch shows like "The Walking Dead" have had their interest in revolvers stimulated when one of the main characters gun of choice is a Colt Python. Granted, that's an idiotic reason for getting into the revolver "hobby" BUT if it's a lasting fixation, then it's a good thing.

 

[mike from st pete]

More popular?

I have both and carry a plastic fantastic because in Florida sweat makes even stainless steel turn brown.

 

[DocB]

If you have a plastic wonder, you only need one or two. Maybe one to carry and one for the car. With vintage Smith revolvers, you can never have too many. That's why they fly out of the gun stores. . .virtually unlimited demand. Who wouldn't drop three bills on a gun like this one.

 

[UncleEd]

dwever,

So what if it took seven reloads to two for the revolver vs. the
Glock?

Realistically, is your agency training for actual 50 round gunfights?

As has been stated, for police work or military the auto does make sense but for everyday Joe in self defense on the street or
in the home, the revolver will do just fine. And yes, maybe one
reload might be necessary if the time actually existed.

By the way, did you shoot well with the wheel gun? At least as
well as those with the Glocks?

 

[Mark IV]

I've bought 3 S&Ws in the last 6 weeks and both new and use ones seem a little scarce. Are there others like me who are buying revolvers again?

Yes,definitely. I got bitten by the revolver bug back during The Great Assault Weapon Panic of '08-'09. And, ever since I've been convinced that as bans loom, they will herd the market into different areas, like revolvers,shotguns,lever guns, and even stuff like SKS's (with their fixed 10-rd mags).
We haven't yet seen much of that, but the revolver market seems firmer than most, as they don't seem as affected by the deflation and flooded market that semi-autos clearly are.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

I've owned Only revolvers since the 70's. My daily carry is a 640-3. Stopping power and No chance of jamming like autos do.

 

[KSDeputy]

I bought two new J frames in the past year.

 

[NYlakesider]

Two of the bigger LGSs that I frequent have raised their prices on their used revolvers. The new ones and and single actions the prices are steady, but the "older style" S&Ws and Colts the prices are-a-rising.

One I saw Friday is a .22 Diamondback and is asking if I remember right $1500. I only saw it in the cabinet did not handled it, Course Diamondbacks and the Python go to their own drummer!