Discontinuing N Frame Revolvers???

[44 special Dave]

Interesting thread!

To Bigbill (and others):

This is a collectors/enthusiast forum. Objectivity does NOT go well around here. And that's ok, it's a great forum.

Not a lot of n frames in gun shops for sure. It's either a semi auto or a small frame 38/357 for concealed carry. The way of the gun world right now.

The general shooting public is most interested in self defense and paper punching for practice. This notion that S&W should make up a batch of n frames for us true believers is not good business sense.

And the 44 special is not dead and the 41mag making a comeback...Not!
(regardless of my handle, I'm a realist). Truth is the 45 acp/ar is my favorite caliber now for personal defense.

In this forum, NOTHING is obsolete or out of date. I'm sure if you mention some obscure caliber, there's a group on here that loads for it.

And yes, I've owned more n frames than ks and just a few j frames. But now I go for lightweight n frames in 45 acp/ar with a sig p220 thrown in.

Toting around a loaded 41 to 50+ oz revolver is not much fun anymore. Heck look at the # of topics in the various categories on this forum. Antiques and 1899 to 1961 don't have the "play" they used to.

The average citizen owns a few guns likely in 38/357, and .22 revolver and 9mm, 45acp in a semi. (maybe a .40)

Smith and Wesson has a business to run that keeps shareholders happy.

Dave

 

[ptgarcia]

Once again I have to ask: WHERE!!! There's hardly any new N-frames showing around here and they disappear in days regardless of price. Used prices are absurd.

I think the panic diverted resources away from revolver production and now the pipeline is dry.

I had been dreaming of another N-Frame .45 acp. Up until a few months ago could find new 625 JMs on Guns America <$800. After a near heart-attack got me off the fence in May, I found those deals gone.

I've resorted to online auctions and will probably overpay for a 25-2, but like I said, I ain't gettin no younger.

I don't think new N-frames are going away anytime soon but there sure seems to be a drought at the moment.

I'd like to know where, also, because around here S&W N-frames are a rare item and demand a premium price, even those with a lock and MIM parts (which don't bother me none!). I can recall seeing only one N-frame in a shop in the last 2-3 years and it came home with me.

 

[Hotshot10]

The demand for the old guns is slipping.

I've not seen that at all. Online, prices have risen to absurd levels. I saw a 9mm Smith revolver sell for $1200 + shipping last week. Locally, they're still really high. Four weeks ago, I saw a blued 27-2 (maybe 90 percent) with a 6 1/2" barrel (no box or papers) listed at $925 in a local shop. Two weeks ago, I saw a 686-0 around 90 percent (again, no box or papers) listed at $775 in another local shop. And I just saw a Model 36 (no box or papers) that had the wrong grips and some definite wear around the muzzle sell for $500. Demand for almost everything around me is still strong.

Methinks that, if you're not seeing many N-frames, it's because Smith isn't producing as many of them right now because margins are higher on plastic autoloaders than they are on steel revolvers. Plus, the demand out there is for those types of firearms. We revolver enthusiasts are, unfortunately, a rather small percentage of those buying firearms, and a lot of us prefer to buy used.

 

[BigBill]

All the s&w n frames aren't being discontinued just the model 58 in 41mag and the model 24 is off the s&w sight as being offered. I'm hoping more n frames don't disappear on there sight. The plastic guns have taken over for now. Maybe us wheel gun guys are a dying breed too. I just worry about seeing guns disappearing from the manufacturers sight. The sky isn't falling yet but it's starting to crack in certain places. Besides the s&w n frames the only other s&w gun for now that a catches my eye is the 1911.

 

[colt_saa]

N-frames are not going away.

Just because a model is not listed on a website or in a catalog does not mean it is "discontinued"

Many models go in and out of production over the years.

 

[colt_saa]

In the color black too. All the model t's were in black only.

This is why I prefer my new n frames in nickel finish too. While colt
discontinued there nickel finish I figured that s&w would be next to
follow the trend.

The rumors that Colt discontinued nickel have been exaggerated

I can not recall a time when Colt did not have at least a few nickel firearms in the catalog.

 

[4x4moses]

Loves the K frames

My guess would be yes, unfortunately. They would sell a ton more if they returned to the "classic" profile of yesteryear. I could be wrong, been that many times.

I am a S&W K-frame guy from way back. But as much as I love my K's, I would never buy a new S&W with the internal lock. Don't need it. Don't want it. Won't have it!

 

[4x4moses]

Fact of the matter is that the "up-and-coming" young guys (and girls) prefer the polymer framed semi-autos. Very few young folks like or want what they see as an old-fashioned 6-shooter, when they can get a plastic gun with lots more rounds for hundreds less. I'm sure there will always be a market for the revolvers, but I'm afraid it's going to get much smaller, and what is available is going to be prohibitively expensive for the average collector/shooter. Taurus has already introduced a polymer-frame revolver. S&W may not be far behind. Personally, I wouldn't have one. Give me a steel-framed revolver, blue or stainless, with point-and-shoot simplicity. In the majority of self-defense scenarios, if you haven't accomplished anything by the 6th trigger pull, 10 more rounds probably won't help!

Just call me a grumpy old wheel gunner! Although, in the interest of full disclosure, I just ordered my first M&P9 yesterday. It may not be a permanent resident at my house, but the revolvers will never leave.

 

[BigBill]

After the new grandson was born I purchased a really nice k22 cheap. It showed me how awesome the s&w revolvers really are. I purchased the s&w k38 combat masterpiece 4" barrel and the s&w target masterpiece soon followed me home too. I like the k frames but there is something special about the larger n frames. Ok I like them all too.

 

[jtcarm]

It's not just the youngsters but with no M&P market, high-quality revolvers are above the price range of the casual shooter. If only something like CAS could catch on for DA revolvers. Look what it's done for SAs.

Lot's of folks who pine away for the "good ol days" may not remember in the 70s it was rare to walk into an LGS and find a new S&W under glass. At least it was for me. Magnums and N-frames were pretty much impossible to come by. You could order from an LGS, but it was hit or miss as to whether it even arrived. Not until the 80s could I walk into a decent size LGS and find a good selection of S&W revolvers. Even then I don't remember seeing anything like the number of handguns you find in a run-of-the-mill Academy store nowadays, much less a Cabelas.

 

[S&W1006]

It's hard to say where the revolver will end up. I have always had a respect for revolvers but I was only interested in auto's. At some point I realized how versatile and reliable revolvers are and now I own several and my must have list has more revolvers than semi auto's. Not everybody will see the revolver for the fine weapon it is. I am one of the few guys my age shooting revolvers in competition. I get called old for my fondness of revolvers. Unfortunatly the trends are leading us away from revolvers but I hope they at least remain a niche market. I would hate to see them disappear. I wish I had realized how awesome revolvers are before the decline and I would own several Colts as well as more S&W's.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have a favorite family owned store that I frequent. They have 5 cases for hand guns. One is huge, twice the size of any of the others. That's where they display the the plastic guns and 1911's. One is small. That's the one with .22's. The 3 others are about the same size and display revolvers. One single action, one small frame double action and one large frame double action. The case with the fewest guns in it is the large frame double action case and some are old Smiths and Colts taken in on trade. All the other cases have mostly new guns. They don't stock a lot of large frame double action revolvers because they don't sell very well. They may have discounted mine because they knew the market and had a buyer.

 

[BigBill]

What turned me off from buying any s&w revolver in the 70's was the black marketing of the s&w m29 after the Clint movies were out. It made me sick what they were asking for them. It was the gun salesman who stopped by I call them modern day carpet baggers. After fourty years I got over it. Stupid me.

 

[S&W45Colt]

I've had a discussion about my LGS's revolver sales recently. My LGS turns over 100 plus revolvers a month, between old and new ones. Roughly half are N frames. Someone had better tell him revolvers are dead. He's making a lot of money on a dead style of gun, apparently he and the buyers aren't aware no one wants them.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I've had a discussion about my LGS's revolver sales recently. My LGS turns over 100 plus revolvers a month, between old and new ones. Roughly half are N frames. Someone had better tell him revolvers are dead. He's making a lot of money on a dead style of gun, apparently he and the buyers aren't aware no one wants them.

Everything's relative. How many pistols does he sell? Does he keep many pistols in stock to sell? A lot of people won't buy what they can't hold in their hand. Does he do LE sales? That's a pretty big market and effects commercial production and sales. Colt had to restructure to continue commercial sales because of their M4 contracts. Even with that they dropped their DA line. Colt made some of the finest revolvers ever produced.

Revolvers aren't dead and plenty of people want them. I just bought one. I think the general notion here is they are being squeezed pretty hard by other sales.

 

[TAROMAN]

LGS here never has any quality S&W revolvers in the case.
The wealthy owner keeps every one, new or used, that comes in the door.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I just love my Classic Model 27 - but have you ever tried to tote one of those around concealed? I've done it; it's not easy. On a long driving trip it was a good plan so I got the right driving holster for it and off I went. But driving is one thing. Stopping off for a snack and keeping that big baby concealed is another! Concealed carry, and pistols in general, are the two biggest items driving handgun sales. We baby boomers might still adore our wheelguns but it's small revolvers and pistols that are the main focus - so, sure, S&W is very likely to cut production on N frames, let the market get "unsaturated", then bring some back. Supply and demand - isn't that a law somewhere?

With us old timers the model 24 in 44 special is probably the last gun we can handle as the arthritis gets worse. I am starting to have a hard time pulling back the slides on my 1911's. I'm sure not alone. So with us baby boomers all starting to get arthritis at the sametime who will sell us the revolvers?

I never really liked .44 Magnums anyway, and I loaded mine when I had one by my bedside with .44 Specials. Sold it; I like my .38/.357s better. It was such a clunky gun, even with a 3" barrel.

My arthritis ain't bad, I can shoot heavy kickers most of the time, but what for? Even shooting .357s seems silly; .38s work so nicely in them! I know, it's just me, and I keep plenty of .357 Magnum on hand, but for my purposes .38 Special premium ammunition works fine. In my K and L frames, and my N frame, but the Ks and Ls transport so much more easily than the N. Never mind conceal....

If I was younger I'd buy an x frame.

Why? To me they're kind of useless, unless you're hunting with them. For hunting I prefer rifles, anyway.

A blued revolver, a nickel revolver, even stainless....oh, my, so much better than pistols.

***GRJ***

PS:

Remember, a pistol is a machine. A revolver is a work of art...."

....not sure who said that....

 

[S&W45Colt]

Everything's relative. How many pistols does he sell? Does he keep many pistols in stock to sell? A lot of people won't buy what they can't hold in their hand. Does he do LE sales? That's a pretty big market and effects commercial production and sales. Colt had to restructure to continue commercial sales because of their M4 contracts. Even with that they dropped their DA line. Colt made some of the finest revolvers ever produced.

Revolvers aren't dead and plenty of people want them. I just bought one. I think the general notion here is they are being squeezed pretty hard by other sales.

He turns 300-400 guns a month. The clientele is anything from old guys to LE to the yuppies on the Golf courses. I agree with your last paragraph, it was kind of my point as well. N frames are never going to be the #1 seller, but there is a big enough demand and it fills a large enough niche, that they are not going to end. They'll do limited runs at certain times of the year just like now for the foreseeable future. JMO.

 

[BigBill]

So is the revolver dying out? Or is it only the S&W collectors that are grabbing them? Are some hoarding them for profits down the road as an investment?

The plastic guns cost way less to manufacture. I wonder what the longevity or lifetime on the plastic holding up? Will the plastic in time and will it seperate from the steel? I still remember the bottom of the mags with the bullets falling on the ground with the first glocks. That will never happen to my 1895 revolver. Will the plastic handguns last that long? Will the plastic fail with age?

Have the manufacturers of plastic guns life tested them in all kinds of weather and temperatures? Have they been tested in environmental chambers? I'd have to know more before I ever purchased a plastic gun.
I even cringe when I see the 22cal handguns being offered in plastic now.

 

[joesmith357]

I'm seeing a colt and ruger trend with S&W N Frame Revolvers starting to happen. First there were no new S&W model 24's being offered in 44 special. Now I see the model 58 in 41mag not listed for sale anymore to. Is there more discontinuing of the S&W N Frame revolvers to follow? Is the N Frame in the big calibers dead?

This is a silly thread.

First, 44 specials and 41 magnums were and have been discontinued a few times. Why? Because they dont sell.

Revolvers in general right now are hard sells. Obscure calibers like 44spl and 41mag which are very expensive to shoot and ammo is even harder to find right now are even worse sellers. No one shoots them except reloaders. Hint: the vast majority of people who buy new revolvers are not reloaders.

Funny there is a 44 special cult following starting to happen and the 44 special is dead. Even the 41mag is gaining in popularity too.I love my m58.

Items with a cult following dont sell, and dont make economic sense to catalog.