In which decade did you purchase your first revolver?

[glenwolde]

1974. A Ruger Security Six. The odd thing about it was it was barrel stamped ".38 Special" but it had a .357 Magnum cylinder. At least it accepted .357 Magnum cartridges.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

First revolver was 1966, a Colt Cobra .38 Special. Used the M1911A-1 quite a bit while in the Army 1968-72. Picked up a Belgian Browning Hi Power while in Vietnam. Got out of the Army and became a cop, with revolvers being required for duty use.

Other than the Colt Government Model (and Commander variant), Browning Hi Power, surplus Lugers & P38's, about the only semi-autos commonly seen in those days were various European pieces. S&W introduced the Model 39 during the 1950's, and it had become moderately popular through the 1960's (Illinois State Police and a few others adopted it). Then about 1972 S&W brought out the Model 59, about the first domestically produced "large capacity" pistol (15 rounds), and we started seeing more semi-autos on a regular basis. When the military announced the M9 Beretta (1985) we started seeing more and more automatics. Shortly thereafter Glock hit the market and the change accelerated, with most other makers offering multiple pistols by the end of the 1980's. By the early 1990's it was becoming less common to see cops with revolvers in their holsters, and the market was overflowing with used revolvers for a few years (wish I'd had the foresight to pick up all the good S&W's that were available for peanuts during that time).

I think the general public's buying preferences were influenced by two forces; the first being a general police transition to semi-autos, the second being movies and TV shows featuring all the newest hardware.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I answered your poll, and skewed the results. I wasn't legal age until the late 1990s, so that's when I purchased my first revolvers. I went to a LGS and someone had just traded a Model 10-8 and a Model 14-3 in, box, papers, and great condition. Walked out with both, and still have them.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Mid to late 80s........ there was a great outcry that police officers were "out guned" by bad guys with "wonder-nines"...... then there was the Miami shoot out.........FBI agents (4 or 5?) had mostly 5-6 shot revolvers ( IIRC only 1-2 hicaps)...... the bank robbers had mini-14s.

Military had just adopted the Beretta 92 and it was the "it" gun in movies like Die Hard and Lethal Weapon.........

 

[SLT223]

2001. Bought my 686 no dash the day I got my permit, or the day after. It was my 21st birthday present to myself.

 

[hoc9sw]

... the biggest loss of ground was with the introduction of polymer framed semi-autos. The polymer pistols lowered production costs, increased corporate profits, and led to a reduction of revolver offerings.

This was key to me. We were expected to purchase duty weapons. I could barely scrape up rent, much less food money, so I, like a lot of friends at the time, put whatever we already owned in service, and waited for a seizure gun to become available if we needed better. I didn't, as I started with an issue 1911. My first "acquired" revolver came from a junk box the sheriff let staff pick through.

 

[bgrafsr]

1963, Big Spring, TX. Got stationed to Webb AFB. Went downtown, found a pawn shop and bought a Ruger Super Single Six with .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders plus a quick draw rig for around $90.00. Saw lots of Colt SAA's and .45 Colts with decent prices, but I wasn't interested in them at that time.
Where's my time machine.

 

[35Rem]

I turned 21 in 2000. Bought a Ruger Bisley Vaquero. Don't have it anymore. Shot high-left for me. Dad bought his High Standard Double Nine in the 1960's. First handgun I shot. It's in my safe.

 

[Comrad]

My first experience with a semi auto was a Woodsman .22 and at the time I thought is was terrible. Knowing what I know now, it was ammo that caused it to jam at about every shot. Boy oh boy do I wish I held on to it until I understood ballistics

 

[Rick_A]

In 1998 I purchased two N frames, a 625 Classic and 629 PowerPort. I had turned 21 the year before.

All the same stuff you hear now was going on, S&W had sold out, the guns were garbage, and many had boycotted them. Politics aside the guns were excellent.

 

[loknload]

Back in 1973 I purchased a Ruger New Model Blackhawk .357. Bought it for hunting and target. My only regret is at the time I should have bought the 9mm cylinder for it and didn't,shop owner talked me out of it! He told me that was all the pistol I needed?
But it has served me well and I still have it!

 

[Tradewind36]

Early 70's I bought a new Hi-Standard Sentinel MK II 357. Still have it.

 

[the ringo kid]

Mine was in the late 1980s. I bought an 1851 Navy Colt.

 

[44Steve]

Hi,Steve here. Saw Dirty Harry in the theater. Sat through the movie twice to count the shots. And for some reason bought a S&W mod.57 N frame with a 8 3/8 barrel. All the 44s came later.

 

[mg357]

in 2007 or 2008 S&W Model 36 no dash .38 caliber revolver blued 2 inch barrel.

 

[GatorFarmer]

1994.... Model 29-5 with 8 3/8" bbl...I was 20, it was a private sale.

Revolvers had a bit of a Renaissance during the AWB years.

 

[rwsmith]

I think it was January....

I think it was January of 1980, Christmas present to myself. I almost made into the 70s decade.

 

[luangtom]

First revolver owned by me was in 1967. It was a High Standard Sentinel Deluxe. In lieu of cash pay, I got the revolver. I worked part-time for a LGS, unloading clay-pigeons at the skeet-range and also delivered baits, line and rods for him to local resorts.

 

[Ozark Marine]

This decade. To be more exact, 2 weeks ago. A S&W 642-1. Mind you, I bought my first semi in 1973, a month after I got out of the service and found a good job. Felt naked with out a weapon. Have been sleeping pretty soundly since. Bought a revolver cause I owed it to myself.

 

[Coldshooter]

If anyone votes for anything prior to 1930 the whole forum owes them a hearty congratulations!