Popularity of revolvers seems to be increasing lately.
- Thread starter Bud11
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dwever
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11 pages of posts generated from an original post based on a dubious if not false premise. No biggie, I'm just saying.
I enjoy my 1911, but I find myself going back for the revolver more frequently, especially now that I reload. A nice new indoor range just opened near me, so I think I'll be shooting a lot more. If I can't figure out some way to set up a net to catch the brass, I may go exclusively revolver there (or 22lr semi).
I think I will be shooting a LOT more 38 specials. Hopefully one or two trips a week x 200-300 rounds will add up quickly if they aren't 158 LSWC's. Or 22lr.
I think I will be shooting a LOT more 38 specials. Hopefully one or two trips a week x 200-300 rounds will add up quickly if they aren't 158 LSWC's. Or 22lr.
gr7070
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Yep and about only three posts that have addressed the OP with something meaningful.
The rest of the posts simply "I like revolvers." Yeah. I do too, yeah. That doesn't provide anything meaningful to the premise.
LouisianaMan
Member
OK, relevancy police, add to #91 that I believe a revolver market continues and will continue for neophytes, aficionados, and experts, for their varying reasons.
I believe my LGS continues to do well with J frames, small Taurus revolvers, and the LCR has also helped revolver sales--these compete with the pocket .380's and compact 9mm's in terms of portability, and that always attracts some buyers. Ditto for perceived simplicity of use.
What I often see, however, is young/1st time buyers lured by autos & their price, firepower, availability and perceived modernity. Concealed carry types down here also seem to favor autos, although some go the J or LCR route.
I see very few buyers, collectors excepted, buying service revolvers. Even the used ones tend to stay on the shelf a long time, with any caliber other than .357 being likely to sit a very long time.
In sum, my perception is that new-style compact revolvers have found a niche, but more traditional versions continue to struggle & appeal primarily to older guys and aficionados.
I believe my LGS continues to do well with J frames, small Taurus revolvers, and the LCR has also helped revolver sales--these compete with the pocket .380's and compact 9mm's in terms of portability, and that always attracts some buyers. Ditto for perceived simplicity of use.
What I often see, however, is young/1st time buyers lured by autos & their price, firepower, availability and perceived modernity. Concealed carry types down here also seem to favor autos, although some go the J or LCR route.
I see very few buyers, collectors excepted, buying service revolvers. Even the used ones tend to stay on the shelf a long time, with any caliber other than .357 being likely to sit a very long time.
In sum, my perception is that new-style compact revolvers have found a niche, but more traditional versions continue to struggle & appeal primarily to older guys and aficionados.
Lots of good info at this link: ATF Online - Statistics. Look about halfway down the page and you'll find some pretty specific info on numbers of handguns manufactured in the US, by year, type, caliber range, manufacturer, etc. What I can't find anywhere is info on numbers and types of handguns imported into the US within the last five years or so. Also can't find sales figures to speak of.
From just the US manufacture stats at the ATF page this picture seems clear: for at least a decade, auto pistol production in the US has exceeded revolver production, and auto production here is growing faster than revolver production. A decade ago for every revolver made in America, two autos were made. In 2010 (the last year of available data) it was one revolver made for every four or five autos being made. Domestic revolver production has gone up about 60% in the last decade but domestic auto production has more than doubled in that same period.
It would be very interesting to see what the import numbers are, especially since most Glocks and Springfield XDs (both of which are big sellers) sold in this country count as imports not as domestic production. I'm not sure if Taurus and Rossi guns count as imports or domestic production, but my guess is that they are big sellers here as well, and could have a large effect on the total sales numbers.
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gr7070
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That's some good info!
While Taurus and Rossi certainly sell some revolvers I think Bud's sales that I posted early on shed some light on them. Bud's sells a ton of low cost guns. Not one revolver was on their top 15, not even inexpensive Taurus, Rossi, or J-frames.
I can't imagine these revolver sales touch what Glock and XD sell here. I would guess that they'd make the ATF numbers look even worse.
Revolvers are losing market share at an enormous rate. While they're my favorite I'm one of a few oddballs. Folks (by relative comparison) do not buy wheel guns.
While Taurus and Rossi certainly sell some revolvers I think Bud's sales that I posted early on shed some light on them. Bud's sells a ton of low cost guns. Not one revolver was on their top 15, not even inexpensive Taurus, Rossi, or J-frames.
I can't imagine these revolver sales touch what Glock and XD sell here. I would guess that they'd make the ATF numbers look even worse.
Revolvers are losing market share at an enormous rate. While they're my favorite I'm one of a few oddballs. Folks (by relative comparison) do not buy wheel guns.
Meeteetse
Member
I don't think there is any question that semi's have out sold revolvers for many years, but. . .if you take out the LE and military sales I wonder.
A few years back I taught a handgun safety course for an SO in my old home state. The course was originally set up for women only, but later became the model course for CCW, so men started taking the course. Most of the women and a few of the men did not own guns when they started the course. We allowed any handgun they wanted to use or we supplied K-frame .38's. Most of the people who took the class eventually bought their own gun, and many bought a different gun than they started the class with. Most of the men started with 1911's and Glocks. The women usually brought whatever their husbands told them was the correct gun.
I tell you all of this because at the end of our course, 90% of the people bought revolvers for their house guns and CCW. This was typical for nearly the entire 20 years I taught. The only real exception to this was the younger men who believed they had to have whatever the military was shooting, even if they shot the revolvers better. Many of the women never felt comfortable with semi's because of the more complicated manual of arms. I had two female animal veterinarians that started the class with a Glock and a 1911 and ended up with a S&W 19 (2 1/2") and a 629 (6") they carried when out in the country.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of sales not only revolver vs. auto, but also men vs. women. For me it has always been about power. I like magnum revolvers of many calibers, but I think revolvers are more reliable than many of the less expensive .380's out there. I still believe in the 5 or 6 for sure with a back-up and reloads. . . . but, I'm getting to be a dinosaur. I own semi's, but I "like" revolvers.
A few years back I taught a handgun safety course for an SO in my old home state. The course was originally set up for women only, but later became the model course for CCW, so men started taking the course. Most of the women and a few of the men did not own guns when they started the course. We allowed any handgun they wanted to use or we supplied K-frame .38's. Most of the people who took the class eventually bought their own gun, and many bought a different gun than they started the class with. Most of the men started with 1911's and Glocks. The women usually brought whatever their husbands told them was the correct gun.
I tell you all of this because at the end of our course, 90% of the people bought revolvers for their house guns and CCW. This was typical for nearly the entire 20 years I taught. The only real exception to this was the younger men who believed they had to have whatever the military was shooting, even if they shot the revolvers better. Many of the women never felt comfortable with semi's because of the more complicated manual of arms. I had two female animal veterinarians that started the class with a Glock and a 1911 and ended up with a S&W 19 (2 1/2") and a 629 (6") they carried when out in the country.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of sales not only revolver vs. auto, but also men vs. women. For me it has always been about power. I like magnum revolvers of many calibers, but I think revolvers are more reliable than many of the less expensive .380's out there. I still believe in the 5 or 6 for sure with a back-up and reloads. . . . but, I'm getting to be a dinosaur. I own semi's, but I "like" revolvers.
I've had a handgun license for close to two decades, and during that time I've carried my fair share of revolvers. There have been a good number of those that I wish I hadn't bought (like a Rossi 357 that broke TWO hammers 
).
Anyway, for the past few years I've been carrying a 642 +P IL model daily. I recently sold both of my 642's to fund a new 640-1 Pro Series (started a thread about that one).
Obviously, the greater access to CHL, CCW, and general Handgun Licenses has led to a greater appreciation of simple, reliable and accurate handguns (put another way: revolvers). I now have a "Lifetime License" that allows me to carry concealed or open, but I always choose to carry concealed except in a few very specific cases (some camping and hiking chores cause me to expose my side arm). Most people in my state choose to carry concealed, but I occasionally will see someone carrying open. As a side, I applaud those people, because I think it helps dispel the "guns are self conscious evil devices" myth.
Regardless, I prefer to carry a semi-auto (usually a Sig Sauer P220R SAO, P220R SAO SAS Carry or P220 SAO Compact), but frankly speaking: a good J-Frame is more practical for day-to-day life because its small, reliable, and powerful enough to deal with your average threat.
Many other people feel this way, and that's why we're seeing a resurgence of revolver popularity (and a host of "super compact" semi-autos like the tiny Kahr products and Ruger LCP).
).Anyway, for the past few years I've been carrying a 642 +P IL model daily. I recently sold both of my 642's to fund a new 640-1 Pro Series (started a thread about that one).
Obviously, the greater access to CHL, CCW, and general Handgun Licenses has led to a greater appreciation of simple, reliable and accurate handguns (put another way: revolvers). I now have a "Lifetime License" that allows me to carry concealed or open, but I always choose to carry concealed except in a few very specific cases (some camping and hiking chores cause me to expose my side arm). Most people in my state choose to carry concealed, but I occasionally will see someone carrying open. As a side, I applaud those people, because I think it helps dispel the "guns are self conscious evil devices" myth.
Regardless, I prefer to carry a semi-auto (usually a Sig Sauer P220R SAO, P220R SAO SAS Carry or P220 SAO Compact), but frankly speaking: a good J-Frame is more practical for day-to-day life because its small, reliable, and powerful enough to deal with your average threat.
Many other people feel this way, and that's why we're seeing a resurgence of revolver popularity (and a host of "super compact" semi-autos like the tiny Kahr products and Ruger LCP).
MikeChandler
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My .02:
I think revolvers will all but disappear before making a massive comeback at markedly increased prices, with older pristine examples fetching insanely high prices, some in the many thousands of dollars.
What's that, it's already happened?
Nevermind.
I'll go back to oogling my Colt Python from behind the glass.
I think revolvers will all but disappear before making a massive comeback at markedly increased prices, with older pristine examples fetching insanely high prices, some in the many thousands of dollars.
What's that, it's already happened?
Nevermind.
I'll go back to oogling my Colt Python from behind the glass.
Reevolvers
Member
I'm a revolver man through and through! Some say I'm old school, but I say I'm from the real school! I'm only 36 and most in my generation prefer bottom feeders! I Like semis ok and have several, but I LOVE wheel guns! If I could only pick one it would be a revolver!
Nice handle. Guess that says it all. Bud
