Revolvers are passe - Claude Werner

[HardToHandle]

Revolvers are passé.

Interesting observation from Claude Werner, a true J Frame fan, about how gun sales do not bode well for wheel guns.

.380s are destroying the .38 market. Great analysis.

Revolvers are pass'e | tacticalprofessor

 

[robertrwalsh]

The market is cyclical. Such is life.

 

[hittman77]

I'm so out of touch ......

380 would be a lot more popular in these parts if it weren't for the cheap, unreliable, polymer framed turds used to fire them. But, we have folks who actually shoot their guns here and have expectations of them.

LCP's and similar guns are under $200.00 NOT because they're a good firearm. People buy them 'cause they're CHEAP; and it's a WalMart world.

My older German made Walther PP and PPK ..... another story.

 

[dmthomp32]

I recognize that markets change over time and there are natural fluctuations. I personally don't see .38 special or wheel guns going anywhere. The main thing I think you would see in a declining revolver market is that there are such great used options for so much less money! Right now you can hop on GB and find a number of LE trade in Smith 686-6's for $400 that have new Hogue grips and can easily clean up versus their $700 new counterpart. Not to mention LE trade j frames that have no lock and can be had for really reasonable prices. You buy a $200 Ruger LCP new (as others have referenced) and when you realize it's a cheaper gun that is pretty snappy then suddenly what will you do with it? Sell for $125? Isn't worth the hassle, just throw it in the back of the safe and buy the next deal on a Smith and Wesson bodyguard or shield for $200-$250 and try their luck again.

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[Beauetienne]

I believe that the revolver, except in certain areas of collecting and as curiosities , are indeed way behind the sales and use of semi-autos.
To every thing there is a season- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Sad.

 

[Wise_A]

LCP's and similar guns are under $200.00 NOT because they're a good firearm. People buy them 'cause they're CHEAP; and it's a WalMart world.

My older German made Walther PP and PPK ..... another story.

There are several excellent pistols available for around two bills.

Quality and low pricing aren't mutually-exclusive. It's called "being good at manufacturing" or sometimes just "being competitive". It's what successful businesses do.

As for the OP, I think that a lot of people look at the data wrong. They look at raw sales of new guns, and bemoan how revolvers are so horribly unpopular.

But that's just...well, kind've dumb. Because I can't think of why anyone would buy a new revolver today if a used example of the same gun was available. Properly-made, high-quality revolvers from 50 years ago are just as good as ones made today--better, in some instances. I can fully expect my pre-numbers Target Masterpiece to outlive me.

So when you look at raw sales figures, you're really taking a very market-ignorant approach.

Not that I disagree with Claude. I actually think he's right, because given the reliability modern automatics and ammunition deliver, it's very hard to make a case for the snub-nosed revolver.

All that said, I think that snubbies are doing better than people think, because I think that the number of people truly carrying on a regular basis is vastly over-reported. In other words, there's a lot more people talking about CCW than actually doing CCW, doing > talking.

 

[Narragansett]

Well, i suppose this is true, and brought about by concealed carry. Now, my .02. I am not a fan of the 9mm or the 380, although I have a 1971 Browning Hi Power, and a Walther PPK/s. I also own an Officers ACP. Love the 45 auto. But having said that, with the exception of 1 glock 36( 45 acp), you will find none og that plastic in my safe either in a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. The LEO application is there, but when I want to reach out and touch something at 100 yards, it will not have a slide on it

 

[6string]

There's two sides to every market, the supply side and the demand side.
The supply side, in my opinion, basically stinks.
I'm not interested in polymer, aluminum alloy, MIM, investment castings etc. Especially if they don't have the balance, trigger quality, or accuracy I demand from a "one hand" gun (which is how I view pistols and revolvers).
Past a certain price point, I do have options such as a new Manurhin MR73, or possibly a Freedom Arms SA.

But, generally, I walk in to a LGS, look around, and walk out.

Jim

 

[twodog max]

Tried the Glock thing hated them. Got rid of them quickly. A 1911 seems to stick around a while but even those have left the building. I will take a revolver every day of the week and never look back. I am in the minority these days and it bothers me not at all. Like others I find little in gun stores to look at these days and rarely go in one.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Interesting figures thank you for posting. The average firearm consumer wants something cheap, a gun is a gun, 380 or 50 cal, there is no difference to them. Whether for hold ups or self defense as long as it is a gun. 380 being the cheapest firearm, notwithstanding slightly expensive ammo, is therefore the most popular. Most of these 380s, after being pawned several times, will be lost in the underwear drawer with the cartridges eventually rusting into the magazines. I will watch for the long predicted revolver demise in anticipation of the drastic decline in prices. I will not be holding my breath.

 

[Univibe]

Revolvers are passe for self defense, in the main. Exception for those who are unable to manipulate the slide on a semi. Exception for those who are unwilling to put in the practice necessary for semi-auto familarization.

Revolvers are still quite viable for:

Specialized target shooting, e.g. silhouettes.

Specialized big game hunting, and bear defense.

Handloaders. I'm only the last couple of years getting into revolvers. Bought a 686 and a 629 recently, for no other reason than playing around with handloads, which you can't do as much with semis, due to their narrower tolerance for what will operate the gun. A .44 mag is a marvellous thing for handloaders.

 

[Drm50]

For hunting and field sports revolvers are still the leader. The wave of sales of cheap plastic CCW types is what the one gun public is buying.

 

[silentflyer]

To each his own,make mine a wheel gun,steel and wood, plastic is for toys and Tupperware....

 

[Targets Guy]

I wish someone would tell the folks selling on Gunbroker and Gunsinternational as well as the folks buying those passe firearms.

 

[Kadonny]

Revolvers are passe for self defense, in the main. Exception for those who are unable to manipulate the slide on a semi. Exception for those who are unwilling to put in the practice necessary for semi-auto familarization.

Why is that? Capacity? Do we really need to beat that dead horse again?

Reliability, trigger safety and small size and less weight will always make a revolver "not passe".

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

Just like everything else. More and more plastic in everything. But in almost every gun shop I go to is a 642. Probably one of the most popular guns on the planet. I'm partial to the rotary magazine fed self cocking guns myself. Not real big on plastic bottom feeding type. Though I have a few of them myself.

 

[bigggbbruce]

From my experience buying and selling FTF on many occasions, what I have seen as the normal is when buying or selling a revolver the person is my age or older(I'm old).. Semi auto's are more often than not younger than me, by quite a bit.

As we have talked about this before, the collectors of revolvers are aging. and many of us are selling off these days because no one, or few heirs want the collections we have assembled.

Like many of us that do like revolvers, I only by vintage, out of production guns. No help for new production from me..

 

[Old cop]

If the revolver is out of date then so am I.

 

[DeafSmith]

Well folks I'm a 'J' phile. Got quite a few. I've also owned .380s in PPK, Browning 1910, Sig 232, Beretta 1934, Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec P3AT, Bersa, and even Glock 42 formats.

But I pack Glock 26, 43, OR S&W 642/640. I don't use the .380 except my WWII Beretta 1934 Italian Army gun.

Why? Cause for the size of a 380 I can pack a 9mm. The .38 J frame I carry I do so when I need deep concealment. The .38 gives me five absolutely reliable rounds of power (more power than a .380.) And I can fire right through my coat if need be (and I can stick the muzzle into the badguy's ribs if need be without any fear of a jam.) I also don't worry about the 'limp wrist' syndrome.

And since I practice with another J airweight that's just a practice gun, like the Glock 26 practice gun I have, I am fairly skilled with the .38s.

Those that buy the .380s do so cause they carry more rounds and are a bit easier to shoot (but they rarely practice anyway.) They just want peace of mind and the gun gives them that.

 

[Univibe]

From my experience buying and selling FTF on many occasions, what I have seen as the normal is when buying or selling a revolver the person is my age or older(I'm old).. Semi auto's are more often than not younger than me, by quite a bit.

As we have talked about this before, the collectors of revolvers are aging. and many of us are selling off these days because no one, or few heirs want the collections we have assembled.

Like many of us that do like revolvers, I only by vintage, out of production guns. No help for new production from me..

But there have to be more guys like me: I've been shooting and loading for semis for decades. Only in the last year or so, did I purchase a new production 686 and a new 629, for the express purpose of using them as handloading platforms. My 1911s have been getting plenty of rest since then!