S&W Wheel Guns in the Future

[Irn-Bru]

Just thought I'd see what the other members think the future holds for wheel guns in the future. Going by this years Shot Show it looks like S&W didn't really bother to much to cranking out any new revolvers. It does seem that the semi auto's are priority right now ahead of the revolver. While I can understand that from a market and profit point on view, it is pretty sad that a company that built there name of top quality wheel guns are abandoning there staple.

I know many enthusiasts will not buy a new gun due to the lock, something S&W will not budge on, and now fewer and fewer new guns are being released.

I wonder what the wheel gun market will be like 10-20 years from now. I know the plastic guns are all the rage right now, I wonder if the revolver will make a come back. Personally I don't see it happening and think less and less will be produced over the years. It's amazing to me that a used 30 year old revolver will cost you more than the same new model of today. Smith and Wesson would be wise to note this and crank out higher quality revolvers with out the lock. I bet people would be willing to drop $1000 on a hand made no lock 686 in today's market.

 

[sodacan]

When the feds put a five round limit on magazine capacity, six shooters will make a comeback.

 

[Dan Christopher]

It's difficult to say, really. It seems to me that there has been a resurgence of revolver popularity lately. To some degree I think that has been driven by the panic buying after Sandy Hook happened. People were so desperate to buy anything out of fear of a ban. Semi-autos were the first to sell out, but then a lot of revolvers were sold too...especially to people who had never given gun ownership a thought.

I know over the course of the past year, my local LGS has had a pretty steady stretch of revolver sales. Since the semi-autos have become more widespread again, they have dwarfed revolver sales. Yet, revolvers are still sought after by some folks.

 

[Dan Christopher]

When the feds put a five round limit on magazine capacity, six shooters will make a comeback.

While I would certainly never say never, I doubt that could ever happen on the federal level. Some of the states may try it, but even that would be problematic.

But then again, who knows?

 

[jughed440]

not too worried...got what I want and I'm keeping 'em

 

[one eye joe]

Irn-Bru, I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW S&W IS CONCENTRATING ON WINNING AND FULFILLING THE MILITARY HANDGUN CONTRACT. ONCE THAT'S DONE AND THEY ARE SET UP FOR PRODUCTION, THEY CAN RETURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THEIR CIVILIAN OFFERINGS, INCLUDING REVOLVERS…..

PRODUCING LABOR INTENSIVE REVOLVERS WITH THE CARE LIKE COLT MANUFACTURED THE PYTHONS WOULD BE COST PROHIBITIVE. I BELIEVE THAT NEW TECHNOLOGY --LIKE CNC MACHINING--CAN BE EMPLOYED TO CUT COSTS, AND STILL TURN OUT A TOP QUALITY PRODUCT. IF THEY PUT MORE EFFORT INTO THE CLASSIC LINE, AND MADE SOME TRULY "CLASSIC" REVOLVERS ABSENT THE IL, WITH INCREASED ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND STRINGENT QUALITY CONTROL (LIKE THE CS-1 MODELS OF THE 686), CUSTOMERS WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY A PREMIUM FOR THEM. AT LEAST I WOULD BE…

 

[Irn-Bru]

not too worried...got what I want and I'm keeping 'em

That's kinda what I thought with most enthusiasts. I'm guessing the guns that Smith offer just now have no interest to you? Would you be willing to pay more for a newer gun that was hand made with out the lock?

 

[Laketime]

I think there pretty much gone for good,much like the drive in theaters.Plastic,polymers,and possibly aero space ceramic will be the materials in the future if any are offered.Our generation that coddle these wheel guns are slowly dying off.

 

[mbliss57]

What he Jughed440 said
It's been a fore-gone conclusion for at least 2 decades that the revolver as a LE / Military staple is done. John Q Public will always want want they see the police and military using...semi autos.
I love all types of S&W and Colt revolvers...I shoot them, collect them, trade them... I also like a good well built semi as well. Older S&Ws 39/59 variants, Sigs, 1911s and Beretta's.
But I am pushing 60 not 25.
I don't see a market for revolvers much past CCW J frames and maybe target revolvers and these are a dying breed...the last USPSA match I was at there was 1 person using a revolver. The next week I was at a steel Challenge match.. 1 revolver. When I go to the range and someone (besides me) has a revolver other than a J frame Model 40/42 variant it's rare.
The bottom line is that companies will make revolvers until no-one buys them. But I doubt they will continue to develop new models beyond the next 10-20 years) The market for them is already small (except maybe CC J frames).
20 -30 years..from now...who knows? But my guess is that revolvers will be sold at high prices due to low demand. The millions in the used market will continue to go up in value as my generation desires them, then down as the younger generation sees no need/appreciation for them. JMO

 

[John R]

That's kinda what I thought with most enthusiasts. I'm guessing the guns that Smith offer just now have no interest to you? Would you be willing to pay more for a newer gun that was hand made with out the lock?

Most definitely, no lock would be my selling point.

 

[Old cop]

Hard to say, I've been carrying a revolver a long time now (I'm pushing 70). I'd hate to see Smith stop producing revolvers but the gun buying public will drive what gets produced. As for me I'm hanging on to my revolvers. My only semi auto is my agency issued Glock 23 which was retired w/me in 1997.

 

[classic bob]

What???

I don't know why you think S&W has given up on revolvers!! It's only been a few months since they introduced two new 9mm revolvers and a L frame 44 magnum! I think it's unrealistic to expect them to go back to the "gun of the month" again. Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[one eye joe]

OTHER THAN AN AR, OR A WEATHER RESISTANT HUNTING WEAPON LIKE A SAVAGE BOLT ACTION WITH A SYNTHETIC STOCK AND ACCU TRIGGER, THAT WON'T CHANGE ZERO AFTER DAYS IN THE RAIN. WOOD AND STEEL FLOAT MY BOAT. PLASTIC, POLYMER, TUPPERWARE OR ANY THING ELSE THAT CAN BE USED TO FABRICATE A HANDGUN DOES NOT APPEAL TO ME. I FIND THE GLOCKS PARTICULARLY REPULSIVE, WHILE I RECOGNIZE THEIR GREAT RELIABILITY AND LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE. THEY ARE JUST NOT FOR ME. IN SEMI-AUTOS, I AM DRAWN TO COLT 1911s AND BROWNING HI POWERS. COLT REVOLVERS, AND PRE IL S&Ws ARE MY WHEEL GUNS OF CHOICE…..

 

[Pef]

I would say that revolvers are here to stay, until an entirely new propellant/projective combo arrives that results in ultra-high capacity handguns.

In other words, they are not going away in my lifetime...

 

[HarrishMasher]

I agree with everything the OP said. I think the new traditional revolver market is pretty much done. I don't see S&W investing much in making new models of revolvers down the line. I think their last big push was in the late 90's to about 2010 with all the cool scandium/Titanium and Night Guard revolver variations. 357, 45acp, 10mm, 41 mag, 32 mag and so on have all been discontinued except the 5 shot 357 PD models. I think that was S&Ws last big push.

I disagree that the lock has much to do with it. I don't believe if S&W dropped the lock revolver sales would sky-rocket. They might grow by maybe a fraction of a percent, but that is it.

 

[zelda]

Dad said there was a big demand for revolvers. He said Ruger and Taurus sell them just as fast as they make them. That seems like good business to me. Depending on some ''maybe'' govt contract is NOT

 

[BAM-BAM]

Well they have been around for what about 175 years.....I think they are good for a few more........

may even see a resurgence if we see future magazine round limits....


heck if limited to 10 or less....... I'd be hard pressed not to opt for a 3" k-frame.....65 or 66.......vs my 3913/14s or Beretta 92 Type Ms.

 

[gsparesa]

Not to worry. Things change as we get older. My mother-inlaw (MIL) ditched her HK P2000sk for a 686 SSR. Arthritis has set into her hands and she had difficulty racking the slide on the HK. I went shooting today with my MIL shooting a 686 SSR, my wife shooting a 686 SSR and me shooting a 627 PC. We all had a wonderful day at the range. We all shot well and thank S&W for their commitment to revolvers.

 

[HorizontalMike]

New S&W No-Lock

I know many enthusiasts will not buy a new gun due to the lock, something S&W will not budge on, and now fewer and fewer new guns are being released...

...It's amazing to me that a used 30 year old revolver will cost you more than the same new model of today. Smith and Wesson would be wise to note this and crank out higher quality revolvers with out the lock. I bet people would be willing to drop $1000 on a hand made no lock 686 in today's market.

All I can say is that I bought this NEW S&W 642CT just 2-weeks ago and it is a "NO-LOCK" version.

Do not give up hope, nor be impatient. As more and more of us buy the "NO-Lock" models from S&W, then they will get the message. I would venture to predict that additional models will be offered sans lock. Just watch...

 

[KML]

Sorry but until the lock goes away I will not buy any of the new wheel guns. It's not like they have the lock on their semi-autos. Plus I have bought a 19 , 27 , 28 , 64 in the last two years in 95% or better for less than buying 2 new guns.

" It's amazing to me that a used 30 year old revolver will cost you more than the same new model of today."

I don't believe that at all. I have seen and bought great guns from $350 to $550 where the new ones made today are $700 and up.
The 27-2 I got in a LGS was $475 a new one is $1000 with the lock