S&W Wheel Guns in the Future

[StickShift]

The days of medium frame revolvers as standard issue duty or personal defense guns are long gone, but that doesn't mean revolvers are a dead industry. Revolvers still shine as pocket guns for self defense, big bore hunting pistols, and easy-to-feed 22LR practice guns.

That being said, I firmly believe that even the medium frame 38/357 revolver has a future. Sure, they aren't standard bearers for self defense the days but they still sell in large numbers. It seems like most shooter's either have one or want one - much like 1911s and metal frame automatics like SIG Sauers or Beretta 92s. Even the most ardent tupperware shooters seem to have one or more of the above as range toys or special purpose guns. While the market is smaller, I can see S&W and Ruger making high quality revolvers in all sizes and styles for decades to come.

 

[JLM]

I love my Shield 9mm, but my wallet would fly open for a 5 shot .44 special or .45 ACP snubby.

 

[eTripper]

Essentially, the 'revolver' was 'declared dead' when the Lowe-marketed Borchardt-designed C93 pistol, hit the market in Europe. True, it changed the direction of handgun evolution, but the 'revolver' didn't go the way of the dinosaur. In fact, if anything it's more popular than ever! Strong, simple, versatile, and ergonomic are among all it's storied hallmarks. A popular choice for home defense, hunting, target-shooting, historical re-enactments, and cowboy action shooting venues. Sometimes, 'old school' is still the 'best vintage' for martial connoisseurs, who love shooting. I think the 'revolver platform' will be around, for as long as they are considered relevant. If you have any doubt, Uberti still makes a ton of cash on designs, that are well over a century old.

 

[muddocktor]

At the 2 ranges I belong to, I see a lot more plastic wonders than good steel revolvers nowadays. And the revolvers tend to be owned and shot by the older generation such as me. But, when I break out a 357 Mag or my 629, the younger guys tend to step back and go "Whoa" and watch a true high power mag blow fire downrange. And I've had several come over to check out my revolvers. Last time I went to the range there was a guy shooting a cheap hi-point plastic wonder next to me and I let him romp off a cylinder full of fairly stout 44 Mag and you should have seen the big grin on his face. I think he will make a convert to the revolver now.

BTW, my Coonan 1911 also catches the younger crowd's eye too. Nothing like a 1911 style pistol shooting some full house 357 Mags downrange through big rings of fire and muzzle blast. It doesn't have the feel of a nice Smith revolver either but it does kind of bridge the gap between the 2.

 

[gtoppcop]

The 4-inch service type revolver is not in demand. The 2-inch J-Frames is still S&W's best seller (or so I'm told). I feel that there will be a resurgence of the the 4-inch guns.

I like it that S&W re-introduced a modern copy of the Combat Magnum. We'll see how it does. I think that if they brought out a STEEL 3-inch K-Frame, like the PC Model 67 or the Model 64/65 of yore, they would re-ignite the popularity of these guns.

In the meantime, I will continue to scarf up the "old" Model 10/13, 15/67, 19/66 and 64/65. All great guns.

With the "new" breed of .38 Special +P ammunition, the equation of a weak, or otherwise pathetic manstopper is a fable. A good controlled pair into the vitals of a felon is plenty good enough to stop the fight.

The Golden Saber +P is one of the best (and under-appreciated) .38 rounds there is.

In closing, I think the market in 20 years' time will be not too unlike what it is now.

 

[Kifaru]

Grant Cunningham touched on this very subject over on his blog after returning from SHOT Show 2015 SHOT Show 2015: What about the revolvers? | Revolvers, Shooting industry | GrantCunningham.com. He talks about the Korth Sky Marshal a bit, and it seems to have a few bugs that need to be worked out yet.

Most interesting, to me anyway, is that he mentions a conversation he had with Brent Turchi who runs production and leads the custom shop over at Colt. Brent seems to think that with their current machining techniques they could build a Python that would be mechanically as good as in years past. The catch? After having crunched the numbers, it would have to sell at around $3,000. Obviously, they could never sell enough at that price to cover the price of tooling and production. So it'll never happen. But Colt is also looking at a small-frame revolver design that could be viable in the marketplace. Obviously Colt needs to get their financial ducks in a row first. They are nowhere near out of the woods yet.

The point is that there is still enough interest in the revolver to keep design teams busy and the bean counters relatively happy. Ruger is bringing several new revolvers to market soon if they haven't already: the Match Champion with adjustable sights, the 9mm LCR, the 3" LCRx with adjustable sights to name a few off the top of my head. The revolver is hardly dead. The design just plain works. They can dress it up how ever they like, but there's really no need for manufactures to reinvent the wheel(gun).

 

[Irn-Bru]

I don't think revolvers will ever die, or stop being produced, however I think the numbers may dwindle as the years go buy. For me the revolver is a GUN. When you pick up that steel and wood you know you have something special in your hand. Don't get me wrong I like my semi's also, but the feeling of gripping that wheel gun and opening the cylinder can't be matched by a Glock or any other semi.

 

[Kifaru]

I don't think revolvers will ever die, or stop being produced, however I think the numbers may dwindle as the years go buy. For me the revolver is a GUN. When you pick up that steel and wood you know you have something special in your hand. Don't get me wrong I like my semi's also, but the feeling of gripping that wheel gun and opening the cylinder can't be matched by a Glock or any other semi.

100%! There is just something wonderful about a revolver. Yes, the flavor-of-the-month plastic fantastic will get the job done, quite well in fact. But I tend to think of them more as appliances. If they get bumped, scratched, dinged, what have you, it's no big deal. They are the Bic lighters of the handgun world. On the other hand, revolvers are like Grandpa's Zippo that he carried in Normandy. They both do the same job, but one is way more

 

[Laketime]

I wish I new just one person outside of this forum that likes revolvers so we could talk guns.I can't find a single revolver in a gun shop in the last two years.Now either there is a buying frenzy ,and the revolvers are being bought before they hit the shelves,or it goes back to my opening statement.I can talk autos all day with people.Sad but true!

 

[jughed440]

That's kinda what I thought with most enthusiasts. I'm guessing the guns that Smith offer just now have no interest to you?..

S&W should offer what ALL potential customers want. They only offer what few customers want.
I equate that to a restaurant that won't take orders and serve what they think is best. Some like what they get and stick around, most go elsewhere.

 

[PilotRights]

I am suddenly and completely in love with revolvers, especially Smiths. Being not quite 40, just getting into guns as a hobby in my 30's, I'm a late bloomer. But I have to believe there are other young people out there who appreciate the revolver for its asthetic and mechanical qualities, thus assuring some kind of future for them.
I only have revolvers now. I shoot better with them, love looking at them, shooting them and maintaining them. I couldn't hit the proverbial broadside of a barn with my 9mm. Hails of bullets are for rappers. I want five or six right on the spot. My revolvers allow of that.
Besides, carrying a 4" K frame forces me to dress better as without a blazer or suit coat, it's a no go so far as concealment is concerned.
My crystal ball is in the shop, so I can't say for sure... But I hope the future continues to be bright for the wheel gun.

Don't worry! I'm one of the younger members here and like you, can't hit a poster board at 20 feet with my dad's beretta 92 but have 2-3 inch groups with both a 4" model 15 and a 2" model 10 at the same distance. Revolvers are here to stay... I hear people talk more about revolvers than semi autos because they are simple and have the power vs the compromise of a semi auto cartridge. Don't worry. Just offer to educate as a man did to me when I was at the range.

 

[TenTea]

I have always loved old guns...still do.

What will be the demise of the world?

"Paperwork and nostagia" ...so said Frank Zappa.

I'm likely nostalgic, but at least I'm having fun.

Several factors contribute to this discussion:
.le & .mil trends
advances in materials and machining
international markets
aging aficionados
corporate liability
collecting trends
social trends
TV & movie trends
cowboy action shooting
profligate concealed carry
political climate & legislation
scarcity, supply & demand
rise of internet commerce & constant availability
historical and production information availability
easy credit availability
fear mongering
range availability
decline in hunting and hunting lands
...to name but a few

Difficult for any of us to prognosticate I would reckon.

Shoot 'em if you got em and live now!
Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.

 

[hkcavalier]

There was a trend in the '80s and early '90s toward very powerful semi autos that most people figured would kill off the magnum revolver. Yet here we are. The Desert Eagle and the Coonan (after a long break) are still around from that period, and while they have some advantages over revolvers they have all the semi auto weaknesses (feeding, limp wristing, etc) and then some.

As long as people want the most powerful handgun (true handgun, not mini-rifles like AR or AK pistols) they will go with a revolver.

Small revolvers aren't going anywhere either as they make great EDCs or BUGs. The revolver market is going to get more and more hourglass shaped. While it was neat to see S&W put out another 66 and the new 69 the days of the new production medium-framed revolver are numbered. Non "gun nuts" who want a handgun for home and self defense, and can choose a LE used Glock for $350, a Turkish CZ clone for $300, or a new production 686+ for $700 will tend toward the first two, no doubt about it. Unless someone can come up with a polymer or composite with similar strength as steel it will just be more expensive to make the wheelgun. I'd buy a $400 8 shot .357 revolver with a composite frame and bonded ceramic cylinder over a Glock any day. Get to work S&W engineers!

 

[LeatherNeck0311]

I'm a fairly young member here (28), and I just bought my first revolver. It is a Model 37 that I got for purpose of a BUG at work. A revolver just made the most sense for this application. I imagine if I ever need it, I'll most likely be on the ground fighting or someone is trying to take my duty weapon. In these cases, I want five guaranteed shots instead of one followed by a locked up slide. Joe Dirtbag is much less likely to put a revolver out of commission than a semiautomatic by grabbing it. Additionally, I will probably carry it on my ankle the majority of the time. It will obviously collect a decent amount of dirt and grime in this position. A revolver is more likely to work in these conditions than a semiautomatic. For these reasons, J frames still have a very viable application in the LE world.

I would also like to get a K frame eventually, most likely a Model 10. This would be purely for enjoyment on the range. As others have stated, there's just something about the classic revolvers with wood grips and a rich bluing. Plus I'm a history nut, so I'm sure that's another reason revolvers appeal to me in this case. I imagine I'm not the only one with this line of thinking. Thus I would like to believe revolvers aren't dead yet.

 

[Irn-Bru]

One of the other reasons I see a decline in revolvers are the buyers. Just from browsing this forum I see most people are buying older used revolvers, not the new guns with the lock. This could have an effect and slow down production if fewer people are buying new wheel guns.

 

[Rick_A]

In the future they will printed instead of manufactured, and people will talk about how much better the CNC days were and how they won't buy a gun that came off a printer

People are disappoint because of the lack of flashy new product, but I like their traditional product line best, anyhow.

Despite the new gun MIM and IL hate, I can live with it. The Classics line is quite nice, and likely the best revolvers on the market.

Despite all the internet horror stories of new guns I've only seen issues with 642's such as the occasional gritty trigger and a couple with major action issues out of the box. In these parts they are the most popular and no doubt they get cranked out quite expeditiously.

Go on any brand specific gun forum and problems abound...the only exception are the Glock guys as they usually get upset at the owner not the gun.

Smith and Wesson has a diverse lineup and quality products. They are positioned quite well in the market.

 

[one eye joe]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM, LeatherNeck0311. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BROTHER. A REVOLVER IS THE WEAPON BEST SUITED FOR THE INTENDED ROLE. HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL NEVER NEED TO CALL UPON IT FOR THAT PURPOSE. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PLACE FOR FINE REVOLVERS IN THE SHOOTING REALM. KIDS LIKE YOU WILL CARRY THE TORCH…...

 

[nossew]

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…..

Excellent post, NO NEED TO YELL.

 

[Rick_A]

Excellent post, NO NEED TO YELL.

PERHAPS HE IS HARD OF READING.

 

[arjay]

Did you read his name?[emoji6]

 

[Miami_JBT]

Everything you mentioned is also going to happen with the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Gen Semi-Autos.

I think the new coming generations of gun buyers as a whole will not want revolvers and metal framed guns.

The revolver is coming to an end to a degree. The only way they'll stay in the market is as compact CCW pieces and even that is starting to come to an end.

 

[Miami_JBT]

I think Smith needs to look at the quality they are putting into their revolvers to keep them going. We are paying high dollars for some pretty sad firearms today.

JMO avery

I agree. Two piece barrels, internal firing pins, shoddy QC, etc...

The Smith & Wesson of today is nothing like what they were fifteen years ago. Even their Semi-Autos aren't up to snuff. The current Performance Center is just a name. No quality goes into their current work.

This

Does not equal this

Smith & Wesson of today can't even hold up a candle to the quality that went into their guns back in the past.

 

[Harkrader]

The local gun shop I frequent can hardly keep revolvers on the shelf, especially .22LR and smaller ones such as J-frames. The majority of the buyers are late 30s or younger, they tell me. It's easier to order a semi-auto than a revolver. When I see one I like I grab it because I know that if I go home to think about it, someone else will snap it up.

I'm a lousy forecaster, so here goes anyway:
They will be around for a long time as items of interest among competition shooters. Something different from the ordinary.

They will be around for a long time for hunters and plinkers. Comparing my Anaconda or 29-8 to, for example, the Magnum Research Desert Eagles, I'll take the revolvers because they are lighter. Some years ago I was accompanied on a back packing trip in the Colorado Rockies by a friend who had recently purchase a MRDE. He was VERY sorry he had it after a couple days of it dragging him down. Great gun, but not a carry piece!

While acknowledging that .22LR semi-auto plinking-quality semi-autos have really improved of late, I find many, if not most, new shooters like starting on a Ruger Single Six, or K-frame .22LR. That seems especially true of women and children. They don't seem to have the ego investment that adult men have.

Like it or not, the Ruger LCR may be the trend. I also think that as defensive revolvers get lighter, new ammo will be developed for them that reduce recoil while still hitting hard. Again, I am NO forecaster, but consider a K- or L-frame-size 4"-barrel revolver chambered in a caliber of about .15 "caseless" ammo that hurtles a 15-gr bullet at 3,000 fps. It could likely hold at least 10 rounds in the cylinder. Seven in a J-frame.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

The simple truth, in my opinion, is that EDCGs and BUGs will often continue to be small revolvers and for those folks who don't have the strength to rack a slide revolvers will be needed forever and ever amen. Never mind 500 caliber hunting guns!

So I don't foresee the end of the revolver any time soon.

***GRJ***

 

[nossew]

The shops I frequent always have a lot more autos than revolvers and it's not because revolvers aren't selling. I also know a few youngsters that like revolvers. A good feeling piece of metal & wood transcends age.

 

[M3Stuart]

I'm a fairly young member here (28), and I just bought my first revolver. It is a Model 37 that I got for purpose of a BUG at work. A revolver just made the most sense for this application. I imagine if I ever need it, I'll most likely be on the ground fighting or someone is trying to take my duty weapon. In these cases, I want five guaranteed shots instead of one followed by a locked up slide. Joe Dirtbag is much less likely to put a revolver out of commission than a semiautomatic by grabbing it. Additionally, I will probably carry it on my ankle the majority of the time. It will obviously collect a decent amount of dirt and grime in this position. A revolver is more likely to work in these conditions than a semiautomatic. For these reasons, J frames still have a very viable application in the LE world.

I would also like to get a K frame eventually, most likely a Model 10. This would be purely for enjoyment on the range. As others have stated, there's just something about the classic revolvers with wood grips and a rich bluing. Plus I'm a history nut, so I'm sure that's another reason revolvers appeal to me in this case. I imagine I'm not the only one with this line of thinking. Thus I would like to believe revolvers aren't dead yet.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[BongoBoy]

Well, here's my take--a new revolver owner/shooter.

I didn't 'get' revolvers all my life, and I've been shooting handgun since about 1965 or so, with a 20-year spell in the military, where I never handled a firearm.

Here's what I 'get' now. The auto pistol has some serious limitations. The Desert Eagle isn't an auto pistol that has any value over an above entertainment...the Dan Wesson Elite in 10mm Auto, the Glock 20, and the Glock 29 (all in 10mm) are (in MY mind) pretty much the limit of firepower in an autopistol that can actually be carried by an Earthling.

So...why a revolver? For me it's real simple..it shoots something bigger than a 10.

I'll bet there's almost NO one who sees revolvers this way. I own one solely for the reason that there is no reasonable auto pistol that's chambered in 44 Mag. The DE is simply not 'reasonable' to me. It's ridiculous.

So, given all that, to answer the question. It depends entirely on why folks want to shoot heavy duty calibers from a 'conventional' handgun. Gee, I have no idea. To me, there a are quite a few ridiculous SW revolvers where I just have to wonder why anyone is subjecting themselves to this.

[NOTE: I just read my own comment, and it exposed the key underlying assumption of a non-revolver guy: you'd ONLY choose a revolver because you wanted a cartridge equivalent only available in a revolver. Wow Big revelation of my own mindset: there IS no reasonable justification for choosing a revolver in any caliber that has less punch than 10mm Auto. Lord. Ignorance exposed, eh?]

I don't think 'future of the revolver' is the question. I think future of high performance compact small arms the right question. I feel revolvers are beautiful, extraordinary, powerful, amazing, and just a little bit ridiculous. In the case of most recent S&W performance center revolvers, very ridiculous.

Does it seem possible I can put 10 rds of firepower into a package far more efficient (efficient= less manufacuring cost, less weight, less materials) than the 460XVR, for example, in a package about the same size that I can actually hold and shoot? I think the answer is 'Duh', and everyone is waiting for it.

 

[smithman 10]

Revolvers in the future

Around these parts J frames sell well. Many folks who teach classes for concealed carry permit applicants recommend them to their students. I believe this will continue for a long time.

And at my favorite local gun shop, any decent used Smith and Wesson revolver will go pretty fast, even at what I consider pretty high prices.

 

[BongoBoy]

--I think I expressed a number of concepts that need to wait for a future not here yet--deleted original post due to etherealism.

 

[magnumfreak]

A lot of whiners and anti SW comments on this thread, and of course the usual nostradamus scribblings. While revolvers dont sell as much as semis and havent for decades a lot more people are buying them including first time firearm owners. Saying the revolver market is dying is like saying the stock market is crashing, a lot of talk and almost never happens and when it does it always comes back strong. Out of the last 10 firearm buys i have done more than half have been revolvers and out of all the firearms i have bought or traded for in my 40 years here including rifles and shotguns half or more have been revolvers. Revolvers will always hold strong demand in most gun folks hearts and the market will show this for decades to come. Even blackpowder pistols along with rifles have come back strong, although they dont account for more than 10% of all firearm sales they consistantly sell and remain popular with true firearm enthusiasts.

As for the SW bashing its getting old. People whining about trigger locks, machined parts, two piece barrels ect. I own many SW revolver models old and new and i can say i shoot my newer ones much more not because im preserving the old ones so they can sit in a safe and never be shot but because the newer ones shoot better. Might not be as pretty or have a pinned barrel or recessed cylinders ect ect mass produced corporate run profit driven first quality second, one could say that about any product including autos, clothes, tools ect. But the fact is SW still builds a quality product in a crazy and competitive world where the norm for almost everything is money first and to hell with quality and the working class who build and buy firearms for the most part. And most here have supported that idea through their actions whether you wish to admit it or not, we all have. We have allowed our manufacturing sector to go to hell and here many are raising cain that SW and other firearms manufacturers are failing us. Pot calling the kettle black. I just started a thread on my m69 possibly being canted but its just a cosmetic thing and even though its one of the best and straightest shooter ive ever had SW still will repair or replace it for life! What more do we want? I support calling out companies when they do wrong but many go nuts over small things. My biggest annoyance is people and their hatred for the SW trigger locks. Yes they suck but there is a reason for them and it has to do with gov and lawyers so dont blame smith blame the usual suspects.

Firearms have pretty much peaked in tech. Optics are another thing altogether but there really isnt much more to advance in firearm tech other than materials of parts and recoil systems and of course ammo. In 50 years revolvers will still be made and bought, in 100 years the same. None of us really know what new laws will come but i think we can all agree more capacity for ammo is not something that is going to happen, in fact for some states and more to come less capacity push is the norm.

I dont even know what the op thread is about anymore i think it was about if revolvers will remain in production. The answer to that is yes. Someone who says they are a firearms person and does not own at least one revolver is not a firearms person at all.