Do younger shooters buy revolvers?

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I'm what you might consider an old guy and a revolver fan. Currently we own 11 hand guns. 8 revolvers and 3 semi autos and one of the semiautos we won and was free. Every time I take one of my 44 Magnums to the range I almost always get some young people come up to me and tell me they never shot a 44 Magnum. So I offer to let them shoot it and almost always all of them accept the offer. I first let them shoot some 44 Specials and then some 44 Magnums and I explain the difference to them and most of them say that they didn't know you could that. I also explain how this can be done with a 357 Magnum and 38 Specials. Also in there some where I let them see the difference and help them understand single action and double action. The one moment I remember the best was one of those young people said that " You just opened up a whole new world to me that I didn't know existed." I think younger shooters that have come into firearm ownership have been given the idea that semi-auto's are the only way to go as the market right now is centered on the better self defense firearms. I think they just need some exposure and education to all the variables and fun options that exist in firearm ownership.
 
There are many younger shooters that want nothing to do with a revolver. Brought up on a polymer frame semiautomatic with a 15 Rd magazine and 5 lb trigger pull they look for instant success. Learning to shoot a revolver with a 12 lb trigger and that "long trigger pull" takes a little effort.

The only revolver a lot of younger shooters are eager for is a Python. Many feel a Python is the best revolver ever made. I'm not one of them.

I don't have anything against Glocks or their type and I own a few. I'm a believer that if you spend the time learning to shoot a DA revolver everything else is easy.

Used plain jane revolvers are usually much less expensive compared to plain jane semiautomatics around me. That's okay.

You can't have too many S&W Model 10s.
 
Orcon said:
Yes, the dreaded millennials buy revolvers. Life will continue after you're gone, just like it will once I'm gone.
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I find this too. I am an early Gen X (1966) and I prefer semi-autos. I associate this by the timing of my budding gun-nut'ism. I started getting interested, reading gun mags and the like, during the transition from the revolvers to autoloaders. As a result I was exposed to lot of "why you should use an autoloader" in my early gun-nut days.

My daughter, a Millennial, has a strong preference for revolvers. I suspect that the anachronist nature appeals to her. She also prefers black powder for plinking. So, no, revolvers will not disappear.
 
GRIZ22 said:
There are many younger shooters that want nothing to do with a revolver. Brought up on a polymer frame semiautomatic with a 15 Rd magazine and 5 lb trigger pull they look for instant success. Learning to shoot a revolver with a 12 lb trigger and that "long trigger pull" takes a little effort.

The only revolver a lot of younger shooters are eager for is a Python. Many feel a Python is the best revolver ever made. I'm not one of them.

I don't have anything against Glocks or their type and I own a few. I'm a believer that if you spend the time learning to shoot a DA revolver everything else is easy.

Used plain jane revolvers are usually much less expensive compared to plain jane semiautomatics around me. That's okay.

You can't have too many S&W Model 10s.
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Well duhhhh, who don't wanna be like Rick Grimes.

Pythons are cool but no way in hell would I pay what they are currently get for then. You could buy a Smith or Ruger and send it out and have it completely customized for that kinda money.
 
Part of the issue is that new shooters are steered towards semiautos by gun store reps and instructors. Not saying that’s necessarily good or bad, but just the way it is.
 
This is the age of CC so the question should be do young people carry revolvers?

My answer is no.

Buying for using carries more weight than buying for playing.
 
Yes, there are some millennials who own and shoot revolvers.

I helped one of the guys at our station pick out and buy his first pistol (CZ-75 Compact) and then gave him a little instruction in how to shoot it at the range. Then I tried to steer him towards a CHL course and a pistol course at Tac Pro.

A week later he bought a 6 inch S&W 686 Plus (7-shot) .357 Mag.

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I was a little surprised, but he got the bug fast.

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Most of the other revolvers I see these days are snubs for concealed carry or they go the other direction and are 6 and 8 inch (for hunting usually).
 
Somethings are an acquired taste and maybe wheelguns are such a critter. Now that temperatures are down below 100F (38C) here and it's possible to wear a shirt over my t-shirt I find even the larger examples are easy to conceal. The last few days have been M1917 as my carry choice, either a Smith & Wesson 1917 or Brazilian Contract or a Colt New Service. Today it's the Colt New Service that was made in 1919 and that is in far better shape than I am.

I've a herd of bottom feeders including High Powers (and clones) as well as 1911s and 380s and Maks and even a striker fired HS2000 but what I really feel most comfortable with is one of my revolvers. Whether it's a tiny Colt Police Positive with 38S&W or one of my German SAAs in 45 Colt or 44 Mag or 38SPL/357/9mm or the 100 year old Colt Army Special or 38 year old Detective Special or my early 1980 S&W M19 or 1960s Highway Patrolman in 38 Special/357 Mag I simply feel better protected with a wheelie.

But let the younger folk buy what they want. I have seen one significant (at least to me) trend. Twenty, thirty years ago it looked like Smith and Colt were ready to simply abandon the revolver market. Today both still have new models in their catalogs as well as Smith having their heritage lines that draw on past successes. I look at those options and wonder who their market might be? It's not us old farts, we've had our examples for well over a half century and are unlikely to buy a new S&W 19 when there are still fantastic examples of the originals out there at a fraction of the cost of the new ones. And unlike apps, there really hasn't been much change since the examples made around the First World War. The demographic Smith and Colt and Rossi and Taurus and Ruger and all the other makers are aiming at with their new revolvers are the younger shooters.

It's likely revolvers will still be around and hopefully the price of ammo to feed them new things will also come down.
 
frogfurr said:
Young people, good, bad, or indifferent are not as mechanically inclined these days. That's not necessarily a bad thing. A revolver is a less complicated tool than a semi auto.
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Ooooh, gotta pick a bone with you on that one. DA only, striker fired polymer autos these days have only a handful of moving parts grouped into one or two subassemblies. They are dirt simple and generally reliable with little or no maintenance.

Revolvers, even the latest poly-framed ones still require their timing, carry up, and endshake to be in good order, and these things wear, need to be checked, and occasionally adjusted.

Take apart an LCR and the internals are far more complex than, say, a Glock.

As far as ease of use, a Glock is really no more difficult than a DA revolver, having only two controls instead of one. Indeed, some would count the S&W external lock as a control, and an awkward one at that.

As a shop foreman for an automotive dealer, I can definitely agree with you that the current crop of applicants we get are better at modding their online avatars than rebuilding engines, or even reading wiring diagrams for that matter.......and these are the ones who graduated from tech school! :confused:o_O:scrutiny:

I know its a small statistical sample, but of the 8 guys in the shop, 6 own guns. Of those 6, five are under 40. Of those 5 none owns a revolver.:(

The good news is that none of the young guys I associate with is a wacko "woke" anti-gun leftist, either, so they can always acquire the revolver bug later!:)
 
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It makes no difference in the long run. If revolvers cease to be made we geezers won't be around to worry about, will we? Personally I'm not going to lose any sleep about it. :D

Tongue out of cheek now. I think they will continue to be made for many years. The gun shooting population is a very varied lot. As long as there is a market there will be a supplier.
 
I have worked part-time in a high end local gunstore for the last 3 years. There is VERY little interest in revolvers, from the young folks or the old folks.

In 3 years I have only had one young person - 21 YOA ask about a revolver and purchase a 4 inch model 28 as his 1st handgun. No other person under the age of 40 has even asked about one.

In the last 3 years out of many thousands of sales, we have sold under 30 new revolvers. The vast majority of those being Kimber K6s during the last 18 months. The Ruger LCR being the 2nd most sold and a handful of J-frames making up the balance.

We do have 4 or 5 older fellows who come in once a month looking for older revolvers in the used case. Very few of those come in the door.

The vast majority of young folks and the new shooters especially, are looking for the smallest, lightest, plastic striker fired 380 or 9mm, for the least amount of money. They frequently walk in the door and ask for a certain model Taurus 9mm pistol. We dont carry Taurus products.

Just what I observe everyday. Take it for what its worth. TJ
 
I find it refreshing that revolvers are held in high regard by our young people. They too, recognize them as the epitomy of simplicity that has changed little over time. They shall endure for many lifetimes.
 
Thaddeus Jones said:
I have worked part-time in a high end local gunstore for the last 3 years. There is VERY little interest in revolvers, from the young folks or the old folks.

In 3 years I have only had one young person - 21 YOA ask about a revolver and purchase a 4 inch model 28 as his 1st handgun. No other person under the age of 40 has even asked about one.

In the last 3 years out of many thousands of sales, we have sold under 30 new revolvers. The vast majority of those being Kimber K6s during the last 18 months. The Ruger LCR being the 2nd most sold and a handful of J-frames making up the balance.

We do have 4 or 5 older fellows who come in once a month looking for older revolvers in the used case. Very few of those come in the door.

The vast majority of young folks and the new shooters especially, are looking for the smallest, lightest, plastic striker fired 380 or 9mm, for the least amount of money. They frequently walk in the door and ask for a certain model Taurus 9mm pistol. We dont carry Taurus products.

Just what I observe everyday. Take it for what its worth. TJ
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You bring up an interesting point.

With the rise of internet sales, I wonder how many younger, tech-saavy revolver buyers even go to a brick and mortar gunshop, except maybe for the transfer and pick up......

We have two fairly large range/shops in town here, one of which is part of a regional chain. With the exception of an LCR, Heritage Rough Rider, or maybe a Taurus M85 they don't carry any new revolvers in stock, and darn few used guns of any type.

Of course, these places are where newer shooters and CCW holders will often train, seek advice, and get certified, so the staff will try to "encourage" them to pick whatever gun has the best profit margin and accessories. The cases are filled with Glocks, XDs, P320s and P365s.....whatever is hot at the moment. These are also what the shops use for range rentals and trainers of course.

If you want a revolver, the local Mom and Pop gunshops usually have a decent selection of mostly used peices. That's where the clever collectors go, granted they are usually older folks though.

The local pawnshops do a good business in cheap used guns, both auto and wheel, often in rough condition, to folks just looking for something to scare off burglars. Collectors shouldn't disregard them, though, as the selection is constantly changing and diamonds do shine through the rough. Pawn shops are also the most negotiable and most have layaway. Indeed, I've probably found more nice revolvers at pawnbrokers than anywhere else.
 
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Most would gladly dish out $1.000 for a cell phone rather than any firearm. I would say the firearm they are most familiar with would be any AR or Glock. Not familiar, but what is featured on most video Games.

The average new Shooter of any age will buy what ever the Internet tells them to buy. And magazines that feature the most advertising. Most gun stores will sell a ton of LCP's to newbies. Short light trigger and cute. Not many Newbies want a double action at all. Do not understand them, think they are horrible. The internet tells them the lighter the better.
 
Yes.

Me: age 42- usually primary carry revolver

My dad: age 71- primary carry semi-auto (LCP)

Most people just carry what works in their life point and is easy to carry.
 
any where there is big game there will be revolvers. My first 3 handguns were a single six, a 44 redhawk and a beretta 96.

I run a shift in one of the largest textiles facilities in the world. We probably have 100 total maintenance people of all ages. I see no evidence that younger people are less mechanically inclined. If anything I see the opposite. I've also never met an IT guy under 35. So that stereotype may be false as well.
 
crestoncowboy said:
any where there is big game there will be revolvers. My first 3 handguns were a single six, a 44 redhawk and a beretta 96.

I run a shift in one of the largest textiles facilities in the world. We probably have 100 total maintenance people of all ages. I see no evidence that younger people are less mechanically inclined. If anything I see the opposite. I've also never met an IT guy under 35. So that stereotype may be false as well.
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No one said they were less mechanically inclined. They just do not have the interest. Hunting the same. You do not need to be a psychologist to see them glued to video games. They can do this for endless hours.
 
I am in the generation X age category and have an affinity for revolvers. I currently own 3. Two are single actions and one is a S&W Model 66-1. I plan on buying more in the future as well.
 
Yes. It was said then quoted later.
"Young people, good, bad, or indifferent are not as mechanically inclined these days"
That's what I was referring to.

But to the original point, I think the cost is a limiting factor. Most people can spring 400 bucks and buy the auto their favorite agency or shooter uses. Not so much with revolvers. Then ammo costs as mentioned. Autos can be customized more affordably too. Behind that is the intended use. Steel shooting. Tactical. Etc. Pretty much everything except hunting is dominated by autos so naturally they will have more interest. Where I live people spend asinine amounts in whitetail deer and bear hunting. Most, young or older) do have a 357 or 44 at least.
 
I am 36, so it might depend whom you are referring to as "younger shooters." I have a very limited budget, so no revolvers for me currently, but I have a revolver on my short list. I believe revolvers still have their place, but I am not convinced that place is in CCW/personal defense. I could see having a snub-nose .38 with a shrouded hammer for backup, if one were inclined to carry a backup piece, but really, I've seen enough footage of real life gun fights to be convinced of the need for considerably more capacity than a revolver offers. Personal defense ends up essentially being reaction to an ambush, which is all about reaction time, aggression, and firepower. The revolver remained useful when compared to other revolvers or single stack autos, but modern double stack autos hold 3x as much ammo or more. The revolver can't compete with that much firepower. I know people are going to say only hits count and you just need to shoot better, and I understand this. I am not advocating spray and pray, just accepting the reality that nobody is as good a shot when they are being shot at. You are going to miss, it is probably going to take multiple hits to stop your attacker, and when you factor in the possibility of multiple attackers, 5 or 6 rounds just doesn't go very far.

I really want a S&W M629 Classic .44 Mag. That is the role I think revolvers still fill better than anything else; camping and trail guns, handgun hunting. The revolver still offers a practical degree of portable power that autos can't match. So in situations where power matters more than firepower, the revolver is still king.
 
Every time someone approaches me about getting a first handgun "Glock" is usually the first word out of their mouths. They really want a semi auto. I usually counsel to start with a .22, but no one wants to go there, they want the big gun right from the start. If they are not looking at shooting as a hobby, then I counsel purchasing a revolver. Again, most young people don't want to go there. For pure fun you really can't beat a magnum revolver. Start them out on light .44 or .38 special loads and then switch them to magnums and the smile starts to form. They don't understand it until they experience it.
 
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