I guess the Run-n-gun games will not be the savior for revolvers.
The future of revolvers
- Thread starter blackd24
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mcb
Member
No the won't, but they are a lot of fun with a Revolver none-the-less. I have shot a lot of USPSA and IDPA and even a three-gun match or two with a revolver and beating those using the filthy bottom feeders while running the noble round gun is a very rewarding and fun experience.I guess the Run-n-gun games will not be the savior for revolvers.
Styx
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More revolvers are manufactured and are in circulation today vs in the golden age of revolvers. Even though revolvers were more popular in the past, the numbers S&W, Ruger, and Colt manufactured annually wasn't much compared to the numbers being manufactured and sold today. Manufacturers are making hundreds of thousands more revolvers today versus in the past, and millions more revolvers are in circulation today versus back when revolvers were king for law enforcement and civilians alike.
With the exception of the drop after Trump was elected and manufacturers decreased production, revolvers sales have been petty study and persistent. The way it's talked about, you'd think the numbers have been going in a decline each and every year. Revolvers generally cost twice to four times as much as the polymer framed semiautos, so people will buy less of them. If the majority of revolvers were selling for $200-$500, then the sales numbers would probably triple. Either way, there's still heavy interest and they're still over half a billion dollars a year in sales that manufacturers aren't going to leave on the table.
Yes, revolvers were more popular in the 1950s - 1980s; however, With revolvers, semiautos, rifles, and shotguns combined, the number firearms let alone revolvers in circulation AND being manufactured annually pales in comparison to the number of both revolvers and semiautos being manufactured now. Despite the boom in semiauto sales, I'm not sure how a product that has increased in sales in the present versus in the past is considered to be dying off???
With the exception of the drop after Trump was elected and manufacturers decreased production, revolvers sales have been petty study and persistent. The way it's talked about, you'd think the numbers have been going in a decline each and every year. Revolvers generally cost twice to four times as much as the polymer framed semiautos, so people will buy less of them. If the majority of revolvers were selling for $200-$500, then the sales numbers would probably triple. Either way, there's still heavy interest and they're still over half a billion dollars a year in sales that manufacturers aren't going to leave on the table.
| Year | Semiautos | Revolvers |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,751,919 | 1,159,918 |
| 2020 | 6,148,877 | 830,800 |
| 2019 | 3,046,013 | 580,601 |
| 2018 | 3,881,158 | 664,835 |
| 2017 | 3,691,010 | 720,917 |
| 2016 | 4,720,075 | 856,291 |
| 2015 | 3,557,199 | 885,259 |
| 2014 | 3,633,454 | 744,047 |
| 2013 | 4,441,726 | 725,282 |
| 2012 | 3,487,883 | 667,357 |
| 2011 | 2,598,133 | 572,857 |
| 2010 | 2,258,450 | 558,927 |
| 2009 | 1,868,258 | 547,195 |
| 2008 | 1,387,271 | 431,753 |
| 2007 | 1,219,664 | 391,334 |
Yes, revolvers were more popular in the 1950s - 1980s; however, With revolvers, semiautos, rifles, and shotguns combined, the number firearms let alone revolvers in circulation AND being manufactured annually pales in comparison to the number of both revolvers and semiautos being manufactured now. Despite the boom in semiauto sales, I'm not sure how a product that has increased in sales in the present versus in the past is considered to be dying off???
Last edited:
UncleEd
Member
I've always suspected but with no proof that if revolvers were more
prominently displayed and shown enthusiastically at retail outlets,
more would be sold than are.
I also have suspected that the profit margins are greater with autos,
so dealers tend to push them more as well.
Styx is dead on in his analysis of gun sales and thanks to him
for providing the statistidcs.
prominently displayed and shown enthusiastically at retail outlets,
more would be sold than are.
I also have suspected that the profit margins are greater with autos,
so dealers tend to push them more as well.
Styx is dead on in his analysis of gun sales and thanks to him
for providing the statistidcs.
And that will likely be the future of revolvers – no changes to the fundamental design and function; rather, the refinement of that design and improved quality of workmanship and materials.
For me the future of revolvers will be the past – having acquired a modest but comprehensive collection of new revolvers, my buying pattern will focus on older, serviceable classics.
UncleEd
Member
No you don't! They are mine. Mine, mine, mine.
Mark_Mark
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So many great Old Safe Queen revolvers comming out of Boomers estates! Plenty to go around!!!
But m, lots of middle age people are getting into collecting revolvers too!
Lucnic
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I cut my handgun teeth on semiautomatic’s. My first was a Colt Match Target Woodsman. I then carried a Taurus 85 (5 shot) for a few years then a Colt Officer’s model until I discovered Glock. Carried and shot Glocks for quite a while. When I bought my first 642 things changed for me. I’m a diehard revolver fan now. Especially J-Frames. Just too versatile. Same holster for 22 through 357, pocket or belt. Bring on the old safe queens.
westernrover
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In IDPA, I understand revolvers are a different division(s). In the two nearest clubs, no one has shot a revolver in years. It looks like a person could, but they'd be in a division to themselves. Maybe, I don't know, a person can shoot a j-frame/LCR/SP101 (capacity limit of 5) in the BUG division against autos. I never tried because my revolvers were always dq'd from IDPA - the barrels are too long or they had a port or too many chambers, moon-clips, or an optic, or whatever. USPSA is far out of state for me.
My revolvers are not gamer guns. I had guns like the 586 L-Comp and 686+. They were/are my EDC. I appreciate that IDPA tries to rule out USPSA open-division style competition wheel guns, but their rules exclude normal carry guns too -- for example a Kimber K6S can't compete in the BUG division except with an empty chamber. So you've got to either index your cylinder or shoot through the empty chamber. 7 and 8-shot cylinders are good for carry. They address one of the most often cited shortcomings of revolvers for carry. Look at the L-comp, or the snub-nosed aluminum-framed 627, or the Performance Center 627 or the similar Ruger Redhawk with 2.75" barrel. But they're all out with the IDPA (allowed to load only 6). I don't believe there is an option for carry optics either. Basically, to shoot revolver in IDPA, it has to be not just a revolver suitable for carry, but a revolver from the past.
westernrover
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As long as you're not expecting it to be hearing-safe, all they need is a threaded muzzle. I think it would be great for hunting.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Bill Jordan took Charlie Askins to task by noting the latter became an advocate of the semiauto for self defense long after his gunfighting days were over.
westernrover
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I know ball bearings are attractive because they seem like they would be slicker with less friction and all, and Korths have them. But I'm a bit skeptical too. The real advantage of ball bearings comes with higher rotational velocities -- constantly spinning them around at thousands of rpm. In a simple low-speed pivot, they're not adding much if anything. In fact, plain bearings are probably better for a number of reasons and not just lower cost. This can be checked out with a simple search on ball bearings vs. plain bearings.
3D printing is just one kind of additive manufacturing process. Investment casting and metal injection molding are others that are more suitable for gun parts. Where 3D printing is an advantage is in quick prototyping, and one-off manufacturing. Additive processes have other major advantages over reductive machining, such as material cost saving, lower machine-time costs, less tooling wear, and being able to produce certain internal shapes that would be impossible to get a toolhead into.
MIM has brought major enhancements to revolver manufacturing. I don't see 3D printing doing more except maybe in grips. I can see greater adoption of wire EDM and electro-chemical machining (both reductive processes).
Mark_Mark
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wire EDM is very cool!
When I head to the farm, what do I carry? A semi- to get there, a 357 or larger revolver when I get out to do whatever.
What do I take to the club? Both. Semi for sd practice, revolver for long range targets and fun. What’s beside my bed? SP101. In my car? Max9.
What do I take to the club? Both. Semi for sd practice, revolver for long range targets and fun. What’s beside my bed? SP101. In my car? Max9.
Miami_JBT
Member
I want more Mateba revolvers.
jar
Contributing Member
I'd like to see more Colt D frame and Smith I & J frame 3.5" 22LR and 32S&W Long revolvers. I can't expect Colt or Smith to be able to do it but Rossi or Taurus might.
jar
Contributing Member
Why not all three?
But I've always liked the looks of the 3.5" small frame revolver proportions.
Miami_JBT
Member
jar
Contributing Member
Lots of people agree with you.
But I'll take the 32SW Long rather than the .327 Federal Magnum every time.
No, 32SWL is not dead. It is a viable target cartridge in Europe. Ammunition, especially target wadcutters are available.
My S&W Model 30 and 31 as well as my Manurhin MR 32 group better than my 327 Fed Mag or 32 H&R Mag revolvers.
If the round had been marketed differently, I think it could have been the “reloadable replacement for the 22 RF” cartridge.
Miami_JBT
Member
jar
Contributing Member
True. Kinda Sorta.
It's similar to the 38 Special 357 Magnum. I find I group smaller with my revolvers chambered in 38 Special than when I shoot 38Special in my revolver chambered in 357 Magnum. Since I will not be shooting 357 Magnum or 32 H&R Magnum or 327 Magnum I prefer a chamber in 38 Special and 32 S&W Long.
From the manufacturers sales perspective building one revolver to handle the widest range of cartridges is a good sales plan. But for me having a handgun designed to get the most performance out of the cartridge I will be using is preferable.
My 30 by the way is still the old I frame rather than a J.
