Revolvers

[pop pop]

Industry paper reported that revolve sales was 15% of overall guns sales for the big companies in 2024. S W reported revolver sales was 25% of their total sales, Ruger reported revolvers were 15% of theirs.  Taurus had brisk sales but no figures given nor was any for Colt who has recently really delved into revolver development with the new Python lines and others. 

Ammo is hard to get locally, sometimes, but internet orders are going strong. Ammo is a little higher that the wonder nines, but it has always been so. 

Do you guys think the 38 spl is dying with us oldies? What are your thoughts? 

I will say this I pocket carry a 38Spl/357 7 shot revolver myself. I have 9 MM of all sizes and shapes. Do carry them sometimes. Practice with both regularly. Also own several J frame snubbies. 

Thoughts? 

[TNman207]

I think revolvers will continue to be popular. They look amazing and have a rich history. Because of their bulk and weight, I do not believe they are the best carry option. The round count is below most all 9mm pistols and revolvers are more difficult to conceal. I own a S&W 38spl, but it is range gun only. 

[FrankD]

I think there will always be a demand for revolvers, but I imagine over the next 10-20 years we are going to see that demand drop steeply as the people who have been wheel gun fans drop off.  I would be shocked if the total revolver sales in 2035 was greater than 5-8%.  The other thing is the lack of media coverage for revolvers, like it or not there is a correlation of what guns are shown in movies/video games to what is sold on the shelves.  I don't see a lot of revolvers out there is the media so would imagine new demand for them is likely to suffer as well.

[Gurn]

I love revolvers but my wife really loves them. She has a hard time with semiautos . She has quite a few revolvers. 

[gregintenn]

1 hour ago, FrankD said:

I think there will always be a demand for revolvers, but I imagine over the next 10-20 years we are going to see that demand drop steeply as the people who have been wheel gun fans drop off.  I would be shocked if the total revolver sales in 2035 was greater than 5-8%.  The other thing is the lack of media coverage for revolvers, like it or not there is a correlation of what guns are shown in movies/video games to what is sold on the shelves.  I don't see a lot of revolvers out there is the media so would imagine new demand for them is likely to suffer as well.

You got that right. A few years back, that zombie show sent the price of Colt Pythons through the stratosphere!

[papa61]

I think I am seeing a slight change in what is being produced. A few companies have released or shown all metal versions of poly framed autos. I believe that people who have purchased what old timers consider carry a lot shoot a little pistols find their footing as shooters they will branch out. S&W, Ruger, and Taurus have released new wheel guns over the last 6 months including the single action Deputy from Taurus. I believe they have well educated marketing individuals who are trying to predict (or create) a trend towards revolvers. I only own one modern revolver at this point but there are several on my list of "wanted". Most of what I yearn for are higher end pieces so they don't get the priority of the auto loaders but the want is still there. Single shot break action shotguns haven't died so I don't see revolvers going away ever.

rather than edit adding here; some of the "new" revolvers out or coming are the same designs with some little twist. 

[10-Ring]

I no longer carry revolvers, I can't justify it when I can carry an adequate semi that's dependable, holds more ammo, and carries well. That said, I have a 4" Taurus 44 mag that I hunt with that I have been very impressed with. Taurus had really upped their game in the past few years. Before the Taurus I picked up a 6" Dan Wesson .357, it's a lovely gun and a pleasure to shoot, but I quickly found that I don't care for 6" guns when carrying them all day, especially over rough terrain and thick brush. I keep it because it's an excellent shooter, and maybe I'll deer hunt with it some day just because I can. Have I couple of others that are nothing more than range toys, but when it comes down to it, of the half dozen revolvers I own only one really gets used. I would probably own more, for no other reason than I like them, had the prices for a good revolver not gone through the roof the past few years. 

[jeff43]

I love revolvers,fun to shoot.Love 38 spl. especially, fun to shoot and easy to reload ammo for.That goes for 357 mag also. I like the S&W Airweight to carry  occasionally . I have single action and double actions in 38 and 357. Also single action 22 revolvers are fun to shoot and slows things down a little taking time to shoot accurately.

[Roaneman]

What is more reliable than a revolver?

They do have that going for them.

[papa61]

5 hours ago, 10-Ring said:

I no longer carry revolvers, I can't justify it when I can carry an adequate semi that's dependable, holds more ammo, and carries well. That said, I have a 4" Taurus 44 mag that I hunt with that I have been very impressed with. Taurus had really upped their game in the past few years. Before the Taurus I picked up a 6" Dan Wesson .357, it's a lovely gun and a pleasure to shoot, but I quickly found that I don't care for 6" guns when carrying them all day, especially over rough terrain and thick brush. I keep it because it's an excellent shooter, and maybe I'll deer hunt with it some day just because I can. Have I couple of others that are nothing more than range toys, but when it comes down to it, of the half dozen revolvers I own only one really gets used. I would probably own more, for no other reason than I like them, had the prices for a good revolver not gone through the roof the past few years. 

I had to look that one up. I thought you had to use a six inch or longer barrel for hunting. Learned something new.

If you compare ballistics between 30-30 and 357 magnum you might be surprised. I'd be comfortable with either within 50 yards with open sights. I'm a fan of 357 mag, so much so I want a Coonan. 

 

[Bigtrav6442]

I love a revolver in my vehicle as a backup.  It obviously isn't best for capacity but one thing is for sure...it will go bang every time when needed. 

[gregintenn]

I like not having to chase down my empty brass.

[Choatecav]

29 minutes ago, gregintenn said:

I like not having to chase down my empty brass.

Amen to this.............

[Grayfox54]

I think a lot of it has to do with your age. Many of us Boomers grew up at a time when all the cops carried revolvers and wheelguns were all over the TV and movies. For us they're normal. But the younger generations grew up with semi-autos. That's their normal. Revolvers are still great guns, but just not the standard any more. You go with what you're used to. 

Although I have seen many posts on gun boards where some younger person discovers revolvers and is suddenly in love with the old guns. I think wheelguns will be with us for a very long time yet. 

[pop pop]

Agree with you guys. Don't think they will totally go away. I have several revolvers and love them all. When you pick one up then pick up a fantastic plastic there is no comparison in feel. In every life event I have ever been involved with, except Vietnam, a revolver has solved the problem.  In country some of the tunnel rats used 38 spl, with a few 45's. 

For me, Revolvers turn my crank, and yes, I am old school. Thanks for replies. 

[JustEd]

The utility and reliability of revolvers will continue.
 

Iis too bad a shorter length case never caught on for 38 spl  it only needed that case capacity in black powder days. 
 

Shorter brass means a bit less cost. And a shorter cylinder. 
 

Oh well. 

[Thearmededucator]

The chainsaw didnt replace the ax, but it changed how people used them.

As with everything in defense, its all about context. Revolvers are often more expensive, require more training to reach a real level of combat proficiency, and of course carry less ammunition. For a primary defensive arm, they are less efficient; but that does not mean I think they will disappear. They are excellent in niche roles, such as back ups, nontraditional carry methods, hunting, and low motivation/skill users. 

In a lot of ways, I view the revolver in the same light as the pump action shotgun. For the non shooter they are the simplest to leave in a drawer or a closet for months or years and have it go BANG; but if they have to do more than press the trigger they get complicated for the uninitiated quickly.

 

20 hours ago, Roaneman said:

What is more reliable than a revolver?

They do have that going for them.

Statistically, a lot of things. In high round count classes, revolvers fail at higher rates than semiautos. Now I said fail, rather than malfunction for a reason. If a semiauto malfunctions, it generally remedied by simple immediate actions by the user, whereas revolver malfunctions generally will require a gunsmith to solve. We just dont see them, because most revolver shooters dont shoot a large volume of rounds. I have lost count of the number of times as an instructor that Ive seen people come to the range with a partial box of revolver ammo, shoot a couple cylinders, and leave with ammo still in the same box, ready for the next range trip.

[Wheelgunner]

I don't think .38SPL or revolvers generally are disappearing any time soon.  I bought a good electric drill, but I kept my screwdrivers (and revolvers) and still use them where it makes sense. 

Revolvers still have applications where they shine.  I'm a 30-something year old, if that matters.

[Charlie16ga]

In the last year we’ve moved from a house primarily of revolvers to semiautos.  This seems to have happened for a few reasons:

1 - my father and uncle can no longer handle the pull back motion (arthritis in their hands)

2 - my son and I shoot more and 9 mm & 22lr seem more available and economical 

3 - my son’s interest in a future of law enforcement seems to drive him to become more familiar with what he might end up carrying in his profession

[doug77]

I love revolvers and semiautomatics. Semi’s get carried more but unless really hard times hit I don’t see my revolvers going anywhere.  Nothing will ever replace the feeling of old single action Colt.  Age thing I suppose. 

[JustEd]

Would like to add that a snubbed is the easiest to conceal for me

Having a classic hourglass figure a short barrel revolver fits on my belt and hides quite nicely. Yet is easy to draw and present quickly

Had one brother in law who carried a 1911 commander in a shoulder holster. He was thin and athletic.  Guess what he went to when he retired. A 6” Python 357

  He was happy to trade a round for the 357 power and velocity

Edited Saturday at 04:17 PM by JustEd
Stupid

[pop pop]

My EDC is a 357 and I have it stocked with Cor Bon DPX 125 gr 357 Mag. This ammo is somewhat softer shooting than most full power 357 S D loads. Follow up shots are much easier and back on target is very quick. 

The bullets are solid copper, and it expands to a large front face into a perfect star in water jugs. Travels into the 4th jug with 2 layers of terrycloth and 2 layers of denim outside the first jug of water. Actually, most times, it puts a large dent, sometimes slightly punctures, in the very back wall of the 4th jug so penetration is exceptional. 

They are costly to purchase, but I don't shoot them most times I practice. My practice ammo is Winchester white box 115 gr in 9 mm, and 130 gr full metal jacket RN white box in 38 spl. None of the ammo is cheap any longer.

My Sweetie and me plan a practice trip to our back yard range this afternoon. We will practice both 9 MM and 38 Spl as I shot out the DPX that I had been carrying daily for 6 months, in my EDC. Like to replace the carry ammo every 6 months with fresh ammo. I probably have 3500 rounds through my Tarius mdl 617 7 38Spl/357 Mag shooter revolver and 1700 through my MP 9 C 2.0 carry pistol. Both have been flawless and will get a good cleaning this afternoon. 

Edited to add; My wife has a Lady Smith model 65 SS 38Spl/357Mag 6 shot 3 " brl revolver for her house gun. It is loaded with Cor Bon DPX 38Spl ammo. She shoots it well and the K frame Rosewood grip handles fits her hands will. 

Edited Saturday at 07:02 PM by pop pop

[pop pop]

We were able to go out and shoot 100 rounds this afternoon. My wife's hand got sore so we quit. 

[Garufa]

If you leave carrying practicality of of the discussion then revolvers are the coolest pistols ever.  Yes, I said pistols.  Before the rise of semi-autos all handguns were pistols.

[22lr]

The collection was lacking revolvers so I just picked up a few S&W. Fit and finish is pretty poor across the board. Not sure if this is normal for current Smith or if just happened to get some 'Friday' guns. Going through customer service now to resolve some of them, but others I'll probably just have to live with.