Wheelgun Price Question?

[Guest eyebedam]

Why is it that alot of the revolvers are priced so close to as a Semi Auto? It seems that Revolvers would be a lot less inexpensive to produce since they dont seem to have as many parts as a semi. They have been around alot longer & im sure there still being made with alot of the same machinery theyve been made with for years. It doesnt seem that they are nearly as popular as they once were esp with the younger generation of gun owners. I know theres still some old timers that will always have a wheelgun & never want anything else but in the same turn the younger crowd doesnt seem to show much interest in anything that wont hold atleast 10 rounds or more. Perfect Example would be lets say a Smith Sigma in a 9 or .40 is 299.00 with a 50.00 rebate & a J frame Smith is 419.00. WhAT is the younger gun buyer gonna purchase 9 out of 10 times? Or lets get a little higher quality the M&P would be 489.00? Im just kinda thinking aloud so I hope it doesnt seem as rambling. I know that Hero Gear is having a Helluva J frame sale before someone tells me that also. I plan on making the trip but this has just been something Ive thought about on more than 1 occasion.

[Warbird]

One thought, not all encompassing, but steel is high high right now. Wheel guns often have a lot more steel than autos. Also you may think they haven't changed but they have. Manufacturers are tooled to what sells most. To make revolvers requires different tooling and tooling for something that doesn't sell as well. It takes time from making autos which competition says they have to sell for excellent prices. Therefore they sell for more. Just a few thoughts. Also most quality revolvers are not cheap to make, ask Smith, they screwed up thousands of 'em mass making them.

[Guest eyebedam]

One thought, not all encompassing, but steel is high high right now. Wheel guns often have a lot more steel than autos. Also you may think they haven't changed but they have. Manufacturers are tooled to what sells most. To make revolvers requires different tooling and tooling for something that doesn't sell as well. It takes time from making autos which competition says they have to sell for excellent prices. Therefore they sell for more. Just a few thoughts. Also most quality revolvers are not cheap to make, ask Smith, they screwed up thousands of 'em mass making them.

I can understand the Steel being expensive. Im in the steel buisness kinda & Ive watched it & Copper go nuts over the past few years.

Im glad you said that about the quality revolver because I in no way was talking about some of the cheapo brands like Charter & what not. Also I know they have def chaged over the last 20 or so years but really how much more can you improve on a certain design? Thanks for the reply.

[I_Like_Pie]

You won't see a plastic revolver (I keed...I keed). metal prices are high, final fitting to ensure the timing is proper takes money also. Most quality revolvers are around 400-600 and that is the same that I see for the bottom feeders. You can find some for less (Charter) or the sky is the limit (Bowen custom or Freedom arms).

I am 30 and haven't met a single person at the Chattanooga Rifle club who didn't have a healthy respect for revolvers. They have evolved to do things that the Semi-auto's can't...hunting, long distance shooting, silhouette competitions, personal security, and so on. From what I see in the younger generation...they shoot much less and have less knowledge about what some of the things pistols can't do and what revolvers can.

Another thing is that those old whipper snappers are more willing to pay more money for a nice revolver...Simple supply and demand also applies to a certain extent. Read the reviews from owners on the S&W Sigs that are selling for $200 vs. the $400 J frames...that is what justifies the $200 premium. As far as improving on a design...there isn't really any true innovation that has occurred (save polymers) in the past 50 years.

Replace Revolver with 1911 an you can ask the same question and get the same answer.

Edited May 6, 2008 by I_Like_Pie

[Guest eyebedam]

I def have the upmost respect for the revolver just for the simple reason it Wont JAM. I was just using the Sigma for a comparison to me they are nothing more than a throw away gun. I had a glock 26 for years & on my brothers 21st bday he went & bought a sigma brought it over to my house & was like my gun is better than yours till i let him shoot it after he shot the sigma. He changed his mind really quick.

[I_Like_Pie]

Yeah...it is hard to beat a Glock, M&P, or H&K. I think another reason (they keep popping in my head...great question by the way!) is that the semi auto market is so much more competitive....When I think mainstream revolvers I think of only 3 people Ruger, S&W, and Taurus. There are no fewer than 10 quality semi-auto manufacturers. The market for pistols is swaying away from hunting and competition and more towards the crowded personal defense market....lot of money to be made and there are many companies fighting for your semi-auto business.

[Warbird]

I will say this though about revolvers. They are reliable and certainly don't have the jam or feeding prob tendencies of some semi-autos but, the old adage that they will not jam is a fallacy. They will jam and I have had it happen to me and seen it happen to others. These were high quality revolvers from excellent manufacturers and they were relatively clean, though none were completely clean as they did not jam on the first shot.

I don't mean to open a can of worms here, I am simply pointing out a myth. And if, IF a revolver jams it is far worse than if a semi-auto jams almost 100% of the time. Because you cannot simply clear a jam on a revolver. On the whole though I do understand the thought process of those who carry a revolver because they deem it more reliable.

I don't care for the words Never and Always.

[Guest eyebedam]

I will say this though about revolvers. They are reliable and certainly don't have the jam or feeding prob tendencies of some semi-autos but, the old adage that they will not jam is a fallacy. They will jam and I have had it happen to me and seen it happen to others. These were high quality revolvers from excellent manufacturers and they were relatively clean, though none were completely clean as they did not jam on the first shot.

I don't mean to open a can of worms here, I am simply pointing out a myth. And if, IF a revolver jams it is far worse than if a semi-auto jams almost 100% of the time. Because you cannot simply clear a jam on a revolver. On the whole though I do understand the thought process of those who carry a revolver because they deem it more reliable.

I don't care for the words Never and Always.

Very good point Warbird.

Edited May 7, 2008 by eyebedam

[Guest joelstephen]

I too am a member of the Chattanooga rifle club, I usually carry a revolver becase of reliability, you nener get a stove pipe,or a jam with a S & W , and you dont have to drop mag to clear the jam

[DaveTN]

Wheel guns require more machining than Tupperware guns.

They are far more reliable than semi’s.

You pick them up and pull the trigger; no magazines or safeties to deal with.

They are more accurate than a semi. (I’m talking full size revolvers; not J frames)

The chances of a citizen needing more than six rounds are astronomical.

They just look better than a semi. (With the exception of a 1911)

No gun collection is complete without some.

Most people (young or old) pick stuff based on cost; they buy what they can afford. But I think young people like wheel guns. It’s just the older you get the more you can afford the high end toys. (That’s why us old guys ride Harleys.)

Now having said that… Everything is life is application driven.

I have all types of handguns and it depends on the application which one I choose to use.

[strickj]

You know Dave I could argue with you on the Harley thing.

See its not about how much your willing to spend on one but how long your willing to wait on one,lol

[Guest Grout]

Revolvers don't jam as often but when they do it is enough to take them out of action,no tap,rack bang drill so to say.Also I have found Ruger DA revolvers to be much more durable than S&W.

[Guest GregRN]

One reason I carry a J-frame Smith is because it hides so well because of the shape. It is much easier to conceal and also much easier to carry. Since it is not squared off in shape, it blends with the clothing to hide well. And without 15 rounds of ammo loaded in it, the weight is much more managable.

Revolvers seem to be more affordable now than in the recent past (10 years or so). Of course, that is just my perception; I'm sure others might disagree. And while a revolver can jam, I don't see that happening without something inside breaking. You will never get a FTFeed in a revolver. Certainly, you would want to watch for timing issues as the revolver wears out, but a gunsmith can fix that.