Mike Irwin
Staff
As far as I'm concerned, S&W perfected the revolver in the 1950s.
No additional changes are required.
No additional changes are required.
The state of modern revolvers and the people who use them
- Thread starter h518may
- Start date
Sheikyourbootie
New member
I can tell you exactly what I'd like to see. I'd like to see my present model 627 come out as a model 27 but 8 shot, with the classic barrel profile, no lock and offered in 6 and 4 inch barrels. Unfortunately, I doubt the market exists for such a beast.
Possibly, a very, very small one....
Too many factors today work against the top break DA revolver (modern design, not a reproduction of a historical gun).
The single biggest factor is the limitations of the top break design itself, coupled with the attitudes of the buying public today.
Top breaks are more difficult to build, meaning much more expensive today. Top breaks simply cannot handle the pressure of the big hunting rounds, or even some of the more popular SD rounds.
In small calibers, for carry & defense, the bulk of the revolver and its limit of 6 rounds means most of the current market is going to go for an auto pistol, and even the revolver guys are more likely to go for one of the long established models still on the market.
You will sell some modern top breaks, to the curious, and the collectors, and the same kind of people who would buy a Taurus Judge or something like it, IF the price was right. But I don't think you can make a modern top break at a competitive price with the current crop of swing out DA guns.
Certainly, a plastic frame top break .357 Magnum snub nose would be a neat gun, but I don't think it could be done. And even if it could be, I wouldn't personally want one.
This is a great thread idea. It is true that older folks tend to make up the majority of the revolver market. But I think that the very definition of the question refers to getting younger shooters interested in revolvers. For full disclosure, I am 29 and own and shoot both revolvers and semis.
1) More revolvers in semi-auto calibers. Taurus and Charter have the right idea, S&W is moving in the right direction, but a 9mm 642 is what is really needed. Even better, the ability to chamber these rounds without moonclips would be huge. Everyone is basically going to have a 9mm or a .45, regardless, so the decision to buy a revolver necessitates the decision to add another caliber. Removing that removes a big hurdle.
2) Better sights. After-market fixed 3-dot sights are available, why the hell aren't they on more guns? S&W does it on one gun that I'm aware of. Seriously, how hard would it be to move ALL fixed sight revolvers to this?
Put white dots on them, and you have the perfect gun for someone used to shooting semis.
3) Higher capacities. We have the 8 shot revolvers, that's great, but for home defense do we really care how fat the cylinder is? Personally I think a 10 shot HD revolver makes a ton of sense. This allows it to compete more easily with semi-autos as well. Yes it would have a monstrous cylinder, but it wouldn't be so quickly written off (especially if it was in 9mm, making it a direct competitor to legions of semi-autos). 10 is also an artificial ceiling in many states; I can tell you from experience that shooters in those states, if they are going to be limited to 10 rounds, want ALL 10 of those rounds.
4) Change it up. This is very subjective, and I get the argument why fix something that is working well. But changing the looks and appearance of the gun will remove the "grandfather's gun" reputation that they have. All fluted cylinders basically look the same, for example. The squared cylinder of the Rhinos that was mentioned is a good example of how to change the appearance to make it look a bit more futuristic. That gun was featured in the new Total Recall movie because of its cool looks. Maybe a squared barrel to match, some other colors than stainless or blued (FDE, OD green, etc) some different grip materials (G10, polymer), etc.
I realize this is offensive to the traditional revolver shooter, and I'm not saying the current image of the revolver doesn't have its place, but I think these things would make them a lot more palatable to the younger shooter.
1) More revolvers in semi-auto calibers. Taurus and Charter have the right idea, S&W is moving in the right direction, but a 9mm 642 is what is really needed. Even better, the ability to chamber these rounds without moonclips would be huge. Everyone is basically going to have a 9mm or a .45, regardless, so the decision to buy a revolver necessitates the decision to add another caliber. Removing that removes a big hurdle.
2) Better sights. After-market fixed 3-dot sights are available, why the hell aren't they on more guns? S&W does it on one gun that I'm aware of. Seriously, how hard would it be to move ALL fixed sight revolvers to this?
Put white dots on them, and you have the perfect gun for someone used to shooting semis.
3) Higher capacities. We have the 8 shot revolvers, that's great, but for home defense do we really care how fat the cylinder is? Personally I think a 10 shot HD revolver makes a ton of sense. This allows it to compete more easily with semi-autos as well. Yes it would have a monstrous cylinder, but it wouldn't be so quickly written off (especially if it was in 9mm, making it a direct competitor to legions of semi-autos). 10 is also an artificial ceiling in many states; I can tell you from experience that shooters in those states, if they are going to be limited to 10 rounds, want ALL 10 of those rounds.
4) Change it up. This is very subjective, and I get the argument why fix something that is working well. But changing the looks and appearance of the gun will remove the "grandfather's gun" reputation that they have. All fluted cylinders basically look the same, for example. The squared cylinder of the Rhinos that was mentioned is a good example of how to change the appearance to make it look a bit more futuristic. That gun was featured in the new Total Recall movie because of its cool looks. Maybe a squared barrel to match, some other colors than stainless or blued (FDE, OD green, etc) some different grip materials (G10, polymer), etc.
I realize this is offensive to the traditional revolver shooter, and I'm not saying the current image of the revolver doesn't have its place, but I think these things would make them a lot more palatable to the younger shooter.
I picked up a copy of the April issue of Guns & Ammo because it has an article on 9 new S&W handguns. If you have the time take a look, there are number of 7 and 8 shot options in a few calibers including 9mm. Some if the styling has also been changed. Looks like maybe they are starting to move in the direction of attracting new people to the revolvers.
jason_iowa
New member
In my late 30s I have no interest in getting anymore autos. It's all revolvers for me from here on out.
When I buy an auto I also buy at least 10 magazines. That pretty well doubles the price or at least half again the price of the auto. 4-600$ just in magazines. With out a working magazine an auto is useless. Magazines are not as durable as a cylinder.
Bullet type and profile mean more to me then capacity. You are very limited in bullet selection for autos. Revolvers open up a great big world of bullet types that perform in a way that I feel is superior to anything that can be fired from an auto.
There are plenty of autos I enjoy shooting. I own a lot of them. They just can't hold up to the versatility, form or function of a good revolver. As a solid sidearm its pretty unbeatable.
When I buy an auto I also buy at least 10 magazines. That pretty well doubles the price or at least half again the price of the auto. 4-600$ just in magazines. With out a working magazine an auto is useless. Magazines are not as durable as a cylinder.
Bullet type and profile mean more to me then capacity. You are very limited in bullet selection for autos. Revolvers open up a great big world of bullet types that perform in a way that I feel is superior to anything that can be fired from an auto.
There are plenty of autos I enjoy shooting. I own a lot of them. They just can't hold up to the versatility, form or function of a good revolver. As a solid sidearm its pretty unbeatable.
thedudeabides
New member
Modern revolvers are 45LC/410 trash and supersubcompact 38 special for those of us who think that a gun with a slide is some highly complex voodoo.
I really hate that I get stares if I walk into a gun shop and want to buy a high quality, match grade barrel 8" 44 magnum revolver. Dan Wesson and Colt no longer make revolvers, Colt will built you some heirloom guns for the cost of a nice used car, but that's another story.
The most offerings you see these days are Ruger and Taurus, with SW getting harder to find. Revolvers are good. They shoot really powerful ammo and they're really accurate. My Python 8" is almost rifle accurate at 25 yards.
I blame the plastic and SD gun fad for all this nonsense.
I really hate that I get stares if I walk into a gun shop and want to buy a high quality, match grade barrel 8" 44 magnum revolver. Dan Wesson and Colt no longer make revolvers, Colt will built you some heirloom guns for the cost of a nice used car, but that's another story.
The most offerings you see these days are Ruger and Taurus, with SW getting harder to find. Revolvers are good. They shoot really powerful ammo and they're really accurate. My Python 8" is almost rifle accurate at 25 yards.
I blame the plastic and SD gun fad for all this nonsense.
. What's that gun worth...maybe 3 grand?lee n. field
New member
Some people must not consider single actions to be revolvers, which kinda negates 80yrs of Colt's history. Fact is, Colt does produce revolvers, they just don't produce a new double action. Considering the MSRP of your average new S&W or Ruger, I don't think $1200 for an heirloom Colt is prohibitive.
Wear a chip much?
thedudeabides
New member
I do, it's just that they're not designed around the heavy duty frames like other manufacturers. I think 45 LC is a nice cartridge (as are their other offerings), but I'm not into shooting new variants of old ammo. I'm mostly a heavy frame 357 and 44 magnum guy and I want my revolvers to handle overpressure handloads without going out of whack.
I think a lot of the market changes are simply Hollywood driven pop culture. .44 Magnum sales was yawner and a dud for S&W until a Hollywood movie turned it into an overnight success. It took another Hollywood movie to extol the virtues of the young cop with his new-fangled High capacity 9mm (that NEVER ran out of ammo) partnered with an old cop with a 6 shooter. Lets face it. Many CCW holders are absolutely convinced that any armed confrontation will end up in a 100 round shootout lasting 1/2 hour based on television and movies as opposed to actual statistics. I guess it will take a new supercop sporting a 500 S&W to turn things around again.
I think the new concealed carry market has left revolvers behind. There are so many choices for small, light, easily concealable autos chambered for a variety of useful self defense rounds as opposed to the few choices for revolvers. Beyond the 5 shot .38 subbies, most guns chambered for bigger rounds tend to start getting very large and heavy, very fast. I think if they could find a way to make a short barreled 44 Special or .45 LC in .38 snubbie size and weight, they would have a CCW winner.
I personally carry a .38 snubbie. I never have to ask myself, "Is there one in the chamber?" and "Did I remember to flip my safety off?" Realistically I know that the odds I will ever have to draw it are slim. The odds I will have to fire it when drawn are also slim. The odds that I will need to draw it, fire it, and empty it, AND to reload are pretty astronomical. My Model 39 S&W 9mm got replaced in my nightstand with a 6" GP100 for the same reasons.
I think revolvers rule in the pistol hunting world. If the semi-auto makers ever figure out that the availability of good hunting ammo is one of the main reasons, that could change.
Semis will always rule the battlefield.
I love my revolvers but the world and its tastes have changed, most of that is media driven. Want to boost sales of anything, just have lawmakers threaten to ban it.
I think the new concealed carry market has left revolvers behind. There are so many choices for small, light, easily concealable autos chambered for a variety of useful self defense rounds as opposed to the few choices for revolvers. Beyond the 5 shot .38 subbies, most guns chambered for bigger rounds tend to start getting very large and heavy, very fast. I think if they could find a way to make a short barreled 44 Special or .45 LC in .38 snubbie size and weight, they would have a CCW winner.
I personally carry a .38 snubbie. I never have to ask myself, "Is there one in the chamber?" and "Did I remember to flip my safety off?" Realistically I know that the odds I will ever have to draw it are slim. The odds I will have to fire it when drawn are also slim. The odds that I will need to draw it, fire it, and empty it, AND to reload are pretty astronomical. My Model 39 S&W 9mm got replaced in my nightstand with a 6" GP100 for the same reasons.
I think revolvers rule in the pistol hunting world. If the semi-auto makers ever figure out that the availability of good hunting ammo is one of the main reasons, that could change.
Semis will always rule the battlefield.
I love my revolvers but the world and its tastes have changed, most of that is media driven. Want to boost sales of anything, just have lawmakers threaten to ban it.