Who else might/should break into the revolver market?

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Pond James Pond

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A thread a year back about CZ's break from tradition in offering a 1911 rather than their own patented and copied design and another more relevant one a while back about Kimber's new wheel-gun as well as Aarond's manufacturer wish-list thread got me thinking.

Which traditionally semi-auto company would you like to see make a leap of faith and produce a revolver?

Given your chosen company's usual standards and specs what would expect the revolver to offer the user? This could mean calibre, materials, innovations or "other".

And finally, regardless of what you would expect them to do, what would you like them to do...?

You can approach these questions as realistic possibilities, or just wishfully thinking. But no absurd pipe-dreams like "I want HK to make a .50BMG derringer made of glass for greenhouse carry....!"

For me, I suppose I'd be curious to see what CZ would come up with. Given their attention to ergos, fairly nice triggers OOTB, and low-bore axis design all in affordable packages, I'd expect/hope to see them incorporate the same in their design.

Materials? Probably alloy/steel. Calibre? Probably, 9mm or .357M. Seems a safe bet given their tendency to stick to middle-of-the-road service calibres and the added.
 
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Very interesting thought, and not something I have really ever considered.

I think that depending on how Kimber's revolver sells, others may give it a go and try their luck.

I really don't think CZ will jump into the market, since revolvers have always been more or less an American gun, and I wouldn't think they would make that leap.

If I were going to see a maker put out a new revolver, I might look for either Springfield or Remington, brands that used to be well known for revolvers, to possibly make the jump. Remington doesn't seem likely, as they seem to be having trouble executing handguns right now, and I don't see them investing in that kind of product.

In my dark horse category, I think KelTec might consider trying one out, more based on the extreme popularity of the Ruger LCR series of pistols, and their pistols good reputation for reliability.

That said, I really don't think either company is going to drop a new revolver anytime soon. I think S&W, Ruger, and Taurus have the carry sized sized revolver market pretty well cornered, and full sized revolvers just don't have the demand. I'm not really predicting great things for the Kimber revolver.
 
First off, it's my understanding that it costs more to produce a decent to very decent revolver than a comparable auto pistol.

Second, while the revolver market is strong among a certain segment of the shooting population, it probably is not big enough.

I praise Kimber for its effort and I hope the K6 really catches on. But I'm not a fan of Kimber autos and I fear that the K6's hype may be way more than the sum of its parts.

If the market is there, I wouldn't be surprised that European countries jump in such as Manurhin in France or Korth (with budget models, $1,000 range) in Germany.

Where or when a real resurgence of revolvers could occur is down the political road if new or renewed restrictions are possibly placed on ammo capacity.
 
Nice ideas so far. However, ideally, I'd like to steer clear of known quantities such as either existing revolver makers and defunct revolver makers just because they are not mysteries, product-wise. I'd like to see Astras come back but we all know what they'd look like, what they'd shoot, and what they'd be made of.

JimmyR's post is closest to the line of thinking I'm trying to elicit.

I don't deny the logic and validity of the other arguments, I'm just trying to focus on those companies who have never made a wheel-gun. Would would they bring to the admittedly crowded market.
 
Since CZ owns Dan Wesson I'd guess that any of their forays in the revolver market would continue down that path for the near future.

I'd like to see Colt re-enter the market, but then again so does everyone. I don't care if it's a "snake" gun but I think they could have a hit with another premium revolver to go along with a decent snub nosed.

I think Korth or Manurhin would be received well if they made a concentrated push into the U.S. Market.

I would love it if Ruger would market a premium revolver. Maybe something slightly smaller than the GP100, better trigger, premium blue job. I think Ruger has a good enough reputation that they could leapfrog S&W in quality and even price if they could justify putting something out that rivals the quality of something like the Python...

I guess those are all companies who have in the past or currently sell revolvers, but those are my thoughts on the subject.
 
Sorry Pond. I just read your last post. feel free to have my post deleted since it focuses on known quantities. I guess I dont think outside of the box enough to come up with something completely revolutionary.
 
I think it's about time someone figured out how to make a stronger top break revolver. I think one in .45 ACP would be near ideal for defensive revolver.

It would be stupid fast to reload with a mooner.
 
A Glock top break 45acp. With Webley-fosberry semi auto action. In a typical Glock break with tradition, it will have a safety, lol.
 
I'd like to see Tanfoglio take a shot at making a revolver. I'd like to see NAA make a non-rimfire revolver.
1911 makers have the best crossover for making revolvers since they both require more machining than polymer gun makers. Hence Kimbers offering. I'd be interested in what rock island armory Springfield or STI could come up with.
 
I think it's about time someone figured out how to make a stronger top break revolver. I think one in .45 ACP would be near ideal for defensive revolver.

It would be stupid fast to reload with a mooner.
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Howdy

Webley figured out how to make a stronger Top Break revolver, at least stronger than the S&W Top Breaks, a long time ago. The Webley barrel latch is a massive affair, much larger than the latch on a S&W Top Break, and it has some pretty impressive springs to make sure it stays shut.

A bunch of years ago jut for fun my favorite gunsmith modified an Uberti Schofield reproduction by installing the latch from a Webley. Not very pretty, but that latch sure was not going to open when fired, which was a problem with the ASM replicas of the Schofield. However with any Top Break you will still have the problem of the frame stretching from the battering of recoil while the barrel section of the latch does not stretch. So put a powerful enough round into the cylinder and shoot it enough times and the latch will eventually work itself loose. No matter what you do, a hinged frame will never be as strong as a solid frame, all other things being equal.

As far as being stupid fast to reload, watch how fast Jerry Miculek is sometime with a conventional side swing revolver. From a practical standpoint, a Top Break is really not any faster to unload than a side swing (Hand Ejector) revolver. There is more motion required when swinging the barrel down than there is to quickly pop the ejector rod with the thumb of a Hand Ejector.

It is significantly slower for me to unlatch and lower the barrel on my New Model Number Three than it is for me to work the thumbpiece while pointing a Hand Ejector skyward and flip the ejector rod down with my thumb. And I ain't no Jerry Miculek

new%20model%20number%20three%2001_zpsnhtam3mu.jpg
 
I don't think there is enough market to support new arrivals. I think the market for revolvers is mostly with us older folks. We older folks like to buy brands with a long reputation for quality products. We want to buy known quality products because we plan on keeping them the rest of our lives. Younger folks seem to lean toward semi-automatics. I think revolvers are the standard transmissions of the gun world with a small but loyal following.
 
The problem with revolvers is that you can't mass produce them "cheap" like the new wave of low end polymer framed semi's. Taurus already makes low end revolvers but I won't purchase a Taurus as I can see the lesser quality (and i'm strictly an amateur recreational shooter). Revolvers while they have a very strong "mature" age following seem to be more of an occasional range toy and story time piece. I was looking a few year back for a big bore revolver and I saved some extra dimes and bought a S&W PC 460 XVR , and absolutely love it for my intended need. In the current frenzy of pre election handgun buying all's I see flying off the shelf's are high capacity semi handguns and AR's. As always these are strictly just my opiions...
 
I have stated before that I want CZ to make a .22revolver.

I have stated before that I want CZ to make a .22revolver.

Something on the order of a S&W Model 17,,,
All steel DA/SA with at least a 6" barrel.

What a great mate for their bolt-action rifles that would be.

Alfa Proj does make something similar,,,
They are imported by Czech Point.

I've never been able to see one up close in person though,,,
I have no idea of the quality or lack thereof.

Aarond

.
 
I own a Tanfoglio revolver. I have handled an RIA revolver. Hasn't Beretta at least "name-plated" some, maybe SA ones?

Sometimes a company will make SAA replicas and grow into a larger business, at least temporarily. I would like to see a company like that make some interesting products and become widely distributed.
 
The problem with revolvers is that you can't mass produce them "cheap" like the new wave of low end polymer framed semi's.
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A couple of subjective points. Not sure how many units per year you consider "mass produce", or what price point is "cheap". But there are a couple examples that I do see at gun shows, and in gun shop cases. Even big boxstores like Gander mountain. Reviews are good as far as function, and reliabilityas well. No, they aren't a finely finished showpiece, but they do the job they are built for, and at reasonableprices.
The $300-$350 Windicator 357 Magnum made in Germany, and marketed by EAA
Also the RIA Armscor revolvers in 38 Special built in the Philippines priced in the $150-$200 range.
So it can be done.
 
I had no idea RIA made revolvers! Interesting. I knew about the Windicator, but also knew Tanfoglio did not make them.
 
I think the true situation is well presented in osbornk's post above. That being said, it would be nice if Remington could profitably reissue their 1875 single action with modern steels and an adjustable sight version that would be designed around the 44 Magnum and 45 Colt +P loads. It would have to be well made and priced to match the Ruger Vaquero, Blackhawk, and Super Blackhawk. And made in USA. If they could do all that, I think it would sell pretty well in a single-action revolver market. I wonder how well their 1911 is doing in a market with so many strong competitors.
 
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