bushmaster1313
Member
With so many countries hard on handgun ownership, is there a big following for fine revolvers outside of the United States?
Are fine revolvers cherished outside of USA?
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bushmaster1313
Member
Who?
Swiss citizens seem to accumulate S&W's, they are "tres" expensive.
The French manufacture very nice Manhurin revos.
Google "Korth".
I was stationed in Italy for about four years, where I met more than one affluent Neopolitan with a taste for Colt, Smith & Wesson, even H&R (though these were not considered "fine").
There are shooters, the world over! As draconian as we sometimes consider our homegrown laws, our European shooting friends really have to jump through some hoops. Everything is expensive, regulated and, just, HARDER.
Many have to belong to a club or organization to be able to shoot. Some cannot have their own weapon in their home, it has to be kept at the range facility.
Now, bear in mind, my experiences occurred in the early-mid '70's.
Mike
The French manufacture very nice Manhurin revos.
Google "Korth".
I was stationed in Italy for about four years, where I met more than one affluent Neopolitan with a taste for Colt, Smith & Wesson, even H&R (though these were not considered "fine").
There are shooters, the world over! As draconian as we sometimes consider our homegrown laws, our European shooting friends really have to jump through some hoops. Everything is expensive, regulated and, just, HARDER.
Many have to belong to a club or organization to be able to shoot. Some cannot have their own weapon in their home, it has to be kept at the range facility.
Now, bear in mind, my experiences occurred in the early-mid '70's.
Mike
Cherished? perhaps. Commonly possessed? I don't think so. When I was stationed in Germany in the early eighties a few members of the local club owned some decent revolvers, but at that time they were usually limited to one centerfire and one rimfire (10 long guns). Switzerland was the most gun friendly country I ever visited, cash, no questions over the counter and out the door!
Most Western European countries had ended their military use of revolvers by WWI. The notable exceptions in WWII were the Soviets and British Commonwealth countries. In the U.S. by contrast many aviators were carrying revolvers well into the 1980's. During this period one SEAL team was equipped with Model 66 Smiths.
An implied question might be where else do they manufacture revolvers (still)? Brazil (but not so much for local consumption), the German Korth (too few to mention), Italy with the Chiappa and some blackpowder guns? Spain, at one time maybe, now?
I suspect the closest I can speculate would be Switzerland and Italy to some extent.
Most Western European countries had ended their military use of revolvers by WWI. The notable exceptions in WWII were the Soviets and British Commonwealth countries. In the U.S. by contrast many aviators were carrying revolvers well into the 1980's. During this period one SEAL team was equipped with Model 66 Smiths.
An implied question might be where else do they manufacture revolvers (still)? Brazil (but not so much for local consumption), the German Korth (too few to mention), Italy with the Chiappa and some blackpowder guns? Spain, at one time maybe, now?
I suspect the closest I can speculate would be Switzerland and Italy to some extent.
bushmaster1313
Member
I read that Canada restricts possession of handguns less than about 4.1 inches.
This makes it not possible to purchase 2 1/2" and 4" revolvers.
This makes it not possible to purchase 2 1/2" and 4" revolvers.
Mizar
Member
Yes, we do like quality revolvers here. 
Mainly S&W and Ruger can be found, Colt revolvers were offered for several years - late 90s to early 2000s but then they dropped their DA revolver line. Shame on them! Kort and Manuhrin are not imported. Here in Bulgaria it is not easy to posses a handgun, so the general rule is "less, but quality handguns!"
Boris
Mainly S&W and Ruger can be found, Colt revolvers were offered for several years - late 90s to early 2000s but then they dropped their DA revolver line. Shame on them! Kort and Manuhrin are not imported. Here in Bulgaria it is not easy to posses a handgun, so the general rule is "less, but quality handguns!"Boris
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I would have to say yes. I seem to recall a former Central or South American head of state who kept a Smith & Wesson revolver in his desk drawer. Various Spanish manufacturers in the 1920s and 30s apparently thought enough of S&Ws to flood the market with copies of them.
Radagast
Member
Yep. S&W & Colt have a following here in Australia, its just a small following due to our restrictive gun laws.
It's true. Only people that had shorter pistols before the law came into effect can still have them and trade them with other grandfathered owners.
It was a dumb law like most gun laws in that by making the cut off point just over 4 inches the popular 4 inch length is no longer available for sale new in Canada.
The new Rugers with the 4 1/4" barrels are popular for this reason.
Fine revolvers are cherised by shooters around the world.
Lot's of Revolver shooters up here in the great white north! Much easier to find your brass in the snow eh....
Buck Snort
Member
Canadian gun owners have been know to go absolutely BONKERS when in possession of a revolver over 4.1 inches. I've heard they get buck nekkid and dance on the dining room table!
col_tapiocca
Member
Here in Switzerland most people shooting with former Swiss army service pistols.
And at most target shooting competition you mostly see P210, few P220 and very few Luger in Cal. 7.62.
Swiss army revolver are certified for competition shooting. But ammo are hard to find and expensiv
Modern revolver are only for IPSC machtes or "just for fun"
Reason is simple: swiss public shooting ranges only allow current or former service firearms of Swiss army.
I'm a fan of S&W revolvers, But I only buy S&W without those useless lock and MIM parts. I only own two S&W
- Mod. 586 four inch barrel
- Mod. 625 five inch barrel
I also have a Ruger SP101 with ~2" barrel for "social work" and a spanish Revolver from manufacture called Astra as paper weight
An Ruger Super Black Hawk in cal. 44 Mag will be added to my collection soon.
And at most target shooting competition you mostly see P210, few P220 and very few Luger in Cal. 7.62.
Swiss army revolver are certified for competition shooting. But ammo are hard to find and expensiv
Modern revolver are only for IPSC machtes or "just for fun"
Reason is simple: swiss public shooting ranges only allow current or former service firearms of Swiss army.
I'm a fan of S&W revolvers, But I only buy S&W without those useless lock and MIM parts. I only own two S&W
- Mod. 586 four inch barrel
- Mod. 625 five inch barrel
I also have a Ruger SP101 with ~2" barrel for "social work" and a spanish Revolver from manufacture called Astra as paper weight
An Ruger Super Black Hawk in cal. 44 Mag will be added to my collection soon.
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I'm Belgian, and own 19 handguns, more than half of them are US made revolvers : 9 S&W DA's (mod. 63 - 14 - 17 - 2" 15 - 4" 15 - 640 - 586 - 28 & 624) and 1 .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk.
Not only are those the ones I shoot most often & enjoy most, I also value them as highly as my FN Herstal-made Browning Hi Power, CZ 75 and/or SIG P-210.
Not only are those the ones I shoot most often & enjoy most, I also value them as highly as my FN Herstal-made Browning Hi Power, CZ 75 and/or SIG P-210.
bushmaster1313
Member
Chriske
Why no 27-2?
Why no 27-2?
Fine handguns in Canada
As a Canadian, I can assure you that there is a thriving group up here that own and shoot handguns. I'm one of the ones that can own short barrelled guns, among them a S&W model 60, Ruger SP101 and a NAA 22 mag mini revolver. I also own a beautiful Norinco 1911 Commander that for some reason is not legal to import into the states.
As a Canadian, I can assure you that there is a thriving group up here that own and shoot handguns. I'm one of the ones that can own short barrelled guns, among them a S&W model 60, Ruger SP101 and a NAA 22 mag mini revolver. I also own a beautiful Norinco 1911 Commander that for some reason is not legal to import into the states.
BCRider
Member
I can't own short (4 inch and smaller) due to getting into the games too late but I can assure you that the S&W collection of 4 guns I have up here in Canada is highly cherished and isn't going anywhere but with me to the range any time soon. I've got a 17, 19, 10 and 28. And I recently filled my slot for a .44Mag gun with a Ruger Super Redhawk that was cut down to a bit over a 4.2 inch barrel to keep it within our Restricted classification so I could own it.
In addtion I've got a bunch of SA blackpowder C&B revolvers as well as two Pietta SAA type clones in .357 for shooting in cowboy action matches. And while they may be replicas and not that costly they are finely made with a great finish. Same with my pair of Uberti C&B 1858 Remington clones.
In addtion I've got a bunch of SA blackpowder C&B revolvers as well as two Pietta SAA type clones in .357 for shooting in cowboy action matches. And while they may be replicas and not that costly they are finely made with a great finish. Same with my pair of Uberti C&B 1858 Remington clones.
Cherished? Yes, they are. US factory production is generally available here. However, one often has to order a specific model without having a chance of handling it first (I got a my Dan Wesson Valor that way). Also not every brand is easily available. For example I am craving for a Freedom Arms revolver (as well as a 1911 by Les Baer), but there is not single distributor in my country. In can be imported from another EU member state via a licenced dealer though. It takes a lot of time and paperwork, but if one really really wants... What is a true problem is access to custom revolvers. It is virtually impossible for me. By that I do not mean factory custom shops models, but true customs by famous US gunsmiths.
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NMGonzo
Member
yes ... i am a furriner
First decent revolver I ever saw was a Smith something or another in stainless.
Second was a sp101
17 years later I got one.
Dreams come true!
First decent revolver I ever saw was a Smith something or another in stainless.
Second was a sp101
17 years later I got one.
Dreams come true!
There is one thing America does better than most. And most in the modern world know it. Us Yanks like our revolvers.
The big blast sob machine that is brutal is ours. There steam engines can be found in our revolvers.
Who would drop a charging Rhino with a S&W 460/500 and keep a .45 acp or old school pistol mag as a BUG?
A RED NECK AMERICAN!!!! LOLOLOLOLOL
The big blast sob machine that is brutal is ours. There steam engines can be found in our revolvers.
Who would drop a charging Rhino with a S&W 460/500 and keep a .45 acp or old school pistol mag as a BUG?
A RED NECK AMERICAN!!!! LOLOLOLOLOL
zombie44
Member
I had a cousin visit from the Philippines just recently, he was shocked I reloaded my own ammo and could just walk into a shop and buy the components off the shelf He said I'd need a special license to do that back home and people who can buy guns there are either military, rich or connected.
He said I'd need a special license to do that back home and people who can buy guns there are either military, rich or connected.GP100man
Member
Yes they are !
I`ve sent a couple of my poppers international !!
I`ve sent a couple of my poppers international !!
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