Current handgun trends

[nathan]

I hope importers will find more makarov pistols to boot. I have my Russian IJ 70 , the best carry in my opinion. Its built like a tank ...

 

[C0untZer0]

This is why you can't get a .32 or 380 ACP pistol with a 4.5" or larger barrel !

 

[barnbwt]

I agree that compact & concealable is where it's at. Where I think it's going, is optimization of those features. A lot of guns available now can be carried and concealed, but have things like corners, protrusions, redundant controls, sensitive finishes, and odd overall shapes that make them more awkward to carry than they could be. As bad as the R51's execution was, I do think the gun pointed the way to the future as far as concept, in that it was comfortable, thoroughly dehorned, had good sights, a narrow profile, and very simple controls. The dehorning in particular is something which should have been a common feature in carry guns years ago, but instead everyone focused on Glock and their Spartan slide profile. It's just funny, because way back in the day when people did carry concealed guns, the slides corners were rounded and the profiles narrow; ever since the Wonder Nines, this concept was totally discarded. I think the rising popularity of carry guns with women will finally bring these practical features for carry guns to pass.

TCB

 

[nugun55]

Let's see, my last 2 handgun purchases were an XDS-45 and a Colt O1991 45. I see a pattern, here.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I heard somewhere recently that handgun sales are trending away from the larger, duty-size pistols and toward the smaller, concealable types.

You mean the trend that started in 1994 when 10-round-max was the norm? In the mid-90's, between the AWB and the spread of CCW laws, we saw many smaller pistols introduced.

 

[rbernie]

You mean the trend that started in 1994 when 10-round-max was the norm? In the mid-90's, between the AWB and the spread of CCW laws, we saw many smaller pistols introduced.

I've often wondered how popular the 1911 would be today had the '94 AWB not made hi-cap double stacks relatively moot.

But the point made is valid - there are more small-to-pocketable pistol options today than I can recall at any other point in my life. I credit the CHL/CCW expansion for that, moreso than the AWB.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I credit the CHL/CCW expansion for that, moreso than the AWB.

I think it was both, the spread of CHL/CCW sparked the demand for something concealable and the AWB "softened" up the market for smaller capacities. Kahr and simliar designed came out shortly after the AWB. Having a 10 round limit made the 7-9 round capacities seem less of a sacrifice compared to the standard 15-17 round magazines. The CHL/CCW trend, however, has obviously kept demand for them high.

I think it also pushed the .40 S&W, as the question was no longer 15-17 9mm vs 12-14 .40, but 10 9mm vs 10 .40.

Plenty of small pistols came out in the mid to late 90's, regardless of the cause.

 

[armoredman]

My favorite brand seems to be angling more towards the larger sizes, like the new CZ P-09, shown here with the subcompact CZ pistol, the CZ 2075 RAMI BD.




The P-09 is actually the same size as my CZ SP-01 Phantom, with it's extended magazine installed.



And that gun is my normal every day carry pistol. It's a full size handgun, which I prefer. The High Noon holster and gun belt make the difference.

I have carried smaller guns, Walther PPK, Taurus PT-22, and of course my CZ P-01 compact and CZ PCR compact pistols, but when I discovered the right gear gave my an easier to shoot and control larger sidearm, I was much happier.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

I heard somewhere recently that handgun sales are trending away from the larger, duty-size pistols and toward the smaller, concealable types.

That's par for the course. I just decided to get my first 1911.

 

[XD 45acp]

I think too that there are more women buying handguns. They tend to lean toward the smaller more concealable types.

 

[stevek]

Another point to remember is that it is NOT necessary to draw in order to fire a pocket handgun. A semi-auto may only cycle one round, but a J-Frame or LCR will give you 5 shots without having to draw...

 

[Drail]

Might wanna carry a small fire extinguisher if yer gonna do that.

 

[MCgunner]

Every post here sounds like trends I was reading about in magazines 20 years ago. So nothing has changed, I suppose.

I just cannot get into new autoloaders. I have all the autos I need, all the revolvers, really, but I just love shooting revolvers. Revolvers are the bulk of my collection, single action and DA. One of my favorite shooters is an auto, Ruger KP90DC, accurate booger. But, on the whole, I prefer to shoot revolvers.

 

[LT.Diver]

I don't know what it says about us but it seems like if a gun is bigger than a Tic Tac and ways more than a moth's ass hair we won't buy it.
Are we really getting so soft that we can't carry a J-Frame anymore unless it's made of gravity defying unobtainium?

 

[MCgunner]

An airweight is plenty light enough to carry 24/7 in a pocket. Belt guns get to bothering me after a few hours. OWB is about the best way I can tolerate 'em.

 

[armoredman]

LT Diver, I carried this once upon a time,



With full power loads it was seriously NOT fun to use. We have been having this discussion for a great many years - here's a couple of "pocket rockets" from the turn of the century. Oddly enough, the British Bulldog has a .34 caliber barrel and has to have very special ammunition handcrafted for it.

 

[Kidslash]

I think the compacts are where manufacturers are going now. That and striker fired semi autos.

 

[ljnowell]

An airweight is plenty light enough to carry 24/7 in a pocket. Belt guns get to bothering me after a few hours. OWB is about the best way I can tolerate 'em.

How's this for being a wimp, my favorite gun to carry OWB in a nice leather holster? An Airweight smith. A 637 to be exact. I recently bought a nice heavy belt, one of the Hanks Amish CCW belts, and a bianchi holster. I will honestly forget it's there sometimes.

When I would carry a 1911, the first thing I would do when I come home is unholster. With this I find myself watching tv at 9pm still wearing it.

 

[flyingtiger85]

Here's a current trend!People are buying imported high quality clones at bargain prices and are talking about how happy they are with there purchase.Cz,Sig and High power copy's made in Belgium and Turkey are awesome.Search the internet,people are very happy with them.A gun doesn't necessarily have to cost $700 or $800 to be a good gun.
Examples include:Caniks, Arcus and Zastava.9mm auto pistols.

 

[seeker_two]

And Turkish & Filipino 1911's....

 

[aarondhgraham]

I can believe the trend,,,

I can believe the trend,,,
Meaning I have no proof one way or another,,,
But with the rise in people getting their permits to carry,,,
I understand they are for the most part not gun nuts so they go utilitarian.

By utilitarian I mean something that suits their need for a handgun,,,
But probably won't see much range time or practice.

I'm the resident gun-nut at my workplace,,,
I'm often asked about "what's a good gun these days".

Most of the time I show them a range from mouse to duty,,,
Much more often than not they like the smaller guns.

They aren't into the nuances of firearms,,,
They just want something that will shoot a bullet without hurting them.

I think some formal training would change a lot of their minds,,,
But that won't happen so any gun is better than no gun.

Aarond

.

 

[MCgunner]

This has to be trendy, right, polymer revolver? I should be getting this in by the end of the week. It has been shipped. Beat up on me if you wish. 20 ounces unloaded, should be a little easier on me than the 340PD I tried once and easy to carry. I'm not put off by polymer, have several pistols with polymer frames. In fact, I kinda like the idea, especially as it miffs off the traditionalists who will insult me on the net, if not face to face.

http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2012/11/taurus-protector-polymer/?scrape=true