Gaps in the Firearms Market

[giggitygiggity]

What are some of the gaps that you observe in the firearms market? For instance, is there a certain gun in a certain caliber, or of a certain type that can be feasibly made but either doesn’t exist or is made by only one or two manufacturers?

I cannot name a single double stacked metal-framed optics-ready 10mm handgun. RIA has their double stacked 10mm 1911 handguns, but they are not optics-ready. SIG, Glock, Springfield, S&W, and others have optics-ready double stacked 10mm handguns, but they have polymer frames. Other manufacturers have 10mm 1911 optics-ready handguns, but they are single stacks. As such, if a company were to manufacture a double stacked metal-framed optics-ready 10mm handgun, they would have a monopoly.

Im curious if you know of other gaps. Perhaps a manufacturer scrolling through this forum will see an opportunity.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Tanfoglio
1 model or maybe even 2 models are drilled for frame mounted optics.

Boom, I just showed you your monopoly.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Tanfoglio
1 model or maybe even 2 models are drilled for frame mounted optics.

Boom, I just showed you your monopoly.

Very nice. They must be made of unobtainium because they’re not in stock anywhere. Hopefully that’ll change!

 

[jmr40]

I see way too much overlap; no gaps that I can see that would be commercially feasible. A lot of guys want some things, but manufacturers aren't going to build something that will only sell to a dozen guys.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

A few years ago, tanfoglio and the importer, eaa, got into a peeing match. They now are imported through IFG.
Contact patriot defense, they stock alot of parts and sell guns to.
But there are lots of tanfoglios on gun broker.

 

[.308 Norma]

For instance, is there a certain gun in a certain caliber, or of a certain type that can be feasibly made but either doesn’t exist or is made by only one or two manufacturers?

My screen name. I had it special built as my retirement rifle to myself 12 years ago, yet 300 Win mags (same ballistics) were common - just like they are now.
Another rare (but could and have been built) guns are revolvers chambered in .44 Special. I ordered one of them (a Ruger) for myself before Christmas last year. However, the owner of the gun store where I ordered it told me it might take a year - IF he could get it at all.
I really don't understand that. Ruger lists them in their catalog, so why don't they really build them?
Edited to add: jmr 40 is probably exactly right - gun manufacturers are not going to build something that will only sell to a dozen guys.

 

[giggitygiggity]

My screen name. I had it special built as my retirement rifle to myself 12 years ago, yet 300 Win mags (same ballistics) were common - just like they are now.
Another rare (but could and have been built) guns are revolvers chambered in .44 Special. I ordered one of them (a Ruger) for myself before Christmas last year. However, the owner of the gun store where I ordered it told me it might take a year - IF he could get it at all.
I really don't understand that. Ruger lists them in their catalog, so why don't they really build them?
Edited to add: jmr 40 is probably exactly right - gun manufacturers are not going to build something that will only sell to a dozen guys.

Right. I agree that there are probably lots of gaps, but those gaps only appeal to few consumers.

I still suspect that there are some gaps that present opportunities for manufacturers and that would require minimal effort (perhaps a magazine/barrel change, an optics cut on a slide, etc). For instance, I’ve always wondered why we don’t see more threaded pistol-caliber bolt action rifles or semi-autos with a bolt hold shut (similar to the new .300 BRN-180 upper), especially with how popular suppressors have become, the desire of folks to shoot without breaking the bank, etc. These seem like gaps that can be addressed with relative ease and appeal to a large customer base.

Or how about a collapsible stock that can attach to a pic rail? Pretty much the only ones that exist are the MCX/MPX collapsible stocks, which have extremely limited application because the distance between the rods is too narrow to allow it to collapse when affixed to most non-MCX/MPX receivers. It seems like a manufacturer could basically imitate the MCX/MPX design, but increase the distance between the rods to enable it to work with BRN-180s, PSA Jakls, Ruger Chargers, and other guns that come with a pic rail on the rear of their receivers.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My screen name. I had it special built as my retirement rifle to myself 12 years ago, yet 300 Win mags (same ballistics) were common - just like they are now.
Another rare (but could and have been built) guns are revolvers chambered in .44 Special. I ordered one of them (a Ruger) for myself before Christmas last year. However, the owner of the gun store where I ordered it told me it might take a year - IF he could get it at all.
I really don't understand that. Ruger lists them in their catalog, so why don't they really build them?
Edited to add: jmr 40 is probably exactly right - gun manufacturers are not going to build something that will only sell to a dozen guys.

I would be more inclined to buy a .44 Mag. if Specials were actually available....

 

[tomtomgt356]

Henry Long Ranger Express in 300 blackout. I think a supressed 300bo lever would be a hoot.

 

[Jeff62]

7.62x25

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I would be more inclined to buy a .44 Mag. if Specials were actually available....

Reload. The only 44 spl ammo I could find was HSM Cowboy at 60/rd. I reload them for about 13¢/rd. Or you could reload low power 44 mag. I think the reason there isn't a lot of 44 spl around is that 44 spl and 45 acp aren't far apart ballistically. (Similar bulet diameter and mass, similar velocity.)

As for gaps in the market, none that I see. In fact, I would say there is way too much overlap. There are a lot of "wonder-calibers," boutique calibers, etc. that do what long LONG existing calibers already do. For example, I don't understand the 6.5 whatever craze or the 10mm craze. But, whatever. The stuff is selling, so the producers are producing.

 

[J-Bar]

Pietta and Uberti have enjoyed a lock on the percussion revolver market for decades. Both brands have well documented flaws. How wonderful it would be ( and probably expensive as well) to have a Colt- style open top percussion revolver that was made as perfect as possible out of the box.

 

[gspn]

Even if there are no commercially viable gaps, each year, a firearm or ammo manufacturer will try to create a gap so they can sell into it.

And if there's something you want that's not profitable for a major company to make, there's custom shops. Anything is available for the right price.

 

[Tallinar]

Bolt action .45 Colt. Like the Ruger 77/44.

I know that .45 Colt has a less than ideal rim for extraction purposes, but if modern .45 Colt brass can run flawlessly in a lever gun, I don’t see why we can’t get it done in a bolt action with a limited magazine.

I’m not saying there would be some huge demand for it, I know it’s a niche request, but I want it.

Also, I don’t think anyone is making a tubular-magazine bolt action .22 LR these days. I’d love to see one of those come back. Maybe Henry will do it eventually.

Let me dream.

 

[commygun]

The 9mm bolt-action carbine. Blued and a wood stock.

Look, it’s chambered for the cheapest center fire cartridge with an action that’s legal everywhere. Give it a 6-rd magazine. Size it no bigger than the Spanish Destroyer.
Market in as a multi-purpose gun. Make it somewhat affordable. It’ll sell like hotcakes.

 

[Armored farmer]

How about a svelte double rifle that doesn't cost five figures?

 

[.308 Norma]

I would be more inclined to buy a .44 Mag. if Specials were actually available....

Already have a couple of 44 Mags, want a 44 Special - specifically a stainless Ruger Blackhawk with a Bisley grip frame.
I figure you're right though - most people, if given a choice between a 44 Mag and a 44 Special, would buy the 44 Mag. And that's why more gun companies don't build more 44 Specials.

 

[Beck]

I'm one that sees more overlap than gap. I can't think of any firearm I need that's not out there, with the exception of some old discontinued models that I wish were still around.

 

[Targa]

I would like to see a few more DA .45Colt offerings.

 

[JohnKSa]

Semi-auto carbines in non-tactical guise (wood furniture, flush-fit or tubular magazines) and chambered in the magnum revolver cartridges. Something along the lines of the old Ruger .44 Deerstalker.

Mid-sized .380ACP locked breech semi-auto, double-stack pistols with steel frames. These would be really good self-defense pistols for people with hand-strength or recoil tolerance issues. Should be very fast shooting, with easy-to operate slides, nearly negligible felt recoil and slightly smaller grips than a double-stack nine. The longer barrel of a mid-sized pistol would offer a bit of a ballistics boost over the performance you normally see in the tiny pistols. Furthermore the larger size of the gun compared to the vast majority of .380ACP pistols out there would make it possible to safely work up .380ACP +P loadings to narrow the gap between .380ACP and 9mm without too much of an added recoil penalty.

 

[DeepSouth]

I agree that there are probably lots of gaps, but those gaps only appeal to few consumers.

Yep, no one makes a full sized long slide 1911 in 25acp……..for a reason.

So far as the OP, I can’t think of any gaps that would really be popular with enough people to matter. Of course I would have said that 2 years ago as well…but now medium sized 380’s are hitting the market like super small ones did a decade ago and I didn’t see that coming either, so what do I know?

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I’ve always wondered why we don’t see more threaded pistol-caliber bolt action rifles

This. I think there is a market for a bolt action threaded barrel carbine/rifle in 357 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt. Or even 9mm.

I'm fixing to send a couple break-barrels off to be threaded. The can is in Suppressor Purgatory even now.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

How about a svelte double rifle that doesn't cost five figures?

A great deal of the cost in double rifles is the labor of regulating the barrels to hit in the same place at a given distance.

If one could come up with a better mousetrap for that the price could very well come down to levels at which mere mortals may contemplate ownership.

 

[earlthegoat2]

There is definitely a niche to be filled in the wide gap between 6mm and 6.5mm. I think a 6.3mm would be just right.

I’m waiting for the PRC/Creedmoor-ization of 25 Cal. It’s coming sooner or later.

 

[Savage30L]

Well, I see a HUGE gap---the lack of left-handed double-action revolvers. It's a PITA having to keep switching hands to reload.