Return of the Wondernine?

[Oracle]

Do you folks think that, given the expiration of the AWB, there will be a resurgence in popularity of the wondernine (or higher-capacity guns of other calibers) over less-capacity guns? The reasoning for the last 10 years seems to have been "if I can only have 10 rounds, I'm going to make them the biggest rounds I can" or "if I can only have 10 rounds, I'm going to have them in the most concealable package available". As there is no longer any "you can only have 10 rounds" restriction, do you think this will lessen the sales of lower-capacity guns, such as the 1911 and revolvers, or some of the more concealable guns, such as the Kahrs and baby Glocks, in favor of the higher-capacity guns?

What about carry? Do you think that people will be carrying higher-capacity guns now that the magazines don't cost a second mortgage to obtain?

 

[Preacherman]

First, there'll be a backlog while manufacturers tool up to produce hi-caps (sorry, "regular capacity" or "standard capacity") magazines again.

Second, not all manufacturers will produce them, IMHO. There's already a rumor out there that Glock may restrict civilian sales to 10-round magazines, and Ruger is also rumored to be examining the issue. Of course, these are only rumors, so one doesn't know for sure...

Third, I'll bet you a dollar to a penny that at some stage in the next year or so, there will be a concerted effort made to pass another AWB. "After all, what law-abiding citizen needs more than 10 rounds?"

Stock up while you can!

 

[DragonFire]

Some states, like NY, already have state laws in place that mimick the Federal AWB. I'm not sure the sunset of the AWB does much for us NewYorkers.


Aside from that, I'm not sure that magazine capacity really affected my choice of guns. While I carry a glock most of the time, I feel comfortable with my revolvers as well.

I do have a couple of guns that the factory mag was limited to 10, but the magazines clearly can hold more without any external modifications. I'd probably try to find their hi-cap replacements, if I was allowed to buy them.

 

[armoredman]

EAA is still going to ship Witness pistols with 10 round mags, and offer standard cap mags as extras. Must have a bunch of 10 rounders to get rid of...

I think the new wave will be wonder10mms, and wonder357SIGs. The wondernine is an old hat issue....

 

[Rocko]

I'd say there will be a resurgency in existing models, but I'd expect any manufacturers to test the new waters for a bit before any new firearms designs - or at least not those aimed a LE, and they seem to be going away from 9mm anyway. It isn't coincidence that most pistols bound for the civilian market have been getting smaller and smaller.

Regarding mag availability, it depends on the gun. Most manufacturers are already making LE mags in decent quantity. Considering the massive amounts of LE glock mags already made, I don't think there will be any shortage of the more popular models - which is why LE marked mags are available from many sources for $15-20 now.

Other guns, which have been produced in lesser quantity, will be a bit tougher. I'd say initially hicaps (either LE or new unmarked) will still be sold for more than pre-sunset 10 rounders. The two guns I've really been wanting to buy for are my USPc .40 and USP .45. I heard of a very few places selling USPc .40 mags, but the all sold out quickly before I got a chance, and all USP .45 mags I've seen were $55+. Then again, even 10 rounders for these were pricey pre-sunset.

Either way, the market was just given a major infusion of product. If there is a new ban, and it mimics the old (as in not being retroactive and having a grandfather clause), we're still much better off. If there is a new ban, and no sunset provision, though - I think prices will absolutely skyrocket. The (then) potential sunset always kept preban prices at least somewhat in check during the "dark years". Either that, or lots of willful disobedience - no one likes to be teased.

Rocko

 

[Oracle]

How could Glock prevent sales of their magazines to the general public if there isn't a law against it? Somehow, I don't think they're going to threaten their dealers if they sell Glock mags in perfectly legal transactions. Somehow I doubt that Glock is going to have any problem fulfilling the market for new Glock magazines in the U.S.

 

[Old Dog]

Gee, let's hope so ... then, with the rush to buy the big Beretta/SIG/HK/Taurus/Ruger/Browning HP/CZ-75, 85/S&W blasters, maybe the prices of 1911s with their paltry 7 or 8 round magazine capacity will again stabilize at a reasonable level ...

 

[45R]

I just got an email from Sig Arms today stating that regular 12-15 round capacity magazines are now available for order Pistols shipped with 10rd mags will come with coupons to be redeemed for "regular" capacity mags for a discount.

Bless their hearts

 

[vertigo7]

I'm going to pick up a Browning BDM, a great wondernine that floundered in sales mainly because full-cap 15rd mags were so scarce/expensive. Once they become easily available, I'm buying a dozen or so.

 

[skynyrd1911]

I'm with Old Dog!

 

[jeff-10]

I don't believe market forces will allow Ruger, Glock or any other brand of pistols designed for self-defense to ship without the hi-cap mags. If people know that a certain brand of pistol has relatively expensive mags because of artificial restrictions then they will naturally gravitate towards some other design. Even when Ruger decided to stop selling hi-caps for the Mini 14 they still shipped there pistols with them right up to the ban.

 

[joe sixpack]

If I lived in a place where I could buy a high capacity handgun versus
a 7-10 rounder, I would go with the one that could carry the most rounds.
17+ rounds - I'm there, I would buy it tmro. Maybe even two.

cheers, ab

 

[Croyance]

I could see Ruger restricting sales of 10+ round magazines to LE only.

Glock and Ruger can do this by simply not offering full capacity magazines. They could sell only in contracts to LEAs or do only direct sales with proof of being a LEO.

I have some classic 'wonder nines" already. Have more interest in "wonder tens" and "wonder forty-fives".

In any case my main guns stay the same.

 

[Majic]

As alot of people have transitioned to smaller and lighter pistols to CCW I believe at first they will go with the high caps as a sign of relief, but will soon go back to the smaller lighter guns they have gotten used to for the sake of comfort.

 

[Oleg Volk]

Personally, I started with compact 9s...training forced me to carry full-size guns (mainly G17) because of their improved utility. So I will be looking for 13-17 round mags for my 9-40-10-45 pistols.

 

[Ric]

I think in the ten years of the ban there have been a lot of advancements in bullet design and construction (maybe a by-product of the ban itself) so the "wondernine" may be a lot better option than it was before.

wondernine - ban - better ammo partly because of ban - ban lifted - wondernine with better ammo

not a bad progression of you ask me

 

[BryanP]

I have never owned a 9mm of any flavor. Before this week is over I will own a Hi Power.

Granted, standard capacity mags for the HP have never been in short supply. I've already got a pair of 15 rounders in the desk drawer at home waiting for it.

 

[Oracle]

Oleg, I've had a similar progression. I used to primarily carry a compact 9mm, but since getting more training and realizing the value of a full-size gun, I've been carrying my G17 pretty much full-time. My G26 has been relegated to backup duty.

 

[41mag]

I have wonder nines,I like wonder nines,& I want more wonder nines.

Even if Ruger (example) were to restrict sales of normal mags to leos who's to say that the ginormous distributor doesn't funnel some of them to the retailers?There are only so many distributors,yes?They(Ruger) can't say no to all of them.I mean really,the Manufacturers don't want their guns used to commit crimes but they still might be right?IOWs,they can't control what the end user does w/the product.

I also hope that the Miami Vice "look"comes back into vogue.I miss my pink shirts & white suits.But,umm,that's another story.

 

[agtman]

Truthfully, "hi-cap" mags for 9mm pistols never really went anywhere. Although their prices increased after the '94 ban (and that varied depending on the gun), there were still enough around for most 9mm models that you could still get them.

OTOH, hi-cap mags for the big-bore autoloaders (.40, 10mm & 45) became very scarce during the "dark years" and, consequently, prices for these became exorbitant. For example, new-in-the-bag mags for the Glock 20 (10mm/15-rds) & 21 (.45/13-rds) were well over $100.

We should begin to see reasonably soon the availability of over-10-rd mags for existing pistols in .40s, 45s (maybe CZ can squeeze an extra 3 rds into the standard mag of a CZ-97) and 10mms (like the 10mm Witness, whose "standard" mag actually hold 14rds) - unless a particular maker voluntarily restricts its over-10-rd mags to LEOs/LEAs as a matter of company policy (e.g., Ruger).

 

[Oracle]

I saw prices of over $100 per mag for Glock 17 mags last year. Yes, there were guns out there that still had relatively inexpensive mags available, but for a whole lot of guns, including 9mm's, 3 or 4 mags could easily equal the price of the gun. That's ridiculous, IMHO, and I'm glad that's at an end.

 

[kbellis3]

Other have already stated it better, the wonder 9's have given way to other wonder cartridges, or people have found that they like the single stacked .45's.

I know that myself, when I bought my Springfield I had considered a P-14, P-12, and a G-21. But I went with the Sprinfield because the 7 or 8 round magazines availability would not become an issue.

Now that the ban is on the ash heap of history I am considering a P-12 again, the only thing that gioves me pause is no matter how legal the 12 round magazine for the P-12, it will still be harder to find in BFE middle of nowhere American, the 7 round colt or Kimber or CMC mags will not be.

Also I just recieved another Delta Force Catalog today, they are advertising the G-19 and G-22 New In Bag Pre Ban Drop Free Mags for the bargain prices of $179.95 and $175.95

What 's more I am reading the Sportsman Guide Catalog ad for replacement mag bodies, with the warning that it is illegal to use the mag bodies and spring kit to assemble new High Cap Mags. Reading it now is just well funny, only not.

I will be buying some of the soon to be collectors item post ban mags marked LEO or Military only. Cause, hell ya, it now legal for me to own post ban semi auto rifles and mags marked for LEOs or Military only. see ATF flier.


Kyle

 

[Nick96]

Actually, I have all the "wonder - whatevers" I want. I'm hoping the expiration of the AWB will drive up the demand for high caps - and drive down the cost of revolvers & under 10 round single stack autos.

Think of it - a nice new S&W 686 for under $400. A new Ruger GP100 for under $300. ALL the S&W J Frame .38's brand new for under $350.

 

[Bainx]

With the additon of the S&W M59 mag, my Keltec P11 just became a wondernine!

 

[buzz_knox]

Glock will not restrict sales of their mags because civilian sales are their life blood. Historically, Glock has made sweetheart deals with LE agencies because they recognize that the American public tends to buy what they see in the holsters of the police. So, Glock is willing to make a smaller return (or even take a hit) on their LE sales in order to increase their civilian (and thus overall) sales massively.

Besides, Glock has already announced that next month, pistols will ship with std-capacity mags where allowed by law.