Why no new, old revolvers?

[Cowboy011]

A good comparison between SASS shooters, USPSA, ICORE etc shooters head to head is Steel Challenge. No power factors, 5 rounds per string. Simply draw and shoot 5 targets. Steel challenge has a strong cowboy shooting contingent.

 

[Sam1911]

USPSA has a revolver division. The revolver guys and gals don't win the overall (even Jerry) but some of them do very well. This is really a better comparison then the SASS shooters vs USPSA as the USPSA revolver shooter still have to meet power factors and they must reload after 6 shots. The SASS guns can't practically be reloaded on the clock. I shoot SASS as well as USPSA, these games are simply too different to compare head to head.

I understand what you're saying and I agree with you. But the original point that Lonerider357 was making is that he and his pals show up in period gear and using 19th-century guns (levers, SA revolvers, etc.) and beat the cops who are using their Glocks or M&Ps. In an equipment race, that makes it look like the autos are no advantage. I was simply changing WHO is behind the trigger to illustrate, the presumed obvious fact, that a competant shooter can do more, faster with an auto in most cases.

I really don't think the cowboy-fart loads vs. full-power loads have that much to do with it. I've shot power factors from in the low 100s to well over 200 in competition. It makes a difference, and could win or lose a match at some levels, but it would never make anywhere as much difference to your times as having to reload 2x or 3x as often.

 

[Bastiat's The Law]

Yep, it didn't take me long and I didn't find it all that hard either. It only took a couple hundred rounds and dry firing to get it down to the point that it is second nature to me now.

Which brings up another point: With a double action revolver, one can do most of his practice dry fire and at home, and it's almost as beneficial as the same amount of trigger time at the range with live rounds. You cannot say that about any other modern platform in a self-defense handgun, as you'd develop dangerous motor memory if you tried, such as recocking the hammer, or racking the slide, after dry firing each round.

 

[BCRider]

A good comparison between SASS shooters, USPSA, ICORE etc shooters head to head is Steel Challenge. No power factors, 5 rounds per string. Simply draw and shoot 5 targets. Steel challenge has a strong cowboy shooting contingent.

One of my local clubs has a monthly Speed Steel match of the same style. 5 targets to keep it revolver friendly. I shoot it with about half and half revolver and semi.

I gotta tell you though, it's a mighty strong incentive to buck up and make sure you hold, aim and squeeze juuuuuuuust right when you get an early miss and that one shot "safety net" suddenly has a hole in it....

 

[marv]

As you age you become "recoil sensitive". Trust me, if you live long enough it Will happen. You can load your centerfire revo down till it shoots like a .22 and still enjoy shooting. Try that with your semi-auto and you will have a single shot.

 

[NMGonzo]

Don't matter what you carry.

Is the size of the fight in the guy that counts.

 

[Checkman]

Prices on used revolvers are in the stratosphere? Not really. You just have to spend some time shopping around and be willing to take your time. Also it helps if you can pay cash instead of using a credit card. Dealers will usually drop a little off the sticker price if you have cash.

For example:



Colt .38 Trooper. Manufactured in 1960. In excellent shape both cosmetically and mechanically. Basically a short barreled Officer Model Match. Has an action the equal to any Python I've ever handled. Internally it's the same and it also has the tapered bore that makes the Python so accurate. I paid $375.00 for this Trooper approximately two weeks ago. I've seen many a used Glock and Sig going for more that that.

 

[Guillermo]

Great buy Checkman

In the last year, I got a K-22 for $290, a sweet Diamondback for $390, a Cobra for $225.

It is all about taking your time.

 

[JHenry]

i would love if colt started making pythons again

 

[OldCavSoldier]

^^^^^^^^this is the answer

So few people care to buy a quality revolver. If they can sell the crap they sell at premium prices, why spend more to make less?

those of us that care about purchasing good quality revolvers are happy in the used market.

If you shop you can get some great guns.

In the past couple of years I have picked up several Colt and Smith revolvers (4 Diamondbacks, an Officers Target, a K22, a Cobra). The most expensive was cheaper than a "performance" center Smith.

So speaking for myself, due to price considerations, I am happier in the used market than I would be in the new market.

I agree. I have gotten some very nice OLD revolvers (Colts and S&Ws) for far, far less than the cost of a similar new gun. When I add whatever costs of re-bluing or smithing back to original condition, I am STILL out far less than a new gun, plus, I have something with some history.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

"It ain't the size of the dog in the fight....it is the size of the fight in the dog." - old gunner's proverb.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I have very much enjoyed this thread. I took a three year break from shooting revolvers. It obviously wasn't intentional. I was just really into my autos for a while. Well, after a three year break, I was making sure my rifles were tuned in for deer hunting. I picked up my cousin's six inch barreled Taurus. With cheap online .38 reloads, I was hitting beer bottles at 1oo yards. I doubt I could do that right now or any other time with my autos, certainly not with ease. And they are my autos. My point being, I find revolvers way easier to shoot at farther distances.

With that being said, I think the main stream gun manufactures don't duplicate the good old revolvers any more because it would cost them more to do it, then people would be willing to pay. Besides; there are many used still lingering around, and other companies do produce similar goods. I am also happy they do not.

Being in my thirties, I get sick of hearing about how crappy everything is made nowadays and how great everything used to be. Oh, and how much we suck for being different. I am grateful for this for many reasons. I imagine these same style of people, were complaining about tractors and plows as John Deere replaced the mule with much faster, safer and user friendlier equipment. I think we should all hope the gun manufacturers don't rest on "yesterdays" accomplishments and postpone advancements in our time, the same way the Southern Slave owners did everything they could to prevent the railroads from moving in. My next gun will be hopefully be a Glock, the one that changed the world for the better. Thanks again everybody.

 

[nickn10]

Don't take offense out of things people say about things used to be better, for example does a Rolex keep "better" time than a Timex, or a Porsche get you to 7-11 any "better" than a Chevy. I am 70 yrs old and most of my decisions on what is better is based on what I had when I was your age. Pride of ownership shades our preferences. Enjoy what you own and learn how to shoot it well. Your opinion is just as valid as anyone elses.

 

[Sam1911]

Don't take offense out of things people say about things used to be better,...Enjoy what you own and learn how to shoot it well. Your opinion is just as valid as anyone elses.

Nick, I applaud your statement. That is wise counsel.

Sometimes it is difficult not to take offense, though, when some people express their own appreciation of one object by denigrating (successful, modern) alternative designs as "crap" and as "lemmings" those who are so ignorant, cheap, stingy, stupid, tasteless and contemptible as to buy them.

So to your advice not to take offense, I'll add that neither should you GIVE offense in the way you express your own opinions.

 

[Stophel]

Cool Trooper, Checkman! I rarely see Colts for sale at gunshows, and they are generally higher than S&W's (which I often see overpriced too...). Still, I can usually find more common or garden variety S&W's like Model 15's or Model 10's in good enough shape between $300-400. (2" ones are more...and those are the ones I like! ) N frames are more in demand but still not horribly expensive, unless you want a .44 Special...