Why do revolvers cost so much?

[armedindy]

rounds per dollar comparison to typical semi's is ridiculous...i know i know, some of u are gonna say .357 and .44 are SOO superior that it explains the price disparity...but i disagree....why would anyone spend the money on a revolver, when u can get three times as much "bang for ur buck" (if u will) out of a semi auto....my guess is it has something to do with manufacturing prcesses??? anyone? give me one good reason to purchase a revolver

 

[Hawkeye]

Good question - don't know the answer. Both are well established mechanical devices. i would think manufacturing, tolerances and designs are generally well established.

 

[snapping turtle]

Revolvers like anything else are worth what one will spend on one.

If they were in less demand they would be cheaper just like gas. I prefer revolvers but I am old school just don't see much need for high cap pistols as to me a handgun is just to get you to your fighting rifle or shotgun. 8 shots or less is fine with me. I can change out 1911 mags or load up from speed loaders just fine.

 

[Snapdragon]

I purchased a revolver as my first gun because I wanted something simple and reliable to shoot. I was advised that a revolver took fewer steps to operate and was less likely to jam than a semiauto. And, although it was not an issue with me, some women have strength issues that make it difficult to efficiently operate the slide on a SA.

 

[Justin727]

They make for a great BUG. Ive never seen a revolver jam. Personally, the semi autos I consider to be my EDC (G19 / Shield 9mm / LCP for a BUG) have never jammed on me BUT I know a lot of people who carry revolvers as a BUG because of their reliability. I carried a S&W 642-2 for a long time as a BUG... sold it I probably wouldnt carry it as much anymore but still wish I had kept it.
As far as why they cost what they do, I couldnt tell ya and I am curious as well.

 

[SpaldingPM]

I've always wondered the same. It seems as if the opposite would be true; semis costing more than revolvers. Some semi's are much more expensive, but it typically has to do with the demand and the workmanship of them... ie a Wilson 1911 Or even a production SIG p226 mk25. If no one paid the price of these revolvers or these high $ semi autos, the price would inevitably drop, but to some the high $ amount is even the attractive point of the firearm. The more it cost, the better it is in their eyes, even though half of the time that's true haha.

 

[dak109]

My guess would be manufacturing. With the move to polymer pistols, which are much more cost effective to produce, wheel guns have much more machine to be done. The cost of raw materials more than likely comes into play as well. then there is the time it takes to get a revolver in time and tuned, that takes skill which equals more money.

i sure wish they were still as inexpensive as when I bought my first one, I would still be buying them.

 

[Jim McKalip]

Revolvers require a lot more precision work to make sure that all of the chambers on the cylinder line up with the barrel and the cylinder is locked when the pistol is fired. Way back when I lived in Taxachusetts and was friends with both the service manager and the sales manager in Springfield. I had tours of both the manufacturing and service departments and was very impressed with the operation. This was in 1961 - 62 when Smith was a really first class operation.

 

[echoagain]

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. Prices are ultimately tied to manufacturing and material costs. The manufacturing and material costs are not proportional to ammo capacity. A high-quality revolver still has a lot of precise machined parts (made with expensive steel alloys) which costs a lot of money to produce and fit into a finished handgun. Pistols (semi-autos) have also been increasingly adapted to use newer materials (ie polymers) which greatly reduces machining & material costs for a larger portion of their content, driving the cost for at least semi-auto's relatively downward to some degree. In years past, finding a truly reliable semi-auto 'off the shelf' was either a crap-shoot or very expensive, which is probably why revolvers continued to dominate the handgun market until the last few decades. In my humble opinion, the Glock changed all that, and put semi-autos on par (or even better) with revolvers in terms of ruggedness and reliability. The Glock is not longer the 'lone' king of the hill in this regard, but it fundamentally changed the handgun market and industry. Revolvers still get the job done, but in todays market I don't see much reason to buy a revolver unless you were a cowboy shooter, wanted a 'hunting' type round, maybe you just simply liked them, or perhaps there were issues being able to physically manipulate the slide on a pistol. Not knocking revolvers, I still like them, but their mass use for defensive purposes is certainly waning.

 

[BJones]

As has been said, revolvers are more expensive to manufacture. Lots more material and machine work. I still carry a J frame in the front pocket as a backup to my Glock 26. I also have K frame and N frame revolvers that are a hoot to shoot in IDPA and USPSA. I still love my Glocks but Revolvers are just alot of fun!!

 

[bstewrat3]

I really should have thought about this bang for your buck before I dropped $1750 on my single shot Freedom Arms Model 2008. Oh well.

 

[indydrew1]

It's a good question. I don't think machine work is the answer with todays manufacturing processes. I think supply and demand is the answer. Same with Glocks. You will never, ever convince me that a Glock costs more then a $100 to manufacture. Never. But look what the sell for. I would say that the profit margins on a Glock are higher then a S&W or Colt revolver.

 

[indiucky]

The same reason pretty hookers cost more than ugly ones?

 

[Snapdragon]

The same reason pretty hookers cost more than ugly ones?

Indiucky FTW.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

The same reason pretty hookers cost more than ugly ones?

Hooker:

"Escort":

Crack Ho:

 

[45fan]

Hooker:

"Escort":

Crack Ho:

I Prefer Brunets....

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I Prefer Brunets....

 

[Fourtrax]

Revolvers are more expensive because the generation that buys them, grew up with them, and will pay a premium. Plus, they transferred that love to the next generation (mine). So basically, most gun lovers 35 to 40 and up, ....45, 50, 60, and older, grew up hearing that revolvers are great. This was reinforced by actually watching them get used by almost every police department and law agency in the country. In addition to being inundated by Hollywoods depiction in a high percentage of all movies that featured guns, they could look at the hip of their idols, the local law enforcement officer.

So there you go, viola, this is why revolvers are expensive.

 

[fuddus99]

Hahah Crack Ho... that was a perfect comparison.

 

[actaeon277]

I grew up on semi-autos.
But, I bought a S&W model 19.

She's a beauty.
She's great at the range.
I love her trigger.

When I shoot, I understand the cost.