Why are revolvers so expensive?

[titsonritz]

With all the moving parts and complexity of semi autos, why are revolvers 2, 3, even 4x the price?
I don't get it.

First off, you are incorrect in your assessment… revolvers are the ones with "all the moving parts and complexity".

Case in point a Glock 17 has a total of 36 parts including the magazine components.

Glock 17 Semi-Automatic Pistol Schematic | Brownells

Download the Glock 17 Semi-Auto Pistol Schematic to ensure parts and compatibility for gunsmiths and DIYers.

www.brownells.com

A Colt 1911 Government Model, which would be very complex by today's standards has, wait for it…45 total parts.

1911 Government Models Schematic | Brownells

Download the 1911 Government Models Schematic to ensure parts and compatibility for gunsmiths and DIYers.

www.brownells.com

By comparison a S&W K-frame has 91 parts

Smith & Wesson K-Frame Old Style/non-MIM

Check out Smith & Wesson K-Frame Old Style/non-MIM available Online at Brownells Today and many more products are available in our Department.

www.brownells.com

I read somewhere that a revolver has something like 150 different operations in a single firing sequence. The alleged simplicity of revolver is completely misleading. Revolvers are more complex in both mechanical operation and to physically operate as a shooter especially when you take into account reloads and trigger manipulation.

 

[Buddy1211]

I recently looked at an RIA revolver and while it CERTAINLY ain't a S&W or Colt it wasn't too shabby for $219.

I had one of the m200s and my best friend still has his. Both are absolute shooters!

 

[FourTeeFive]

Revolvers are surprisingly hard to make operate properly. As has been mentioned, takes highly skilled labor.

 

[CountryGent]

I'm not sure I completely agree with the premise, because the revolver market still has a range of El Cheapo to Gucci, and points in between. Granted, not nearly as much as in decades past, but there are still wheelguns in the two to four c-note range. I'm not saying necessarily good revolvers at that price point, but they do exist.

That said, probably demand. Many in the gun buying public wanted yet another plastic, striker-fire auto, delivered cheaply, and the market responded. Those that want a revolver nowadays are generally looking for specific features and quality, rather than simply a handheld object that spits out boolets. That and with modern manufacturing techniques, a plastic-fantastic auto that, more or less, works is going to be cheaper to produce than a revolver. An oversimplification, perhaps, but I have to imagine that is what is driving the current market.

 

[DeanMk]

With all the moving parts and complexity of semi autos, why are revolvers 2, 3, even 4x the price?
I don't get it.

Looking for a cheap revolver? Here ya go...

Rock Island Armory M200 Revolver

Rock Island Armory M200 Revolver - The M200 Revolver is ideal for self defense with a 4" semi-shrouded barrel for better accuracy and handling.

www.sportsmans.com

.38 Special, too. Good solid caliber.

 

[MannyGlocks]

And, the M200 is a 6 shooter.

My pricey Ruger SP101 has the anemic capacity of 5.

It's now a 'house gun'...carried 'no where' and it's heavy as a boat anchor.

Wish I hadn't bought it, but I did so about 35 or so years ago and didn't know any better.

 

[Knobgoblin]

And, the M200 is a 6 shooter.

My pricey Ruger SP101 has the anemic capacity of 5.

It's now a 'house gun'...carried 'no where' and it's heavy as a boat anchor.

Wish I hadn't bought it, but I did so about 35 or so years ago and didn't know any better.

Give you a hi-point for it.

 

[MannyGlocks]

No, no, I insist on 'Quat-loos' for payment.

 

[Sporting Systems]

Take a quality all metal semi auto price, base model Sig P226 is about $1000 and compare it to an all metal revolver, a S&W 586 also about $1000. Very similar pricing. Same goes with Injection molded plastic semi auto (Glock 43, about $450) and lightweight/plastic revolvers (ruger LCR 38 about $450)....similar prices. Can find all kind of parallels like this.

Quality takes time and takes better materials.

 

[MannyGlocks]

My Ruger SP101, .357 mag is all SS metal, but I haven't a clue as to it's current worth.

I've probably put all of 15/20 rounds thru it (.38 special's)...and all but one, .357 mag and found the recoil way too much for a pistol...at least for me anyway.

 

[FourTeeFive]

My Ruger SP101, .357 mag is all SS metal, but I haven't a clue as to it's current worth.

I've probably put all of 15/20 rounds thru it (.38 special's)...and all but one, .357 mag and found the recoil way too much for a pistol...at least for me anyway.

It's probably worth more than you think. I bought mine many ages ago I've noticed they just keep going up in price. Also, a lot of people tend to like the older Rugers.

 

[monks]

On the 'flip side' however how/why are some semi autos 2, 3 or four times the price of other 'comparable' semi autos - or revolvers? ?

I have seen these 'Stacatto' brand guns starting at like $2400 and they don't look/appear to be much different than MANY comparable or similar semi autos that are a whole lot less.

It's like having a twelve second drag car compared to an eight second drag car. The eight second one costs a whole lot more for those few seconds. I have a Kimber and a Dan Wesson. The Dan Wesson is double the cost, but shoots the same. The devil is in the details.

 

[Nosferatu]

The devil is in the details.

And the driver.

 

[titsonritz]

My pricey Ruger SP101 has the anemic capacity of 5.

It's now a 'house gun'...carried 'no where' and it's heavy as a boat anchor.

Wish I hadn't bought it, but I did so about 35 or so years ago and didn't know any better.

They are good little guns; I kinda miss mine.

 

[DeanMk]

Looking for a cheap revolver? Here ya go...

Rock Island Armory M200 Revolver

Rock Island Armory M200 Revolver - The M200 Revolver is ideal for self defense with a 4" semi-shrouded barrel for better accuracy and handling.

www.sportsmans.com

.38 Special, too. Good solid caliber.

...another "cheap" revolver. A little more expensive and still .38, but reports are...good bang-for-the-buck...

Taurus 82 Series Revolver

Taurus 82 Series Revolver -A medium frame revolver more than capable of absorbing .38 Special +P rounds through a lifetime of qualifying at the range.

www.sportsmans.com

...and $80 more will get you the "full house" .357 version...

Taurus 65 357 Magnum 4in Black Revolver - 6 Rounds - California Compliant

Taurus 65 Series Revolver -These revolvers are a longtime favorite of security personnel and perfect for Homeland Defense Forces.

www.sportsmans.com

 

[FourTeeFive]

...another "cheap" revolver. A little more expensive and still .38, but reports are...good bang-for-the-buck...

Taurus 82 Series Revolver

Taurus 82 Series Revolver -A medium frame revolver more than capable of absorbing .38 Special +P rounds through a lifetime of qualifying at the range.

www.sportsmans.com

...and $80 more will get you the "full house" .357 version...

Taurus 65 357 Magnum 4in Black Revolver - 6 Rounds - California Compliant

Taurus 65 Series Revolver -These revolvers are a longtime favorite of security personnel and perfect for Homeland Defense Forces.

www.sportsmans.com

I've had a Taurus Model 85 for years. It's the only Taurus I own, and I'm a self-professed gun snob. But I wanted a truck gun years ago and bought it as a cheap gun to leave in the truck in a travel safe. It's a good little gun, and it locks up very nicely, especially compared to a lot of new S&W and others. Never tried a semi auto but I have nothing bad to say about my Taurus revolver.

 

[DeanMk]

I've had a Taurus Model 85 for years. It's the only Taurus I own, and I'm a self-professed gun snob. But I wanted a truck gun years ago and bought it as a cheap gun to leave in the truck in a travel safe. It's a good little gun, and it locks up very nicely, especially compared to a lot of new S&W and others. Never tried a semi auto but I have nothing bad to say about my Taurus revolver.

...and it was about 1/2 the price of the S&W snubbie.
85's were good guns. A lot of people carried them and had similar things to say about them.
Now it's the 856. 6 shot version. Don't hear much about it, but I suppose it's just as good.

 

[titsonritz]

So you just answered your own question. Brand to brand, the polymer pistols will have at the very most 1/2 the amount of metal and machining as the revolvers, plastic costs diddly squat so... There you go. Twice the materials, twice the machining, twice the price as a baseline.

The cost of polymer pistols come from the initial R&R and the molds, once that's done they cost pennies to produce until the mold wears out.

 

[Jay Walk]

Revolvers are like a divorce, worth every penny.

 

[Oxygen Mask]

Revolvers are like a divorce, worth every penny.

Him: I'll buy you diamonds for your birthday.

Her: I don't want diamonds.

Him: I'll buy you that villa in Spain you always wanted.

Her: don't want that villa in Spain.

Him: What do you want?

Her: I want a divorce.

Him: I wasn't planning to spend that much...