Posted on 11/27/2016 6:29:09 PM PST by MtnClimber
2016 looks like it will be a record year for gun sales. The number of NICS background checks for firearm purchases has risen annually for 18 straight months, hitting 22.2 million at the end of October versus 23.1 million in 2015.
Analysts expect Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ:SWHC) and Sturm Ruger (NYSE:RGR) -- the only two publicly traded gunmakers in the U.S. -- to respectively grow their revenues by 26% and 13% this year. Let's take a look back at the five top selling handguns of the year, as listed by Gunbroker.com, and what they tell us about today's American firearm market.
1. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, which was introduced in 2005, is a lightweight, concealable pistol which is encased in a polymer frame. The Shield comes in 9mm, 40 S&W, and .45 full auto calibers, and is widely used by law enforcement and military personnel. The Shield is often praised for its slim profile, ergonomics, ease of use, and overall accuracy. As a striker-fired pistol, it lacks a protruding hammer in the back, making it easier to conceal and carry.
(Excerpt) Read more at fool.com ...
yes, it is so sweet folks don’t know what they’re missing.
After the high capacity mag ban ended, I loaded up on various Mec-Gar’s for the Browning. I ordered them all from CDNN at reasonable prices. I now have everything from Belgian made 13 rounders to a 30 round of unknown origin.
The 30 rounder is well made and reliable. I once showed it to a magazine dealer at a gun show and he agreed it was high quality but did not know who made it either. His best guess was Argentine.
I have a Sig P6, it is a German Police version of the P225, I love it. Recoil is minimal , I consistently get a 5-6in in center of mass.
Mine shows some holster wear spots but the barrel excellent groves.
I prob will get it refinished a some point but I’m in no hurry.
Have you had any experience with the Smith & Wesson M&P line? I recently picked up an M&P 9L Pro C.O.R.E. with 5” bbl. It has the pre-milled slide to accept a red dot optical sight, e.g. Trijicon or Leupold, and the Performance Center trigger. I’d like to try the red dot but they cost almost as much as the gun. ;-) As with most guns, it shoots better than I do.
Both of my Hi-Powers feed everything including some reloads I made around 1969 with a Lee loader.
My first Browning was bought in 1969 from King’s Hardware in DeFuniak Springs. I still remember the price: $104.50. It had a couple of peculiarities, neither of which I blame on the gun.
I once let my best friend’s beautiful bride shoot it with Super Vel 90 grain HPs. She fired a full mag but the last round jammed. That was the one and only jam for that gun. She was about 5 feet tall and probably weighed 100 pounds. I am pretty sure her very light grip affected the gun.
Also I once bought several hundred rounds of surplus 9mm. The stuff was hot and Berdan primed. I used it as plinking ammo.
One day my Nephew and I decided to shoot up the whole lot. We used a Beretta model 92 and the Hi-Power. The Beretta was an early model with the mag release on the bottom left and a 1911 style safety. It also had a very heavy double action.
Well the Browning would fail to fire about 50 percent of the time, but fire every single time on the second strike. The Beretta was 100 percent. I am sure the Beretta had a really strong hammer spring.
The Browning never failed to ignite any other ammo on the first strike so I blame the ammo instead of the gun.
Only Smith center-fire semi I’ve had was a model 39 and that was 30 plus years ago. I don’t like polymer frame pistols and especially don’t like striker fired. Not saying they’re bad, just not for me.
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