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Jay Cunningham
04-03-2011, 09:14 AM
If you had to make a (hopefully) educated guess as to the top 5 most common semi-auto handguns found in the US, what would they be? This excludes small handguns - I am referring to 9mm through .45 acp.

If you had to make yourself a representative "reference collection" of 5 semi-auto handguns, which would you choose?

jetfire
04-03-2011, 09:28 AM
Obviously excluding .22s, I'd have to pick based on what I see at the range. Just doing that, I'd make the following list.

1. Glock
2. Some kind of 1911*
3. Springfield XD family
4. M&P
5. Some kind of DA/SA auto.

After 4, it starts to get hazy. I don't often see a lot of Sigs or Berettas at the range, but I know they're out there.

*This one I kind if have to qualify as well - the problem with just saying "1911" is that there is no way to tell if the guy's 1911 is an awesome GI Springfield or a POS Filipino slag gun, so they all sort of get lumped together.

jetfire
04-03-2011, 09:32 AM
Tapatalk doesn't let me edit, so I'll add this. That list is guns in private hands, not cop guns. If you count guns in LE and military holsters the list would look more like this.

1. Glock
2. M&P
3. Sig P226/229
4. Beretta M9

The M9 only makes the list because of the military, I don't know of any agencies other than LASD that still issue them.

Jay Cunningham
04-03-2011, 09:42 AM
I am interested in LEO guns, but the actual stats are available on who carries what. It doesn't matter to me if we are talking custom $7000 1911s or $400 1911s - they function the same way, shoot the same ammo, take the same magazines and fit in the same holsters - so "1911" works for me.

3-7-77
04-03-2011, 10:25 AM
My top 5 LEO guns as seen on the range:

Glock (usually .40, then .45 followed by 9mm)
1911 (usually Kimber, followed by Springfield)
M&P (.40 and .45)
Sig (.40 and .45)
XD (.45 and .40)

willowofwisp
04-03-2011, 10:47 AM
Glock
Sig 226/229
Smith wesson m&p
Hk USP
Tie between xd and m9.

I wouldn't think that many state agencies carry the 1911.

JDM
04-03-2011, 10:55 AM
Whoops. You're asking about the civilian market not LE.
-XD
-Taurus
-Glock
-1911(usually junk)
-Ruger

Then:
"something else cheap, but 'just as good' because they don't know and don't care" IE bersas, CZ clones like EAA etc

I wouldn't want this collection. Ha.

Jay Cunningham
04-03-2011, 10:56 AM
Just wanted to reiterate in case I wasn't clear - I'm looking for opinions on what average citizens are packing in their night stands and in their holsters. Not "gun guys" but average joes.

JodyH
04-03-2011, 10:56 AM
From 7 years of instructing concealed carry classes, range observations and local CCW matches.
These are the top 5 mid and full sized pistols, in order of popularity:
Taurus
Springfield XD
Glock
1911
Ruger

Among more "educated" shooters in advanced classes and in IDPA/IPSC matches the "Big 3" are:
Glock
M&P
1911

Jay Cunningham
04-03-2011, 11:49 AM
What models Ruger and Taurus?

Joe in PNG
04-03-2011, 02:14 PM
In no real order:
-Some kind of 1911
-Glock
-Ruger P-95
-XD
-High Point

JodyH
04-03-2011, 02:47 PM
What models Ruger and Taurus?
Usually one of the polymer versions in .40 caliber.
Honestly I don't pay enough attention to the Ruger/Taurus model lineups to recognize them on sight.
I just know that the Taurus's usually break or malfunction and the Ruger's have horrible triggers and small stiff oddly located safety levers.

SecondsCount
04-03-2011, 04:52 PM
With quite a bit of time spent at the range, both as a shooter and an RO, not necessarily in order-

Glock in 9mm or 40, rarely do I see a 45. The 19 and 22 seem to be the most popular.

Taurus, mostly Milleniums. Some run great but most do not. I have not seen a Judge at the range yet for some reason.

S&W. A sprinkling of Sigma's, a few M&P's, and a ton of revolvers.

Springfield XD. These are pretty popular and novice shooters rave about them but every one I have seen in a class seems to have issues.

Rugers in all calibers including 380. The LCP has gotten really popular and the SR9 is gaining ground.

The 1911 is by far the most popular. Springfield, Kimber, and Taurus seem to make up most of the ones I see with a sprinkling of RIA and Colt. Springfield 1911s seem to run well while Kimber and Taurus have the most issues.

Kel-Tec. Lots of them and none of them seem to be that reliable from what I have seen, even the little carbine.

Sig and Beretta seem to be losing ground. It is pretty rare that I see a Beretta, and Sig only once in a while.

Yesterday must have been HK day at the range because I saw a ton of them, mostly the USP.

Jay Cunningham
04-03-2011, 05:31 PM
Thanks much. Did want to limit this discussion to semi-autos, though.

jetfire
04-03-2011, 05:41 PM
That does remind me, I see a tonne of XDs in .45 ACP. For whatever reason that gun seems to show up at the range a lot, and as mentioned above almost always in the hands of new shooters.

MD7305
04-03-2011, 06:22 PM
One of my buddies has a gun shop and I help him out fromt time to time. In my experience there and what I see at the range I would rate the following as most popular in my area, not listed in any particular order.


-Glock - mostly 17, 19, 22, 23
-Springfield XDs - XDMs specifically
-1911 - Springfield, RAA, Colt <$800
-Taurus - 24/7 Series .40 & .45
-The 5th category is hard to narrow down but based on numbers I would say Hi-Point, in .45.

There are some S&W M&Ps, Beretta PX4s and 92s, HK P30s, and a Sig 226/220/229 that seem to sell but based on numbers and frequency the above list is pretty much it.

On the local range all I ever see is Glock, S&W M&P, and 1911s. I'm usually the only guy shooting a Sig.

JDM
04-03-2011, 06:24 PM
That does remind me, I see a tonne of XDs in .45 ACP. For whatever reason that gun seems to show up at the range a lot, and as mentioned above almost always in the hands of new shooters.

Because "Bubba's Guns" politely explained that the only viable handgun caliber is .45 and the $650
XDm is way better then that Glock with no safety.

jar
04-03-2011, 06:31 PM
The laws in MA limit what's readily available, so that skews the stats here a bit. I'd say I see:
1 M&Ps
2 Glocks
3 1911s
4 Sigs
5 Ruger SR9 or Beretta 92

XDs are very rare, because they're not on our "approved firearms roster". Being in the know enough to work around this tends to lead to being in the know enough not to buy an XD.

Jay Cunningham
04-03-2011, 06:50 PM
Good info, thanks. Interesting to see some differences depending upon which state we're talking about.

Suvorov
04-03-2011, 10:11 PM
I RSO in the San Francisco Bay Area. My general observations are that Glock are by far the most common/popular pistol. This is followed by a 1911 of some sorts. Positions 2 and 3 are most likely Sig and Beretta respectively. The 5th spot is harder to figure, Ruger Ps are common, M&Ps are getting more popular as time goes as are XDs and HKs are pretty well represented.

A general observation about the bay area is that people love high dollar things (the parking lot always has a few BMWs, Mercedes, and the like) and this extends to guns. The bay area being what it is, tends not to have as much "bubba factor" than a place like Houston. Of course, this doesn't mean that they shoot any better.

TCinVA
04-04-2011, 06:58 AM
Based on my trips to the local ranges:

Hi-Points
Ruger DA/SA semi-autos
Various Taurus semi-autos
XD's
Glocks

...in roughly that order. It isn't real pretty, but it's real.

Pistol Shooter
04-04-2011, 11:40 AM
One pistol that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Kahr.

In addition to the Glocks, Rugers, XD's, etc. I see quite a few of these at my local range.

Maybe the Kahrs I've seen were in the suggested 300 rd. break-in period but I wasn't impressed with their reliability.

dookie1481
04-06-2011, 12:05 AM
Based on my limited experience, mostly from IDPA matches, it would be:

1. Glock
2. 1911
3. XD
4. Sig
5. Ruger

ABC
04-06-2011, 07:49 AM
In my area (East Central Indiana) I would say:

1. Glock
2. 1911, most look to be Kimbers
3. Taurus
4. M&P series
5. Hi- Point

According to the local shops XDs sell really well, but I've only seen one on the range.

Jay Cunningham
04-06-2011, 07:51 AM
I think I'm starting to see a trend, fellas.

part-time shooter
04-06-2011, 08:28 AM
The indoor range I frequent the most has a fairly large rental selection so most of what you see on the range never leaves the range.

1 - Glock 17s and 22s probably account for 50-60% of what I see being shot on a given day
2 - S&W/Taurus 357's with 38 wadcutters - I normally don't give the wheel guns much attention so I'm not sure which is more prevalent
3 - XDs of some flavor usually in 9mm
4 - 1911 clones - never high end guns from what I can tell, you can always tell the 1911s as the shooters will be spending more time messing with the gun than shooting it.
5 - HK USPs - from the rental counter I'm pretty sure

I've rarely seen other HKs, Berettas, M&Ps other than mine, Sigs, or Kahrs on the range. I've also never seen a Hi-point on the range.

Jason
04-06-2011, 10:23 AM
In NOVA things seem a little different:

1. Glock
2. Sigs (all types mostly classic derivations)
3. 1911's (mostly Kimber)
4. HK - All types
5. S&W M&P and revolvers of all varieties.
6. Lots of 22's mostly rugers.

And lets not forget the J frame, probably one of the most commonly owned but not taken to the range amongst shooters and non-shooters alike.

Jay Cunningham
04-06-2011, 01:04 PM
Again, let's stick to semi-autos please! 9mm through .45acp!

Occam's Razor
04-06-2011, 01:31 PM
In the Denver Metro seems to be

Glock 9mm's
1911's
Springfield XDm - again with a lot of the newer shooters
S&W M&P
Sig 226/229

Surprisingly not a lot of HK's seen, except for the one I wish I hadn't sold of course.

mongooseman
04-06-2011, 07:47 PM
I work Saturdays behind a gun counter in South Georgia.

1: Glock in 9mm and .40
2: Springfield XDm"s, mainly .40's and 45's
3: 1911's from RIA to Colt
4: Hi Points 9, 40 & 45
5: Ruger's, Berettas, SIG's, S&W SD, M&P's and H&K's,

The Smith & Wesson SD's both 9 and .40, seem to hit the sweet spot in terms of size, price, and features. We've had about 10 that have left the story in a hurry. Down here in humidity land, pocket pistols and revolvers are king. Ruger .380 is without question the best seller followed by Smith bodyguard revolver. Can't keep those, either.

m91196
04-09-2011, 07:14 AM
At S &W club matches (40 miles west of jar) :

Glock
M&P
1911
One or two every match-
Sig
XD
Ruger
Taurus
THis is the CT shooter influence at these matches.


The laws in MA limit what's readily available, so that skews the stats here a bit. I'd say I see:
1 M&Ps
2 Glocks
3 1911s
4 Sigs
5 Ruger SR9 or Beretta 92

XDs are very rare, because they're not on our "approved firearms roster". Being in the know enough to work around this tends to lead to being in the know enough not to buy an XD.

EricP
04-09-2011, 05:08 PM
Far and away the most frequent I see in southern New Hampshire:

Glock
1911 running from Taurus to Wilson


Further down the road, but still in the top five:

M&P
Sig (New Hampshire thing)
H&K*

*I'm not sure why, but I've seen a lot 3rd Gen Smith autos lately. Enough that they were a close rival to the H&Ks.

Chuck Haggard
04-10-2011, 03:26 PM
At the range around here; Glocks, XDs, Ruger pistols and revolvers, 1911s, J frames, Kel Tecs

PD ranges; Glock 22s, Glock 21s, a very few Sigs and a couple of XDs

Merchant Guard quals; XDs, Glocks, S&W .38 revolvers of various model#

On the street; Lorcins, High Points, Ruger pistols, Taurus pistols, XDs, a few Glocks

ADK
04-10-2011, 06:09 PM
Maybe this would help?

http://www.atf.gov/statistics/afmer/

Lon
04-18-2011, 12:06 PM
From teaching CCW classes in the buckeye state for 7 years, I'd say these are the most popular:

1. Glock
2. HiPoint
3. XD
4. S&W (Sigma and M&P)
5. Tie b/t 1911, Sig, Ruger

skyugo
04-18-2011, 07:18 PM
what i see most often at the range:
glock
XD
various sigs (226 and 229?)
380 mouseguns-kel tec and occasionally bersas
1911's- definitely.
j-frames (usually some poor girl who's not really into guns but has been convinced that a light revolver is ideal for female defensive uses....)

not a super decisive list but that's my observation...

Plan
04-19-2011, 07:40 AM
Glock - most commonly the 9mm and .40 variaties
M&P - Typically I see a large number of these... Might have something to do with the fact that a lot of the larger police agencies in my area (southeast USA) have transitioned to M&P's.
1911 - all types, but I see a lot of Kimbers.
Ruger - usually P90, P94
Hi-Point - this sort of exemplifies the larger-caliber side of the POS pistol genre (otherwise Hi-Point might lose out to Jennings or any of the other cheap pocket pistols that I more commonly see on the range.)

Corey
04-19-2011, 05:06 PM
I work a second job at one of the biggest gun dealers in Utah by volume of sales. Lot's of customers that are "non-gun" people looking for their first gun or something to keep in the house "just in case". Looking at Semi-Auto's 9mm and larger it looks like this around here:
1. Springfield XD, .40 and .45 mostly.
2. Taurus Millenium Pro, about even between 9, .40, and .45
3. Smith and Wesson Sigma, about twice as many in .40 than in 9mm. Starting to sell more of the HD now, about same split between calibers.
4. Glock, Lot's of 23's, 26's, and 27's.
5. Ruger, SR9 and SR40, but we still move a lot of P-models.

If you included .380's and revolvers the list would look quite different. On the other hand, some people do learn from experience as shown by our used gun case where there is an entire shelf of Ruger LCP's and LCR's and another shelf of Springfield XD's. All are almost NIB.

Rappahannock
04-22-2011, 03:24 PM
Not a peep about the Browning High Power - not a whiff, not a smidgen.

I must be the only geriatric dinosaur who regularly shoots one of these things.

JV_
04-22-2011, 03:38 PM
Not a peep about the Browning High Power - not a whiff, not a smidgen.

I hit the range 2X / week, if I see 1 per month, I'm shocked.

Aray
04-23-2011, 03:26 PM
Not a peep about the Browning High Power - not a whiff, not a smidgen.

I must be the only geriatric dinosaur who regularly shoots one of these things.

I used my Silver Chrome in the inaugural AFHF in PA back in '08 and used it in IDPA for 2 years. It is now a fond memory. It caused a bit of a stir, "Look, a steel gun that ran fine and didn't break."

Tamara
04-23-2011, 09:16 PM
Just wanted to reiterate in case I wasn't clear - I'm looking for opinions on what average citizens are packing in their night stands and in their holsters. Not "gun guys" but average joes.

The guns that show up at the range or matches the most are not necessarily the best sellers, by that criteria.

My info is a couple years out of date, but still, I'll bet that in raw sales numbers (and in no particular order):

1)Glock
2)Ruger P-series
3)S&W Sigma
4)Hi-Point
5)Taurus Millennium

The latter four are very, very popular, but Hi-Points, Sigmas and, to a lesser extent, Millenniums, are just not bought by the kind of people who can afford to blow $100 a month on range trips. They go to the range once or maybe twice a year after their initial CCW course, and spend a lot of time sitting in sock drawers and glove boxes as Ballistic Lucky Rabbits' Feet.

BWT
04-24-2011, 11:15 AM
Glocks
Ruger Pistols
Springfields XD's
Smith and Wesson's (Not necessarily M&P's)
1911's

Here's the logic I apply, since you're asking, most people I don't think spend a whole lot of time exploring options, they go with what they see cops, movies, friends and gun store employees use.

They're probably really hesitant to spend the 400-500$ already on a pistol, so they buy what's recommended.

Those are the widest spread brands, and I don't consider 1911's really that new of a purchase for most gun owners, but I figure the amount of Middle-Aged Former military, and Senior citizens, etc, people that have inherited pistols, etc. the 1911 is probably still pretty "out there", and I'd say that's proven by the amount of manufacturers that are working their way into that market (Ruger), also consider how long the gun's been out there so the amount in circulation. (ETA: or bought it because they used it, etc.)

I'd say most handguns are probably $300-500 in night stands.

I'd say Glock is probably number one, or something that someone sold to them that was "just as good". I'd say the same logic applies to guns, cars, computers, whatever.

Just being honest.

SecondsCount
10-11-2011, 11:55 AM
Somebody posted Buds gunshop top selling firearms in 2011 on another forum this morning-

1. Mosin-Nagant M91/30 7.62X54R for $109 DELIVERED
2. New Ruger LCP .380 for $289 DELIVERED
3. S&W Sigma SW9VE 9mm Black/Stainless for $289 DELIVERED
4. S&W Sigma SW40VE .40SW Black/Stainless for $289 DELIVERED
5. Ruger LC9 7+1 9mm Bl 3 dot Adj Sts for $340 DELIVERED
6. Bushmaster CAR15 223 16 BSH REDD DOT for $699 DELIVERED
7. Hi-Point 34510 45ACP/P 45ACP 9RD POLYMEER for $177 DELIVERED
8. Ruger SR9c 9mm Compact Black for $398 DELIVERED
9. Taurus 24/7-9SSP17 9MM PRO SS for $375 DELIVERED
10. Ruger 22/45 Mark III 22LR 5.5" Blued ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS for $259 DELIVERED

While it may not be statistically relevant because Buds probably pushes some models more than others, I found it to be interesting, and yes- they are not all semi-autos ;)

JonInWA
10-11-2011, 03:34 PM
In my personal experience in the Pacific Northwest, primarily derived from participating in IDPA and steel plate matches, I most commonly tend to see:

-Glock (usually 9mm, followed by .45 and .40 varients);

-Springfield XD (usually 9mm);

-1911 (usually 5" Government types, ranging from Asian clones, out-of the-box domestic standard production guns, domestic semi-custom guns)

-Smith & Wesson M&Ps (usually full-size 9mm);

-SIG-Sauer P-Series (usually P226, P239, P229)

I relatively rarely see HKs, Browning/FN Hi-Powers, Rugers, or Berettas. I'm a bit surprised that HK doesn't have a more popular showing out here, but I think that it may be limited to the perception of a disproportionate cost-to-results ratio, combined with satisfaction with other lower-cost alternatives (i.e., Glock, M&P, and it hurts me to say it, but in all fairness, XD). HK's spotty aftermarket support reputation (covering both service and spare magazine/component availability), along with the relative complexity of their guns (especially versus Glock), relatively mediocre out-of-the-box triggerpulls (requiring relatively expensive aftermarket ministrations) may also be determinate factors.

Best, Jon

Gunfolks
10-11-2011, 03:36 PM
In order

1911
Glock
Ruger P series
Taurus Millenium Pro series
Springfield XD or XDM
Sig 226
Beretta 92
Smith Sigma
Taurus 24/7
Bersa Thunder .380
Smith M&P
Kel Tec PF9
HK USP
Hi Point
Ruger SR series
FNP

theblacknight
10-11-2011, 05:01 PM
Maybe im just hanging with the cool kids, but I;ve never seen a hi point gun in person.

jetfire
10-11-2011, 05:22 PM
Maybe im just hanging with the cool kids, but I;ve never seen a hi point gun in person.

So I guess you don't get out much then, because you see Hi Points at gun ranges, gun shows, and I've even had one turn up in a class I took.

Al T.
10-11-2011, 06:27 PM
Jay, I have a slightly different perspective. For the last 6 years or so, my LGSs (x 2) get handguns seized by police departments from all over the state.

Top three:

Hi Points, Ruger P series, Taurus autochuckers of various flavors

Next three:

Various wheel guns, Bersa .380s, S&W Sigmas

Rest:

Various forms of junk, oddball guns and C&R relics.

If you'd like, I make be able to grab a few of the lists for a bit better break down as to exact brands and models.

theblacknight
10-13-2011, 01:24 PM
So I guess you don't get out much then, because you see Hi Points at gun ranges, gun shows, and I've even had one turn up in a class I took.

I shoot comps 3 weekends out of the month atleast. I've never seen a hi point.

I see M&Ps,glocks,sigs,1911s,berettas, the ocastional CZ and XD.

Maybe when I move back to indiana, ill come down to indy, I'm from ft wayne.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

Jay Cunningham
10-13-2011, 01:41 PM
If you had to make a (hopefully) educated guess as to the top 5 most common semi-auto handguns found in the US, what would they be? This excludes small handguns - I am referring to 9mm through .45 acp.

If you had to make yourself a representative "reference collection" of 5 semi-auto handguns, which would you choose?

Just wanted to repost the original because there was a bit of drift going on.

jetfire
10-13-2011, 01:49 PM
-derp stupid tapatalk

Al T.
10-14-2011, 06:33 AM
If you had to make yourself a representative "reference collection" of 5 semi-auto handguns, which would you choose?

Ruger P95/P89

Glock 9mm/.40

Taurus Millennium Pro

Hi Point

S&W 3rd gen - 59xx series

Long tom coffin
10-14-2011, 10:48 AM
Obviously excluding .22s, I'd have to pick based on what I see at the range. Just doing that, I'd make the following list.

1. Glock
2. Some kind of 1911*
3. Springfield XD family
4. M&P
5. Some kind of DA/SA auto.

After 4, it starts to get hazy. I don't often see a lot of Sigs or Berettas at the range, but I know they're out there.

*This one I kind if have to qualify as well - the problem with just saying "1911" is that there is no way to tell if the guy's 1911 is an awesome GI Springfield or a POS Filipino slag gun, so they all sort of get lumped together.


I like Caleb's idea of using what you see at the range. Here's the list at what I see at the two ranges I frequent the most:

1) Glock (by far. Usually either 19's or 23s. at the Local LEO frequented range, 22's are more common)
2) M&P
3) 1911's, usually either Kimber or Springers, as both ranges have lots of them in stock
4) Sig Sauer! Several local police departments ran with sigs until recently, before switching to others, so the local market has alot of used, high quality Sigs in it.
5) Believe it or not, the new FN FNX. The ranges I go to are the two biggest in the area, and both are heavily promoting the FNX line. Within the past 2 months both have had FN dealer days with some pretty decent deals on FNX pistols, and alot were sold, so more guys in my area are running with the FNX line.


XD's aren't tremendously popular here. I have a buddy who has one, but he actually rarely carries, only when he "feels the need for it". Other than that, last time I saw an XD was at the Ultimate Defense range where some guy had one in a SERPA. Lol.

TCinVA
10-14-2011, 12:33 PM
According to Bud's Gunshop (high-volume internet dealer) here's their top selling firearms:

1. Mosin-Nagant M91/30 7.62X54R
2. New Ruger LCP .380
3. S&W Sigma SW9VE 9mm Black/Stainless
4. S&W Sigma SW40VE .40SW Black/Stainless
5. Ruger LC9 7+1 9mm Bl 3 dot Adj Sts
6. Bushmaster CAR15 223 16 BSH REDD DOT
7. Hi-Point 34510 45ACP/P 45ACP 9RD POLYMEER
8. Ruger SR9c 9mm Compact Black
9. Taurus 24/7-9SSP17 9MM PRO SS
10. Ruger 22/45 Mark III 22LR 5.5" Blued ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS
11. Ruger SR9c 9mm Compact
12. Rock Island Armory GI M1911A1 Mil Spec .45
13. Mossberg Tactical 22LR Adjustable Stock 25rd Magazine
14. Kahr Arms 7 + 1 Round 9MM w/3.5" Barrel/Polymer/Stainless
15. Taurus M1911 45 Stainless W/Gold Highlights

Overall, a fairly depressing list.

JDM
10-14-2011, 01:29 PM
Really. A Taurus 1911 with gold highlights.

peterb
10-14-2011, 01:34 PM
Caleb had some good words for the SR9c when he tested one a while back. What's the general impression now that they've been out for a while? Somewhere above Taurus but below Glock/M&P/HK?

Comedian
10-14-2011, 08:22 PM
According to Bud's Gunshop (high-volume internet dealer) here's their top selling firearms:

1. Mosin-Nagant M91/30 7.62X54R
2. New Ruger LCP .380
3. S&W Sigma SW9VE 9mm Black/Stainless
4. S&W Sigma SW40VE .40SW Black/Stainless
5. Ruger LC9 7+1 9mm Bl 3 dot Adj Sts
6. Bushmaster CAR15 223 16 BSH REDD DOT
7. Hi-Point 34510 45ACP/P 45ACP 9RD POLYMEER
8. Ruger SR9c 9mm Compact Black
9. Taurus 24/7-9SSP17 9MM PRO SS
10. Ruger 22/45 Mark III 22LR 5.5" Blued ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS
11. Ruger SR9c 9mm Compact
12. Rock Island Armory GI M1911A1 Mil Spec .45
13. Mossberg Tactical 22LR Adjustable Stock 25rd Magazine
14. Kahr Arms 7 + 1 Round 9MM w/3.5" Barrel/Polymer/Stainless
15. Taurus M1911 45 Stainless W/Gold Highlights

Overall, a fairly depressing list.

The highlighted firearms, are all that i would steer a newbie, AWAY from.

Comedian
10-14-2011, 08:25 PM
The guns that show up at the range or matches the most are not necessarily the best sellers, by that criteria.

My info is a couple years out of date, but still, I'll bet that in raw sales numbers (and in no particular order):

1)Glock
2)Ruger P-series
3)S&W Sigma
4)Hi-Point
5)Taurus Millennium

The latter four are very, very popular, but Hi-Points, Sigmas and, to a lesser extent, Millenniums, are just not bought by the kind of people who can afford to blow $100 a month on range trips. They go to the range once or maybe twice a year after their initial CCW course, and spend a lot of time sitting in sock drawers and glove boxes as Ballistic Lucky Rabbits' Feet.

Wise words, considering the Bud's Gun shop list.

frankepc
10-14-2011, 08:27 PM
Well I'm a cop working the North Dade area (north/east Miami) and the most common guns I come across on the CCW crowd are the glock usually in .40 or 9mm. The glock 23 and the 17 seem to be the most common. After that the most common guns I find in people’s houses are usually ruger revolvers/p89/p95. The local security guards at the shady strip clubs are usually carrying either a sigma or one of the M&P models. The G license crowd must have some sort of deal with Smith & Wesson. I rarely see anything in .45acp and 1911's are not the norm in my neck of the woods. The lack of 1911 or other high maintenance steel guns is probably due to the fact that even bad guys that can shoot don’t like to clean or maintain their guns. This is just from my limited experience; I’ve only been working as a PO for about two years now.

Nephrology
10-16-2011, 07:33 PM
From my days in the Pacific Northwest, Portland metro area IPSC club -

1. Glocks (duh), 9mm predominantly
2. Springfield XDs
3. 1911 of some stripe
4. S&W M&P
5. SIG

Havent gone shooting that much since I moved out to CT but the list is probably pretty similar I'd guess.

Wheeler
10-16-2011, 08:55 PM
At the local IDPA matches:

Glocks
1911's
XD
Sigs
Ruger P series

At the local pin match/pseudo tactical match:

1911's
Glocks
Ruger P series
Beretta 92's
Ruger SR series

Perhaps this question has already been asked and I missed it and the answer; Why semi-auto's only?

Tamara
10-17-2011, 01:52 PM
Wise words, considering the Bud's Gun shop list.

I'd like to think I stayed awake at least some of the fifteen years I spent behind the counter. ;)

Everybody talking about "This is what I see CCW'ers shooting at the range" seems to forget that that represents maybe a quarter or less of the gun-buying populace. When you start talking about what you see at an IDPA match, that's an even smaller slice of the pie, and by the time you're talking about what you saw at AFHF or Gunsite 250, you're talking about a tiny fraction of a percent of the American gun-buying public*.

For instance, I would not be at all surprised to find out that, if you subtract law enforcement agency sales, the SW9VE outsells the M&P 9 by a three- or four-to-one margin.


(*And even that's no guarantee of being especially switched-on. I've seen a Bersa Thunder 380 at an Awerbuck Handgun I class...)

Jay Cunningham
09-18-2016, 09:04 AM
2016 Post-PFestivus Necro Bump!