Most Popular Handgun Manufacturers - Ruger #1 Glock #10

[jmort]

I saw this tedious series of 18 photos documenting the most popular handgun manufacturers by sales in U.S. Ruger 1, S&W 2 and some surprises like Taurus 4 and Glock 10. Half of all the guns sold by Ruger were 9mms

http://www.washingtontimes.com/multimedia/collection/top-10-handguns/

[osteodoc08]

Interesting. Over how long of a time frame?

[jmort]

It is not clear, but there is a reference to manufacturer data provided to ATF in 2011

[MtGun44]

LOL, Highpoint out sold Glock!? Is this possible?

Bill

[MtGun44]

I wonder if this is just US production and most Glocks are still made in Austria?

Bill

[jmort]

According to Washington Times/ATF seems so. That was one of the biggest surprises. Yes could be skewed as Info seems based on manufacture in USA

[Artful]

#10 Glock The Austria-based company made 23,752 handguns at its Georgia plant in 2011.

#9 Kahr aka Saeilo Inc. The company manufactured 55,060 pistols in the U.S. in 2011.

#8 Beemiller Inc. The Ohio-based manufacturer, often known for its Hi-Point models, made 78,300 pistols in 2011.

#7 Kel Tec. The Florida-based manufacturer produced 90,177 pistols in 2011.

# 6 Beretta. Maryland-based Beretta, made famous in such movies as "Lethal Weapon," made 101, 755 pistols in 2011.

# 5 Kimber MFG INC. New York-based Kimber manufactured 104,303 handguns in 2011.

# 4 Taurus International. The company produced 114,132 pistols in 2011.

# 3 Sig Sauer

# 2 Smith & Wesson

# 1 Sturm, Ruger & Company. The gunmaker's Arizona plant churned out 610,925 pistols in 2011, nearly half of which were 9mm models.

[jmort]

Thanks for digging out that info. Going through the "slide-show" is tedious. You have extracted all the info.

[clownbear69]

Well I'm actually surprised Taurus isn't even higher.

Granted this is 2011 data but at least with my limited selling years of selling firearms this is what Ive seen.

New Shooters want a low cost firearm with possible self defense application. So Typically the $300 and less seems to be their starting point.

Next its fit. If it fits good and within the price range its sold. If it doesn't fit they will move onto the next gun.

Next they look at warranty. the better the warranty the more likely that firearm would be sold

Then reliability.

Then where is the firearm is made is last on the list.

Now why Ruger is number 1 is pretty simple. Many of the firearms are at the price of Taurus, fits extremely well (even the P95) decent warranty and made in the US. Glock isn't in the top 5 (my theory) is consistent of 3 different things. 1 Price starting at least $200 more than any of the Taurus Rugers etc. 2.) fit Glock doesn't fit every one. I have seen many people fit into glock (because everyone says there the best) hates it from the grip angle or the glock bite then sells it off 3.) Im starting to see less LEOs carry glock. Im actually more surprised when I see a cop with a glock. Most of the time ive been seeing S&W M&Ps and the the odd case of the P95.

I am for all not saying the first time consumer is smart but the reason I bring it up is we have seen an huge influx of new gun owners in the last 5 years let alone last 2 years. Your average gun owner (not gun enthusiast) Will go with the best price not the best gun

[GabbyM]

I'll bet the 9mm models made by Ruger includes the 380 ACP.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

Our State law enforcement academy put together a list of the firearms that went through the basic academy classes for a year and Glock outdistanced all the other manufacturers in popularity. Pretty sad for this Colt affectionado. Of course Glock was first place, many agencies purchase and issue guns and Glocks are the usually chosen because Glock brings in the lowest bid. Then the Glock is carried by the officer in a $125.00 holster with multiple snaps, buttons and springs for retention safety. Glocks also come out of the box ready for carry without any modifications. The 1911 was down at the bottom of the list of most popular, but the list was compiled of academy recruits. I remember being a recruit, cash was short and food was a large portion of my budget. I went through the academy with a borrowed Colt.

[TXGunNut]

Numbers are skewed a bit by the US mfg and the 2011 calendar year but Ruger makes three guns that are category leaders, IMHO; the LCP, the LCR, and the R1911.

[pal82]

http://www.atf.gov/files/statistics/download/afmer/2011-final-firearms-manufacturing-export-report.pdf

If you really want to see the numbers, here ya go. 58 pages

[dragon813gt]

Glock isn't #1 because the fact is they aren't. CZ is the preferred brand of worldwide military and law enforcement personnel. I would still like to see the actual numbers for total sales, not manufacturing in the US.

[MtGun44]

Anybody know what Burbak Machine, 361 Forest Rd, Wilon, NH makes? Their web site says "FFL licensed
for making firearms parts" and ATF says they made 102,000 handguns in 2011. That is A LOT of handguns
from somebody that I never heard of. I am guessing they make plastic frames for Kahr, or Kel-Teck or Ruger or
S&W or all of them.

How about Jimenez Arms, Inc. 35,000 handguns in 2011 - .22, .25, .32, .380 and 9mm . . . . . Is this something like
Ravens or Sterling or other ultra low cost pistols?

Haskell Manufacturing, Lima, OH - 25,000. . . . . . who?

Iberia Firearms, Galion, OH 25,000 . . . again - who?

Bond Arms, Texas - just under 12,000. ??

Arms Technology Inc - Salt Lake City, 37,000. ? (Browning?)

Hi Tech Plastics, Wheeling, IL - 20,000 handguns. ?? (Springfield Armory?)

Heritage sold 68,000 of their western style inexpensive .22s. . . .. . WOW!

Lots of stuff to surprise in that list, for someone that has been "paying attention" to
guns since about 1965, I am surprised at how many guns are being sold by companies
that I do not recognize.

Bill

[roverboy]

LOL, Highpoint out sold Glock!? Is this possible?

Bill

It don't surprise me at all.