The 5 Best-Selling Handguns of 2016

[Suzuki Johnny]

These five guns indicate that smaller, concealable weapons remain much more popular than larger ones.

Leo Sun Nov 26, 2016 at 3:46PM
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.

The M&P (military and police) brand has become Smith & Wesson's flagship brand over the past decade. That family now includes the M&P Shield, M&P 15 Auto, various other variants, and even branded M&P knives. During last quarter's conference call, CEO James Debney acknowledged that the "halo" effect of the M&P brand gave its products more credibility as they were "used, adopted, and well-regarded by the professional community."

2. Ruger LCP
The Ruger LCP (lightweight compact pistol) is a .380 automatic pocket pistol. The tiny 9.4 oz. pistol, which was introduced in 2008, was Ruger's first ultra-light defensive pistol designed for civilians' concealed carry needs.

The pistol has a glass-filled nylon frame, and uses a "single-strike double-action" mechanism which acts similarly as a striker-fired pistol. Ruger recently upgraded the LCP with the LCP II, which adds improved sights, a larger grip surface for distribution of recoil, and a shorter, crisper single-action trigger with an inner trigger safety.

3. Springfield XD-S
Springfield Armory's Springfield XD-S, which was launched in 2012, is very similar to Smith & Wesson's M&P Shield. Both pistols are encased in polymer frames and are striker-fired. However, the XD-S only comes in 9mm and .45 ACP calibers.

Whereas the M&P Shield was developed in the United States, the XD (extreme duty) line of semi-automatic pistols actually originates in Croatia, where they were branded as HS2000 pistols for military use. XD pistols have also been approved for a wide range of law enforcement agencies across the United States.

4. SIG Sauer P938
SIG Sauer's P938, which also arrived in 2012, is a subcompact single-action 9mm pistol. Unlike most other subcompact 9mm handguns, the P938 has an all-metal frame of anodized aluminum alloy and stainless steel. Unlike the three aforementioned pistols, the P938 is hammer-fired -- but it's still lighter than the M&P Shield and the Springfield XD-S.

Specialty versions of the P938 include the Blackwood, Rubber Grip, Extreme, Nightmare, Rosewood, AG, Equinox, and SAS -- which all tweak the finish with a more premium appearance. As a result, the P938 is priced as a "luxury" firearm, with specialty models priced between $600 and $800.

5. Glock 19
The 9mm Glock 19 was introduced in 2010 as a reduced-size version of the Glock 17. Like the M&P Shield and XD-S, the Glock 19 is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol. It's widely issued as a service pistol among private and public security agencies, and its small size makes it a popular concealed carry or backup weapon.

The key takeaways
The popularity of these five handguns indicates that smaller concealed carry weapons will likely remain more popular than larger pistols. With the Republicans now in control of the presidency and congress, investors and gun owners might assume that gun sales will rise over the next four years.
However, gun sales tend to surge with the threat of tighter gun controls, which would more likely occur under a Democrat administration. As a result, analysts expect Smith & Wesson's sales to rise just 1% next year and Ruger's sales to fall 14%. Therefore, these five guns will likely stay popular, but year-over-year comparisons might look weak over the next few years.


Leo Sun has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/11/2 ... -2016.aspx

[DevilsFan]

I bought an LC9 last year. I never liked Ruger's but I gotta tell ya, this one I love!!! It's accurate, light and my main CCW.

I've heard great things about the M&P Shield. I was leaning towards that but it felt a little too thin for me. So I went with the Ruger.

And Glocks...they sell like an Apple iPhone. Name recognition. NOT that the Glock's are bad, on the contrary. But I've never been a Glock fan.

[Elsie rider]

I bought an LC9 last year. I never liked Ruger's but I gotta tell ya, this one I love!!! It's accurate, light and my main CCW.

I've heard great things about the M&P Shield. I was leaning towards that but it felt a little too thin for me. So I went with the Ruger.

And Glocks...they sell like an Apple iPhone. Name recognition. NOT that the Glock's are bad, on the contrary. But I've never been a Glock fan.

I have 3 of the ones mentioned

is that the LC9 , I had one got rid of it and got the LC9s ..put a laser on it ..very comfortable to carry

[Travlin]

I saw this list this morning in another forum. It really doesn't surprise me on the pocket pistols. It is apparent in the Fudd forums that many succumb to the fact carrying everyday is a PITA. So the buy the smallest they can find. It doesn't seem most carry a reload so its the same as carrying a snubby. LEO hit percentages are 12-18 , sorry but I want a few more than 5-6 bbs at my disposal. The pocket pistol have a firm standing, don't get me wrong. I have a 938 for times I can't easily conceal something larger or I want to carry deeply concealed.

Another reason to stack on top of the small and easy to carry is they are cheap, and I see that as a HUGE driving factor in the sales. I see people bragging how cheap they got some off brand crapomatic for their carry gun. Nope, sorry but carry guns and ammo are not something I cheap out on. I understand budgets but you can get a police turnin Glock for great prices and hell, other than holster marks most turnins have very low round counts so its a win win there.

The glock certainly has the name recognition but more importantly it is dead reliable. I carry one everyday, and hate it. It's like dancing with a fat chick but I have NO doubt it will fire when the trigger is pulled, 16 times.

All three of the plastic pocket guns listed are great little pieces without doubt. If being inexpensive and easy to carry has more people carrying then it is a good thing.

[PCC]

SIL gave me a 7.62 x 25 Russian hand gun.

I love it. I am told it will puncture some vests.
Not that I would want to do that to someone with a vest but a criminal or protection that will drop them for sure.
With my small 22 revolver too... I am happy. ☺

[jonnycando]

I love....did ya hear LOOOOOOVE the Springfield SD series guns. Well made, and accurate! Don't just get one, get several!