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.
IMAGE SOURCE: SMITH & WESSON.
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.
IMAGE SOURCE: STURM RUGER.
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.
IMAGE SOURCE: SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.
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.
IMAGE SOURCE: SIG SAUER.
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.
IMAGE SOURCE: GLOCK.
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/2016/11/26/the-5-best-selling-handguns-of-2016.aspx
What’s with the “auto” catch words ? With the m&p he states “45 full auto calibers” and the again with the m&p 15 “auto”. Why would any gun advocate put the word auto where it dosnt belong. None of these firearms are “auto”. Just an observation. Woooooooo scarryyy “auto” is coming to a neighbor hood near yohhhh
lots of people drive autos
…be they automatic or stick
Actually, it’s technically not inaccurate to refer to a semi-auto pistol as an “auto pistol.” That usage is no longer common, but it has historical roots and is reflected in the names of classic cartridges such as .45 ACP (ACP = “Auto Colt Pistol”).
It’s moot anyway, as a fully automatic pistol is useless. The vast majority of people can’t even keep a pistol on target when firing rapid semi-auto, let alone full-auto.
Be that as it may, we still have the right to own full-auto pistols if for someone reason we want them.
Just a word of experience
Just because some are “best sellers ”
Don’t necessarily mean “best design” or “best make”
I have personal experience with the M&P Shield and it’s not good , would never bank my life on that particular model no matter another’s opinion
The firing pin rear plate on my sons moved out of place (down) just enough to stop the operation of the slide and the weapon would not bring the next round to complete battery therefore the pistol quit running i.e. Next round would not fire
Tha right there was enough for him to not trust it
Sent it back and they said they couldn’t get it to do it again
So we took it out to the range and after a box of 50 it happened again
Now that’s a pistol that’ll get cha killed
We run the piss out of all our weapons before trusting them in the field , -and in my opinion that particular one I would never trust my life on
And that’s a no bueno
Even if it’s just one gun with that defect S&W didn’t catch it , -and didn’t correct it or own up to it
So for what that’s worth
And I love the few S&W’s I have , but would not ever trust that or buy one for myself
These are my opinions , no one else’s
Trust them only after you have put them through a stringent long term test (any carry weapon) before you pack it to protect your life
My way is any carry weapon has to go through 600 rounds with out fail for me to put it on my belt
M2C
Thanks…
Amen to that. TEST YOUR WEAPONS, preferably with at least 500 rounds of FMJ and maybe 100 rounds of a good hollowpoint.
Personally, as a high-volume shooter who has had bad experiences with many different makes and models of handgun, I no longer trust ANY mass-produced handguns except HK. My preferred semi-auto pistol is the VP9 in 9mm, but I also love the P30 and the HK45. And no, I don’t work for HK or have any affiliation with them.
Glocks used to be great, but since roughly 2011 they have not been what they used to be. Sig is supposedly in a similar boat.
If you’re shooting as much as you should be, the difference in price between most guns will be negligible in comparison with the price of ammo. But there’s not much point in buying a $3000 1911, either. Just get an HK, some spare parts like the trigger return spring (ALL guns will eventually break parts with heavy use), maybe a spare identical gun, and practice until you can’t miss a paper plate at 50 yards.
****”However, the XD-S only comes in 9mm and .45 ACP calibers”****
How then did I wind up with a .40 cal. XDS?
I’ve see people with 357 Rem Mag, 44 Rem Mag, blast away like “Sledge Hammer” and not hit a lick. Then there is one guy some ridiculous pocket pistol that everyone laughs at, in 25ACP or 380 ACP and hits the target every dam time at the equivalent to the FBI long range target.
Which is more effective? The one that people use and can hit with or the CANNON? Not the size of the dog in the fight that matters. Its the size of the fight in the dog. Also the mind.
To hell with reading what others have said,
Im going to speak and and then read/listen,,
hmm hhm
#1
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40
Ok depending on the one you get. Iv worked on one. nice. My inprovement is to ad a block to the right of the trigger that takes up the half inch of drag. Other than that it was a fine piece. That one had an enhanced striker set already.
#2
Ruger LCP
ABSOLUTE THE WORST FIREARM I HAVE EVER FIRED. I disliked the lack of service area to grab the slide. I was unhappy with the trade of from a 9mm. When fired this almost comes out of my hand due to the fact that it takes up as much of my grip as a broom handle. I wanted this but luckily I shot it before I wasted money. My buddy was not so lucky.
#3
Springfield XD-S .45acp
Was shocked. I had started to realize that every handgun that was CC rated was too small for my alien kung-fu grip. Then I took this out. A navy buddy who sports the anheiser logo let me borrow it for a couple days. While made in croatia and not the same as when I owned my last Springfield .45 I was amazed at how small and yet comfortable it was. The reset was smooth and the package was smaller without loss of comfort or controll. Winner for shoot ability. Thats about it. good gun till it breaks. And they do.
#4
SIG Sauer P938
Never held one never shot one.
#5
Hard to argue with ‘works every time’ except when it doesnt. Which is rare. Id prefer the 17 frame so I can choose slide/caliber but a .40(23) is most likely if I was to get one. I like the 31-33 rnd extended mag options and the fact kel-tex is supporting it for their folder. Im more likely to spend $50 more for this than an FNH FX45. Suck it. I want the FNH.
Im no expert.