Revolvers were once the standard-issue firearm for law enforcement for many years. From police departments to the U.S. military, revolvers were once the more popular weapon of choice, with manufacturers like Colt, who made the Official Police and Trooper models (the chambered .38 Special and the .357 Magnum respectively,) and Smith & Wesson who made the Model 15 (formerly known as the K-38 Combat Masterpiece).
Revolvers are much slower to reload and don’t have the same magazine capacity as semi-automatic pistols, which is why in recent decades, semi-automatic pistols have all but replaced revolvers in professional spheres, from law enforcement to the military. Yet, revolvers are noted for their reliability and simplicity, and as such, they remain popular with civilians in the United States – and consumer demand appears to be rising.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), revolver production in the United States topped 830,800 by July 2022, and it would appear that production is headed towards similar numbers of the previous year when more than 1.1 million guns were manufactured. While there are thousands of licensed gunmakers in the U.S., only a small handful of them cater to the growing market for revolvers. (These Americans own the most guns: every state ranked.)
The market for revolvers is controlled by only a handful of companies, more than any other type of firearm. 24/7 Wall St. identified America’s top revolver companies by using data from the ATF. Companies are ranked by total domestic revolver production in 2021. The companies listed here were the only gun makers to produce at least 1,000 revolvers in the U.S. in 2021. The top three brands listed – Heritage Manufacturing, Ruger, and Smith & Wesson – account for over 85% of all domestic revolver manufacturing. (Here is a look at the most powerful handguns.)
For some of these top companies, revolvers represent only a small share of their overall firearm production. While Heritage focuses almost exclusively on pistol production, for brands like Ruger and Smith & Wesson, semi-automatic pistols and rifles account for the bulk of total manufacturing output.
Why This Matters
24/7 is covering the most popular revolver companies in the United States to help readers understand how to spend their money wisely. Purchasing a firearm can be an expensive investment. We want to help you decide if the revolver you’re considering is backed by a well received company.
Here are the most popular revolver companies in the U.S.
10. Nighthawk Custom LLC
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 1,110 (0.1% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): Mongoose, Ranger, NXR, Callahan
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Berryville, AR
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 4,526
9. Magnum Research Inc.
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 1,833 (0.2% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): BFR
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Pillager, MN
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 14,586
8. Automated Finishing Company Inc.
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 2,053 (0.2% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): N/A
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Attleboro, MA
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 7,651
7. Standard Manufacturing Co. LLC
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 11,602 (1.0% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): S333 Thunderstruck, Single Action Revolver
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): New Britain, CT
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 26,630
6. Kimber Mfg. Inc.
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 16,975 (1.5% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): K6XS, DASA, DCR
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Troy, AL
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 294,750
5. North American Arms Inc.
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 57,142 (4.9% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): Sidewinder, Ranger, Black Widow, Hogleg, Earl, Companion
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Provo, UT
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 57,836
4. Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 65,062 (5.6% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): Python, King Cobra, Anaconda, Single Action Army
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): West Hartford, CT
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 151,771
3. Smith & Wesson
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 232,476 (20.0% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): Model 27, Model 686, Model 29, Model 639
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Columbia, MO, Springfield, MA
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 2,317,792
2. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 276,999 (23.9% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): LCR, Wrangler, Bearcat, Redhawk, GP100
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Newport, NH, Prescott, AZ, Mayodan NC, Southport, CT
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 2,078,013
1. Heritage Manufacturing, Inc.
- Revolvers manufactured domestically in 2021: 492,584 (42.5% of all U.S.-made revolvers)
- Popular revolver model(s): Barkeep, Rough Rider
- Domestic revolver manufacturing location(s): Bainbridge, GA
- Total domestic firearm production in 2021: 505,601
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