Posted on 08/24/2019 4:22:20 PM PDT by PROCON
U.S.-based gun makers produced over 8.6 million new firearms last year, with almost a quarter of those being 9mm pistols. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Initial gun production numbers are in from 2018, showing an increase from the previous year’s figures and the solid popularity of 9mm handguns.
According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 8,669,259 new firearms of all sorts were produced last year. This is up from 8,327,792 released into commerce in 2017.
The largest single category of firearms produced in 2018 was in pistols chambered larger than .380ACP to 9mm, with 2,281,450 handguns logged. This is up significantly from 1,756,618 in the same category reported in 2017.
By further comparison, 11.49 million new firearms were produced in 2016 — a modern record — while just over 9 million were produced in both 2015 and 2014. Earlier in the century, domestic gun production numbers remained largely constant at between 3 to 4 million from 2000 to 2008 and then began surging upwards to the 2016 peak, coinciding with the administration of President Obama.
The latest information comes as part of the interim installment of the ATF’s Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report. These reports, compiled from all licensed gun makers in the country large and small, are delayed a year due to the Trade Secrets Act. Because of this, the full 2018 data, broken down by manufacturers, will not be available until next year.
According to the full 2017 report, the top six domestic makers of 9mm pistols in the country by volume– not counting firearms that were imported from overseas– were Smith & Wesson (606,732 produced), Sig Sauer (368,264), Ruger (163,865), SCCY (150,235), Kimber (98,385) and Glock (94,665).
In before:
"REAL men carry a 1911!"
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The labor pains must be hell.
Happy birthday, my babies! I’m sorry you weren’t all born 45s, but not everyone can be the big guy in the group.
SCCY. I wasn’t even aware of that one. Looks like DAO compacts in 9mm and .380
I carry a Browning Hi-Power, it has 17+1 rounds of federal hst 124gr and I think that’s at least as good as a 1911
Good. Stay armed, stay safe.
Better put on your flame suit before the hardcore '1911 or bust' guys get here..
I love the 1911. It is a great old pistol. Until the advent of high quality 9mm HP ammo, I would have picked it over the 9mm.
Now the high capacity better quality 9mms are the better choice.
I tend to buy used, both cars and guns. Because I let somebody else take the depreciation hit. My only real exception was my Uberti SAA, as I had been wanting a cowboy gun for awhile. And I didn’t feel like refinancing the house for a colt.
CC
Smith & Wesson (606,732 produced),
Sig Sauer (368,264),
Ruger (163,865),
SCCY (150,235),
Kimber (98,385) and
Glock (94,665)."
Smith & Wesson rules!
I like my Kimber .45.
They are all good tho I don’t know much about the SCCY. I have read that it is a bargain.
Agree completely and then there are those of us at 70 that want to stay on target with follow-up that realize what they could handle at 40 was different.
I have a small concealed carry 9mm and perhaps in the future I will satisfy a hankering for a duty sized 9mm. Kind of like the fact that CZ Custom is only about 50 miles from me.
OH NO YOU DI-UNT!!!
“I carry a Browning Hi-Power, it has 17+1 rounds of federal hst 124gr and I think that’s at least as good as a 1911.”
One of the bigger mistakes of my life was selling a Belgian made Hi Power.
For $350.
Hangs head in shame.....
L
Some day, whenever I managed to escape NYC a la Escape From New York style, when I have freedom, my first firearm will probably be a 9mm pistol.
I assume you have some Mec-Gar magazines. I have two old Browings. I think 4 original Browning 13 round ones and probably 8 or 9 Mev-Gar’s. They are mostly 15 rounds but a couple of 17 round ones.
Unfortunately FN has discontinued the Hi-Power. It was getting too expensive anyway.
JMB fixed the deficiences of the 1911 with Saive’s help in the Hi-Power
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