Firearms production - Cover Story

Shooting Industry, July, 1999 by Russ Thurman

1997 Marked A Modest Slowing Of The Battering The Industry Has Taken Since 1995.

The production of firearms continued to drop in 1997. However, the severe losses following the crash of 1995 slowed, allowing the industry to close 1997 at just above 1992 levels. While a far cry from a complete recovery, it was a welcome shift for the industry.

The forecast, however, isn't inspiring. With renewed attacks from many foes following recent school shootings, the industry is again fighting for survival. Despite hard-fought opposition, there will be new restrictions on gun production. This will drive some businesses to close their doors, others will consolidate, several will change ownership.

However, those willing to stay the course will prosper in what will be a leaner, more streamlined industry.

Total Production

Total firearms production in 1997 dropped 6 percent from 1996 and 17 percent from 1995. In 1997, manufacturers made 3,606,426 guns, down 229,102 from 1996, and 744,161 fewer than 1995. Most dramatic was the drop of 30 percent from 1994 when production hit 5,161,127. Overall, production fell in all firearm categories.

Top Gun Makers

The top three firearms manufacturers in 1997, and the number of guns they produced, were:

* Sturm, Ruger: 637,190,

* Remington: 552,544 and

* Smith & Wesson: 302,545.

In 1997, Ruger made 293,363 handguns (-3% compared to 1996), 329,583 rifles (-21%) and 14,244 shotguns (+25%). Overall, Ruger's 1997 production was down 13 percent from 1996.

Remington produced 268,250 rifles (-16%) and 184,294 shotguns (-8%) in 1997, an overall decrease of 12 percent from 1996.

Smith & Wesson's 380,213 handguns in 1997 were a decrease of 6 percent over 1996.

The top three handgun manufacturers for 1997 were:

* Smith & Wesson: 380,213 (-6%),

* Ruger: 293,363 (-3%) and

* Lorcin: 92,033 (+5%).

The top three rifle producers in 1997 were:

* Ruger: 329,583 (-21%),

* Marlin: 302,545 (-14%) and

* Remington: 268,250 (-16%).

The top three shotgun companies in 1997 were:

* Remington: 284,294 (-8%),

* Mossberg: 262,991 (-8%) and

* H&R 1871:183,884 (+9%).

Handguns

In 1997, handgun production dropped to 1,406,505, compared to 1,484,477 in 1996, a loss of 5 percent. The drop from 1994, when 2,581,961 handguns were made, was a dramatic 46 percent.

FIREARMS PRODUCTION

TOTAL U.S. FIREARMS PRODUCTION BY TYPE 1978 - 1997

Year         Handguns      Rifles        Shotguns       Total

1978        1,877,077     1,787,591     1,195,876     4,860,544
1979        2,124,280     1,876,470     1,319,510     5,320,260
1980        2,369,643     1,936,078     1,339,410     5,645,131
1981        2,537,229     1,680,945     1,155,567     5,373,741
1982        2,628,623     1,622,890       878,568     5,130,081
1983        1,966,836     1,109,830       959,663     4,036,329
1984        1,580,551       957,518       772,993     3,311,062
1985        1,550,071     1,140,669       769,505     3,460,245
1986        1,427,627       970,541       641,482     3,039,650
1987        1,658,832     1,006,100       857,949     3,522,881
1988        1,745,722     1,144,707       928,070     3,818,499
1989        2,031,425     1,407,317       935,541     4,374,283
1990        1,838,895     1,156,213       848,948     3,844,056
1991        1,838,266       883,482       828,426     3,550,174
1992        1,525,218       676,808       805,761     3,007,787
1993        2,655,478     1,171,872     1,148,939     4,976,289
1994        2,581,961     1,324,240     1,254,926     5,161,127
1995        1,722,930     1,440,699     1,176,958     4,340,587
1996        1,484,477     1,424,319       926,732     3,835,528
1997        1,406,505     1,281,162       918,759     3,606,426

Total      38,551,646    25,999,451    19,663,583    84,214,680

Pistol Production

Pistols made a light recovery in 1997 with 1,036,077 pistols produced, an increase of 5 percent from the 985,533 manufactured in 1996.

Increases were posted in .22s (+19%), .25s (+5%) .32s (+53%) and .40/.45/.50s (+3%). Decreases occurred in .380s (-7%) and 9mms (-5%).

Smith & Wesson's 1997 pistol production was up 19 percent compared to 1996, a welcome change from the 33 percent drop from 1994. S&W posted increases in 1997, compared to 1996, in .22s (+17%) and .40/.45/.50s (+45%).

Sturm, Ruger also advanced its pistol production in 1997, posting a 23 percent increase over 1996. Ruger increased production in all its pistol calibers: .22s (+35%), 9mm (+14%) and .40/.45/.50s (+32%).

Lorcin had a 5 percent increase in pistol production in 1997, with its most significant increase in 9mms (+32%).

Beretta's production dropped 16 percent in 1997, with its greatest loss in .22s (-58%) and its largest increase in .32s (+77%).

Colt posted a 3 percent increase in 1997, with increases in .380s (+49%) and 9mms (+90%).

Revolver Production

Revolvers, which had not dropped as rapidly as pistols since 1994, continued to decline in 1997. The total revolver production for the year was 370,428, a drop of 26 percent from 1996. Increases were posted in .38s (+26%) and .45/.50s (+3%). Decreases occurred in .22s (-14%), .357s (-48%) and .44s (-24%).