Help me pick a couple of guns

[SouthernCross]

As I'm learning to make holsters, I figured I'd pick up a couple of blue guns and begin making up different colors and styles for each of them and maybe market them via Facebook and my friends. 

What are 2 or 3 must-have guns?  I eventually want to move into the higher end stuff with interesting tooling and maybe exotic skins, so I don't believe a Kel-Tec PF9 would be on my list.  I currently own or have access to: Beretta 92FS, S&W 2" and 3" revolvers, Ruger Single Six, and Sig P232.

Any suggestions for others?  

[garypl]

No question - you need a 1911 pistol and I would also suggest a Colt SAA revolver

[Fire88]

depends on what your friends carry, but glock 19/23, XDM/S, Springfield XD, j frame revolver. Need to look at your market/demographic and what is carried around you.

[OLDNSLOW]

The Glock line next to any 1911 and there will be times when a 1911 with rails will be requested, and as mentioned the Springfield line of guns.  It would be very hard to put an exact item and say it will be the most asked for.  Like in the Glock line there are so many in the concealed carry configuration other than the 19/23 that become big sellers when they are first introduced then it will taper off.  Keep your eyes open here on the sales board they do have a tendency to pop up and when they do you need to act right away. 

[Bayou Bengal]

Glock 42 and 43 are still my biggest sellers. 

[Dwight]

1911. S&W Shield, and Glock 19 are my biggest sellers.

The Shield has been heavily promoted around here, . . . lots of people packin' em.  You can do pocket holsters, clip on, IWB, and pancake on them.

But you can hardly go wrong with a 1911, . . . lots of people like me that are willing to carry the anchor.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Lobo]

I suggest that far too many folks are making what they think should be in demand,  rather than listening to the paying customers telling us what they want.

Prior to my retirement (2015) I kept careful records of all holster orders, by holster type and by handgun type. Despite all the hoopla over plastic fantastic load 'em on Sunday and shoot all week semiautomatic pistols, my orders ran 62% for revolvers (including 30% for Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers). Similarly, my gun safe always contained dozens of vintage handguns (most out of production for several decades) representing millions of handguns remaining in the hands of people wanting holsters to carry them but frustrated because of the lack of offerings by any mainstream manufacturers in recent years.

Short version: A small production shop must identify a market niche that is not being adequately served in the marketplace. That can be accomplished with unique designs, unique decorative effects, or simply by making products that remain in demand but not sufficiently for the big name companies to commit production resources.

 

[SouthernCross]

I'm a big fan of J-frames, and revolvers in general, so that's certainly one market I plan to target. 

[Fire88]

On 11/9/2017 at 8:40 PM, Lobo said:

Short version: A small production shop must identify a market niche that is not being adequately served in the marketplace. That can be accomplished with unique designs, unique decorative effects, or simply by making products that remain in demand but not sufficiently for the big name companies to commit production resources.

 

This find your niche in what you like to make and do it really well!