We’re almost four full days into the official holiday shopping season (it’s really been heating up for longer than that, though) and it’s off to a roaring start. The FBI reports that Black Friday was their second busiest background check in history and I can confirm healthy shopping activity here on the ground.
Here are three guns that are in particularly high demand in my shop. Probably to no one’s surprise, they’re all 9mm handguns. And the list starts with . . .
Springfield Hellcat Micro-Compact 9mm Pistol
The first item that I have not been able to keep on the shelf is the new Springfield Hellcat micro-compact 9mm The standard Hellcat and the OSP optics-ready version are appealing to those who like the HS2000/Springfield XD lineup of pistols and the OSP version makes mounting a micro red dot a quick and easy option.
Read TTAG’s review of the Hellcat here.
The traditional method of buying a gun and then spending 50% of the cost to modify it to your tastes is starting to flex. Manufacturers are getting it and they’re producing guns that they know the consumers are going to outfit the way they want it.
The Hellcats have been hella hot sellers. They don’t even hit the counter before they’re out the door.
SIG SAUER P365 SAS
Next on the hot list is the latest version of the uber-popular SIG P365, the new SAS.
The SAS is an interesting product. At first I questioned the virtue of having a ported pistol without a front sight, but SIG did quite a job with the unique design of the gun.
With the integrated front/rear sight that’s sunk into the slide, the look of the SAS (SIG Anti-Snag) sights reminds me of back in the old days when we had to bubble balance tires.
The idea is that the P365 SAS gives you the smoothest possible draw in a concealed carry pistol and the concept has certainly caught on with customers who have looked at one.
GLOCK 19 Gen5
What would a best-selling firearm list look like without the ever-present GLOCK 19? The Gen 5 model is the newest, latest and greatest from GLOCK and it’s still the first choice of a LOT 9mm pistol buyers.
I’m seeing GLOCK ship the G19 Gen5 in a wide range of configurations. The Gen5 Pro models are interesting. They’re being produced in both MOS and non-MOS, so there’s an option for those who are optically minded. There are front slide serrations and non-serrated for those who like to press check. There’s a version with night sights and others with standard U-notch sights.
Read TTAG’s Review of the G19 Gen5 here.
I’m also seeing some of the GLOCK Gen 5’s ship with the U shaped cut in the front strap for quick magazine extraction and some aren’t.
They’re both Gen5 guns with Gen5 parts commonality, but the frames are cut differently for some reason.
I haven’t been able to determine why this is, but consumers now have a choice if they want their GLOCK 19 to have a cut like their 17’s or traditionally left whole as on the Gen3 and Gen4 G19’s.
That’s what’s really selling in my area. What’s moving in your part of the country that gun retailers can’t seem to keep in stock?