Attn: Jeff Quinn
Thanks for the information. Is there any mention of production of the 340pd?
Thanks,
Bill

One wonders. S&W produces 300,000 handguns annually. How many additional guns could they sell to diehard forum protesters? Maybe a couple of K? I doubt the general public cares much, one way or the other.

That Frankonia site is fascinating. The 110 S&Ws are "gebraucht", i.e. previously owned, but there are some interesting bargains, and some non-bargains, to be had - presumably depending on how popular particular models are in Germany. For example, there are a couple of nice-looking 14s that are selling for a bit less, in one case a good bit less, than they would in the US. On the other hand, I can only assume that Germans are in love with 586s - there were a couple of them that would be going for upwards of $1,000 with the current exchange rate.

Their thinking was that it is a double-action-only, and there is no way that the hammer could be thumb-cocked.

Sounds like a load of bull, but hey, I'm good with whatever rationale they make to produce new non-lock guns!

One wonders. S&W produces 300,000 handguns annually. How many additional guns could they sell to diehard forum protesters? Maybe a couple of K? I doubt the general public cares much, one way or the other.

Then the public won't care if it doesn't have the lock either! And I GUARANTEE that as long as the 4,000 new non-locks are priced in line with other new S&Ws that they WILL DEFINITELY sell... quickly!

I wonder if they've fixed the crappy, flaking finish...

quote:

Originally posted by pinkymingeo:
One wonders. S&W produces 300,000 handguns annually. How many additional guns could they sell to diehard forum protesters? Maybe a couple of K? I doubt the general public cares much, one way or the other.

Well, I've done my part to educate several hundred shooters, the majority of whom do not hang out on gun forums I'm sure, about S&W's lock system. Most of the reactions I've gotten can be summed up as the comment of one federal marshal I knew when he was a police chief that I shot competition with who had not purchased a new handgun in the last few years - his take ? "I wouldn't buy a piece of sh*t like that !"

But you're right - the general public is generally uneducated and generally doesn't care and generally takes whatever they are given - but marketing/consumer consultants also estimate that for every one person that complains about a product, 12 to 20 or more will simply say nothing and shop elsewhere.

If this is true, its about damn time!

I wonder how bad IL 642 sales were to cause S&W to make a better 642?

If it is true I'll buy one!

And the Safety Wesson crowd said this day would never come . Very good news. Regards 18DAI.

If this is true, put me down for one or maybe two!

Can you advise the information on the dealer getting some of these ?

A bit more info, for those interested. I think they will probably do a run of non-lock 340s, but that is just speculation on my part. They did the 642 because it is one of their best sellers, and a large distributor asked for a run of them without a lock.

I have a few S&Ws with the key lock. I won't let the lock stop me from buying a new S&W. Price is what usually stops me from buying what I want. I can only afford so many. The lock is very easily disabled, if it bothers someone.

I have never had one lock-up on me, but I have been present when a 329 locked itself in another shooter's hands. It happenned twice the same day. I have fired many,many rounds through S&W revolvers with the lock, both handheld and in a Ransom Rest, using the heaviest loads commercially available, and never had a lock failure. I carry a 342PD daily, everywhere, and have for several years. I have no fear of the thing locking itself. However, if I was carrying a 329 for protection, I would disable the lock.

I have some distributors that will be carrying these, but none seem to have them in yet. They appear to be about the same price as one with the IL. I am anxious to get them. I have been wanting one for my wife but hated the idea of the IL. I only wished my M&P 340 was without the IL.

Anyone know the distributors that will have the 642 sans lock? Hopefully those that hate MIM and long for the "good ol' days" will leave these awful MIM guns to guys like me.

quote:

Originally posted by ladder13:
Anyone know the distributors that will have the 642 sans lock? Hopefully those that hate MIM and long for the "good ol' days" will leave these awful MIM guns to guys like me.

It looks like Lipsey's and RSR Group will carry them eventually. But you have to be an FFL Dealer in the business and have an account to acquire them. Your local gun dealer should be able to get them from those guys once they arrive in stock.

Thanks for the info FF. Were/are you on the job?

It's true. RSR shows them but 0 in stock.

SW103810FC S&W 642 1.875" 38SPL STS CENT WO/IL 0 On Hand

You must be a FFL to get these.

quote:

Originally posted by ladder13:
Thanks for the info FF. Were/are you on the job?

I am a career FF with a gun business on the side. Just a little something to support my habit