M&P nomenclature

[ISCS Yoda]

Just curious - why are there a couple of newer revolvers known today as M&Ps, like all the new pistols, but the rest of S&W's revolvers continue to be called by the standard model nomenclature we're all used to - there has to be a reason so I'm asking.

Thanks.

***GRJ***

[P&R Fan]

I haven't checked S&Ws website lately, but the last time I saw a catalog they put out they listed both. The M15 was the M15 Combat Masterpiece. The M60 was the M60 Chief's Special, Etc.
They still call them by the old names, but they have the model numbers too.
Jim

[Alk8944]

Calling several of the new pistols and rifles "M&P is nothing more than the current owners, Smith & Wesson Holding Company, trying to capitalize on the cachet of the historic M&P, which has for over a century been the flagship of the S&W line. It's called advertising!

[shawn mccarver]

I agree with Alk8944. Recall they tried to market a semi-auto pistol called the Chiefs Special also.

[riverrat38]

Advertising people don't mind muddying the waters if they think they can capitalize on past glory.
Look at auto companies.
How many Fords have been called Thunderbirds?
Edsels? That one is sort of the negative example.

Best,
Rick

[ISCS Yoda]

I don't think I was very clear. I know the history of Smith & Wesson and the M&P and I know all of those names and I even own a CS-45 (Chiefs Special semi-auto - it was a compact Third Gen pistol and it is still available in 9mm I think). Yes, some of the M model revolvers have the great, fun names still in use, too. That's NOT what I'm asking.

Your answers might be correct, and I have spent many years in business using advertising, Fortune 500 level, but my point was not what is the history of the M&P trademark, what I'm trying to figure out is why use the M&P mark on a couple of newer model revolvers and not ALL of them?

Young people today have NO CLUE what the old M&P history is. Today's first time/new gun buyers have no clue what that history is, either, they just know that S&W markets a modern, semi-auto pistol, think POLYMER, and special triggers, and they call it M&P. Do they know that's Military and Police?

Doubtful.

I have as many gun totin' friends as the next guy, maybe more, and I freakin' gahrohntee most of them don't know an M&P trademark from Double Bubblegum.

But, okay, I'll pull from your answers what I think the correct response is, namely, S&W has reverted to using the old M&P mark on some new wheelguns because M&P is now associated with S&W's Modern & Practical polymer pistols (I bet people would think that's what it means if I said so - trust me, you're giving the general public way too much credit and BY THE WAY, the Edsel name was NEVER associated with any cars except the defunct Edsel whereas the T-Bird was reiterated many times) so, yes, the marketeers are capitalizing on the NEW M&P trademark for some of their new wheelguns.

By George, I think I've got it! Reverse psychology on Gen Xers, Yers, Millenials, and such. Yep, that's the ticket!

Thanks!

***GRJ***