What are your thoughts on the model 411. I've had mine since 1997 and I like it very much.

My thoughts on the model 411?

It's a great pistol!

It's a model 4004 sans rear Novak sight, some frame machining, and sports a less than durable black finish, yet has ALL of the mechanical strength and quality of the full price S&W 40s.

I don't have a model 411, but I do have a model 411 slide, which I install on my stainless 40s when I want the two-tone look.

John

The 915 and the 411 were S&W’s first attempt at a “value line” 3rd Gen pistol that had a lower MSRP and cost S&W less to make. They did not stay in production for more than a couple years. S&W would probably admit that they did not do as they hoped — they did not lower their costs enough. The were replaced by the cheaper and inferior 410/910 and shortly after, the 909 and 908 were added.

The 915/411 were great pistols. Here is the snippet that never gets mentioned. While both were made for only a short time, S&W spit out a gujillion of the 915. For a pistol made across less than 3 years, the sheer volume of them is stunning. A slew were shipped off the continent also.

But the 411 is scarce as all hell. There are certainly more rare 3rd Gens than the 411, but when you compare the 915 to the 411, I’m willing to bet it’s more than 10 to 1.

I cannot quite understand why this would be. Especially when you consider the early-90’s time frame of production. The .40cal was the darling at the dance in these years. I wonder why the 411 wasn’t made in a volume similar to the 915?

I think the 915 sold in greater numbers overseas than they did here.

I also think the 9mm cartridge was much more popular overseas than the 40s&w at the time.

The 915 and 411 were not priced low enough to convince American agency buyers to choose them over the standard models.

So, overseas buyers are the reason we see many more 915s than 411s.

John

I definitely believe you for overseas sales, and I can say that I don’t know of any agency that purchased a fleet of either (though I’m sure they exist.)

As for retail sales here in the US, I’ve seen lots of 915’s and I just never see 411’s hardly ever.

If the Model 411 is the 40 caliber equivalent of the Model 915. then it is a shame that I never bought one.

If you mean retail sales when they were brand spanking new, I sure don't remember 915s or 411s being popular with private shooters.

I'm pretty sure they were directed at agencies and they failed in that roll (here in America) hence the 910 and 410.

If you mean retail sales of used pistols lately, I'm pretty sure most of these are imports and the 9mm wins overseas.

John

Hi Rick, I have a 411 and like it very much it’s my compromise to the very elusive 4004! You really need to find one you don’t know what your missing!