Another reason S&W needs to listen to their market

[peyton]

I wasn't sure where to post this but S&W is ignoring their buying market. I am a proud fanatic of all things .32 caliber. From the 32 S&W to the 327 Federal Magnum.

Having said this, I just about had a heart attack when I saw a Smith & Wesson 632 Pro-Series .327 Magnum sale on Gunbroker for $3,425.00
Just a moment...

I know chasing unicorns cost money but couldn't you get close to the 357 Registered Magnum for the same price??

Lastly, I have caught a few of those unicorns and will tell you, just not my wife

 

[waffles]

I think S&W did listen to their market when they discontinued their .327 mag revolvers. It was a niche round for small carry revolvers introduced when that market was already on the decline, and they just didn't sell. In the years since it's maintained a small cult following that declare it the best thing since sliced bread, and like any of those other cult rounds, Ruger and Taurus eventually tried to reintroduce .327 carry revolvers, Ruger with their LCR and Taurus with whatever their model was, neither of which seemed to sell well enough to get consistent production going.

I like .327 mag, and its neat that there are collectors or shooters dedicated enough to drop that kinda coin on the 632 pro, but I think S&W probably made the right call for their business.

 

[pawngal]

I'm a big fan of everything 32cal. I owned one of those and didn't care much for it and sold it here on the forum about 2 years ago for $995. Guess I should have kept it!
In my opinion, Ruger did a better job with the .327 Fed. I own all 3 ,LCR, SP101 and Blackhawk.

 

[venomballistics]

I like the idea of the 32.
It's very light on ones resources in terms of casting and loading. Strong arguments can be made, but ultimately, not a winning one.
It failed to oust 9mm from it's pedestal, which is what such a cartridge must do if it is to live long in the land. Until then, it's rivals will not receive the high volume production focus required to stay around.
I'm honestly not sure what it will take to make the cut.

 

[NFrameFred]

It failed to oust 9mm from it's pedestal, which is what such a cartridge must do if it is to live long in the land. Until then, it's rivals will not receive the high volume production focus required to stay around.
I'm honestly not sure what it will take to make the cut.

That's what all the hype is about the 30 Super Carry. In the words of the late great Col. Cooper . . . . " A solution in search of a problem" . . . .

 

[Rudi]

I have only interacted with S&W once, on the phone. Was not pleased with their mind set.

 

[chief38]

Before producing new, they need to LISTEN and improve current production QC. THAT should be what they concentrate on first! They have obviously lost the ethics and quality that put them on the map in the first place. They must gain that back to survive!

THEN and ONLY THEN should they venture into making new items with high QC. YES - they should listen to the market and discern what buyers want and what makes sense for them to make.

 

[StrawHat]

If you continue the logic of the op, S&W should reintroduce the Registered Magnum.

Kevin

 

[lawandorder]

Another thing they should consider with regard to bringing back the .32 family is the age of the baby boomers. As folks age they seem to have lost the need to shoot magnum rounds in .357 and .44.
After a lifetime of using those hands and limbs they are impacted by arthritis and other issues. So most older folks ( some still won't admit that pain can influence caliber selection��) think about recoil when buying.

Watch the prices of any .32 revolver on line.

 

[gjgalligan]

I too like the .32 family. I have a lcr & sp101 in .327 fed. Wife has a Charter arms in .32H&R mag.
I believe the reason the .32 kinda died was because the double stack pistols just plain carried more rounds.
I did not buy the S&W .327 fed models because of the lock. I just refuse to accept that.

 

[Erich]

If you continue the logic of the op, S&W should reintroduce the Registered Magnum.

With a lock onboard, of course! And a shrouded barrel, and lots of MIM parts.


Personally, I'm always kind of mystified about how all the people who know how to run gun companies the right way (and, yes, I've been a part of the "What they need to do..." threads on occasion) are hanging out here online instead of in corporate boardrooms. That must be why the companies never, ever make any money at all.

 

[Countrycuz]

Also need the support of the ammo companies. If ammo is scarce and expensive , not much chance of it growing. Seems like all they want to make is 9mm.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Wish they would make a Bodyguard .380 MAX.....

 

[venomballistics]

That's what all the hype is about the 30 Super Carry. In the words of the late great Col. Cooper . . . . " A solution in search of a problem" . . . .

Pretty much. But with slightly better odds.
The Super carry has all the same enticing traits of 327, but being in an auto, it might be slightly better received.
Still, I am not seeing any of the high volume production it will need to survive.

 

[MRB1]

It's been many years since S&W really listened to customers. Besides the forbidden topic, quality has suffered, but as long as the $$$ keeps coming in, it's business as usual.

 

[LCC]

When what was once a family company changes corporate hands several times in a short period, makes one wonder how the innovation and customer commitment decisions are made.
"Smith & Wesson had been previously owned by Bangor Punta and Tomkins plc before being acquired by Saf-T-Hammer Corporation in 2001. Smith & Wesson was a unit of American Outdoor Brands Corporation from 2016 to 2020 until the company was spun out in 2020."
Maybe they shoud start talking to their customers?

 

[CH4]

With a lock onboard, of course! And a shrouded barrel, and lots of MIM parts.


Personally, I'm always kind of mystified about how all the people who know how to run gun companies the right way (and, yes, I've been a part of the "What they need to do..." threads on occasion) are hanging out here online instead of in corporate boardrooms. That must be why the companies never, ever make any money at all.

And call 'em "Classic"

 

[ladder13]

CZ should buy them.

 

[Alton]

CZ should buy them.

NO

And looking at my LGS S&W Revolver prices are up 20% from two years ago. On the model 29 classic it is up 60% from 10 years ago. Colt revolvers on the other hand sold today are down 10% in price. The smartest move was when S&W moved its headquarters, something Ruger now wishes they would have done.

 

[Tom S.]

The smartest move was when S&W moved its headquarters, something Ruger now wishes they would have done.

Wait, Ruger wishes they would have moved S&W headquarters?

I bet they do!!!