While it would be nice to see S&W return to offering equivalent metal TDA pistols to compete with the better models produced by SIG, I'd not be inclined to hold my breath.
The drop of firearms sales from this time last year to this year has been significant. The strong elements of continuing sales in the non-governmental market remains pistols and long guns, although revolvers still seem to enjoy their usual market share. The M&P's are strong sellers.
S&W had enough interest in their higher revolver lines to expand back into offering them with wood grip stocks again (last year's report), and the J-frames are still reportedly a very strong seller.
In order to re-enter the 3rd gen pistol market again, S&W would probably have to keep using their Houlton plant for production and repair. That would cut into their 1911 and .22 production.
A PC version of a select number of 3rd gen models would be interesting, but no doubt expensive. It would also cut into their current PC revolver efforts.
Renewing 3rd gen production would drain money needed for other lines, as they'd have to reinvigorate their vendor supplies of parts (and no doubt make some further revisions to design and manufacturing), as well as expand their parts inventory for them again.
Never say never, but also don't hold your breath. Cross your fingers and hope, if you wish.
Maybe bear in mind that at one point S&W told some of their remaining longtime 3rd gen gov users, meaning NYPD, the RCMP and the CHP that they were not going to make any more of their guns, and they'd have to choose something else. Seemed pretty definitive, at the time.
