From catalog to production release: how long?

[jsedwards]

Hello all,

I was curious if anyone had observed how long it takes for an item to go from being added to the S&W catalog to production/release to resellers? Also whether or not there's a consistent lead time between semi-automatic production vs. revolver, pistol vs. rifle, etc?

The example I have right now is the 460V; added back into the catalog in May(ish) and expected to hit retailers around August. I was curious if that's generally the lead time for all new additions or if that's shorter/longer than most.

Thanks in advance for any comments or opinions on it.

 

[505Gibbs]

Putting an item in the catalog or showing a prototype off at the Shot Show doesn't necessarily mean production availability anytime soon.
'Stuff' happens to machines and unforseen issues may pop up over doing a prototype vs. trying to do it on a volume basis.
IMO trying to predict the availability of a gun is at best a **** shoot in spite of the unfounded rumors that spin out of the LGS that many have heard in their pursuit of a particular firearm.
Patience, in this case, is really a virtue!

 

[jsedwards]

Thanks, I appreciate the response! Thankfully I'm busy explaining away all my other little "items" so a wait is a blessing in disguise right now.

Cheers!

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I can only speak to my experience......

Back in the early spring of 2010 S&W listed, on their web site, the
Model 632-2, which is a 6 shot J Frame chambered for .327 Fed Mag,
with the footnote that it would be available "Summer of 2010."

I put money down on one that April, figuring I would get on the list
and they didn't show up at the wholesalers until August of 2011.

 

[jsedwards]

I can only speak to my experience......

Back in the early spring of 2010 S&W listed, on their web site, the
Model 632-2, which is a 6 shot J Frame chambered for .327 Fed Mag,
with the footnote that it would be available "Summer of 2010."

I put money down on one that April, figuring I would get on the list
and they didn't show up at the wholesalers until August of 2011.

Dang. That's a bit of a delay. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[JoeHatley]

I just bought a SW1911 Pro Series a couple months ago. The adjustable sight version was shown at the Shot show in January of 2011 and added to the S&W web site about the same time. These guns didn't go into production until February of 2012.

S&W told me that some large law enforcement orders being done in the Houlton plant cause the delay.