Just back from the Indy NRA show

[cpeblue]

On Friday I cornered a couple of S&W reps who were clueless about 3rd gens . They introduced me to there Multon (?) production guy. I asked about the current unavailability of 3rd gen parts and was told unmistakeably that THEY NO LONGER MAKE THOSE GUNS and any parts they have are for agencies that still use them..... But if I do need a part to give the phone rep the # and they might let me get one.

I asked if the CHP ordered another 1000 4006tsw would they make them ? I received a unenthusiastic yes they would.

So there was my 'nothing to see here move along' time with the S&W reps. I have the feeling the Mother Ship Don't Like Us 3rd Geners .

From what I saw at the S&W booth they are a revolver company that also makes 1911s and they are trying to get there Poly pistols to be loved by all .

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I really wish they'd realize that they are a revolver company (as you mentioned.) I can't remember the last time they advertised their revolvers. All the magazines always run M&P ads.

 

[cpeblue]

They had quit a few revolvers there but the big push was on the poly M&Ps, and let me not forget there ARs (which there seems to be an over abundance of)

 

[timn8er]

On Friday I cornered a couple of S&W reps who were clueless about 3rd gens . They introduced me to there Multon (?) production guy. I asked about the current unavailability of 3rd gen parts and was told unmistakeably that THEY NO LONGER MAKE THOSE GUNS and any parts they have are for agencies that still use them..... But if I do need a part to give the phone rep the # and they might let me get one.

I asked if the CHP ordered another 1000 4006tsw would they make them ? I received a unenthusiastic yes they would.

So there was my 'nothing to see here move along' time with the S&W reps. I have the feeling the Mother Ship Don't Like Us 3rd Geners .

From what I saw at the S&W booth they are a revolver company that also makes 1911s and they are trying to get there Poly pistols to be loved by all .

I think you may be right. In fact, we may be somewhat of an embarrassment to them. Here they are, offering the "latest & greatest" in poly pistols, & here's this mass of gun owners that prefer to own & shoot twenty & thirty year old guns. I won't get into which is better as I do own two M&P's, but that's opposed to twelve 3rd Gens. I believe there's a place for both, & though I can understand S&W's business decision not to provide support for the earlier models, I still think its a terrible thing to do to a section of its customer base, & it will affect any gun buying I do in the future.

 

[cpeblue]

timn8er, you can believe that when I left that booth I had serious thoughts of dumping my 15 and going back to SIG, even the Armscor folks were more friendly even with the slight language barrier .

 

[timn8er]

I just can't understand the attitude. Is S&W doing so well that that the can afford to alienate a sizable portion of its fan base? I realize I know little about the "business" but it just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. What do you think?

 

[nocents]

So there was my 'nothing to see here move along' time with the S&W reps. I have the feeling the Mother Ship Don't Like Us 3rd Geners .

you know..... the more I think about this the more it just frosts me.......S&W didn't abandon their revolver customer base........and I agree about giving new and used Sigs a second,third a fourth look from now on......and I have nothing against poly guns....they just don't appeal to me

 

[gm272gs]

I talked with the Smith & Wesson Reps on Friday and today (Saturday). They were more friendly and engaging on Friday. Today was a mad house, for everyone. Ruger was PACKED, and they were still friendly and engaging.

The only booth that had more people standing around was Daniel Defense - but that's because they were giving away a gun!

 

[cpeblue]

I talked with the Smith & Wesson Reps on Friday and today (Saturday). They were more friendly and engaging on Friday. Today was a mad house, for everyone. Ruger was PACKED, and they were still friendly and engaging.

The only booth that had more people standing around was Daniel Defense - but that's because they were giving away a gun!

How about the Kahr Arms booth?? was the model still there today signing posters, that was another group that bent over backwards too help you and had a large crowd on Friday.

As crowded as it was on Friday our little group decided we would forgo Saturday and drink and toss the bull Friday night . Then leave mid morning . This was my 4th convention and by far the most crowded.

The first two reps from S&W were friendly enough just couldn't have been employees for to long of a time. The rep from Multon was a bit on the crass side and no I was not confrontational . I even asked the Hodgon rep were all the powder was, I sure he had heard that at least 50k times that day and even he was still smiling.

 

[4506517]

I think with the exception of a few more 3rd gennies I want to acquire, I'm about to just write S&W off. By now everyone knows my issues with the M&P, and let's face it....as much as folks try to deny it, Glock will continue to dominate the poly market. The M&P will always chase the Glock. S&W has kinda become like GM.....always last to the party, always chasing trends......never a trend setter nor introducing something revolutionary. Always a follower never a leader....followed everyone else into the 1911 and AR game as well. We are issuing one of the S&W AR models for patrol rifles.....one word: CHEAP. They feel flimsy and low quality.

I like revolvers, but not that much. S&W does a marvelous revolver.....however they only have one company to compete against now....Ruger. At least Ruger had the guts to design and build a new take on the AR. Maybe since Ruger is willing to listen to their customers that's why they're building new factories.

Anyway, like I said. S&W isn't interested in what I like anymore. That's fine. There are other companies that are.....and I think I'll go back to patronizing them.

 

[GaryS]

I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone from S&W and now I'm not sure that I need to. It is a shame that a company that touts a life time warranty won't even supply parts for a line of semi autos that are still very popular even though no longer in production.

As to the show itself, all of the exhibitors seem more upbeat than last year. Even the gun and component manufacturers are talking about the availability of their products. Last year most were quoting six month availability of AR components.

Floor traffic today was crazy busy. It was what I called "tire kicker day" because it seems that a lot of people who were at work yesterday were off today and came to the exhibit hall. It was just too jammed out there so I gave up early and will try tomorrow.

 

[perrazi]

your first sentence says it all. reps that are clueless. not limited to s&w either.

 

[cpeblue]

your first sentence says it all. reps that are clueless. not limited to s&w either.

I found the Taurus reps to be the least knowledgeable. For a real deer in the headlight look ask some of the smaller builders of 1911s what makes there gun worth $3500.

 

[cpeblue]

I think with the exception of a few more 3rd gennies I want to acquire, I'm about to just write S&W off. By now everyone knows my issues with the M&P, and let's face it....as much as folks try to deny it, Glock will continue to dominate the poly market. The M&P will always chase the Glock. S&W has kinda become like GM.....always last to the party, always chasing trends......never a trend setter nor introducing something revolutionary. Always a follower never a leader....followed everyone else into the 1911 and AR game as well. We are issuing one of the S&W AR models for patrol rifles.....one word: CHEAP. They feel flimsy and low quality.

I like revolvers, but not that much. S&W does a marvelous revolver.....however they only have one company to compete against now....Ruger. At least Ruger had the guts to design and build a new take on the AR. Maybe since Ruger is willing to listen to their customers that's why they're building new factories.

Anyway, like I said. S&W isn't interested in what I like anymore. That's fine. There are other companies that are.....and I think I'll go back to patronizing them.

What more could anyone say . You hit this one right out of the park !!

 

[nocents]

I was gonna skip this one but Indy is only about an hour away for me........kinda wish I had went tonight.....luv me some Alabama

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

It is hard to find good help these days.

 

[gm272gs]

I found the Taurus reps to be the least knowledgeable. For a real deer in the headlight look ask some of the smaller builders of 1911s what makes there gun worth $3500.

No kidding. I asked a kid in a Taurus shirt if they had a PT-92 in blue or stainless, and he looked at me exactly like a deer in the headlights. He had to go ask someone who "knew", and came back and said "no". Buying the rights from Beretta to make their copy of the 92F made Taurus famous, and they didn't bring any to the show. Weird !

 

[Joe F]

Sounds like S&W is missing half of the "trade show"equation. Obviously, companies want to push their latest and greatest products. The other piece is to find out what the customer wants. Maybe they've tested the market and the demand for 3rd gen parts isn't as big as we think, but I suspect they just have their head in the sand.

 

[dkelly27]

I have three S&W Autos. I have a 645,a 4013TSW and a 411 .40. I think that with the attitude that S&W has toward 3rd. gen. guns that I will be buying some other make from now on. I also have a Star Ultrastar 9mm that is not made any more and I shoot that more than my Smiths. I also have a Kahr CW9 that I like very much.

 

[Nlmadog]

I think S & W should have sold shirts and hats, other than attendees handling the guns not much going on at S &W. The Show was packed and I did eliminate some guns from my wish list, walked out not dying to buy anything. I did get my Cabot !!! They had a couple of magazines left !! For the Duck Dynasty guys Mountain Man was doing photos for $ 5.00. Got a nice $ 10 shirt !