Just looked at the " S&W Lineup"

[BlackRifle]

After not following firearms for a number of years, (a few deployments, kids and one divorce later), I perused the current offerings from S&W. Sniff, Sniff , (wiping tears from my eyes)!

Last time I looked it over was a few years after the "Lock" and the the Brits took over.

What the hell happened! Nothing but plastic auto loaders, except for the 1911 platforms.

Granted I own some Sigmas, including a rare .357 Sig. Come on, when did they kill off the last of the 3rd Gen Pistols?

I know they are heavy to carry, especially for the double stack variety. Nothing feels as good to me as American Made Steel in the grip of my hand.

Hopefully I have not raised the hackle of 1911 fans. I own these too. But I am a purest. My 1911s all Have COLT on them. Well almost (Kimber 10mm Target II). Guess I will have to test drive a SW 1911 someday.

Must be the lack of PD contracts and the cost of manufacturing that sealed the fate of Gen III offerings.

Damn I must be getting old. Makes me think twice about thinning my safe out.

Mike

 

[18DAI]

Amen brother!

I think profit margin is what caused the current company calling itself S&W to do away with the 3rd generation pistols.

More money in plastic guns, for them.

I recall eagerly awaiting the S&W catalog at my dealers. I haven't done that in over eleven years now!

Disappointment is what I experience....and expect, with the release of the yearly S&W catalog.

Hang onto your collection! There evidently won't be anymore as nice as those! Regards 18DAI.

 

[august1410]

I'm not too impressed, either. There was a time when S&W meant "Steel and Wood".

There is a reason I bought a vintage Model 10 instead of something new.

 

[Lost Lake]

While I love my old S&W models, I also love my M&P and even my BG380! I see a place for all of them. Obviously the market is changing, nobody makes a good musket anymore, and arrowheads for willow arrows are no longer produced, even overseas.
Lamenting change is natural, but try to embrace the new technology.... You may find it useful in some ways!

 

[18DAI]

If S&W would use new technology to make something I had a use for, I'd buy it.

M&P? I've shot every version (including an agency T&E of the M&P40) except for the .357sig variants and the "Pro". LOUSY triggers on a mediocre, overated, overhyped, over priced plastic gun.

BG380? Please. I'm not a beta tester. I'd buy the Bersa 380 - IF - I ever wanted a 380 in the first place.

Now if the current company calling itself S&W would make a scandium framed, melonite finish, rail free, 4566 with night sights - I'd buy two!

But realistically, the odds of them making that 4566 are about the same as me buying any factory new S&W. Regards 18DAI

 

[jppezz23]

Hey people you like buying foreign made guns then by all means buy them I like buying guns made in America always have and always will just my thing.

 

[novalty]

I like to point the finger at the dark side. Not even going to dirty this post with the 5 letter "G" word. Their polymer construction was much cheaper to produce than the all steel we love. Police contracts are harder to get when the polymer guns can be made much cheaper. Very similar to the automotive industry.

 

[BlackRifle]

Lamenting..

While I love my old S&W models, I also love my M&P and even my BG380! I see a place for all of them. Obviously the market is changing, nobody makes a good musket anymore, and arrowheads for willow arrows are no longer produced, even overseas.
Lamenting change is natural, but try to embrace the new technology.... You may find it useful in some ways!

I guess that was what I was doing. But I do embrace the new technology. I even own a Glock, albeit a model 20, cause I support companies that build products I enjoy or find useful. Also I am a huge 10mm fan, have been since 93. I wish I could own a weapon in 223 BOZ. Some newish technology.

I do not own more Glocks since they do not naturally point for me. Sigma does point well for me. I have not tried the M&P yet. But you have thrown down the gauntlet! Thanks.

I appreciate the musket and arrow analogy. I guess I will go order a piston driven upper for my M16A1 now. Oh wait the ex got most of my money... just not my guns!

Stand Vigilant!

Mike

 

[10ring]

I, too prefer the S&W guns that are no longer made. But I can't really blame S&W for making what they believe will sell best and/or generate the greatest profit. Their duty is to stockholders, not me.

For the most part, I mostly buy used or the occasional "new, old stock" S&W. I don't really think that will change, except perhaps for an E series 1911.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I agree sir! I'm pretty old and I'm not sure it's even legal for me to own a late model S&W. I traded a really nice Ruger LCR for a S&W 3913 awhile back and the 3913 is my daily companion now. I'm pretty much a wheel gunner and my Models 10, 15 and 18 are fifties and sixties. I have shot a few of the newer autos, but as you said, wood and steel are the real feel. Hug that safe!

 

[99savage308]

Blackrifle,

You said it all...the Brits.

 

[yustinus1973]

Well here is a shocker for all of ya im in my 20s, and love 3rd gens and alot of other pistols some would consider old technology, no tactocool for me thanks been there do that got the tee shirt. Don't care for the "G" pistols or any striker fired, polly pistol for that mater, and i have owned or shot some, they wore ok, just more into steel and alloy is all. Always thought i should have been born a little earlier so i could have been around, and of age to own some of these when they first came out. But owning them now is nice as well. Oh and my Direct Gas Impingement AR-15 upper works just fine so im keeping it no need for a piston. So in conclusion bring all the old technology on it's more my cup of tea.

 

[scooter123]

Most handgun purchasers today are looking for light weight guns that are easy to carry. As a result most manufacturers are going to polymer frames to cut weight. It's where the money is made so you really can't blame S&W for doing what almost every other manufacturer is doing.

With limited production capacity S&W had to make some cuts somewhere and the cuts were made to the models that had the lowest sales. While you don't like it, you don't have to answer to the stockholders. Personally, I don't like that they dropped production of the 610 and 620 revolvers. If I owned S&W that wouldn't have happened, however I don't own the company so I'll just have to do the same as you, which is mutter an "aw Shucks" and look for a nice used example at a moderately reasonable price.

 

[Gregrn14]

If S&W would use new technology to make something I had a use for, I'd buy it.

M&P? I've shot every version (including an agency T&E of the M&P40) except for the .357sig variants and the "Pro". LOUSY triggers on a mediocre, overated, overhyped, over priced plastic gun.

BG380? Please. I'm not a beta tester. I'd buy the Bersa 380 - IF - I ever wanted a 380 in the first place.

Now if the current company calling itself S&W would make a scandium framed, melonite finish, rail free, 4566 with night sights - I'd buy two!

But realistically, the odds of them making that 4566 are about the same as me buying any factory new S&W. Regards 18DAI

Boy, if we on this Forum could only "tell" S&W to bring back their 3rd Generation autoloaders in their "Classic" line we would all be in heaven!

 

[deanodog]

I am OLD and no plastic for me. I have tried them but did not like striker fired anything. Here is what I settled on.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I think profit margin is what caused the current company calling itself S&W to do away with the 3rd generation pistols.

More money in plastic guns, for them.

I just continue to disagree with these statements- especially when some other manufacturers, like SIG and Beretta for example, continue to have strong sales of both polymer framed and metal framed pistols.

And with Kimber's introduction of the Solo with demand far exceeding production, it just shows you what possibilities would exist for a modern introduction of a 3913/4013 or Chief's Special.

 

[Gregrn14]

deanodog:

Beautiful collection!

 

[18DAI]

I'm sorry you disagree.

Unlike Beretta, S&W isn't giving anyone an option. Take their plastic gun. No more metal framed duty guns......unless you want a 1911.

But when an agency WANTS to purchase a 3rd generation pistol to replace the ones they have and S&W says "No, buy an M&P", and that agency says "No thanks, we'll buy a Glock instead." well suddenly S&W is producing 4566TSW's in their Maine facility.

I agree with you that there is a market. A scandium 3913/3914 would sell very well, if the auction boards are any indication. Evidently the current company calling itself S&W is either too greedy, too arrogant, or too........lazy/inept/stupid??? to take advantage of that market.

Here's another example of missed opportunity. LAPD is allowing officers to transition to S&W 3rd generation 45's. Started again last year. Notice the sudden lack of good condition S&W 4506/4566/4513's on the auction boards in the last year? Officers are paying $1000 out there for LNIB examples. I have it on good authority from two folks out there that the inquiry for an order of new 4566's was met with the "buy an M&P" line. Oh well.

As to them "only answering to their share holders" well.....their share holders should be asking some questions, based on S&W's stock continuing to tank. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Shadow1006]

S&W also missed the boat...

Not only did they do away with the 3rd gens, all flavors, they don't offer a 10mm version of the M&P...

They would have done much better selling an M&P 10mm than a 310 NG or the reintro of the 610 with stupid locks!

They put out the 460 & 500 hand cannons and sold a few, but if they had offered the M&P 10mm they would have sold better...

I'm am proud of my 3rd gen S&W 10xx series and exercise them often, but there is a lot to be said about the Glock 29 as a compact shooter packing 11 potent beans...........

 

[scatterguy]

I am OLD and no plastic for me. I have tried them but did not like striker fired anything. Here is what I settled on.

This really has me struggling with the whole, "Thou shalt not covet" thing right now Very nice family pic.