M&P shield production halted?

[doc738]

I was able to purchase a Shield 9mm last week in Houston. While I was at my local Academy (Austin area) I asked about availability - just being curious. The firearm section manager told me that they are hard to get because S&W has suspended production pending a copyright infringement claim by a competitor with a similar model. I haven't been able to find information to confirm/deny this, but though I would throw it out there for consideration. Anyone else heard this?

 

[Nakanokalronin]

The Shield is an M&P design inside and out so I'm not sure who could possibly claim a copyright infringement.

IMO, if any company did so, they are trying to delay Shield shipment so people would buy their guns instead. They would have to claim copyright infringement on the entire M&P line that's been out for many many years now.

 

[Twoboxer]

A "copyright infringement" - if in fact there is one - would likely refer to the use of the name "Shield", not the design of the weapon. Even that would more likely be a "trademark infringement".

Pistol design seems most likely to be covered by patents rather than copyrights.

IMHO, your local expert's story doesn't hang together.

 

[Raising Cain]

I work for the steel mill that produces steel that goes into most of Smith & Wesson's barrels.
We're making tons & tons. Yes, TONS of steel for S&W this month.
If I had to take a guess, I would have to say it's most likely bad info, or a sales tactic.

 

[bp231986]

This guy said this about a gun from this place that he heard from this other guy that told this dude on the street that he though he heard this from a homeless guy who heard it from a guy that walked by him wearing a S&W T shirt talking on his phone about some gun.....

 

[Raising Cain]

This guy said this about a gun from this place that he heard from this other guy that told this dude on the street that he though he heard this from a homeless guy who heard it from a guy that walked by him wearing a S&W T shirt talking on his phone about some gun.....

Hey, I know that dude!

 

[McBear]

A "copyright infringement" - if in fact there is one - would likely refer to the use of the name "Shield", not the design of the weapon. Even that would more likely be a "trademark infringement".

Pistol design seems most likely to be covered by patents rather than copyrights.

IMHO, your local expert's story doesn't hang together.

If it is serious it is PATENT - a hardware design or manufacturing element or product manufacturing technique or process. Otherwise it is nothing more than marketing [trademark]. Copyright would only come into play if S&W stole verbiage in their description of the weapon word for word.

 

[SSW1911]

The Shield is an M&P design inside and out so I'm not sure who could possibly claim a copyright infringement.

IMO, if any company did so, they are trying to delay Shield shipment so people would buy their guns instead. They would have to claim copyright infringement on the entire M&P line that's been out for many many years now.

^^^this^^^

The Shield isn't available here yet and the competition is marketing thier similar guns heavily. Once the Shield gets here they are gonna fly off the shelves!! Many stores are taking lists and the interest in the local forums is huge!!

Hope to get one myself, then Apex will be selling trigger kits like crazy!!

 

[Nakanokalronin]

^^^this^^^

The Shield isn't available here yet and the competition is marketing thier similar guns heavily. Once the Shield gets here they are gonna fly off the shelves!! Many stores are taking lists and the interest in the local forums is huge!!

Hope to get one myself, then Apex will be selling trigger kits like crazy!!

It's so similar to the larger M&Ps, some of the parts interchange such as the type from Apex.

What company calls a gun of theirs "Shield" other than S&W?

IMO, the guy at your shop is full of it, he believes some lie he heard or some other company with a slim 9mm is trying to screw up Shield shipments or sales. I personally think it's one of the first two.

 

[angel71rs]

I was at Academy couple weeks back, asked if they had any Shields. Guy said no. Asked when they expected more. He looked in his computer said it wasn't shown anymore. He thought maybe just a one time deal, Academy might not carry them anymore. So who knows, pick a story.

 

[Moonman]

Sounds like a real CROCK of BS to me, S&W'S home web site still lists the 9MM and the 40 S&W Shields in the M&P handgun section.

There were 40's available in Northeast Ohio VERY recently, I was close to purchasing one yesterday, I may still. I have the 9MM.

 

[kris7047th]

I was able to purchase a Shield 9mm last week in Houston. While I was at my local Academy (Austin area) I asked about availability - just being curious. The firearm section manager told me that they are hard to get because S&W has suspended production pending a copyright infringement claim by a competitor with a similar model. I haven't been able to find information to confirm/deny this, but though I would throw it out there for consideration. Anyone else heard this?

I seriously doubt that. Like what was said before, the Shield is just a scaled down M&P using the standard M&P sear, which made it easy for ATEi to replace the sear with the style that he makes for the larger M&Ps two months ago today (the very day the Shield 9 launched to the public)

They are hard to find/buy due to the tremendous popularity and demand for them.

 

[GKC]

I was able to purchase a Shield 9mm last week in Houston. While I was at my local Academy (Austin area) I asked about availability - just being curious. The firearm section manager told me that they are hard to get because S&W has suspended production pending a copyright infringement claim by a competitor with a similar model. I haven't been able to find information to confirm/deny this, but though I would throw it out there for consideration. Anyone else heard this?

If you are talking about Academy Sports, I assume...then I wouldn't rely on anything you might be told there. In my experience, their firearms sales personnel have little to no training or even knowledge about the guns they sell, much less any attendant issues in the industry. I have bought guns at Academy Sports (at several locations) on occasion because they have something I want at a lower price than is available elsewhere, and sometimes I just go look at what they have on display...and I am always amazed at what I hear the sales personnel telling other buyers. I don't claim to be an expert by any means, and it's not my place to butt in, but it is both comical and tragic what I have heard the sales people say to other customers who are obviously new to firearms.

 

[alatour]

I was able to purchase a Shield 9mm last week in Houston. While I was at my local Academy (Austin area) I asked about availability - just being curious. The firearm section manager told me that they are hard to get because S&W has suspended production pending a copyright infringement claim by a competitor with a similar model. I haven't been able to find information to confirm/deny this, but though I would throw it out there for consideration. Anyone else heard this?

From what I see when dissembled it is nearly identical to all other M&P's just smaller.

 

[deltabowhunter]

I happened to call S&W myself last Friday. They said they are still producing them and recently added a 3rd shift to meet demands for the Shield. I know some dealers are still getting them in stock because a local dealer just got a .40 in yesterday. I sure wish it was a 9mm because that is what I'm looking for! I also called the closest Academy Sports yesterday. He said their system showed 140 on order for Academy as a whole, but they haven't received any since the initial shipments.

 

[Rotty37]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/254363-shields-shipping.html

 

[Lost Lake]

I heard Twinkies weren't made anymore. Seriously.

I haven't done any research, but I kind of took that hard.

I'm not kidding!

 

[ccpacker]

S&W sells to Jobbers. The jobbers sell to dealers. Jobbers have a pecking order among the dealers they sell to. The best payers or bribers or drinking buddies get the guns first. It is best to get your name on several LGS lists. Guess what the dealers sell to their best buddies first too. Just the way it works.

 

[patbelly]

Got a flyer in my e-mail today from Green Top Sporting Goods in Glen Allen, VA (just outside of Richmond). Advertising Fathers Day Sale and have 40 plus M&P Shields in .40 S&W. They want $449.99.
I'll be waiting for the 9mm.

 

[Dohmein]

Nonsense!

They get them in all the time over here still. Date of production are as little as a 9-10 days ago. I spoke to my LGS last night and they got two in the day before