M&P shortage?

[ET.]

A friend is thinking of buying a M&P40 compact. He went to the local gunshop to look at one. The store salesman told him that S&W is filling a government contract on M&Ps and are only manufacturering M&P guns for public comsumption one day a week. He went on to say that there is a waiting list that's up to a few months long on some models right now, so if the M&P you are looking for is in the store's display case you better buy it while you have the chance. Anybody else heard this, or was it an over zealous employee trying to make a sell by using the old "better get it now because it will be gone tomorrow" tactic?

 

[jgreiner]

A friend is thinking of buying a M&P40 compact. He went to the local gunshop to look at one. The store salesman told him that S&W is filling a government contract on M&Ps and are only manufacturering M&P guns for public comsumption one day a week. He went on to say that there is a waiting list that's up to a few months long on some models right now, so if the M&P you are looking for is in the store's display case you better buy it while you have the chance. Anybody else heard this, or was it an over zealous employee trying to make a sell by using the old "better get it now because it will be gone tomorrow" tactic?

Well, all I know is that the gun shop where I got mine had two...both are gone...and they are saying they have a wait to get them. Davidson (their supplier) also has very few in stock. Glad I got mine when I did.

 

[tgmorris99]

It may be somewhat dependent on your geographical location as the LGS around me had several in stock when I went looking for an M&P9c a couple of weeks back. I did have some trouble finding the exact model I wanted but most places had some sort of a 9c available.

Have your friend call around to some of the shops in the area to see what's available. You can also visit the S&W site to get a list of vendors by zip code if that helps. I found that buying local worked out to about the same price as buying cheaper via gunbroker.com or elsewhere and paying shipping and/or FFL fees.

 

[Grinder]

The local dealers around here sell them very quickly when they get them.
Some models are in short supply from what they tell me.
Just tell them what model you want and be patient

 

[Dos Cylindros]

I recently picked up a full size 45 and the compact. They were quite a mission to come by and I have been told by more than one source that S&W is backordered up to 5 months on most of the M&P line.

 

[SoCalDep]

I had to call all over Southern California to find one, and just drove an hour and 45 min each way to get mine (started 10 day wait) today. Everyone else was out with no idea when they would get more. The fired cartridge was dated 06-15-11 and it was the last one they had...So they must have got some and sold them all really fast.

 

[Rangel]

They're here!

I'm still seeing the M&P 40c, the full size M&P 40, both for $439, tax and shipping inc., the S&W M&P40 178032 PRO 40 5 NS 4.5TRG is available for $571, as is the sweet M&P 40c/40s with Crimson Trace grips, for $661--on-line.

Those CT grips really run up the price, but if you have to ever resell, you get most of that back--CT and M&P equal superior brand recognition, squared.

They also have the M&P 9mm, 17 rds, w/ 4.25" barrel for $439.

But if anyone's feeling extra 'large', go on ahead and order the S&W M&P15VTAC 223 Carbine 16" 10 round--a real 'bargain' at only $1511, ha ha. Just the thing for those pesky armadillos--or a herd of them anyway!

Not to thread **** and I'm not a big Ruger fanboy, as too many of their new guns have 'growing pains' when first introduced, but Whittakerguns.com has decent critter gun for a great price: the
Ruger 10/22 Charger
.22cal
While they last
$189.99
MSRP $369.99

(scope not included, but weaver mount is)


They're kind of a hybrid of pistol and rifle, with a ten inch barrel-- I think they're rather ugly, but they are quite accurate and they have made millions of these over the last 40 years, based on the basic mechanical essentials that make up this gun itself.

Ruger’s New .22 Charger Semi-Auto Pistol

 

[eclypse]

A friend is thinking of buying a M&P40 compact. He went to the local gunshop to look at one. The store salesman told him that S&W is filling a government contract on M&Ps and are only manufacturering M&P guns for public comsumption one day a week. He went on to say that there is a waiting list that's up to a few months long on some models right now, so if the M&P you are looking for is in the store's display case you better buy it while you have the chance. Anybody else heard this, or was it an over zealous employee trying to make a sell by using the old "better get it now because it will be gone tomorrow" tactic?

I heard a very similar story from a reputable dealer in MA. I was however, able to find a M&P9c from a small local dealer on Friday after calling around a few places. He had a variety of 40's and 9's in stock in compact and full size.

I wasn't able to find the MA-compliant 9c in stock anywhere online.

 

[frogman18]

When I bought mine a 2 weeks ago, Keene's Depot/kygunco had a display full of them, even went to the back and got me a 40c that hadnt seen the light of day since it left the factory, and apparently they had quit a few so who knows?

 

[Bmanz]

I'm hearing from my LGS that the shortage is due to LEA departments switching to the M&P. Two friends of mine from two different departments have recently made that switch. If the switching is it the actual cause of the shortage is anyone's guess.

 

[Coaltminer]

Seems that it's not just the autos. My LGS tried their distributors, could not fine a Model 29 Classic, 4", blue, from their sources. Went to another store, they located one, but it was about $100 more than quoted from the first store. I bought one, fired case indicated 4/14/11. This was mid May. I have heard(yadayada)that some models will not be run again until next year. Problem is, especially with revolvers, some could be dropped from the line for whatever reason(low sales)and replace with another whiz-bang model. If it's what you want, get it. A gun nut will always find a way to come up with the cash!

 

[WR Moore]

Typically, manufacturers schedule production according to the previous years sales and orders by distributors. There's not a separate production line for each weapon, the machinery has to be retooled & reprogrammed. Changes in demand can really upset the supply applecart if the real world doesn't match projections. Look at the ammo shortages.

Given the sales figures on the M&P, I'd expect that there actually is a separate production line for it. However, as previously noted, real world demand can mess up supply.

 

[Rangel]

Sometimes if there's a lot of talk about perceived or supposedly 'upcoming' shortages of availibilty on a product/s, it actually occcurs, although it didn't have to. It's kind of like a 'run on the bank' when people hear a rumor that the bank's having some problems (never mind that the money's insured-- at least these days for now).It can happen with guns sometimes and may happen in this case.

While the introduction of a number of nice new 380 pocket pistols within a short period of time would by normal measures create at least a short term shrtage of ammo and drive up prices, so many people panicked and bought way more 380 ammo than they really needed. Never mind that the 380 is basically a shorter version of the 9mm bullet and uses less metal, powder and isn't any hardeer to manufacture, the ammo companies took full advantage, by grossly and unfairly inflating the prices of 380 ammo, to the point where it costs more than 9mm in most places and now that demand has lessened, they show no signs of reducing the price. There was a time when our govt. stood up more for the consumer and regardless of the product, penalized companies that engaged in price gouging, but sadly, outside of natural disasters, that's not the case anymore. I suggest people write to their govt reps and company honchos and mention the membership numbers of NRA members, their buying power and their tendacy to vote more than most people do. Maybe putting a little fear into the lackies will help by shaking them up and hopefully take a little bit of greed out of them at the same time.

 

[WR Moore]

Never mind that the 380 is basically a shorter version of the 9mm bullet and uses less metal, powder and isn't any hardeer to manufacture, the ammo companies took full advantage, by grossly and unfairly inflating the prices of 380 ammo, to the point where it costs more than 9mm in most places and now that demand has lessened, they show no signs of reducing the price.

I hate to break it to you, but federal law has for decades,made it illegal for a manufacturer to set prices. MSRP is a suggestion, not a requirement. The retailer is free to sell for as much as they can get for the product. If demand drops, so will the price-eventually. The retailer has to accept that they're going to have to cut their losses at some point to move the product on hand.

While the amount of brass, copper and lead in .380 may be less than 9mm, the manufacturers have to compete on the world market for the metals. They also have to schedule production to meet contracts and lost production time for another product is part of the cost, as is setup time for the machines. As the whatever they're calling the war on terror this week winds down, so will world ammo demand and prices will drop. The ammo shortage wasn't just in the US.

 

[nightshade2x]

There was a time when our govt. stood up more for the consumer and regardless of the product, penalized companies that engaged in price gouging, but sadly, outside of natural disasters, that's not the case anymore. I suggest people write to their govt reps and company honchos and mention the membership numbers of NRA members, their buying power and their tendacy to vote more than most people do. Maybe putting a little fear into the lackies will help by shaking them up and hopefully take a little bit of greed out of them at the same time.

Face palm...

You want the Guberment to stick up for you? LOL The last thing we need as a country is those morons poking their nose in private industry...They don't care about YOU or your family or your ammo prices...very few of them even give a darn about this country anymore. Forget ammo prices how about some jobs or better education!

I'm flabbergasted that you would even suggest such an idea.

However I am curious - have you taken your own suggestion and written to your G'vment representatives and CEO's of products you consume lately to stress your views? If so who? Did they reply?

Oh and the 10,000 unit M&P contract with Australia may play a role in the limited availability of the guns currently.

Have fun and be safe.
Nightshade2x

 

[ET.]

I hate to break it to you, but federal law has for decades,made it illegal for a manufacturer to set prices. MSRP is a suggestion, not a requirement. The retailer is free to sell for as much as they can get for the product. If demand drops, so will the price-eventually. The retailer has to accept that they're going to have to cut their losses at some point to move the product on hand.

While the amount of brass, copper and lead in .380 may be less than 9mm, the manufacturers have to compete on the world market for the metals...

The manufacturers aren't setting the price at the retail level, they are simply charging more to the distributors for 380 vs. 9mm, thus inflating the price and keeping the cost of 380acp extraordinarily high. As stated above, 380acp costs no more to manufacture than 9mm & probably a little less. The cost of metals & other components applies to all rounds manufactured, so that would not be a factor as to the inflated price of 380acp over 9mm. 380acp demand out paced the supply for a year or two. Now that supply has caught up to demand the price should fall. It isn't falling because the manufacturers know that customers are willing to pay the higher price now that they are used to it... So 380 still cost more than 9mm & probably always will.

Now somebody tell me why I'm paying so much for my 357sig. ...Oh yeah, that's right. Pay attention ET, it's because I am willing to buy it at that price, duh! The bottle necked casing surely can't cost that much more to manufacture than a straight cased round...can it? But there I am, standing in line with my two boxes of Remington 357sig @ 29 bucks a box (50 rounds). I am part of the problem, not part of the solution. Rats!

 

[Rangel]

Somebody got a hair up their arse around here?

 

[Maximumbob54]

Rumor mill fodder:

The Army is finally dumping the M9 in favor of the M&P 40...

There, it's started...

 

[dpty939]

I was just at my local gunshop today and asked this question.
I was told that some models are easy to get with no wait. The shop owner told me that all 45 models have a wait. Possibly up to 6 months. They have plenty 9 and 40 on hand but only had 2 45's with orders in for more but have already waited a month with no time given for delivery. Another shop told me there is a wait on all M&P's. Bottom line is, if u r in the market for one and you see one you want, Buy It!!!!

 

[xray 99]

Bud's listed many as "Out of Stock."