S&W lowered their prices, something up??

[Eagle1*]

I was just at my dealer yesterday and saw that his S&W pistol prices have went way down. I asked what was up and he told me that they lowered all of their prices $50.00 to $70.00 at the beginning of the year.

Now here is the part where I made out like a bandit, I was looking at getting a no lock 642 in December and the price then was $439.00 and S&W was having the $50.00 mail in rebate then. I reluctantly passed due to Xmas coming up and forgot about it until I went into the gun store yesterday.
Lo and behold, he still had some of the no lock 442/642's in the store, but I noticed that the $439.00 prices were slashed out and the new (get this) price of $369.00 was on the tag. I asked about that and he told me they lowered their prices. Needless to say I walked out of the store with a brand new in box 642 for $394.00 including tax. I was extremely happy that I waited!!

My dealer told me that the M$P line is also included in the price cuts and if I recall, he said they were now $469.00. Anybody know what is up with this??
I am wondering if they were tired of giving rebates on their guns and just lowered the prices anyway, either way you guys better snag up what Smiths you want while you can before the price goes up.

 

[kraigwy]

I think its marketing, S&W is trying to get back the market shares it lost to Ruger.

Not a bad ideal. Maybe we'll get a price war like the Gas Price Wars of the 60s.

 

[novalty]

S&W lost market share to Ruger. Hard to believe, as I think that their entire, LC, SR, and P series are very lacking in the aesthetic department.

 

[Rule3]

Maybe they are trying to get their stock price to break the $4.00 mark

Buds on line has the no lock 642 for $361 shipped. So imagine what they paid for them??

 

[novalty]

Buds on line has the no lock 642 for $361 shipped. So imagine what they paid for them??

Are you insinuating Bud's is making a profit

 

[brucev]

S&W prices dropping? It's about time. No reason Glock should be able to market pistols at a better price point than S&W. And comparing S&W to Ruger, there is no comparison. Other than single-actions, S&W should be able to walk away with the double-action revolver market. But price is a sticking point, especially in this down economy.

 

[roundgunner]

I looked at and handled a 396 NG yesterday. I'm thinking about it but $839 is alot of cash. I guess I'll keep carrying the 340 for a while.

 

[Rule3]

I looked at and handled a 396 NG yesterday. I'm thinking about it but $839 is alot of cash. I guess I'll keep carrying the 340 for a while.

But NG's are special. I have yet to see one at my local shop and he is a SW "Top Gun" dealer.

I have seen one and it was at Bass Pro a long time ago and it of course was over $1k.

I am afraid SW is playing catch up and not leading the way.
Not on revolvers so much but on SD guns that ordinary folks want.
Some how, Ruger went from no SD guns to several.

S&W can not just rely on the J frame market.

 

[anglaispierre]

Market forces. They make 'em or break 'em.

 

[DeadAye]

Cool, but you really only saved a bit less than $20 - Unless the rebate still applies (?)

 

[Out West]

For me to believe S&W has lost market share to Ruger I'd need to see some research. No offense intended to the OP or to Ruger, but that just doesn't jibe with my own observations.

OUt
weST

 

[Branned2010]

I read months ago that S&W was giving up the $50 rebates in 2011 as it costs them $85 (Admin costs) to do them. Seems like a smart deal for them and me if the dealers drop the prices by $50.

 

[ladder13]

What's this thing called Ruger, is it like Glock?

 

[Andy Griffith]

I read months ago that S&W was giving up the $50 rebates in 2011 as it costs them $85 (Admin costs) to do them. Seems like a smart deal for them and me if the dealers drop the prices by $50.

Ah, but there's the reason they do the rebates- only a small percentage ever fill out the paperwork correctly and send it in within the time frame of the promotion. For instance, if only 35% of those that bought guns during the rebate period send them in- S&W made/kept far more cash than a straight discount would allow them to, and therefore they made more cash. However, if the fulfillment rate is mush higher, it will cost them money.

I am wondering, how many remember that they "lowered" their prices on these same models (637, 642, 638) about 6-7 years ago, and when we had our heads turned, they crept the price up to the point to where it was. Take advantage of this while and if you need to- because they will bring it back up- likely much faster this time.

The worst thing is, this discount only affect a very few models. I feel very disenfranchised as none of the ones on my short list are affected. In other words, they want me to think they lowered the price on everything- "New lower pricing!" Sure, on half-dozen items...all I can say is, be careful, as these fellers try to use the old "perception is reality" ploy.

I'll shut up now.

 

[mm6mm6]

The Ruger LCP .380 and the Ruger LCR .38 Special both bit huge chunks out of the S&W J Frame revolver market. New concealed carry owners (the largest growing market in the US) skyrocketed the past couple years and Ruger was there with cutting edge products.

Sure, the LCP and LCR weren't much in aethetics due to their flat black, rather austere appearances, but new ccw buyers wanted functionality over appearance. The price point was well below the S&W lightweight .38 specials as well.

S&W, however has played a game of catch up and, in my opinion, has surpassed Ruger. The new Bodyguard 380 is much better than the LCP and the Bodyguard 38 is the LCR's equal.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I bought a Mod.38 in Dec. Traded in my Mod. 38 & got the rebate. I know it's an ugly thing but it shoots very well & doesn't rust up like the Mod.38. It's now my main carry piece.

 

[rayb]

Some "local research" data

Helped my local pusher unload the delivery truck the other night. There were 8 S&W bodyguards, in the new cheap Chinese looking cardboard box, in the shipment. There was one Ruger, ordered for a customer, & it was a regular sized 357, forget the model, but not a concealed carry type.

rayb

 

[Rule3]

What until the new Ruger LC 9 becomes (copy of the KT PF9) available. Even better (and more money) the Sig P290.

Heck there are two new J frames in the Smith 2010 catalog that they have not even produced yet.

I have seen one Night Guard at the shops around here.

Perhaps they are spread to thin, kinda like Taurus (I am not comparing Smith to Taurus) only that I think Taurus has way to many guns in their line up and could build a better gun if they concentrated on few less. How many flavors do they have on those little Beretta copies of pop up barrels.?

 

[chief38]

S&W sales are way down! A lot of new shooters are into the Glocks, Sigs, and small .380 pocket pistols these days which has eaten into their sales. A lot of us that grew up with "real" Smiths just plain refuse to buy a revolver with all the new "improvements" like internal locks, cast MIM parts, barrel inserts, etc, and so we have chosen to buy used older Smiths on the internet which again has eaten into their sales. The economy is still in the crapper and people are just at their financial limit. Gun laws are getting even more restrictive, and many people just won't go through the whole long drown out process of getting a permit. The gun buying frenzy that was in place for the past few years is coming to a halt. Combine all these factors and what do you get?? A decline in sales.