SD Series being discontinued?

[shawn mccarver]

I was surprised to see that the remaining SD Series pistols were on closeout at two distributors, with some already missing from the online computer listings available to dealers.

This usually means either: (1) the pistol is being completely discontinued; or, (2) a different SKU number is being assigned and the pistol, with some sort of change will remain in production, but with a different SKU number.

Does anyone have any inside information?

UPDATE: As we now know the original SD with the front night sight and the melonite finish has been replaced by the SD VE Series, which does not have a night sight, and which has the ordinary satin finish to the stainless slide.

By taking away those features, the new VE Series of the SD9 and SD40 are priced very competitively. The trigger pull on the SD is far and away better than the SIGMA or SW9VE and SW40VE. I am glad to see the SD is back! I think it makes a great entry level pistol and is just the ticket for someone who wants a reliable, easy to use self-defense pistol capable of mounting a light or laser utilizing the standard Picatinny type rail as opposed to the unfortunate HK-type proprietary rail on the SW9VE and SW40VE.

 

[StuperDan]

I know that apex has made a spring kit and are about to release a new trigger for it. I wouldn't think they'd bother if it were about to be discontinued.

 

[DNS109]

I sure hope it's not being discountinued. I like it better than the m&p. It fits my hand like a glove.

 

[Fat B]

I sure hope it's not being discountinued. I like it better than the m&p. It fits my hand like a glove.

I agree, that is my I bought it over the M&P. Good gun and I thought I heard they were selling quite a few of SD's. It would be a big surprise to me if they discontinued them.

 

[S&WFireman]

I haven't heard anything about it... I hope not.

 

[Garpo]

I just saw this:

S&W SD9 9mm 4" Discontinued 16RD NS 220900 : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com

 

[Scrat]

glad i have mine!!!! feel sorry for those that dont

 

[Erich]

While I understand that some individuals might like theirs, I never understood the market for the neither-fish-nor-fowl SD in the first place.

Sigma = inexpensive utility brand
SD = ?
M&P = main/premium brand

There's a reason that GM did away with the Olds - and Chevy and Cadillac are thriving. My thought when I saw the announcement of the SD line's release was, "Really? Who's going to buy that?"

 

[mjb99]

Interesting. A quick google search on the topic only came up with this thread. Has anyone found any other info?

I would have thought that if a pistol line was going to be dropped, it would be the Sigma. Then again, S&W is still selling those by the boatload. Oh well, back to looking for more deals on 3rd Gen. DAO's!

 

[Ruger Nut]

There's only one way to verify the rumor;call S&W and ask them.I will do that Monday morning.I'll reply the answer after I talk with them.

 

[Garpo]

My thought when I saw the announcement of the SD line's release was, "Really? Who's going to buy that?"

They sell well in my neck of the woods. I missed out on two in the past several months because they were sold by the time I could make it to the LGS. Even my local high priced Bass Pro is sold out of the SD9.

 

[Erich]

What do you want to bet the numbers of individual SDs sold in a given year is less than a third (a fifth?) of either the Sigmas or the M&Ps? They're not pulling the gun because it's too popular . . .

 

[Out West]

To my trained marketing mind () it does seem that S&W may have segmented the poly pistol market too finely. The different price points that these pistols sell at are not that great. I can see an entry level poly pistol and a main line pistol (M&P) with the possibility of upgrading the main line into something like the Pro series. Trying to shoe horn in another pistol between the two might be too much: especially if you consider that each line will have its own promotion,advertising and manufacturing expenses. Typically I see about a $75 step between each of these guns (casual observation based upon frequent gun shows). What I don't know is how many of each are sold and whether or not each line is profitable.

However, if S&W were to eliminate the intermediate pistol, I don't see why they would chose the SD. To me a better choice would be to eliminate the Sigma and retain the newer SD. Reasons include: 1) the Sigma investment, after all these years, is fully depreciated 2) the SD addresses some of the oft mentioned complaints associated with the Sigma 3) the SD has none of the baggage associated with the early Sigma and should be easier to position and market to consumers.

Just my thinking on the topic and not intended as a knock on any other opinion posted here or the Sigma. I've owned several Sigmas and liked them. I own the SD and like it. I now own M&Ps and like them the best of the three models. From my own perspective, I certainly don't need representatives of all three in my safe. And, if I were buying my first S&W pistol today, I'd probably start with the SD. It comes with a night sight and a much improved trigger. In my mind the $75 premium over the Sigma (maybe even less depending on the deal) still makes it a best buy compared to the competition. (Have you noticed that Glocks are now selling for more than $500 new and XDMs are even more).

We shall see what happens. Hopefully, everyone will still have their favorite pistol available in 2012. And as inferred above, if the all the lines are profitable there isn't need for S&W to change a thing.

Out
West

 

[Chuck1217]

S&W still offers them and I've seen several online retailers that sell them but are out of stock- one says 'backorder permitted.' I have one and was thinking about another- guess I'll wait & see what's up. Kinda wanted a VTAC M&P9 for a while- more expensive but one fine-lookin' piece. Maybe I'll have an excuse to move up...

 

[Garpo]

If the rumors are true, I still might get one while I can. The whole concept of the SD line appeals to my needs. Heck, half the guns I own have been discontinued over the past decades and I can still get parts and accessories for them. Just look at the various models S&W has produced and discontinued over the years. Most are still sought after for a variety or reasons.

 

[mjb99]

So...all we have so far is a couple of distributor postings calling an SD model "discontinued"? No press releases, info from S&W, or anything?

Maybe it was a particular package/varient that is being dropped? I would be surprised if S&W dropped the gun and wasted all that r&d cost, production cost, etc. after only a year of sales.

Matt

 

[Onisius]

Any source for the discontinued Sigmas?
I would get one at a discontinued price, mainly cause I'm a cheap bastage.

 

[Garpo]

This is a reply I got back from a GB dealer when I asked them why they are advertising the SD9 as being discontinued:


“Its on the list of firearms Smith & Wesson is discontinuing
150252 S&W 14 CLAS 38+P 6 SA/DA BL 6 619.95 BE B 011 MDS
150478 S&W 18 CLAS 22LR 4 SA/DA BL 6 619.95 BE B 007 MDS 162525 S&W 637CSA CT 38SW+P 21/2 5 479.95 BE B 086 MDS
162526 S&W 638 BG CT 38+P 21/2 5 479.95 BE B 096 MDS
170329S S&W 632 327MAG 3 BLK PP 6 589.95 BE B 009 MDS
220900 S&W SD 9MM 4 POLY 16 340.87 BE T 048 MDS

350160 S&W COLOR HANDCUFF STARTER KIT 299.95 BE B 005 MDS”

No other explanation....

 

[Fat B]

But the SD40 is not listed? Strange.

 

[Ruger Nut]

350160 S&W COLOR HANDCUFF STARTER KIT 299.95 BE B 005 MDS”

No other explanation....

OMG! How are me and my girlfriend suppose to role play now?