Shield - "Real" Demand versus "Perceived" Demand

[GregoryJ]

Let me start this by stating I have a 9MM Shield and am very happy with it. I also consider myself to be quite fortunate to have been able to obtain one without having had to put my name on a "waiting" list.

I have read many threads containing posts stating that Shields are unavailable and in some cases have not even been seen. The responses often suggest signing up on multiple wait lists and to keep calling stores that don't have lists. I wonder how much of a "false" demand this is creating. Are the dealers ordering a gun for everyone (the perceived demand) on their list? Are dealers that don't have lists ordering more because of the number of calls inquiring about Shield availability?

The first dealer that sells a Shield to someone on multiple wait lists has satisfied the real demand. I realize that for quite some time the other dealers will probably have sufficient requests to sell the Shields they receive but at some point the demand will drop off significantly since the real demand has been satisfied. When that happens, Shields should be plentiful and possibly some price discounting will happen. I wonder if the price will drop enough at that point that I can buy a second one?

I am glad I'm not making purchasing or manufacturing decisions regarding this gun.

 

[805moparkid]

all the stores i went to before i got mine said they just show up... they didn't have any idea when they would get them or how many... so i dont think that is the case... i think there is a huge demand for them and their playin catch up. add the small issues with the 40 into the mix and they have alot on there plate...

 

[Mikey217]

When I bought my M&P 40c at Academy, back in the middle of August, they had plenty of Shields in both 9mm and 40 S&W. Last time I was in there to get some targets, they still had plenty of 'em. I think it may just have to do with where you live.

 

[Maddmax]

all the stores i went to before i got mine said they just show up... they didn't have any idea when they would get them or how many... so i dont think that is the case... i think there is a huge demand for them and their playin catch up. .

That is correct. Everyone (LGS),depending on how their distributer distributes them out to them,are giving a few to all their dealer's so everyone can slowly get them due to the high demand. If a LGS isn't moving them,they won't be as high up on that trickle list. My LGS has them in stock fairly regular because they move them. At first they were gone as soon as they came in. Now they might sit a day or two and be gone. But,there is a slow constant larger supply coming in. We (the very first buyers here) showed them (hands on shooting) to other shooters who liked and wanted one too. They in turn pass that on to other shooter's.... So,our LGS gets a few extra from time to time and keeps the flow moving.

 

[sophie]

There aren't any available where I live and that includes Academy, Gander Mtn. and LGS. They say they get them a few at a time and they are gone that day. Davidson says they are allocated. I know from some of the posts they are available in lots of places. Go figure.

___________
James

 

[Bikemobile]

Local small independant sporting goods store has received 2 9's and 2 40's. while a small guns only shop in town cant get any.

I have one of each. Very happy with them.

 

[Diablo982]

A new gun store/range opened here in Nashville yesterday. I got there at noon, and they had one Shield in .40 on display. I was told they started with four 9mm and four .40 when the shop opened three hours before. They were down to the one left in the display case, and asking/getting near MSRP. I'm jealous of you people who have multiple Shields sitting on the shelves. It must be a regional supply and demand thing.

 

[dave-arlington-va]

none to be found

Checking in Northern Virginia and Winchester there are none to be found. Virginia Arms in Manassas told me they stopped taking names for the Shield when the list went over 100. Think I'll be waiting until next year.

 

[jfrey]

So far I've been able to find 4 9mm Shields but I had to go to 3 different LGS's to do it. Every one had a waiting list. Time will tell if supply catches up with demand and the price goes down any at all.

 

[Fastbolt]

I don't go by internet or gunstore buzz to try and find out info about sales and demand. I typically call and speak with the LE rep, someone at the factory about armorer purchase pricing & availability or the S&W LE dealer.

From what I've been told, when I get around to ordering one factory direct (under the armorer purchase program), there's probably still going to be a 2 month wait because of the backlog for production to meet current commercial demand. (Bear in mind they'd produced and stocked several thousand units so they'd have guns to ship at the time of the official announcement, too. Those went fast.)

One LE distributor/dealer said he'd waited over 2 months for his initial order of 50 units. They sold out (to individual LE) within a week.

I only know 2 other LE (instructors) who managed to find them, and they had to order them from a distributor from out of the area and have them shipped to a local dealer. I know several other guys who are waiting.

I think S&W was truly surprised by the sudden demand for this new M&P model.

I'm hoping they start to get caught up by the end of the year. Considering the continuing demand for the regular M&P pistols, I'm not holding my breath, though.

I just want one in 9mm.

I may end up ordering a couple of different guns I've been considering while waiting for the Shield production to catch up.

In the meantime, I've been enjoying running my 3913 & 4040PD for range training drills & practice.

 

[skosh69]

Try living in California....I think there's about a dozen of us, maybe more that have been lucky enough to get a Shield this year!

Supposedly, the California model will be here next month. Sadly it has an ugly, red "rooster comb" Loaded Chamber Indicator on top of the slide!

Product: Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD

Glad I was able to get a normal Shield that the rest of the country has.

 

[bp231986]

I think i will waite a year or two and than get my shield. i think by that time they should be pretty easy to get a hold of and maybe a price reduction, will see.

 

[mrcllusb]

Try living in California....I think there's about a dozen of us, maybe more that have been lucky enough to get a Shield this year!

Supposedly, the California model will be here next month. Sadly it has an ugly, red "rooster comb" Loaded Chamber Indicator on top of the slide!

Product: Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD

Glad I was able to get a normal Shield that the rest of the country has.

Man that thing is hideous just like the ruger indicator.

 

[IVOZ06]

Plentiful in Florida....but at full msrp.

I can wait till the demand is gone and prices drop a bit.

I do not like to pay full price for anything.

 

[Maddmax]

Same thing happened when the first M&P's hit the market. Once people found out about them they sold like hotcakes and could hardly be found. It did get caught up eventually and now,fairly easy to come by. Mags were also hard to find at first and now they are easy too. The M&P's had a great reputation,so I jumped on the first Shield 9 that came out last April and am very pleased I did. Now I'm waiting for mags to catch up.

 

[skosh69]

Plentiful in Florida....but at full msrp.

I can wait till the demand is gone and prices drop a bit.

I do not like to pay full price for anything.

Full MSRP? Sadly I paid over MSRP...but I have one!

 

[W.E.G.]

There will be plenty of those single-stack guns available in due course.

The Shield looks like a nice gun, but nothing to get anxious about.

In the meantime, if you need a compact S&W 9mm, there are TONS of used 2G and 3G guns available for very reasonable prices.

Moreover, how about the Walther PPS (Police Pistol Slim), which looks curiously like the Shield, and which is curiously listed on the Smith and Wesson web site.
Product: PPS 9mm
There seems to be plenty of them on "that auction site."

SKU: WAP10001
Model: PPS
Caliber: 9mm
Length: 6.3"
Height: 4.4"
Overall Width/Width without slidestop lever and takedown buttons: 1.04"/.91"
Barrel Length: 3.2"
Sight Radius: 5.4"
Weight (without Mag): 19.4 oz.
Standard Magazine Weight: 1.9 oz.
Action: Striker Fire Action, Pre-Cocked
Trigger Pull: 6.1 lbs.
Frame: Black Polymer

Myself, I'm just not sold on the thin-grip 9mm genre. I've got this double-stack "antique" that conceals like nobody's business, and fits my very average-size hands just fine.

Which compares favorably to this other absolute fossil that you can still get all day for about $250.