Smith & Wesson Re-Labels TALO Edition Firearms as Their Own

[TAC]

Smith & Wesson Re-Labels TALO Edition Firearms as Their Own


[source]:
Smith & Wesson Re-Labels TALO Edition Firearms as Their Own - The Firearm Blog

Many of you may be aware of Talo Distributors, Inc. for their special edition runs of popular firearms. They list 13 different manufacturers with hundreds of cool and unique guns they have offered over the years. Smith & Wesson is included in this group, but they are quietly parting ways. It has not been stated that there is bad blood between the two companies. Nevertheless, in 2017 Smith & Wesson will be absorbing all of the Talo edition firearms into their brand completely.
The pricing for all of the following firearms should not vastly change from what it was once. Overall, this transition is a good thing for consumers. Whereas before gun shops could only purchase and stock these unique firearms from a few specific distributors they will now be able to acquire them much more easily. For those who are not familiar, here is a condensed list of some of the more popular models.

686 PLUS “3-5-7” Magnum Series – MSRP $899

• 3″, 5″ & 7″ Barrels
• 7-Shot Cylinders
• “L” Frame .357 Magnum
• Custom “357” Black/Silver Wood Grips

686 PLUS Deluxe – MSRP $899

• 3″ Barrel
• 7-Shot Cylinder
• “L” Frame .357 Magnum
• Textured Laminate Wood Grip

686 PLUS Deluxe – MSRP $899

• 6″ Barrel
• 7-Shot Cylinder
• “L” Frame .357 Magnum
• Textured Wood Grip

629 Deluxe – MSRP $999

• 3″ Barrel
• 6-Shot Cylinder
• “N” Frame .44 Magnum
• Textured Wood Grip

629 Deluxe – MSRP $1,029

• 6.5″ Barrel
• 6-Shot Cylinder
• “N” Frame .44 Magnum
• Textured Wood Grip

Performance Center 586 L-Comp – MSRP $1,199

• 3″ Ported (Compensated) Barrel
• 7-Shot Cylinder
• .357 Magnum
• Performance Center Tuned Action
• Tritium Front Night Sight

Performance Center 642 – MSRP $536

• 1.875″ Barrel
• 5-Shot Cylinder
• .38 Special +P
• Performance Center Tuned Action
• Polished Cylinder Flutes, Thumbpiece & Trigger
• Custom Synthetic Grip w/ Wood Insert
• Cylinder Machined Out for Moon Clips

Performance Center 637 – MSRP $525

• 1.875″ Barrel
• 5-Shot Cylinder
• .38 Special +P
• Performance Center Tuned Action
• Custom Basket-Weave Wood Grips

Performance Center 642 – MSRP $525

• 1.875″ Barrel
• 5-Shot Cylinder
• .38 Special +P
• Performance Center Tuned Action
• Custom Basket-Weave Wood Grips

M&P Bodyguard 380 Engraved – MSRP $385

• 2.75″ Barrel
• 6-Round Magazine
• .380 ACP
• Custom Machine-Engraved
• Matte Silver Slide

Performance Center 986 – MSRP $1,129

• 2.5″ Custom Barrel w/ Recessed Precision Crown
• 7-Shot, Unfluted Cylinder
• 9mm (Moon Clips Included)
• Performance Center Action & Bossed Mainspring
• Trigger Overtravel Stop
• Custom, Ergonomic Wood Grip

Most of these firearms offer unique grips, premium features, or are just plain cool! Like stated earlier, by Smith & Wesson absorbing these TALO edition models they should (in theory) become a little easier to get for consumers.

 

[Warren Sear]

Smith & Wesson isn't re-labeling doodelty. The so called "TALO Editions" were S&W guns manufactured to a certain set of specifications. They were S & W guns before, and they are S & W guns after. No big deal.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

I agree with the above. I think Talo was the sole distributor and will probably still be distributing among more vendors which is a great thing for the consumer

 

[bigggbbruce]

Smith & Wesson has done this before.. Lew Horton doesn't sell Smiths anymore.

 

[g-dad]

I see the 986 listed there. I had read that it was a TALO edition. The day I got mine I called TALO and asked about it. The response was "it sounds like an interesting gun but we didn't do it". Hmmm, does anyone really know what goes on behind the curtain?

 

[rwt1405]

Smith & Wesson has done this before.. Lew Horton doesn't sell Smiths anymore.

^^^ This ^^^

 

[Brian in Oregon]

629 Deluxe – MSRP $999

• 3″ Barrel
• 6-Shot Cylinder
• “N” Frame .44 Magnum
• Textured Wood Grip

If that means a traditional looking 3" 629 like the one in this pic is going to be readily available, then that's good news for me. I've been trying to get one for quite some time.

Perhaps S&W is seeing these exclusives as costing them sales, because Talo is not aggressively reordering them. This greatly limits potential sales. None of my handgun purchases this year went to a new S&W because I can't get the models I want.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

If that makes it possible to find the Talo 686 with 7.5" barrel, I am all for it.

 

[wood714]

If that means a traditional looking 3" 629 like the one in this pic is going to be readily available, then that's good news for me. I've been trying to get one for quite some time.

Perhaps S&W is seeing these exclusives as costing them sales, because Talo is not aggressively reordering them. This greatly limits potential sales. None of my handgun purchases this year went to a new S&W because I can't get the models I want.

Their not hard to find. I got a new one off GB a couple months ago a lot cheaper than that listed price.

I also bought a used Talo 3" 686, but traded it off for a new S&W 1911 E. I just don't like the full lug barrels...unless it's on a Python.

 

[ydennekb]

TALO seems to be good at getting models of guns made that the manufacturer may not necessarily be interested in building. With this parting of ways, will this be the death of these types of guns?

 

[bigggbbruce]

TALO seems to be good at getting models of guns made that the manufacturer may not necessarily be interested in building. With this parting of ways, will this be the death of these types of guns?

I think it is more of a way for S&W to eliminate a middle man that has brought up prices so that S&W can sell with less discount.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I saw that article today also. The writer makes it sound as if S&W has done something shady, or almost like S&W has "stolen" something from someone.

For those unaware, TALO is the business name of a group of about 13 firearms distributors. TALO contracts with various manufacturers for "special editions" so that the distributors who are members of the TALO group have a reason for dealers to buy from them, which in turn gives a dealer who buys from a member of the TALO group something to put in his display case that another dealer across town may not have or be able to get.

All of the models shown were made for the TALO group. If I were guessing, I would say that S&W has simply decided to make those guns that were once "special" part of its catalog this year so that S&W can sell these "specials" to any of its distributors. There will still be a "middle man" (distributor) - it is just that these models will be available to all of S&W's distributors now.

Obviously, whoever drafted the contract did not put in a provision preventing the TALO versions from being sold by S&W to its other distributors once the TALO contract was completed.

So, to recap: TALO makes NOTHING. TALO merely contracts with gun makers for special, non-catalog editions. S&W fulfilled its contract for the TALO orders, and nothing apparently prevents S&W from offering those same specials to anyone they like, and that is what S&W is doing by now making these formerly TALO models available to its other distributors.

Free market economy at work. All is well as long as no contract has been breached, and I imagine the "suits" made certain of that.

 

[TonyS&W19]

I have a question, who would you hold responsible for damaged or defective guns, the Distributor or the manufacture? I have been talking to both S&W and Talo over a 686-6 Deluxe that has issue. Maybe this is why they are parting ways.

 

[revolver686]

Sorry, doesn't apply to post.

 

[buck460XVR]

I'd assume that the contract between TALO and S&W expires in 2017 and a new contract could not be agreed upon. Could be TALO is just as responsible as S&W for the demise. The increase in the P.C. shop's models could be hurting the market on TALO models and thus there is no longer the demand for them. Comes down to profit. Those Smith's distributed by TALO were always Smiths, TALO only requested specific cosmetic changes to base models and then advertised and distributed those models. I have some TALOs and I have some Lew Hortons. All have S&W on them. None of them can be readily identified as TALO or LH's. Davidson's has some distributor exclusives too(not S&Ws) from some brands. Having something different has always been a selling point. Kinda why I have TALOs and LHs. They gave me a little something different.