Wake up S&W

[reccpd101]

In the last few months, I had a Model 686 extra cylinder converted to 9x23, 38 Super, and 9x19 by Pinnacle Gunsmithing and used it as an alternative so I could fire 9mm, 357, and 38 from one of my favorite revolvers. I was really interested in the 9x19 but the others came along in one package. The idea worked out very well.

Today, I learned that Taurus is releasing a revolver combo that does the same thing(without the 9x23 and 38 Super). In doing a little research, I found that Taurus has also released a 22/22 mag double action. I have looked for some time for one of the S&W factory retrofit combos.

I am sure most if not all the members here and a lot of the buying public would prefer a S&W product to a Taurus. Any ideas on how we could wake up S&W management?

 

[ContinentalOp]

Any ideas on how we could wake up S&W management?

 

[wrangler5]

Isn't that the answer to ALL the "why doesn't S&W make . . . " questions? They're in business to make money (as is Taurus, and Charter, and all other revolver makers). They know their customer base (ALL of it) better than any of us, AND their production capacity.

They can easily calculate the cost to produce any variant our minds can imagine, including setup/conversion costs for the production line AND lost opportunity costs from NOT making something they're already making on that line. They compare those costs against projected sales. NONE of us have any idea what those costs and projected sales income are. But it's reasonable to assume that S&W makes those sorts of calculations all the time. And THAT's why they don't make a . . .

That said, I wonder why they don't make a humpback 32 Magnum? All it would take is . . .

 

[OKFC05]

Well, no. As a revolver shooter and reloader who shoots .38 by the bushel, the LAST thing I want is a slop-fit chamber to accomodate cartridges I don't want to shoot in a 6-shot revolver.
I wouldn't buy it.

 

[Dieseltech56]

The number of revolver enthusiasts that would think of new ideas like that probably make up a very small percentage of new gun sales. That and everyone wants something different.

I for one wish they would make a plain 3 inch 586. Is there enough people out there to buy one though? Apparently not

 

[Green Frog]

Mr Project 616 here. As many folks as have speculated on what a great idea it would be for Smith to tool up and make 32s and 327s in a K-frame, the fact is, there would not be that many people willing to plunk down Yankee Dollars to buy one... plastic fantastic bottom feeders and various black guns are cheaper to build and easier to sell.

Of course all of the changes to S&W revolvers (MIM, IL, etc) would serve as an excuse from those who wouldn’t buy... “I’d buy one if they made them the old way.” And we know that ship has sailed.

If you “have a dream” you will probably have to have it custom built and be willing to put up with howls from the purists who complain that it is no longer original. Sometimes you just can’t win!

Froggie

 

[wrangler5]

I must admit Froggie's right in my case. Much as I'd like a 32 Magnum humpback, I wouldn't buy one with a lock.

 

[sheppard]

The Taurus 692 revolver comes with two cylinders, one for .357/.38 special and the other for 9x19 Luger using moon clips.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I would guess with the new Taurus plant in Georgia, came the latest prototyping and product developing tools, and probably in Brazil too. Taurus looks to be able to modify an old or create a new product, get it in production and to market without going bankrupt if it's a flop. Not many companies can do that... like the one I work for.
I think S&W is in that position where revolver production cost lets them make a profit, but development of a new one is cost prohibitive.

 

[SuperMan]

...funny, Ruger seems to have no problem at all in making "Distributor Exclusives" of just a few hundred pieces and I don't see them loosing money....and many of these are revolvers.

A couple of years ago they made a run of three .41 Magnums...a 4.2" Redhawk, a 2.75" Redhawk and a 6.5" Super Redhawk....go try and find one now. Saw one of the 4.2s sell on GB two days ago for $1275.00...when they were available they were about $850.00.

Ruger listens to their customers...S&W tries to dictate... It's why all my "new gun" money has gone to Ruger in the last 15 years. I still buy Smiths...but they were all made before 2002....

Bob

 

[Engine49guy]

How is offering a 2nd cylinder chambered in a caliber they have already made them in "developing a new product" ?
Making a test run of 1000 guns would only cost them the price of one cylinder and the man hours to fit it.

 

[rwsmith]

As a reloader....

...I LOVE the versatility of the .38/.357 cartridge. I have a .686 and I can duplicate the performance of most any round out of it without changing cylinders. I have shot 9mm bullets through a revolver but to me that was a novelty. It's better for bullets to fit the barrel.

 

[Dieseltech56]

...funny, Ruger seems to have no problem at all in making "Distributor Exclusives" of just a few hundred pieces and I don't see them loosing money....and many of these are revolvers.

A couple of years ago they made a run of three .41 Magnums...a 4.2" Redhawk, a 2.75" Redhawk and a 6.5" Super Redhawk....go try and find one now. Saw one of the 4.2s sell on GB two days ago for $1275.00...when they were available they were about $850.00.

Ruger listens to their customers...S&W tries to dictate... It's why all my "new gun" money has gone to Ruger in the last 15 years. I still buy Smiths...but they were all made before 2002....

Bob

I really missed the boat on the 41 Redhawk 2.75. Honestly if my time and money wasn’t so consumed with buying out of production smiths I’d have a lot more new ruger revolvers. They seem to get the message

 

[wheelgun28]

...funny, Ruger seems to have no problem at all in making "Distributor Exclusives" of just a few hundred pieces and I don't see them loosing money....and many of these are revolvers.

A couple of years ago they made a run of three .41 Magnums...a 4.2" Redhawk, a 2.75" Redhawk and a 6.5" Super Redhawk....go try and find one now. Saw one of the 4.2s sell on GB two days ago for $1275.00...when they were available they were about $850.00.

Ruger listens to their customers...S&W tries to dictate... It's why all my "new gun" money has gone to Ruger in the last 15 years. I still buy Smiths...but they were all made before 2002....

Bob

I think this is what folks are missing here. Smith will make whatever you want. Distributor specials are special orders by distributors, not catalog items. Want a run of something, just buy enough to make the job profitable to Smith and Wesson they will make it. It used to be 5000 units, today maybe less?

 

[ImDrRich]

In the last few months, I had a Model 686 extra cylinder converted to 9x23, 38 Super, and 9x19 by Pinnacle Gunsmithing and used it as an alternative so I could fire 9mm, 357, and 38 from one of my favorite revolvers. I was really interested in the 9x19 but the others came along in one package. The idea worked out very well.

Today, I learned that Taurus is releasing a revolver combo that does the same thing(without the 9x23 and 38 Super). In doing a little research, I found that Taurus has also released a 22/22 mag double action. I have looked for some time for one of the S&W factory retrofit combos.

I am sure most if not all the members here and a lot of the buying public would prefer a S&W product to a Taurus. Any ideas on how we could wake up S&W management?

Who converted the cylinder for you? I'd be interested in getting an extra one and having it converted to 9mm. Thanks.

 

[Racer X]

...funny, Ruger seems to have no problem at all in making "Distributor Exclusives" of just a few hundred pieces and I don't see them loosing money....and many of these are revolvers.

A couple of years ago they made a run of three .41 Magnums...a 4.2" Redhawk, a 2.75" Redhawk and a 6.5" Super Redhawk....go try and find one now. Saw one of the 4.2s sell on GB two days ago for $1275.00...when they were available they were about $850.00.

Ruger listens to their customers...S&W tries to dictate... It's why all my "new gun" money has gone to Ruger in the last 15 years. I still buy Smiths...but they were all made before 2002....

Bob

Ruger did a run of 5" GP-100 stainless. I wish I could find one. I missed one by a few days.

 

[SuperMan]

I think this is what folks are missing here. Smith will make whatever you want. Distributor specials are special orders by distributors, not catalog items. Want a run of something, just buy enough to make the job profitable to Smith and Wesson they will make it. It used to be 5000 units, today maybe less?

Just picked up a Lew Horton Special 657-4 PC 3"...there were only 161 made... Have a Lew Horton Little Hunter 60-10 of which I think only 139 were made...

Take the IL out of their "Classic" line and see sales take off....

 

[reccpd101]

Yes, the IL does not help sales at all. It may be a good sales tool for S&Ws
competitors.

 

[Robert_B]

Maybe we could recruit Jerry Miculek to threaten SW that he'll leave SW and move to Taurus unless they get rid of that damn lock hole

 

[wrangler5]

I thought I remembered reading that it was the lock company that bought S&W and then changed its name to S&W. If that's so, then we're basically talking about a lock company that makes guns to move their locks. What lock company executive is going to listen to customers asking him to get rid of the locks, and just sell the products they used to put their locks in? That's just crazy talk.