Would anyone else like to see the old S&W GEN 3 pistols comeback??
- Thread starter C4IGrant
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This again!!!!!!!!!!
By the way ....... Yes!
By the way ....... Yes!
smithman 10
US Veteran
3rd generation
I liked the metal pistols, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Haven't bought one of their plastic pistols.
All I have currently is a 39 and a 915. And that's all I need for the time being or likely ever.
I liked the metal pistols, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Haven't bought one of their plastic pistols.
All I have currently is a 39 and a 915. And that's all I need for the time being or likely ever.
Ummm, can we do one for the 1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28? And the Titanic, that was a terrific ship!
I mean...
Don't wanna be the downer, but this poll is in the specific area on the specific forum where folks rave about these guns daily. This is kind of like taking a poll regarding term limits but only asking the Distinguished Gentlemen (and women) on the Senate floor.
If we each get to pick one 3rd Gen regular production series that should be made once again, my vote shall be cast for the 10xx series, please.
I mean...
Don't wanna be the downer, but this poll is in the specific area on the specific forum where folks rave about these guns daily. This is kind of like taking a poll regarding term limits but only asking the Distinguished Gentlemen (and women) on the Senate floor.
If we each get to pick one 3rd Gen regular production series that should be made once again, my vote shall be cast for the 10xx series, please.
These pistols are going to really appeal to the collector/S&W fan boy (especially if it is modernized a bit). While I understand there are going to be a lot of fans here, how many would spend $800-$1k for a new one?
C4
YES! A melonited 3914, or 5904. If they made one I would buy it. It would be the first "new" s&w I purchased since 2001.
But I don't see them doing it. Too much profit in plastic guns. Regards 18DAI
Edited to add: Yes, I'd go $800 for a new melonite 3914 or 5904 - WITH 3 mags too!
But I don't see them doing it. Too much profit in plastic guns. Regards 18DAI
Edited to add: Yes, I'd go $800 for a new melonite 3914 or 5904 - WITH 3 mags too!
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YES! A melonited 3914, or 5904. If they made one I would buy it. It would be the first "new" s&w I purchased since 2001.
But I don't see them doing it. Too much profit in plastic guns. Regards 18DAI
Edited to add: Yes, I'd go $800 for a new melonite 3914 or 5904 - WITH 3 mags too!
One never knows what a manufacturer will bring back. Just look at Beretta bringing back the 92G and 92G-SD. Wildly popular and a great gun.
C4
Silversmok3
Member
It is likely the cost would be closer to $2000+ per handgun.
Periodically this subject keeps popping up, and its understandable why: these are pretty well made pistols , and S&W made a diverse enough set that there's something for everyone across the model years.
Today there isnt a market for them anymore. The typical gun shopper today wants what the cops and military use. The latter organizations, being more concerned with a basically functional product they can train everyone to use in a short period of time , choose Glock and similar pistols.
So Joe Citizen buys himself a Glock /M&P/ other models and has done with it.After decades of this, there are LEOs now who can't even work the safety on a 1911!
Atop all of that, as a gun culture hammer fired guns in general are pretty much obsolete as general use pistols, which was the role these semi-autos had back in the day.When the 1006 was a cataloged item, the typical defensive pistol was made out of metal whether it came from America, Italy, or Germany.There was Glock, and that was pretty much it for polymer striker guns.
Today its inverted. Besides legacy Sig P226 variants and Beretta 92s & 1911s, there isnt a thing in the case with a metal frame up for sale. The only reason those two models are selling is likely because of amortization costs courtesy US Government contracts. Once Uncle Sam at the Federal level goes full striker fired , those models will dissapear into the "Special Order" pages....and thereafter into the "Discontinued" list.
All of this may seem hard to bear. I don't post this happily. I love my S&W semi auto too, and I'd love nothing better then to walk into a dealer and order myself a railed melonite 1006 decock only with VTAC-type adjustable rabbit ear sights and a smooth DA/SA trigger. But its an economic impossibility when I'd be the only dude who'd buy one.
About the only way around this would be to put together a prepaid group buy here for a set of handguns, but then we'd all have to agree to order one specific model with one specific set of features, which is an even bigger impossibility.
Order a one of S&W Forum set of 5906s, and the 4006 fans **** bricks. Order them with adjustable sights, and the fixed sight fans won't order. So on and so forth....
I agree, the metal market is a small one. There are enough collectors and fans though for a limited run. From what I know, a $2k retail price is way to high. Something more in the $1k range is realistic.
C4
Sig, among others, seems to see a market for metal framed hammer fired guns AND striker fired plastic guns. And they sell them. For a lot less than $2K too.
No reason s&w couldn't as well. Regards 18DAI
No reason s&w couldn't as well. Regards 18DAI
Terrific post and captures much of the spirit of what I think whenever we see someone say "why oh why? And they should make them again! And we can SHOW them we would pay!"
There is one other point...
We wouldn't be happy with the product that actually appears. The kinds of hardcore aficionados that we are -- there would be TWO strong elements: the fails that S&W would incorporate and our own rabid, seething, loathing hate of those specific fails.
As evidence, I submit the recent S&W "classic" revolvers on the market. It looks like it wishes to be an old favorite from decades gone by -- but it's chock full of MIM parts, it's got a horrendous double action trigger break that feels like it was made in a dark garage in Sao Paolo and it's got an internal lock above the cylinder release.
Imagine "new" 3rd Gens spitting out and the changes they would make and the wave of backlash from folks like us. It's inevitable.
I love these pistols as YOU love these pistols. ("general" you) Much like I love the Colt Woodsman and other guns from days long gone by.
So, people rip the new revolvers and the new plastic guns every day here. Some in almost every post they make.
What makes you think the new metal re issue 3rd guns are going to come out any better?
Edit: Sevens beat me to it.
What makes you think the new metal re issue 3rd guns are going to come out any better?
Edit: Sevens beat me to it.
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Agree. Beretta has also one well is bring out the new M9A3 (which I think will sell well).
C4
smithman 10
US Veteran
Metal guns
Folks still seem to like the CZ-75 and all its clones too.
Plastic rules but there is still a market for new handguns made from aluminum and steel.
Folks still seem to like the CZ-75 and all its clones too.
Plastic rules but there is still a market for new handguns made from aluminum and steel.
I truly believe that a driving factor in Smith & Wesson ceasing production of the 3rd Gen pistols was their decision to produce 1911 pistols. And for anyone who can swallow pride and admit that beyond everything emotional... this is a business after all, it seems that a legendary gunmaker jumping on the "guaranteed sales" bandwagon of 1911 pistols is (and/or) was a lucrative move.
I would submit that the market is saturated in the grand old 1911 platform. I would imagine that most (in this audience) would agree. I would be thrilled to see Smith & Wesson bow out of the 1911 market (and will readily admit that I am a genuine fan of the 1911 pistols that S&W has made) but the 1911 production is/was a very large factor in ending the 3rd Gen production.
If you guys could re-write history, you would have the 3rd Gen still alive and having never left. I believe that your best method of that would be to re-write S&W's decision to also be one of the seemingly endless gunmakers to build and market a 1911.
I would submit that the market is saturated in the grand old 1911 platform. I would imagine that most (in this audience) would agree. I would be thrilled to see Smith & Wesson bow out of the 1911 market (and will readily admit that I am a genuine fan of the 1911 pistols that S&W has made) but the 1911 production is/was a very large factor in ending the 3rd Gen production.
If you guys could re-write history, you would have the 3rd Gen still alive and having never left. I believe that your best method of that would be to re-write S&W's decision to also be one of the seemingly endless gunmakers to build and market a 1911.
Wilson Combat has a proprietary customized Beretta 92...IMHO the best 93 since the Elite II........ selling at $1,195at WC....... add $100-300 in secondary market.
WC had to commit to a IIRC 1,000 units using current production Beretta and Wilson Combat parts....... I figured if Beretta was selling them to WC for $1000 (w/ a 20% markup by WC)....... it was a $1,000,000 commitment.
New metal frame Sigs, Berettas and CZs are still selling........ in the $500-900 price range...... but not as fast as G----- and Smith M&Ps.
WC had to commit to a IIRC 1,000 units using current production Beretta and Wilson Combat parts....... I figured if Beretta was selling them to WC for $1000 (w/ a 20% markup by WC)....... it was a $1,000,000 commitment.
New metal frame Sigs, Berettas and CZs are still selling........ in the $500-900 price range...... but not as fast as G----- and Smith M&Ps.
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samnev
Member
I have a 4506 and a 5903 and will never buy on of the Plastic Wonders.
