Smith & Wesson Under the Gun: Loses $37.3m in Q2

The Truth About Guns ^ | Robert Farago

[rarestia]

That’s the exact pistol I use for carry on long days. I love it.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

There's nothing finer than S&W wheelguns from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Gimme a Kit gun any time.

[I cannot think of a name]

“2) S&W should do away with the ridiculous internal locks on their revolvers except for the less free states that require them such as California, Illinois and Massachusetts.”

I own nine S&W guns, none have this STUPID feature, and I'll never buy a gun from ANYBODY that has this stupid “feature”.

I always say I own “classic” S&Ws. Any as far as the comments about semi-autos, my 10mm (1065 I think is the number) has had several thousand rounds through it without a jam, and has been the last thing several dozen feral hogs ever heard in this life.

[IamConservative]

First, Smith & Wesson sells FAR too many products

Need to heed some of Chuck Noll's advice. When you find yourself struggling, do less, not more.

[OKSooner]

Bean-counters running the business? There's a solution to that. It's like a case of acne, it can be cleared up just by depriving the bean-counters of chocolate and french fries. With a little incentive they'll go count someone else's beans.

Hostile action from DOJ?

"Very bad news", and not really hard to figure out at all.

No further comment...

[Tijeras_Slim]

Been following Smith for quite some time. They always seem to have these ups and downs. Their bacon was saved in the late 1800’s by big orders from Russia. They did OK in the heyday of the revolver, the 20’s and 30’s, but were in bad shape following WWII despite producing a ton of Victory models. Carl Helstrom got them back into shape in the 50’s and 60’s, but things got sketchy once again (particularly in quality) during the Bangor Punta days. Then the fiasco with British ownership and the Clinton deal nearly killed them off.

A couple observations. They make too many products. I’ve never met anyone who can remember the number designations for all the 2nd and 3rd generation autos. Their record with long guns is abysmal, rifles from Howa, pump and auto shotguns, and their recently made Turkish double guns. Their A-15 line is good, but as with their 1911’s, they were jumping on a bandwagon that was already well down the road. Crowded fields, and they can’t compete in price with some makers, or quality with the Les Baers. So they’re stuck in the middle.

They always seem to be a bit late to the party, as with the polymer guns. The M&P is OK but the Sigma stunk on ice. The new bodyguards are “me too” with Keltec and Ruger for the small .380 and the plastic revolver.

Their limited run guns, especially from the Performance Shop are very good, but pricey. They are more “collectibles” than working guns. They seem to make a big splash with innovative items, such as the 329PD lightweight .44, the 500 and 460 Magnums, but these are not items that sell in quantity. Their J frames have sold well in the past year or two, but so has everything that goes bang. Even in a steel frame, these are not “fun guns”.

Smith needs to find itself, and not just try to reinvigorate a moribund and scattered business model by mergers and acquisitions. All that usually does is kill the entity being acquired.

[OKSooner]

Well, okay I do have further comment.

This is the first I'd heard of DOJ messing with Smith. This is the first I've heard of it. The agenda is no doubt to put Smith pretty much out of the business of making firearms just as Klinton "persuaded" Colt back in his time.

Time for *ahem* someone with some stroke to help Smith stand up to DOJ for at least two years until Holder is gone.

[sarge83]

S&W Model 642 for CCW and an old Model 19 Combat Magnum for things that go bump in the night.

[Chode]

and with the likes of their new .380 Bodyguard i can see why...

i went to my gunshop with the express intent of buying one until i picked it up.

the gun is everything i wanted EXCEPT... the LASER is a hard switch on the side of the frame that would NOT be easy to turn on in a high stress situation nor do i always want it on!!!

it should of been like the CRC site is, a momentary switch on the front strap is where it is natural and only on if you squeeze it

i tried multiple times to feel comfortable with it but to no avail, so i left without it and my .380 Ruger/CRC still in my pocket.

damn shame...

[Chode]

but i love my M-59 and my M-4516...

[wtc911]

Who could ask for more?

[mcshot]

I’m a fan of the “classic” revolvers mentioned and S&W third generation autos and the 10mm in particular. I dislike the revolver lock and have but one, a 500 that remains unfired although I have the ingredients for hundreds of rounds.

[SoConPubbie]

Agree! Springfield XD .40 Sub Compact is an awesome weapon!

It is a thing of beauty and my next hand-gun purchase!

[Roklok]

S&W makes good revolvers, but their autos are a POS.

[B4Ranch]

Someone needs to do to Smith and Wesson exactly what needs to be done to the Obama Administration, flush it.

[pabianice]

Guns last at least 100 years if cared for. There are just so many guns people can add to their stock. The danger is in the Libs outlawing ammunition.

[goat granny]

Smith and Wesson cozied up to Clinton during his adm...and a lot of people haven’t forgotten...They decided to go along with some dumb rule Clinton put out and I remember the posts that said at the time they would never buy a S & W again....they took a beating at sales for a couple of years...seems lots of people have forgotten that, but a lot of people still won’t touch their guns...

[I cannot think of a name]

“I’m a fan of the “classic” revolvers mentioned and S&W third generation autos and the 10mm in particular.”

My good old 629 was a favorite for many years. Unfortunately the 10 spoiled me when hunting hogs in really dense brush. Can't buy any proper loads for it anymore and I'm too lazy/busy to get into hand-loading.

[ctdonath2]

A down quarter is inevitable after the Obama driven buying bubble burst. People could only buy so many guns.

[blackie]

I've had a S&W CS9 for several years and it works fine: