Posted on 12/05/2014 11:21:12 AM PST by Labyrinthos
People just aren’t stocking up on firearms the way they used to.
Gun maker Smith & Wesson said on Thursday that rifle sales dropped by more than half in the Springfield, Mass. company’s latest quarter. The steep decline is part of a 22% dip in overall sales for Smith & Wesson, according to the company’s second-quarter earnings report...
(Excerpt) Read more at fortune.com ...
Yes, I too have been plagued with water craft and firearm accidents.
I think this is more of a problem with their distribution channels than anything else. Add in the lack of aggressive pricing, a lack of trying to differentiate themselves in the market - this doesn’t surprise me at all. I know that quite a few of their long gun distributors have closed shop in the last decade, and their point of sales through chains have pretty much ended.
I can’t remember the last time I saw a Smith & Wesson rifle at Big 5 - plenty of watches, gun cases, and even revolvers, but haven’t seen one of their long guns there in a long time.
I think there’s a place for them in the market, but it might be time for Smith & Wesson to look at that division and perhaps make some significant sales changes and actually seek out sales rather than thinking that people are just going to come to them.
The current revolvers are a different breed than the classic revolvers they made. They look similar, but many differences under the skin.
From my understanding, they work fine, but do not appeal to me, personally.
The first handgun I ever fired was a S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece. I qualified expert with it that day. I still like that model gun, and they still shoot well in my hand.
How I long for the days when you buy a CASE of .22’s for $99.
[waxing nostalgic here] . . .
You can still get a blue Smith and Wesson revolver:
I’d look at the CZ and Savage rifles. Good value for the money.
I guess I have not kept up with inflation. $1,000 for 4” Smith.
I never thought I’d see the day. {crying uncontrollably} . . .
This is my “Don’t leave home without it” S&W.
I know that the fit and finish was not really to S&W standards but I thought the quality was pretty good. Their top line is badged as the Weatherby Vanguard.
Yeah I like the Savages, but have never really cared for the CZ. I don’t know why, because both are good guns.
I just can’t seem to find either of them in my area.
No ammo, so buy one.
The problem wasn’t with Howa, it’s just that people don’t go to Smith for rifles, and they don’t market them well. Sorta like a burger place that also has sushi.
They could not even make the Jennings rifle work after they renamed it the Volcanic.
Sold it to shirt maker Oliver Winchester who did make it work!
They were smart enough to keep the patents on their bored through cylinder pistol that Sam Colt thought would be a failure.
Waiting for discounts at Gunbroker...
LOL, you’re older than you look!
I see it in the collectible firearm auctions. When Bampster was elected the money moved from collectibles to black guns. I got some great bargains. Now the collectibles have gone back up.
We’ve got all we need, Thanks.
Yep. Everyone in the business is selling an AR-15 variant. So much so that it has driven the prices way down.
What a shame!
We hit an iceberg last year while boating on Lake Okeechobee and I lost my lever .30-30 (only rifle I had) in the aftermath. All I could save was my wedding ring.
Yes I love AK’s....wish they’d get into that market.
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