Just got off the blower with Kimber’s PR guy. “We’ve sold out of this year’s production of Solos,” Aaron Cummins told TTAG. “We’re into next year’s as well.” The situation for aspiring Kimber 1911 owners isn’t so dire. But it’s close. “We’ve got 10 months of back orders.” Wilson Combat is looking at similar waits for its guns. It’s the best of times and the worst of times mid-market as well. Smith & Wesson can’t keep pace with demand; their production lines are maxed-out. Delivery of the new Governor shotshell revolver has been delayed by months (TTAG’s T&E is finally on its way). Funny thing is, no one seems to know what’s caused the surge. Delayed purchases? An influx of concealed carry permit holders? “It’s the perfect storm,” Ruger’s marketing maven told me. “In a good way.” Unless you’re a consumer who lacks patience.
I’ve been waiting eight months for my Kimber rimfire super and six months for my S&W model 41, and I’ll be lucky to get them by the end of the year. I’m ordering the Wilson Combact SDS, and I might have it next summer. There must be an aweful lot of people with nothing better to do with their money, and worst of all their making me wait way to long for my new guns.
I think it’s just some nice new products hitting the market. That Solo really is pretty even though the reviews have been just a hair under stellar. That will sell it.
Looking at the guns not selling on gunbroker.com, I don’t think this surge has extended to used guns or guns that have been on the market for some time.
Used — uh — previously owned handguns are looking better and better.
It’s weird that every dealer I’ve talked to here in the midwest say retail sales are 30-50% softer than last year. Maybe Kansans have all we need.
There’s one thing that I don’t understand — why did Katie Perry marry that ignorant doofus Russell Brand? No, wait. That’s not it. What I don’t understand is, why is it that every other type of manufacturer can balance their manufacturing output against demand, but firearms manufacturers can’t? Or are they just feeding us a load of crapola?
The gun manufactures are not the only industry in this boat. I am having a hard time getting parts and equipment at work from about all the companies we deal with. When talking with the vendors the basic story is….. They are running at capacity, they do not know what to expect in the economy and they are afraid of the new federal regulations. Because of this they are reluctant to expand or hire workers.
They are running at capacity,they do not know what to expect in the economy and they are afraid of the new federal regulations.fixed.
Piss-poor MRP + near limitless demand for your manufactured product = finished goods lead time measured by glacier movement.
I’ve got an answer as to why this is happening. Here – I’ll give you a clue:
G O V E R N _ _ _ _
P O L I C _ _
A N D
R E G U L A T _ _ N
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