So, the 2009 Shot Show hasn’t even happened yet, and folks are already making predictions. Some are true, some are probable, and some are real head-scratchers.
First off, Smith & Wesson appears to be bringing the .41 Magnum back with a vengeance, reintroducing several “Classic” iterations of the Model 57. They’re also chambering one of the Night Guard revolvers (1) for the cartridge, as well as introducing one in 10mm. They’ve decided to jump on the .327 Magnum bandwagon with a really odd hodgepodge of features.
The Classic series will also include the Model 14, 17 and 18. As much as I want a Model 18, I don’t like the newer lockwork, so I’ll be holding out for a good used specimen.
Of course, all that’s verified by their web site. Still in uncertain but viable territory is the suggestion that they plan on producing the 19 and 66 again (2). It’d be nice to see them keeping my favorite platform alive.
In the “not so sure” category, there’s a rumor that they’ll be introducing a revolver in H&K’s all-but-ignored 4.6x30mm cartridge (3).
As far as Sig, they quietly bought the patent for the Colt Mustang last year, and I expect to hear something about this next week (4). Apparently, Taurus is planning a bunch of stuff, but after the problems I’ve seen with their products, I find it hard to get excited.
So, that’s the (mostly) verifiable scuttlebutt. Now let’s get on to the fun stuff. That means the unsubstantiated, taboidesque crap I keep hearing from people who aren’t part of the industry at all but claim to know folks who know folks who are.
- Glock is producing a carbine, which will revolutionize the market.
- Glock is producing a carbine in .45GAP, which will revolutionize the market.
- Glock, HK, Springfield, Taurus, Bersa, Kimber, Wilson, S&W and all other manufacturers will be introducing a clone of Ruger’s doomed LCP. The Glock version will be in .45GAP.
- HK will be making civilian versions of their military rifles, just like they have every previous year I’ve heard this (which also happens to be every year I can remember).
- Kel Tec will be making a revolver. So will HK. No, really, I hear this stuff!
- Sig will actually bring their products to market on time, right after HK and Taurus.
- Smith & Wesson will be reintroducting the 1940 Light Rifle.
- The FN SCAR will actually appear in the wild.
(1) Given their numbering scheme, the .41 Magnum Night Guard will be the Model 357. Not only is the nomenclature confusing, this marks at least the second time I’ve known them to recycle the same model number.
The first was the Model 520, which was a fixed-sight .357 N-Frame introduced (and, if memory serves, discontinued) in 1980. Think 38/44 Outdoorsman in .357. In 2004, they reused the model number for a 4″ lightweight L-Frame.
The model number 357 was used a few years back to denote a lightweight 4″ N-Frame in .41 Magnum.
(2) This is a real surprise, considering that the L-Frames were produced to rectify some of the problems the K-Frames had with a steady diet of lighter .357 Magnum loads.
So, have they somehow improved the metallurgy in the forcing cones, or will they simply have a stern warning in the manual? I’ll wait and see.
I have all the 19’s and 66’s I really need (except perhaps a 3″), but the big news here is that S&W will be able to replace barrels for these guns again. For the last few years, they have been out of .357 K-Frame barrels, and those needing repairs to older models were out of luck.
The Model 10 and 67 have never left production, but those are .38’s. The 64 was finally phased out a couple of years back.
(3) Meh. Make a revolver in .17 Remington Fireball and I’ll take notice. Better yet, bring out a K-Frame in .32-20 (that can handle the HV loads), and I’d get positively giggly.
(4) I have this on very good authority. I was also told that since Sig is closing up shop in Switzerland, the folks in Exeter took a real interest in buying the toolings for the P210. The Germans don’t want a gun that’d compete with the X-5, but since it never really took off in the States (I’ve only seen one), the P210 would be a winner here. I haven’t heard further on this since last summer, though.
(4a) The new gun will be called the P238, and it resembles the Sig 1911, scaled down to the size of the Colt Mustang.