Smith and Wesson Revolvers: Too many variants?

[drvrage]

Hi Guys,


I was just browsing the S&W site and despite really liking some of the options like unfluted/smooth cylinders, I got the distinct impression that they were offering too many variations. How can you focus on quality when you have 20 different versions of the same thing, with each version offering 90 different variances. S&W must have a tooling nightmare on their hands.

The exact opposite approach from a manufacturer seems to be Ruger, who offers very little variation in a small line of the sturdiest revolvers around albeit somewhat boring.

Discuss.

 

[west_end_don]

Ruger catalogue = K.I.S.S.
S&W catalogue = head spinning cluster f*ck of options and variations.

I respect a company that nurtures a core competency, rather than trying to cater to every consumer whim...

Ruger makes good, solid, dependable guns - with ZERO ### appeal.


I am not talking about the GP-100 however!
Hands down the most practical and one of the ###iest revolver on the market.
I love that gun!

 

[Cerdan]

If you cut out all the 12(6)s and most of the PCs that never hit the Canadian market, there really isn't that much left. Once you get around their numbering system it's pretty easy to understand.

 

[tjhaile]

I think the wide variety of revolvers offered by S&W is one of their strengths. After all, not everybody likes the same thing or uses their guns in the same way. I suspect that a large proportion of S&W buyers own multiple S&W revolvers and S&W is successfully catering to that market for the most part.

I'm not convinced that all this variety adversely affects quality control. Keep in mind that any number of different guns of the same frame size and material will actually have mostly common parts - frames, cylinders, lockwork, etc. Additionally, most of the different parts all go together the same way and are manufactured the same way.

I don't think S&W is really unique in this regard. If we consider the example of Ruger, they might make a lesser number of different revolver models, but the total number of models and variations thereof of all firearms they make is quite huge. A cursory glance at their website shows ten different versions of the M77 Hawkeye rifle in .30-06 alone.