Wilson Combat ADP

[TA]

Wilson is releasing their 1st production handgun. It is a polymer frame, striker fired, 9mm. Retail is $579.

["DoubleAction"]

$579. for a Wilson Combat pistol ? Am I being told something here, that I don't already know ?

Edited to Explain:

TA; This takes me by such a surprise that Wilson is entering the business of mass producing a pistol of such a design. Since Wilson has reflected their prices, based on the amount of work put into producing 1911s, the price of $579. for something with the Wilson name has me giving thought about the real costs put into producing the polymer frame pistols.
Could production costs be the primary modivator in producing such pistols, since so many manufacturers have attempted to jump on the bandwagon?
I have nothing against polymer frame pistols; If I could afford to, I would purchase a Glock 17 or HK. I came very close to purchasing a Walther P99 a few years ago but was swayed by a Blued Colt Series 70 which layed a few feet away in another counter.
What turns me off the most is Wilson's price on this pistol, when they are known otherwise for delivering those pistols which are priced based on the amount of work applied toward a high level of quality by skilled fitters.

[TA]

I think there will be many groans heard from the masses on this. But, I think Bill Wilson is just trying to tap into the highly popular law enforcement polymer pistol market. I think the focus of WC has changed over the years. It comes down to how to get the most $$. Unfortunately, I think it cheapens the the Wilson name, at least in perception. I just hope it turns out to be a hell of a gun for $579.

[MLB]

Ack!! More plastic pistols! Can the Corvette electric-hybrid be far behind? ;D

[TBT]

That's one hell of a looker if you ask me. For a plastic gun anyway. Most plastic guns strike me as really ugly. Is the MSRP $579 or is that the street price? For street price I dunno if near $600 for a plastic gun tickles me. I've nothing against plastics, but I won't pay good money for them either. XD's and Glocks can be had cheap enough but I've stayed away from the HKs and such for that simple reason.

[TBT]

I wonder if this is a reaction to Kimber doing the same thing? Anyone see the Kimber production plastic yet?

[TA]

$579 is MSRP. Wilson is pretty well focused on not allowing their dealers advertise below MSRP. I don't know if that will apply to a production model. That rule also applies to accessories and they say they will revoke a dealership, that is unless it is Top Gun Supply calling about Midway USA selling 47D's for $20.99. Top Gun vs. Midway...Hmmm . That seemed to all on deaf ears. I do know they take gun prices seriously though.

[TBT]

So Wilsons have to sell for the MSRP or the dealers could get smacked around for it? Thats kind of crappy ...

[TA]

They may not "advertise in print" at a price for less than MSRP. They can sell it for whatever they want. That is why you will see "call for pricing" or "price on request". They stand to lose their Master Dealership status.

[MLB]

That's good to know. I always figured it to mean "if you have to ask, don't bother"

[TBT]

Thats just lame ... what purpose does it serve? I was really thinking about doing the whole master parts dealer thing but if I can't print prices (or good ones anyway) then I'm not really interested.

ta said:

They may not "advertise in print" at a price for less than MSRP. They can sell it for whatever they want. That is why you will see "call for pricing" or "price on request". They stand to lose their Master Dealership status.

[TBT]

mlb said:

That's good to know. I always figured it to mean "if you have to ask, don't bother"

Yeahthat ...

[TA]

Well, what I am finding is that Wilson doesn't enforce the policy on parts. I called Midway on the carpet and they said they would take care of that pronto. Nothing happened and Midway still sells 47D's for $20.99. What it comes down to is Midway spends a lot with Wilson. Their enforcement of the firearm prices may be BS too, but I think they do protect the pricing on firearms becasue you won't see prices advertised below retail or not for very long.

Price protection would work IF they enforced it equally to everybody. If nobody could get a 47D from any dealer at less than $27.95, then everybody would have a fair stab at the market. But allowing the big guy to do what he wants puts the small guys business in a difficult situation. Especially when they get a bigger discount than Master Dealers.

[TBT]

I just don't see why Wilson cares? Doesn't better prices mean more sales and more popularity? I can't see how it could help their bottom line unless they are trying to get people to buy directly from them.

[TA]

One thing is that they can sell the higher % profit margins to dealers. It doesn't look so good if they say you need to spend many thousands of dollars per year to maintain a Master Dealer status and for all that you will get a 3% return on your money. It's all about marketing.

I know what you are saying, but they also need to protect the perceived value of their product. They have to keep that value up in order to compete. If I can sell a Nighthawk and make $400, why would I even carry Wilson and make $150 for the same amount of money out of my pocket. That could eventually cut into their bottom line. The same goes for accessories. If I can't make a profit on them, I won't bother selling them, even if they are the best.

[TBT]

Very good points. Makes a little more sense now.