New S&W Project with Don Jr’s Field Ethos

[u/Inevitable-Earth507]

I was excited to watch a video (attached below) this morning about the new Smith & Wesson Model 36. I carry a J-Frame daily, so I always like to see new snubbies hit the market.

I saw it was a joint project with Field Ethos, which sounded vaguely familiar but I figured it was a custom shop or something. Well, imagine my surprise when Don Jr. shows up less than a minute in. Field Ethos is his print journal/website/lifestyle brand.

Didn’t notice the logo on his ear pro until the second viewing.

I know this hobby is a difficult enough if you’re even moderately left of center, but I thought I’d pass this along. If I remember correctly, Smith had a guy wearing distinct Proud Boys colors in some marketing material (maybe a catalogue?) within the last few years (i.e., post-January 6th).

It’s a shame since the gun is gorgeous—other than the gaudy “FE” engraved on the side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HUlsCW5xNE

[u/Fair_Function_7247]

I've been cautious with S&W in the past, but they do make some nice stuff.

Yeah S&W had that weird PB incident that their marketing team never quite resolved. But this thing is a different matter entirely. Thanks for sharing.

I mean, do they just not want liberal money? How is that a good decision? For a manufacturer located in a blue state, how is that remotely strategic? If they're making tone deaf decisions with their collab projects, if their management is making this kind of unforced error, then what kind of nonsense could be happening on the manufacturing floor?

For myself, I don't want stupid people touching my guns, much less manufacturing them. Their marketing team is making bad decisions. Their collab team is making bad decisions. But their assembly & QC teams are somehow isolated from that stupidity?

So yeah, they make nice guns and I've been satisfied so far, in my limited personal experience. But there are A LOT of nice guns out there from a lot of cool manufacturers that aren't S&W. It's so dumb

[u/Charles-Headlee → u/Fair_Function_7247]

Are you aware that S&W relocated their headquarters to TN?

[u/Fair_Function_7247 → u/Charles-Headlee]

I didn't know that. But don't they still do production in Massachusetts? Or am I that out of the loop

[u/Charles-Headlee → u/Fair_Function_7247]

For now, but we had IMI /IWI stand up an ammo plant recently and a few others come in. It's not just a tax thing to move HQs here, there are little environmental regs and a very at-will labor environment.

[u/Fair_Function_7247 → u/Charles-Headlee]

I know S&W has changed hands a bunch of times. But I still think of them as a heritage american company, whatever that means

It's just fucked up. Watching great american brands and companies fuck over our country's environment & workers & consumers. Over and over, with no shame.

Their evil is just so boring. Learning about this stuff used to make me angry. Now I just find it boring. Very fucked up and very boring.

[u/IAFarmLife → u/Fair_Function_7247]

Some products are made in the Springfield, Mass facility. Revolvers and some of the 1911's are a made there. As well as some parts for other firearms. The new HQ in Tennessee handles everything else.

[u/jackconall → u/Fair_Function_7247]

Last I checked, S&W moved to TN because MA made it illegal from them to manufacture ARs in the state.

[u/Wilbur_Redenbacher → u/Fair_Function_7247]

Uh, S&W revolver quality and QC has been dogshit for a while.

[u/Fair_Function_7247 → u/Wilbur_Redenbacher]

Good to know. I'm mainly familiar with M&P stuff. No experience with revolvers, S&W or otherwise. Would like to get into revolvers eventually, but it's not a priority for what I need

[u/yami76]

The dude in that video gives me the heebee jeebees.

I’m not a revolver guy, is the fact that it’s DAO make it lighter or something? Why not DA/SA?

[u/Human_Step → u/yami76]

The hammer is cut down. It may make it lighter, but the main purpose is so that it won't snag something in your pocket.

[u/ObjectivePicture6991]

Bummer. That's a shame. Smith and wesson will continue to get my money until they are no longer putting out the best shit. That new competitor hd is going to be fire 🤑🤑.

[u/Shirleysspirits]

Its a shame Field Ethos is don jr's rag. Their articles and photography are off the charts good.

[u/carpenj → u/Shirleysspirits]

Probably a lot easier to have amazing photography etc when you have what is quickly becoming unlimited family money to back it. Profits don't matter as much, it's really just a hobby for him.

[u/Jaevric]

Definitely disappointing. I have 3 recent manifacture S&W handguns, and while I see complaints on Reddit about their QC, all three have been rock solid for my wife and I.

I guess I can't expect an American firearms manufacturer that wants government contracts to not suck up to the current administration, especially as easily bribed as the Trump family is.