Good guns that were DUDS!

As some have suggested, oftentimes a "dud's" a dud because the company didn't back up its own product, didn't really market it for whatever reason - internal politics/infighting, listening too much to outside naysayers or other lack of full commitment to the product. The automobile industry is similarly full of stories of some great cars or "would-be greats but for..." That didn't get the shot they deserved by their own makers.
 
I nominate Smith&Wesson's Model 53 revolver. Despite all of the extraction difficulties and the need to keep the cylinder chambers clean and bone-dry, I've always wanted one, especially one that came with an auxiliary fitted cylinder for .22rf, in addition to the inserts. They're way out of my price league now. :(
 
Let us define what we mean by "dud" ? A Great Idea that Didn't Work, poor marketing, poor quality control, poor warranty and customer service? Was the company improperly and poorly financed? In handguns, I would nominate the 44 AutoMag and the Bren Ten, then the U.S. Arms Abilene and United Sporting Arms Seville. All very well made, in the case of the Bren Ten the company was not properly financed, IIRC the Abilene and Seville ran into accusations of patent infringement from Ruger, the 44 AutoMag, perhaps a little too exotic. In rifles, I would have to nominate the SIG SHR 970. Didn't sell AFAIK despire being a Great Idea, IMHO.
 
I would nominate the .41AE cartridge. It should be here instead of the .40S&W. It had a head start, is inbetween 9mm and .45 (what they were looking for at the time) and it uses the same breachface as 9mm.

As far as guns, I would say the Coonan. A reasonably sized, reliable, semi-auto that shoots a true magnum caliber. And yes I know they are back.
 
The Browning BDM is a neat pistol. Too bad it is no longer produced.

I think it was a casualty of the 1994 magazine reduction law. :barf:
 
The BDM is a fun gun and I liked it until my son decided it needed a new home!

As to duds the TP25 semi auto was a boat anchor but the TP22 putts right along with not a burp. Go figure. :rolleyes:
 
I, too, selected a BDM based on its absolutely wonderful feel in my hand. I soon became disenchanted with it when I discovered that several components were Zamak, and some internal components were held in place by silicon RTV.

Another turkey is the FN double action "Hi Power" sold off by CDNN a few years ago. It's a well made gun, but parts and magazines are totally non-existent.

Repeated calls to FNH regarding a set of replacement grips eventually got me a name at Browning Arms Co., whom FNH talked into supporting the guns.

Of course, the BAC rep told me that, although FNH duped them into product support, they NEVER supplied BAC with any parts at all, so mine is now a safe queen.:mad:

(Supposedly they were adopted by the Finnish Army, so I hope they are getting some kind of support.)
 
lets get this thread alive

I think the Colt Double Eagle wasn't a big seller, but it was discontinued after only a few years.
I replaced a S&W model 39-2 (9mm) with a Sig P226 in 1986, and in 1996 I wanted to move up to .45 ACP while staying with the same platform as the Sig.
The Double Eagle did just that. Mine has the 3.5 barrel and came factory with the Chip McCormick shooting star 8 rd magazine.
I still have both weapons, and although I have replaced them with Glocks,, G19, G23, G27, they are still in 99% condition, and guarding my safe.

I would never sell my Sig, but a reasonable offer would part me from the Double Eagle.
It is a bear to take down, compared to my 3 1911's, and with it's series 90 action, the pull is rough on single action, but smooth on double action, go figure.
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I have two BDMs and a significant number of both 15 and 10 round mags. I was lucky, I bought mine before the ban and then picked up 10 and 15 round mags from CDNN a few years ago, very cheaply. I leave both in DA mode and replaced the guide rod with stainless steel versions. Very slim and accurate. No problem with the reverse safeties as I grew up with Walthers.

Talking of Walthers, I have the trifecta in the 99 series, 9, 40 SW both German guns and the SW99 in 45. The latter has a German frame and SW slide. Very under appreciated guns. Dave_n
 
1950's Whitney Wolverine .22 LR semi auto. My Gramps had one, and it was / is a good gun, top quality, light weight, accurate, fast shooter. It looked too much like a Buck Rogers space gun, and was ahead of its time. Olympic Arms made a batch up a year or two back, but I have yet to see the new ones.
 
I would NEVER call this gun a DUD, but my Smith & Wesson 356 TSW just never caught on. I have one of the original 500 Custom Shop race guns, serial number 402. It is hands down the most accurate weapon I own or have ever shot!! I was lucky enough to lay in several 1,000 rounds of Federal 147 Grain FMJs. I still bring it out at the range and heads snap around when they see this weapon!!
 
Star Firestar. Great gun!! Small as a Walther PPK, but in 9mm. Factory went out of business years ago, so I guess you could call it a dud. Wish someone else would pick up the rights to make these, would love to see them again!
 
The Star Firestar is a great nominee. Also my Bren Ten, the availability and cost of magazines was a trouble spot. The Steyr M and S models (and the rest of the 'family') by Wilhelm Bubits. Better than a Glock, IMO, but never really took off.
 
Star Firestar. Great gun!! Small as a Walther PPK, but in 9mm. Factory went out of business years ago, so I guess you could call it a dud. Wish someone else would pick up the rights to make these, would love to see them again!
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I have 2 Firestars...a .40 and a .45. They both shoot great, so I'd hesitate to call them a dud. But, I don't shoot them much these days, because parts are all but impossible to find should something break. I'd agree that I'd really like to see someone else pick up their design and start building them again, maybe with a somewhat lighter frame.

My nominee for a "dud" would be my formerly owned Browning BDA .380. Fantastic looking pistol, great quality, felt wonderful in the hand, 100% feeding and extraction...absolutely crappy accuracy. I tried and tried to get that gun to shoot well, used factory ammo and my own reloads, to no avail. Finally sold it.
 
I don't know if it qualifies as a "good" gun, but the Colt AA2000 was about as big a dud as you are likely to find from a major company. Cost them a pile and went nowhere. The money, spent on their new revolver designs, might have helped avoid some of their problems today.

Jim
 
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