Are You OnPoint?

Is the new Dark Earth finish from Springfield a bellwether for the shooting industry? Or is this color scheme just another inane marketing ploy, created to sell more pistols?

The introduction of polymer technology in recent decades has certainly contributed to this latest innovation. No, Springfield didn’t do it first, but their new Dark Earth color is grabbing attention from buyers. The finish is billed as the ideal color for a new era in urban combat, centered around the middle east, I suppose. A sand-colored pistola seems appropriate for a region covered in the stuff. However, will shooters see a benefit in the new look?

At present, demand for black/blued firearms is much greater than for their trendy, multi-colored counterparts, even in the military and law enforcement circles that I service. As a gun dealer, I sell many AR15s each month, but only a fraction of those have desert tan or olive drab furniture. Kel-Tec offers pistols in a variety of colors including blue, od green, grey, and even pink, but our best seller is black. Last year, Heckler & Koch introduced a color concept line of their own: USP pistols in urban grey, olive drab, and desert tan. The olive drab version sold well, but the grey and tan versions were dismissed by many buyers. On the other hand, 1911s with exotic finishes sell quite well. Consider the Kimber Desert Warrior, Springfield Loaded 1911s in OD Armory Kote, and two-tone Wilson Combat pistols in olive drab and grey. Despite long waits, many buyers are holding out for black versions of the popular new FN FS2000 and PS90, in lieu of purchasing one in olive drab.

Only time will tell if these finishes become a mainstay in the industry. For now, get in line for the Dark Earth XDs. The 3 units we’ve received are already gone!

Until next time, stay On Point!
–Evan