December 2017 Q&A - Hudson Mfg w/Cy & Lauren Hudson

Published on December 28, 2017
Duration: 87:05

This Q&A session with Cy and Lauren Hudson of Hudson Manufacturing delves into the development, production, and market reception of their H9 pistol. Key topics include the feasibility of optic cuts, challenges in firearm manufacturing and business startup, the importance of legal protection like NDAs, and the company's approach to customer service and continuous improvement. The discussion also touches on future product development, including potential 10mm and .357 SIG variants, and the complexities of patent law and international market entry.

Quick Summary

Hudson Manufacturing designed their H9 pistol with optic cuts in mind and is planning a factory-standard version. They emphasize robust legal protection, proactive customer service, and continuous improvement based on feedback. Future products include an AR-15 piston system, leveraging a modular chassis design for expansion.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction & Q&A Setup
  2. 00:32Optic Cuts & Red Dot Compatibility
  3. 01:53Research into Red Dot Viability
  4. 02:49Front vs. Rear Sights
  5. 04:00Hurdles Entering Firearm Business
  6. 04:51Importance of Legal Paperwork (NDAs)
  7. 05:36Mechanical & Manufacturability Education
  8. 06:15John Browning & Commercial Feasibility
  9. 07:21Marketing & Breaking into the Market
  10. 08:38Deliberate Social Media Strategy
  11. 08:54Showcasing Holster Manufacturers
  12. 09:31Rear and Front Sights Discussion
  13. 09:39Feedback on Design & Production
  14. 10:00Listening to Customer Feedback
  15. 10:47Aggressive Customer Service Approach
  16. 11:19Specific Issue: Rear Sight Set Screw
  17. 12:10Continuous Process Improvement
  18. 12:34Lubricant Choice: Oil vs. Copper Moly
  19. 13:09Emotional vs. Objective Product Judgment
  20. 14:03Unboxing Experience & Packaging
  21. 15:31Staying Focused During Development
  22. 16:07Avoiding Feature Creep & Resource Dilution
  23. 17:2010-20 Year Business Plan
  24. 18:01First Patent Granted
  25. 18:44Patent Drawings vs. Functional Designs
  26. 19:16Design & Manufacturing Software (SolidWorks)
  27. 20:31Reception of the H9 Handgun
  28. 21:35Impact of Industry Day at the Range
  29. 22:14Current Roles in Production
  30. 23:22Positioning for Scale
  31. 24:29Investing in Hudson Manufacturing
  32. 25:11Risks of Crowdfunding (Kickstarter)
  33. 26:04Risk of Losing Vision with External Investment
  34. 27:37Industry Pushback Without Prior Experience
  35. 28:13Industry Partners & NDAs
  36. 29:09Innovation vs. Design for Manufacturability
  37. 30:09Making a Firearm: A Complex Process
  38. 30:33Great Partnerships from Day One
  39. 31:05Fascination with NDA Importance
  40. 32:22Current Sales Performance & Market Penetration
  41. 32:52Educating Distributors vs. Dealers
  42. 33:39Extremely Positive Reviews
  43. 34:04Production Schedule & Lessons Learned
  44. 34:41Behind Schedule, Still Aiming for USPS Production
  45. 35:21Stopping the Line to Fix Problems (Lean Manufacturing)
  46. 35:53Designing Fixtures vs. Designing Parts
  47. 36:17Machines That Make Machines
  48. 37:10Securing Raw Materials vs. Financing
  49. 37:47Firearm Manufacturer Challenges in Financing
  50. 38:27Quality Assurance from Suppliers
  51. 38:56Initial Component Inspection
  52. 39:43Supplier Selection for Quality
  53. 40:00Metrology Equipment Usage
  54. 40:40Unscrupulous Suppliers & Documentation Faking
  55. 41:06Supplier Quality Issues & Reputation
  56. 41:44Glock Production Numbers as Perspective
  57. 42:32Manual Thumb Safety & Trigger Options
  58. 43:07Striker-Fired Pistol Market & Manual Safeties
  59. 43:36Drop Safety & Trigger Safety Integration
  60. 44:01Press Release Mentioning Manual Safety
  61. 44:27Manual Safety on H9: Photoshop or Real?
  62. 44:40End-User Configurable Manual Safety
  63. 45:05Redundancy for Safety (Children, Bedside Gun)
  64. 45:12Appealing to 1911 Shooters
  65. 45:21Thumb Rest Comfort
  66. 46:02Future Calibers: 10mm
  67. 46:3410mm vs. .45 ACP Market Share
  68. 47:41Future Products: AR-15 Piston System
  69. 48:20Modular Chassis for Future Product Family
  70. 49:21Longer Barrel Version for EU Market
  71. 49:45European Distributors & Export Research
  72. 50:17Risk of Advancing Too Quickly
  73. 50:33Avoiding a Two-Front War
  74. 51:0210-Round Magazine Plans (New York Compliance)
  75. 51:39Larger Capacity Magazines
  76. 52:01Polymer Framed H9 Considerations
  77. 52:32Patent for Specific Chassis Design
  78. 53:30Steyr Patent & Avoiding Legal Battles
  79. 54:06Patent Law Complexities
  80. 54:51Patent Strategy: Divisional Applications
  81. 57:15One Single Feature Addition (No Cost/Drawback)
  82. 58:08Cost Savings via Modular Grip Design
  83. 59:16Recoil Spring Length & Design Decisions
  84. 60:21Plans for Wood Grips
  85. 61:24Ambitions for Rifles or Carbines
  86. 62:13Passion for Pistol Development
  87. 62:37Balancing Development: One Thing Perfect vs. Many
  88. 63:15Civilian & Law Enforcement Market vs. Military
  89. 64:19Commissioned Design Firearms Often Suboptimal
  90. 65:11Future Calibers: .357 SIG
  91. 65:55Market Norm Calibers for Introduction
  92. 66:22Evolution of Firearm Cartridges (9mm)
  93. 67:06First 9mm Military Handgun (Luger P08)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Hudson Manufacturing offer an H9 pistol with factory-cut slide for red dot sights?

Yes, Hudson Manufacturing has confirmed that their H9 pistol was designed with the feasibility of optic cuts in mind. While a factory-standard version with these cuts is planned, a specific release date has not yet been announced by the company.

What were the biggest challenges for Hudson Manufacturing when starting their firearm business?

The primary challenges for Hudson Manufacturing included the significant costs and complexities of legal paperwork, engaging patent lawyers and engineers, and developing a robust marketing strategy. Securing initial legal protection, such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), was also a critical early step.

How does Hudson Manufacturing handle customer feedback and potential issues with their H9 pistol?

Hudson Manufacturing actively monitors customer reviews and comments to identify and address potential issues, demonstrating an aggressive customer service approach. They track down problems proactively and aim for continuous process improvement based on user feedback.

Are there plans for future Hudson Manufacturing products beyond the H9 pistol?

Yes, Hudson Manufacturing is planning future products, including an AR-15 piston system. The H9 was designed with a modular chassis to facilitate the development of a broader product family, indicating a strategic approach to expansion.

What CAD software does Hudson Manufacturing use for firearm design and manufacturing?

Hudson Manufacturing primarily uses SolidWorks for their firearm design and manufacturing processes. They note that SolidWorks is widely adopted within the firearms industry for its capabilities in mechanical design and engineering.

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