Hudson Mfg - A new name in American firearms

Published on January 23, 2017
Duration: 46:40

This video details the origin story and design philosophy behind the Hudson 9 Pistol, developed by an entrepreneurial couple. It highlights their journey from military service and competitive shooting backgrounds to creating a firearm that blends 1911 ergonomics and trigger feel with modern striker-fired reliability and a lower bore axis. The discussion covers their iterative design process, the challenges of bringing a new firearm to market, and the unique features of the Hudson 9.

Quick Summary

The Hudson 9 Pistol is designed to blend the classic appeal of a 1911 with modern striker-fired reliability. Key innovations include a significantly lowered bore axis, achieved by placing the recoil spring below the trigger guard, and a straight-pull trigger system. Its grip width is optimized for comfortable handling and concealed carry, making it an attractive option for those seeking a refined shooting experience.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction to Hudson Manufacturing
  2. 00:40Founders Sai and Lauren's Story
  3. 01:21Early Days: Garage FFL and Alaska Deployment
  4. 02:37Mutual Passion for Firearms
  5. 03:00Competitive Shooting Backgrounds
  6. 04:11Design Influences: Bullseye and Practical Shooting
  7. 05:40Complementary Skill Sets: Creative vs. Organized
  8. 06:01Learning from the Industry: SHOT Show and Blogs
  9. 07:25Preference for 1911s over Striker Guns
  10. 08:00Aesthetics and Similarities to 1911s
  11. 09:34The 'Brick' Concept: Combining 1911 and Glock Elements
  12. 10:08Reimagining Design Without Assumptions
  13. 11:16Wish List: 1911 Trigger, Striker-Fired
  14. 12:00The 'Brick' Prototype and Engineering Hire
  15. 13:36The 'Brick': Early Prototype Details
  16. 14:10Lowering Bore Axis and Grip Angle
  17. 16:03Rationale for Striker-Fired System
  18. 18:53Grip Width and Concealed Carry Considerations
  19. 20:07The 'Brick': Amalgamation of Components
  20. 20:09DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) in Prototyping
  21. 21:35The 'Brick' as a Fireable Gun
  22. 22:46Timeline: First Shots Fired in August 2014
  23. 23:31Eugene Kane and Original Patent
  24. 24:00Lessons Learned and Securing Investment
  25. 24:17Selling the Concept and Business Plan
  26. 25:09Recoil Spring Placement and Physics
  27. 26:05Is It Going to Sell? Market Research
  28. 27:06Entrepreneurial Sacrifice: Moving to Texas
  29. 28:27Company Naming Research and Legacy Brands
  30. 30:00Innovation vs. Elegant Design
  31. 30:39User Configurability and Rifle Market Influence
  32. 30:51Ambidextrous Manual Safety
  33. 31:05Securing Private Investment
  34. 31:22Gen 2 Design and Engineering Team
  35. 33:32Design Changes and Sear Mechanism
  36. 34:53Decision to Resist Early Publicization
  37. 35:18Keeping the Project Secret
  38. 36:01Bringing on Firearms Engineers
  39. 37:17Considering Manufacturability
  40. 37:32Cost of Production and CNC Machining
  41. 39:01Pre-Production Model and Shipping Projections
  42. 40:05SHOT Show Buzz and Initial Impressions
  43. 40:43Elegant Aggregation of Design Elements
  44. 41:13Uniqueness vs. Execution in Firearm Design
  45. 42:23Q2 Shipping Goal and MSRP Target
  46. 42:36Magazine Availability and Design Lineage
  47. 43:25Holster Availability and Partnerships
  48. 43:41Concealed Carry, Service, and Competition Suitability
  49. 44:30For 1911 Enthusiasts Seeking Modern Improvements
  50. 45:05History of the Hudson 9's Beginnings
  51. 45:11Entrepreneurial Couple's Journey
  52. 45:25Origin Story Conclusion
  53. 46:15Supporting InRange TV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main design philosophy behind the Hudson 9 Pistol?

The Hudson 9 Pistol's core design philosophy is to merge the desirable elements of a 1911, such as its trigger and ergonomics, with the reliability and modern features of a striker-fired system. A key objective is to significantly lower the bore axis for improved recoil control and a flatter shooting experience.

How does the Hudson 9 Pistol achieve a lower bore axis?

The Hudson 9 achieves its low bore axis by repositioning the recoil spring assembly to sit directly below the trigger guard. This design choice, along with other engineering considerations, aims to bring the shooter's hand closer to the barrel, reducing muzzle flip and torque during firing.

What are the backgrounds of the founders of Hudson Manufacturing?

The founders, Sai and Lauren, bring a unique blend of experience. Sai has a background in competitive shooting, including bullseye pistol and high power rifle, while Lauren has a math and physics background. Together, they combined their skills, military experience, and passion for firearms to develop the Hudson 9.

What makes the Hudson 9 Pistol suitable for concealed carry?

The Hudson 9 Pistol is designed with concealed carry in mind due to its relatively thin grip width, which is comparable to a single-stack 1911. This slim profile, combined with its overall design, allows it to present a less noticeable profile when carried appendix or in other concealed positions.

When is the Hudson 9 Pistol projected to ship, and what is its target MSRP?

Hudson Manufacturing projects shipping for the Hudson 9 Pistol to begin in the second quarter. The target MSRP for the firearm is set at $1,147, reflecting its premium design and manufacturing.

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