I can completely understand halting orders after a certain threshold is reached. Supporting long drawn out orders on items not even built yet will ultimately require some degree of personnel shift in the minimum. Additionally, the company has to deal with suppliers of contract parts, raw materials, tooling, energy and the like. Given the shaky ground so much of the world's economy is on, a company would be foolish to run too long a waiting list (especially if purchase price is guaranteed) these days. Then there's the effect of fickle customers canceling unpaid orders or demanding the return of funds on paid orders.
Keep in mind that you really have few options as a manufacturer with extended order lists:
Someone stops what they're doing to address queries and efficiency suffers.
Someone new is hired to address queries and pricing suffers.
The customer/dealer feels ignored/lied to.
The manufacturer develops a reputation as being insufficiently communicative.
From my personal point of view. the "I've been waiting ***** for the gun I ordered" scenario is very different from the "I still haven't found the gun I want in stock anywhere" scenario.
Just look at how unreasonable some of the customer expectations posted in the last couple months here on THR are - now imagine the perception of a "promise" that comes along with an order being formally and professionally taken.
Oh, and save the Randall Knives model or others like it as the "custom" world is very, very different from standard manufacturing and knives along with other goods are not susceptible to the varying political whims as are firearms.
