I only read the OP's message and thought to chip in my $.02.
A 2 year wait is absurd for an offset smoker. And I simply do not buy that their smokers are that much better at getting you a blue smoke than any other respectable stick burner out there.
55% of offset cooking is fire management, the rest is the meat, the rub, knowing when it's done, and the cooker itself. In other words, the fire is the most important thing - and there are dozens of very fine manufacturers that would enable the same thing on the plate if you get your fire right.
With that said, if you gotta have one of their cookers, so you can join that club and the resultant pride of ownership - well, you have your answer. Otherwise, I'd suggest looking at some other companies' offerings. Good luck with your purchase!
They are not price gouging and taking shortcuts like some other makers do which is part of the reason why their backlog is so long and why they have so many loyal fans.
I have been around long enough on other forums to see Fanboys and Fangirls give makers an ego that drove up their price and backlogs while the quality of their work never rose to the level to justify their high price and long waits. When I finally saw the makers work in question after reading and listening to the Fanboys and Fangirls drone on for so long, I was stunned to see the low quality of work, sub-par performance of said product, and what a totally inflated unjustified ego these *#$)@!* had. I still remember one particular knifemaker vividly.
The Shirley's have earned the backlog and the respect of people like myself through continued hard work producing a very high-quality product they make themselves in-house. They do it all while remaining humble and respecting the people that bring them their business.
So yes, you can buy a reverse flow offset from many makers. Many of them actually work pretty well. What you will have a hard doing is buying one at a similar price, with similar features and, similar quality of construction. There are a lot of good people in the BBQ business so, I'll call that one a draw. :wink: