SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation , parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 153-year old global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, today announced it has filled an order from the Patrick County, Virginia Sheriff's Department, for the Company's new Military & Police (M&P) Series of advanced-design polymer pistols. The new pistols, shipped and accepted by the Sheriff's office in December 2005, replaced the department's existing, non-Smith & Wesson pistols.
The M&P series of pistols was specially designed by the Company to meet the needs of global military and police personnel. Smith & Wesson began shipments of the M&P 40, the first pistol in the series, in December 2005. The Company's designers incorporated feedback throughout the design-cycle from more than a dozen law enforcement and military organizations, and specifically engineered the M&P to provide professionals with the high level of performance and safety that are critical in their day-to-day duties.
David Hubbard, Sheriff of Patrick County, Virginia, said, "We evaluated a variety of pistols from different manufacturers in our decision-making process. We selected the Smith & Wesson M&P 40 over competing products to replace our existing brand of pistols because of its combination of safety features and its ease of handling. We tested numerous products, and my professional opinion is that the M&P is the finest pistol I have encountered. The M&P 40 has extremely low recoil, and has already increased our officer shooting qualification scores by at least five points, including scores for those officers we consider our best marksmen. In addition, the M&P 40 conceals well and has a smooth draw, critical for plain-clothes officers. With our selection of the M&P 40, each of our 32 officers, from detectives to road deputies, now carries the same high-quality firearm." Hubbard added, "I am especially pleased to select a pistol that offers not only superb performance, but is also made in America, helping to support jobs here at home."
The M&P Pistol Series offers a number of distinctive features that provide durability, safety and versatility. These features include a polymer, reinforced frame and stainless steel barrel and slide for durability; a passive trigger safety to prevent the pistol from firing if dropped; and a unique trigger mechanism that eliminates the need to press the trigger in order to disassemble the firearm. A loaded chamber indicator is located on top of the slide, and an internal lock system is optional for military and law enforcement users. The pistol's innovative ergonomic design is enhanced with three interchangeable grip sizes, allowing the user to customize grips in a matter of seconds. The firearm also features an ambidextrous slide stop and magazine catch release, as well as an enlarged trigger guard designed to accommodate gloves. A universal Picatinny style equipment rail allows the addition of tactical lights and lasers. Duty holsters for the M&P series are also available. The Smith & Wesson lifetime service policy is standard with each pistol.
Michael Golden, President and CEO of the Company, said, "We believe the unique features and outstanding performance of the M&P Series truly set a new standard for pistols in the law enforcement and military markets. We expect to see additional agencies switch from their existing products to the new M&P in the coming months. In addition, we will soon announce additional models in this innovative new family of pistols, including a compact version of the M&P 40, a .357 SIG, as well as a full-size and compact version in 9mm. This broad portfolio of high performance pistols will allow the professional user, as well as the sport-shooting enthusiast to find the perfect model for any environment."
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Corp. is a global provider of products and services for the safety, security, protection and sport markets. The company manufactures firearms and handcuffs and is home to America's longest-running firearms training facilities for America's public servants. The company also markets a variety of products for sport shooters including firearm safety/security devices, shooter protective gear, knives, apparel, footwear and other accessory lines. The Company is based in Springfield, Mass., with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. Contact (800) 331-0852 or log on to http://www.smith-wesson.com/ .
Certain statements contained in this document may be deemed to be forward- looking statements under federal securities laws, and Smith & Wesson intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements include the engineering, features, performance, capabilities, durability, and safety of the M&P series of pistols; the feedback received by the Company with respect to its M&P series of pistols; the ability of the M&P series of pistols to set a new standard in the firearms industry; the demand for the M&P by law enforcement and military agencies: and the Company's plans to introduce additional models within the M&P pistol series. The Company cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors include the acceptance of the M&P series of pistols by military and police personnel and other customers; the performance, capabilities, durability, and safety of the M&P series of pistols in actual use; reviews of the M&P series of pistols by the media and industry publications; the Company's ability to manufacture M&P pistols in accordance with its intended features and performance; as well as other risks as identified from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and Annual Reports on Form 10-K.
Company Contact: Elizabeth Sharp
VP, Investor Relations
480-949-9700 x.115
