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Smith & Wesson Now Shipping BODYGUARD 380 Pistols & Revolvers
New Compact Pistol and Revolver with Integrated Laser System.

Smith & Wesson Now Shipping BODYGUARD 380 Pistols & Revolvers

Smith & Wesson

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--(Ammoland.com)- Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 158-year old firearms maker announced that it has begun shipping the new BODYGUARD 380 semi-automatic pistol and BODYGUARD 38 revolver.

Incorporating the latest advancements in personal protection technology, the new BODYGUARDS offer consumers a new uniquely engineered, lightweight, self-defense firearm with built-in laser sights.

“The new BODYGUARD 380 pistol and 38 revolver combine our company’s innovative design and manufacturing techniques with the technology of one of the industry’s leading laser optic companies, Insight Technology,” said Tom Kelly, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson.

“Each model has truly been designed and built from the ground up in order to provide consumers with a reliable and quality firearm that matches their personal protection needs. The BODYGUARD products are unique as they are the first handguns designed with built-in lasers. Both the pistol and the revolver are lightweight, compact and concealable for personal protection and concealed carry.”

BODYGUARD 380 Pistol
Compact, sleek and ergonomic, the BODYGUARD 380 delivers personal protection in an easy-to-carry platform. Chambered in .380, the lightweight pistol features a high-strength polymer frame with a black, Melonite® coated stainless steel slide and barrel. The new BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a 2 ¾-inch barrel, which contributes to an overall length of 5 ¼-inches and an unloaded weight of only 11.85 ounces.

The new pistol features a double-action fire control system, which allows for rapid second-strike capability. The BODYGUARD 380 has been further enhanced with a smooth trigger pull. Adding to its simplicity, the BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a manual thumb safety and an external take down lever and slide stop. On the lower portion of the frame, the pistol has been fitted with an integral INSIGHT® laser, which is easily operated by both left and right-handed shooters. With its slim-line ergonomic grip, the pistol is comfortable in the hand and points naturally. To help aid in quick sight acquisition when the laser is not in use, the pistol includes black, Melonite-coated, stainless steel, drift adjustable dovetail sights. The BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a 6+1 magazine capacity.

BODYGUARD 38 Revolver
Chambered in .38 S&W Special +P, the BODYGUARD 38 continues Smith & Wesson’s line of reliable small-frame self-defense revolvers. The BODYGUARD 38 delivers the optimal combination of accuracy and simplicity. With its lightweight design, the BODYGUARD 38 allows for discreet carry and its hammerless design provides a snag-free presentation. The five-shot revolver features a short 1.9-inch barrel, which contributes to a compact overall length of 6.6 inches.

Weighing in at 14.3 ounces, the BODYGUARD 38 features a one-piece aluminum alloy upper frame along with a steel reinforced polymer lower frame. The barrel and cylinder on the revolver are both stainless steel. The stainless steel cylinder is coated with a durable, non-reflective, matte black PVD finish for long term carrying and low light presentation. Designed to accommodate both left and right-handed shooters, the revolver features an easily manipulated ambidextrous cylinder release on the top of the frame. The revolver is further enhanced with an ergonomic one-piece rubber grip and a smooth trigger pull.

On the right side of the frame, the revolver has been fitted with an integral INSIGHT laser, allowing precise shot placement in low light conditions. For fast target acquisition when the laser is not in use, the revolver sports a notch-style rear sight and a pinned black blade front sight. The BODYGUARD 38, with its double-action only design, can be easily concealed for discreet carry.

INSIGHT Laser
At the core of the new BODYGUARD line of firearms is the capability of the INSIGHT laser. Allowing for optimal accuracy, both the BODYGUARD 380 and 38 are fitted with a red laser sight designed and produced in conjunction with Insight Technology. A world leader in the design, development and manufacture of tactical lasers, Insight Technology designed the integrated laser system to perfectly mate with the new pistol and revolver. Accurate, durable and easily adjusted, the integral laser provides shooters with added confidence by enabling quick sight acquisition under low light conditions.

The integrated laser sighting system enables faster target acquisition for shooters of all experience levels. By working closely together and designing the firearm and laser sight system to be integral, Smith & Wesson and Insight Technology have achieved a value proposition that allows more firearm customers to afford laser sighting system technology.

• BODYGUARD 380 pistol has an MSRP of $575.
• BODYGUARD 38 revolver has an MSRP of $625.

For more information regarding the new BODYGUARDS, please visit www.smith-wesson.com.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; www.usrgrab.com; or www.tcarms.com.

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NTOA Recommends Insight Technology Gun Products
National Tactical Officers Association Member Tested and Recommended Program.

AN/PEQ-2A Infrared Target Pointer Illuminator/Aiming Light

InSight Technology

LONDONDERRY, NH - Insight Technology, the world’s leading provider of tactical lasers, illuminators, thermal imaging equipment, and red dot sighting systems participates and receives exceptional ratings in the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Member Tested and Recommended Program.

The NTOA is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the tactical professional informed, well trained and ready to handle challenges faced on a daily basis.

The products tested and recommended by NTOA members include the AN/PEQ-2A Infrared Target Pointer Illuminator/Aiming Light, AN/PEQ-15 – Standard Power Advanced Target Pointer Illuminator Aiming Laser, AN/PVS-24A – Individual Weapon Night Sight – Image Intensifier, AN/PAS-27 – Individual Night Sight – Thermal, AN/PAS 23 – Mini Thermal Monocular, and the SU/PAS – 232 Clip-On Night Vision Device – Thermal.

National Tactical Officers Association

The member tested information on Insight Technology products will be posted to the Member Tested product database on the NTOA website (www.ntoa.org). The reviews will be published in The Tactical Edge journal – a publication produced by the NTOA for the tactical professional. The highest rating for product scores is a 5.0 within the Member Tested and Recommended Program.

Jake Clever, Business Area Manager, Commercial and Law Enforcement of Insight Technology states…“The ratings on our products with the NTOA member reviews are impressive. Bringing safety and innovation to the tactical professional is imperative to Insight Technology. Participating with the NTOA Member Tested and Recommended program has been a great experience and we look forward to future reviews and opportunities with NTOA.”

After testing, members of NTOA gave the AN/PEQ-2A Infrared Target Pointer Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL) an overall score of 4.83. Members found this product to accurately and consistently hit a silhouette target at 100 yards away. They also found the laser to be effective in wooded areas, even with foliage and branches in the way. Specifically, a tester from California “liked the illuminator” and noted while in “IR” mode, the user was able to illuminate specific dark areas as needed. This allowed the user to keep both hands on the weapon when searching.

The AN/PEQ-15 – Standard Power Advanced Target Pointer Illuminator Aiming Laser (ATPIAL) received an overall rating of 4.72 by NTOA members. Users felt that the IR laser was exceptional and added a distinctive advantage on night time covert operations. The AN/PEQ-15 was found to be a great tool, according to testers, on night ops to help ensure positive ID location and subject ID in large groups. Snipers and perimeter units would make good use of this tool according to testers.

With an overall score of 4.9 the AN/PVS-24A – Individual Weapon Night Sight – Image Intensifier (IWNS-12) was found to be compact, easy to use, and efficient to carry. The intensifying properties of this product were excellent according to a tester from New Mexico, and allowed for identification of all at various ranges and distances engaged.

The AN/PAS-27 – Individual Night Sight – Thermal (IWNS-T) was very impressive, working in low light, total darkness, smoke and light rain. It received an overall rating of 4.63. This product maintained a great sight picture with both the red dot and rifle scope in use. The AN/PAS-27 was found to be very easy to use, with all operating buttons located on the top of the device. It was easy to change settings without looking at the controls, all while keeping both eyes on the target.

The AN/PAS 23 – Mini Thermal Monocular (MTM) received an overall score of 4.79 by NTOA members. A tester from Colorado found that the AN/PAS 23 had great features like facial recognition, moving man sized target detection at 500 meters, integrated marking laser, 2X digital zoom, external video jack, and a 4 hour run time. Another tester from California felt that the monocular was lightweight, compact and very powerful. The thermal optic detection is very precise and sensitive, allowing the user to make out foot prints in soft surfaces as well as hand prints on surfaces such as walls and wooden gates.

With an overall score of 4.82 the SU/PAS 232 Clip-On Night Vision Device – Thermal (CNVD-T) was found to work well during daylight, low light, total darkness, rain, snow, and smoke. The functions on this sight are not overly complicated, and offer the user straightforward options such as brightness, contrast, magnification (1X or 2X) and is easier to operate than most HD televisions.

About National Tactical Officers Association:
Established in 1983 by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Captain, then – Lieutenant, John Kolman. Kolman hoped to provide communications links between SWAT units throughout the U.S. and, later, internationally. In 1996, the NTOA opened membership to all sworn active and retired law enforcement personnel and sworn correctional officers. Today, the NTOA is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the tactical professional informed, well trained and ready to handle challenges faced on a daily basis. Membership has reached 30,000 members, including 1,600 teams, and is still growing. The member services are growing into the areas of tactical data collection, equipment surveys, program reviews and training program and instructor development. For more information on the NTOA or to become a member please visit www.ntoa.org

About Insight Technology:
Founded in the 1980’s, Insight Technology Incorporated enjoys the long and highly respected heritage of the foremost developer and manufacturer of tactical lasers, illuminators and thermal imaging equipment for the U.S. Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and the commercial market. The company operates its state-of-the-art facility providing highly effective and innovative tactial devices for extreme environments, advancing the effectiveness of the warfighter and first responder. Insight Technology is an ISO-9001:2008 registered company headquartered in Londonderry, New Hampshire. www.insighttechnology.com

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