AmmoLand.com

Smith & Wesson Secures M&P Pistol Contract from Belgium Federal Police

Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Pistol

Smith and Wesson

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--(Ammoland.com)- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 159-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection, and sport, announced today that it has recently received a contract from the Belgium Federal Police calling for 20,000 Smith & Wesson Military & Police (M&P) 9mm polymer pistols over a ten-year period.

The police agency, a force with 12,500 officers, has received an initial shipment of 2,500 pistols as part of the full department conversion to Smith & Wesson duty firearms.

After an open evaluation process that included numerous competitors, the Smith & Wesson M&P9 was selected for its performance and for the support services provided by the Company. A thorough test and evaluation process by the Belgium Federal Police indicated that the firearm’s reliability, interchangeable grips sizes and low perceived recoil were among the key drivers in the decision. In addition to duty pistols, the Belgium Federal Police also placed orders for simunition and dedicated training firearms based on the M&P platform. The firearms offered by Smith & Wesson were supported with a full range of services, including armorer’s training. The Company also provided the agency with product manuals in multiple languages in order to ease the transition process.

The pistols ordered by the Belgium Federal Police were based upon the well established M&P platform, which has been adopted by hundreds of police agencies and has achieved popularity with consumers as well. The M&P9 pistols were built to meet the exact specifications set forth by the police agency. Enhanced features included luminescent sights, a manual thumb safety with on/off red dot indicator, and a raised loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide that could be felt by hand. The M&P9 pistols retained the original design features and were supplied with two 17-round magazines along with cleaning materials.

Mario Pasantes, Smith & Wesson’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Global Professional Sales, said, “We are pleased to support the long-term needs of the Belgium Federal Police with our M&P pistols, which have become a sidearm of choice for law enforcement agencies in both the United States and around the globe.

Our M&P line includes a full range of calibers and is designed to meet the exacting standards and tough test criteria used by professionals, such as the Belgium Federal Police. At the same time, our M&P firearms have become popular with consumers who have come to appreciate the pistol’s professional-grade performance and features.”

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection, and sport. The company delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement, and sports markets. For more information on Smith & Wesson call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com

Filed under: Featured Articles, Firearm News, Shooting Industry News by Ammoland No Comments »

Smith & Wesson, Thompson/Center Arms & Walther Introduce New Gun Models

Smith Wesson Governor Revolver

Smith & Wesson

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--(Ammoland.com)- Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 159-year old firearms maker, announced today new models and extensions to its Smith & Wesson, Thompson/Center Arms and Walther firearms portfolios.

The product lineup features the debut of a new-age self-defense revolver, the Governor, which offers multiple caliber capabilities along with a lightweight scandium alloy frame.

Other new models include extensions to the company’s Military & Police (M&P) Series, Smith & Wesson Performance Center and Custom Engraving Shop.

The company also introduced a new line of Smith & Wesson 1911 pistols, the “E” Series, and an expanded Thompson/Center core black powder lineup along with the popular T/C Venture bolt-action rifle. Introductions to the Walther product line include the new PPQ polymer pistol in 9mm and .40 S&W along with design and styling updates to the popular P22 rimfire pistol.

Additional new models include:

Smith & Wesson Governor – An innovative scandium frame revolver capable of firing .45 Long Colt, .45 ACP and .410 gauge 2 ½-inch shotshells. The new six-shot revolver, with its standard front night sight and Crimson Trace laser option, carries forward Smith & Wesson’s rich history of revolver manufacturing and dedication to the personal protection market.
M&P Rifle Series – New state compliant M&P rifles chambered in .22 LR or 5.56 NATO along with the new M&P15 Sport, specifically designed to address both price and function. Included in the line extensions are four M&P15 modern sporting rifle versions with factory installed bullet buttons for the California market and Realtree APG HD camo versions of the M&P15-22 .22 LR modern sporting rifle.
M&P Pistol Series – New M&P pistols packaged with accessory items and threaded barrels as well as a new model designed in collaboration with Viking Tactics. A new M&P22 pistol was also launched in the economical .22 LR caliber.
Performance Center – Three new hunting revolvers designed by Smith & Wesson’s master gunsmiths along with a high-end M&P15-22 rifle available with or without a threaded barrel.
Custom Engraving Shop – Two new revolver models featuring intricate machine engraving, which bring aesthetics and value to these highly sought after steel canvases.
1911 “E” Series – Six newly enhanced 1911 pistols machined to exacting tolerances and built with a variety of custom features. The 1911 “E” Series pistols are designed with a new precision hand-fit trigger and are available in both traditional grips and round butt models.

Thompson/Center Arms T/C Venture - Economical bolt-action rifle available in five new caliber options. Each rifle is MOA (1” groups at 100 yards) guaranteed and standard with a variety of features requested by hunters.
T/C Venture Weather Shield - Popular bolt-action rifle available with advanced Weather Shield finish for extra protection against the elements.
Encore Pro Hunter XT Muzzleloader – Versatile black powder rifle built as the gun for all seasons with its interchangeable barrel design and corrosion resistant Weather Shield Finish.

Walther PPQ Pistol – Feature-rich polymer pistol available in 9mm and .40S&W. The PPQ comes with a new quick action trigger with a crisp pull and .1” reset. The PPQ is also standard with an ambidextrous slide lock and magazine release.
P22 Pistol – The ever-popular .22 LR pistol has been updated with an improved grip and new slanted slide serrations to improve ergonomics and functionality.

James Debney, President of Smith & Wesson’s Firearm Division, said, “Smith & Wesson, Thompson/Center Arms and Walther have long been recognized as premier brand names in firearms. This year’s new product lineup carries forward that reputation and expands our portfolio with a number of exciting new firearms. Whether customers are focused on protection of family and home; affordable sporting firearms for hunting or the shooting range; or performance oriented products for professional use, we have a product that will meet their needs. And each delivers the quality standard customers expect from these iconic Smith & Wesson, Thompson/Center Arms and Walther brands.”

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.

Filed under: Firearm News, Shooting Industry News by Ammoland No Comments »