Company Receives 'Manufacturer of Year' and 'Handgun of the Year'

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug 02, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 155-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, announced today that it has received top awards in two categories from the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence. Smith & Wesson was named the "Manufacturer of the Year" for the second year in a row and the company's M&P45 polymer pistol was named "Handgun of the Year".

Established in 1992, the Academy of Excellence is sponsored by FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS and American Handgunner magazines. The voting group consists of 500 industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. Smith & Wesson was nominated for "Manufacturer of the Year" for introducing 70 new products including the M&P45 polymer pistol, the Elite Series(TM) and 1000 Series(TM) line of shotguns, the new i-Bolt(TM) rifle and the Classic Series of revolvers; the acquisition of Thompson/Center Arms; the Company's work in supporting and expanding shooting sports by working closely with the NSSF, NRA, USA Shooting and other associations and sponsorships; for selection by the U.S. Government of 73,000 Sigma pistols and 15,000 restraints for allied forces in Afghanistan and Iraq; and for its continued leadership in the industry and protection of the Second Amendment.

Smith & Wesson also received the Shooting Industry's "Handgun of the Year" award for its M&P45 pistol. First introduced at the SHOT Show in February 2007, the M&P45 expanded upon the Military & Police Series of polymer pistols which now also includes a 9mm, a compact 9mm, a .40 caliber, a .40 caliber compact, a tactical rifle and a number of revolvers. Since its launch, the M&P pistol series has been purchased or approved for use by 223 law enforcement agencies. Smith & Wesson intends to submit the M&P45 to the U.S. military as it considers a possible shift to a .45 caliber firearm for greater stopping power. The M&P45 incorporates enhanced ergonomics, ambidextrous controls and proven safety features, and is manufactured with a traditional black or dark earth brown frame by Smith & Wesson in Springfield, MA. Options include a frame-mounted ambidextrous thumb safety and a specially designed lanyard attachment. Providing one of the smallest grip sizes available on any .45 ACP pistol, the M&P45 comes with three interchangeable grip sizes and features a 4.5-inch barrel with an overall length of 8.05 inches.

Michael F. Golden, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, said, "On behalf of all of our employees, we are both honored and proud to earn this recognition from professionals within our own industry, not only for our work in shooting sports, but also for our exciting new M&P45 pistol. We remain dedicated to supporting our industry's advancements and to developing innovative products that surpass the expectations of our loyal customers everywhere."

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a global leader in safety, security, protection and sport, is parent company to Smith & Wesson Corp., one of the world's largest manufacturers of quality firearms and firearm safety/security products and parent company to Thompson/Center Arms, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting rifles, black powder rifles, interchangeable firearms systems and accessories under the Thompson/Center brand. Smith & Wesson licenses shooter protection, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield, Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Springfield, Houlton, Maine, and Rochester, New Hampshire. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America's longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to http://www.smith-wesson.com. For more information on Thompson/Center Arms, log on to http://www.tcarms.com.

Industry Contact: Gary Giudice
Blue Heron Communications
(800) 654-3766
gary@blueheroncomm.com

Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
(480) 949-9700 x. 115
lsharp@smith-wesson.com

SOURCE Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation