SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 156-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, today announced that the company's Elite Gold(TM) shotgun was selected as the Ducks Unlimited (DU) President's Top 100 Gun for 2008. Each year, all DU chapters work to raise money for habitat conservation. The top 100 money-raising chapters each receive a specially selected firearm to be used for additional fundraising purposes. This year, the top 100 chapters will receive a Smith & Wesson Elite Gold side-by-side 20-gauge shotgun that will be used in live auctions at each chapter's annual banquet.

"This is the fourth year that we have conducted our program and chosen a President's Top 100 Gun," said Gary Schmidt, Product Manager - Sporting Firearms and Knives for Ducks Unlimited. "Each year, a DU committee of senior volunteers and staff meet to review firearms from numerous manufacturers in order to select the winning model. After reviewing a variety of proposals, it was decided that the Smith & Wesson Elite Gold shotgun would be selected as this year's President's Top 100 Gun. We are very pleased with the committee's decision, as the Elite Gold shotgun will no doubt be a highly sought after item by numerous DU members across the nation."

A true hand-built double gun, the Elite Gold combines traditional handcraftsmanship with modern technology in a classic field shotgun. Offering upland hunters and traditional shooters a perfect blend of form and function, each shotgun features a gracefully rounded and sculptured receiver made possible by the patent-pending trigger-plate round body action. The 20-gauge shotgun features a hand engraved receiver, rust-blued, chopper-lump barrels and AAA (grade III) Turkish walnut stocks. With a perfect wood to metal fit, each of the President's Top 100 Guns is embellished with custom engraving by Baron Technology. Capped off with a hand-cut checkered stock, the double gun is complete with a white bead front sight and a brass mid-beat sight.

Gregg Ritz, President, Smith & Wesson Hunting said, "We are very honored that Ducks Unlimited has selected the Elite Gold shotgun as the President's Top 100 Gun. For over 70 years, Ducks Unlimited has been one of the leading proponents of grassroots efforts to better manage and restore our nation's wetlands and associated habitats. Through our partnership with Ducks Unlimited, not only will we be helping to raise money for a worthy cause, but we will also be helping to insure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the legacy of hunting."

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 eye and ear 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.

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

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

SOURCE Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation

http://www.smith-wesson.com