SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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, announced today that it has shipped 7,500 M&P9 pistols
to the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq for distribution to Iraqi military and
security forces. The procurement order was issued by the U.S. Army
Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command. Smith & Wesson will also supply
supplemental accessories and spare parts for the firearms.
Leland Nichols, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Smith &
Wesson Holding Corporation, said, "We are extremely pleased that the M&P9
pistol was selected for use by the Iraqi government for its military and
police forces. Since its introduction in January 2006, the M&P pistol series
has been selected for purchase or as an approved firearm by over 430 law
enforcement and security agencies in the United States and 16 other countries
throughout the world. Today's announcement reflects the first order we have
received for shipment of the M&P9 into Iraq. Its performance continues to
demonstrate that the M&P polymer pistol series is highly suitable not only for
law enforcement and personal protection, but also for use by military
professionals."
Engineered to become the handgun of choice for global law enforcement and
military personnel, the M&P pistol design is based on input from numerous law
enforcement and military organizations. Manufactured with a Zytel(R) polymer
frame reinforced with a rigid stainless steel chassis and a through-hardened
black Melonite(R) finished stainless steel barrel and slide for added
durability, the M&P pistol benefits from enhanced shootability along with a
reduction in felt recoil. Other standard features of the M&P pistol include
three interchangeable grip sizes; a sear release lever that eliminates the
need to press the trigger to disassemble the firearm; an ambidextrous slide
stop; reversible magazine releases and a passive trigger safety to prevent the
firearm from firing if dropped. The M&P9 has a 17 + 1 capacity and the pistol
series is available in 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP calibers. Compact
versions of the M&P pistol are also available for concealed carry and back-up
use.
Nichols, added, "In addition to the M&P9s currently used in Iraq, Smith &
Wesson firearms have also been used in active duty for the last two years with
several security forces in Afghanistan including the Afghanistan National Army
and Border Patrol as well as the Afghanistan National Police. To date, over
80,000 Smith & Wesson firearms are currently being used in these two
countries. Reports from the field continue to indicate that the firearms are
exceeding all expectations in the areas of reliability and durability. We are
honored to continue delivering firearms that support men and women serving in
Iraq and Afghanistan and we remain committed to supplying high-quality small
arms to the military and federal government."
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
www.smith-wesson.com. For more information on Thompson/Center Arms, log on to
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
Web Site: http://www.smith-wesson.com
http://www.tcarms.com
