SPRINGFIELD, Mass., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 157-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, announced today that the Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department has chosen to equip all of its officers with Smith & Wesson Military & Police (M&P) Series pistols and with M&P Series tactical rifles. The M&P45 pistol and M&P15 tactical rifle will be issued respectively as the primary duty firearm and standard issue patrol rifle.

M&P45 Polymer Pistols

The Raleigh Police Department has purchased 911 Smith & Wesson M&P45 mid-size polymer pistols. The new duty sidearm, chambered in .45 ACP, will replace early-model Smith & Wesson pistols previously issued by the department. During the evaluation process for a new pistol, the M&P45 was noted for its advanced ergonomics, ambidextrous operating controls and flexibility to adapt to a wide variety of applications. In addition, the ability to customize the M&P pistol through the use of three interchangeable palm swell grip sizes was a preferred option during range drills and individual officer evaluation.

M&P15 Tactical Rifles

The Department has also placed an order for 60 M&P15 tactical rifles. The semi-automatic rifles will be issued to select officers upon the completion of a certification course. While reviewing new options for patrol rifles, the Raleigh Police Department compared the M&P15 against other competitive rifles. After the evaluation process, the M&P15 was acknowledged for its reliability and high-grade components as well as for the training and support services offered by Smith & Wesson. Raleigh PD plans to buy an additional 340 rifles at the beginning of their new fiscal year.

"We are proud of our long-standing relationship with the Raleigh Police Department and we are especially pleased that they have chosen the M&P Series for their new duty firearm requirements," said Leland Nichols, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Smith & Wesson. "We look forward to supporting these officers with firearms that have earned the respect of police agencies both in the United States and abroad."

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 Company, 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.

SOURCE: Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation - 06/16/2009

Industry Contact: Matt Rice
Blue Heron Communications
(800) 654-3766
matt@blueheroncomm.com

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