Company Receives 'Manufacturer of the Year' and 'Rifle of the Year' Awards
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 30 /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 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" and also received the "Rifle of the
Year" award for the company's M&P15MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) tactical
rifle.
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, dealers and
outdoor writers. Smith & Wesson was nominated for "Manufacturer of the Year"
for the company's expansion of new product lines including the introduction of
the Night Guard revolver series, the Pro series of pistols and revolvers, and
new introductions in the Military and Police (M&P) Pistol and Tactical Rifle
Series. Smith & Wesson was also noted for its continued support of the
firearms industry and shooting sports at the highest levels, including its
work with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Rifle
Association (NRA) and USA Shooting Teams. The company was also noted for
playing an instrumental role in the NRA's Insure Your Gun Rights program by
promoting industry wide participation. Smith & Wesson was also acknowledged
for driving business at the dealer level through incentive based programs and
for the company's commitment to excellence in service and training.
Smith & Wesson also received the Shooting Industry's "Rifle of the Year"
award for its M&P15MOE rifle. First introduced at the SHOT Show in February
2009, the M&P15MOE expanded the company's popular line of Military & Police
Series Rifles, which now includes 16 different configurations. Based upon a
combat-proven design, the M&P15MOE incorporates Magpul's innovative MOE gear
while delivering the accuracy and dependability that shooters have come to
expect from Smith & Wesson. The rugged, lightweight, semi-automatic rifle
chambered for 5.56 NATO (.223) ammunition, features an upper and lower
receiver constructed with a tough 7075 T6 aluminum. Reliability features of
the gas-operated rifles include a chrome-lined gas key, bolt carrier and
barrel. The new rifle is standard with several Magpul features including a MOE
stock on a six position receiver extension tube, a MOE grip designed to
enhance ergonomics while providing a positive anti-slip texture and a MOE
handguard for improved firearm control. The MOE handguard also offers a
modular platform, allowing users to add accessory items such as lights or
lasers. In addition, the M&P15MOE is standard with Magpul's new MBUS rear
folding sight along with a 30-round P-Mag. The rifle is offered with either
black MOE gear or flat dark earth MOE gear.
Michael F. Golden, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation
was on hand to receive the awards and commented, "On behalf of all of our
employees, we are honored to accept these two awards granted by not only our
customer base but by our peers within the industry. We take great pride in
this recognition. We work continually to support the shooting sports through
a variety of joint partnerships and through the development of new and
innovative products, such as the M&P15 rifle, which was first introduced only
four years ago. Smith & Wesson will remain dedicated to supporting our
industry's advancements and to developing the best products and services
available on the market."
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.
Contacts:
Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
(413) 747-3304
lsharp@smith-wesson.com
