Company Presents NRA President Sandy Froman with Recognition Award

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 25, 2006) – Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 154-year old global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, unveiled two new products and gave attendees a look at its new M&P15 rifle extension, at the 2006 National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meetings & Exhibits held last week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The three-day event featured over 60,000 attendees, 400 exhibitors and a wide variety of firearms, accessories and sporting equipment.

During the 135TH NRA Annual Meeting, Smith & Wesson unveiled the company's Emergency Survival (ES) Kits, developed to provide outdoor enthusiasts with a variety of tools for emergency situations. The 460ES kit contains a Smith & Wesson 460XVR featuring a safety yellow rubber grip with a 2-3/4” barrel while the 500ES kit contains a Model 500 with a safety orange rubber grip and identical barrel length. Both kits are packaged in a waterproof and durable yellow or orange Storm case with several survival tools including the designated firearm. Each ES kit contains a survival knife, tree saw, whistle, compass, signal mirror, lighter, fire starter, two emergency blankets and a book with tips on preventing bear attacks.

Smith & Wesson also previewed the M&P15PC, a high-end extension of company's Military & Police (M&P) Rifle Series, a product line first introduced in February 2006. The M&P15PC, scheduled for availability in Summer of 2006, has been customized by the Smith & Wesson Performance Center to incorporate accuracy and performance features geared specifically toward the sport shooting and hunting market. The M&P15PC is a semi-automatic rifle chambered for 5.56MM (.223) ammunition and has a WYLDE chamber. The rifle features a 20” heavy barrel with a twist of 1 in 8 inches, a chromed skeletonized bolt carrier for added durability and a hard black anodized upper and lower receiver. The rifle features a two-stage match quality trigger and has been designed with a Picatinny style accessory rail located on top. The M&P15PC accepts all M-16/AR-15 style magazines.

In a special ceremony at the Smith & Wesson booth, NRA President Sandy Froman was presented a Class A, hand-engraved Smith & Wesson Model 36 in recognition of her dedication and continuous work to improve the firearms industry through grass roots and political actions. Smith & Wesson officials indicated that Froman has also been a tremendous supporter of shooting sports and shares the company's vision to grow women's involvement in the sport.

“There was tremendous excitement around the Smith & Wesson booth as thousands of attendees gathered to a take a first hand look at the Military & Police Family of firearms, our two new Emergency Survival Kits and the entire Smith & Wesson line,” said Tom Taylor, Smith & Wesson's Vice President of Marketing. “It was also a great honor for Sandy Froman to join us in order to be recognized for her contributions to the industry.”

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson is a global provider of products and services for the safety, security, protection and sport markets. The Company manufactures firearms and handcuffs and is home to America's longest-running firearms training facilities for America's public servants. The Company also markets a variety of products for sport shooters including firearm safety/security devices, shooter protective gear, knives, apparel, footwear and other accessory lines. The Company is based in Springfield, Mass., with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. Contact (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.