Smith & Wesson
Encyclopedia
Smith & Wesson (S&W) is the largest manufacturer of handgun
s in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts
. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistol
s and revolver
s have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world. They are also used by sport shooters and have been featured in numerous Hollywood movies, particularly Clint Eastwood
's Dirty Harry
. Smith & Wesson has been known for the many types of ammunition
it has introduced over the years, and many cartridges bear the company's name.
In 1852 partners Horace Smith
and Daniel B. Wesson
formed a company to produce a lever-action pistol
nicknamed the Volcanic pistol. The company became known as the "Volcanic Repeating Arms Company"; financial difficulties caused it to come into the majority ownership of investor Oliver Winchester. Previously, in the late 1840s, Daniel Wesson's brother Edwin, of Hartford, Massachusetts, had manufactured revolvers under the name of Wesson & Leavitt. After Edwin Wesson's death, that firm continued under the supervision of Thomas Warner.
In 1856 the partners left the Volcanic Company to begin a new company and to manufacture a newly-designed revolver-and-cartridge combination which would become known as the Smith & Wesson Model 1
. The success of Model 1 was due to a combination of new innovations, the bored through cylinder and the self-contained metallic cartridge. A gunsmith by the name of Rollin White
had patented his invention, patent (#12,648, 3 April 1855) on bored-through revolver cylinders for metallic cartridge use. Smith & Wesson negotiated with Rollin White for assignment of the patent, agreeing to pay him a 25 cent royalty on every pistol sold. In return, White agreed to pay any legal fees associated with the defense of his patent against any infringements. For more than one decade Smith & Wesson was the sole manufacturer of this technological improvement. However, the success did not come without a fight. Other manufacturers quickly developed unique metallic cartridges and cylinders designed to circumvent White's patent. White took these manufactures to court, where he eventually won in 1862, however full implementation of the ruling did not take effect until 1865. The timing of the founding of this new company proved quite opportune for the partners, since the onset of the American Civil War
five years later produced a great demand for Smith & Wesson's products, specifically the Smith & Wesson Model 2.
In 1867, Smith & Wesson began a global sales campaign that introduced the company's revolvers and ammunition to new markets, such as Russia
, and established the company as one of the world's premier makers of firearms. The Smith & Wesson Model 3, eventually became known as the "Russian Model" and was a favorite of US Lawman, Wyatt Earp
. The US Army adopted the Model 3 as the "Schofield" and used it throughout the Indian Wars
of the West.
In 1964 the company passed from Wesson family control, and subsequently several conglomerates took control of it.
Between 1987 and 2001 Smith & Wesson was owned by the British engineering company Tomkins PLC.
s of Smith & Wesson by refusing to buy their new products and flooding the firearms market with used S&W guns. After a 40% sales slide, the sales impact from the boycotts led Smith and Wesson to suspend manufacturing at two plants. The success of the boycott led to a Federal Trade Commission anti-trust investigation being initiated under the Clinton administration, targeting gun dealers and gun rights groups, which was subsequently dropped in 2003. This agreement signed by Tomkins PLC ended with the sale of Smith and Wesson to the Saf-T-Hammer Corporation. The new company (Smith and Wesson Holding Corporation), which publicly renounced the agreement, was received positively by the firearms community.
The acquisition of Smith & Wesson was chiefly brokered by Saf-T-Hammer President Bob Scott, who had left Smith & Wesson in 1999 because of a disagreement with Tomkins’ policies. After the purchase, Scott became the president of Smith & Wesson to guide the 157-year-old company back to its former standing in the market.
On 15 February 2002, the name of the newly formed entity was changed to Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation.
Smith & Wesson has produced revolvers over the years in several standard frame sizes. "M refers to the small early Ladysmith frame, I to the small .32 frame, J to the small .38 frame, K to the medium .38 frame, L to medium large, and N to the largest .44 Magnum type frame. In 2003, the even larger X frame was introduced for the .500 S&W Magnum.
J-Frame (small) Models
K-Frame (medium) Models
L-Frame (medium-large) Models
M-Frame (extra small old) Models
N-Frame (large) Models
X-Frame
The Model 39 would come to be known as a first generation pistol. Since the Model 39 debuted, Smith & Wesson has continuously developed this design into its third generation pistols now on the market. The first generation models use a 2 digit model number, the second generation use 3 digits, and third generation models use 4 digits.
Smith & Wesson introduced the Sigma
series of recoil-operated
, locked-breech semi-auto
pistols in 1994 with the Sigma SW40F, followed by the Sigma SW9F 9 mm, which included a 17 shot magazine. Glock initiated a patent infringement
lawsuit against Smith & Wesson. The latter paid an undisclosed amount to settle the case and for the right to continue producing models in the Sigma line. The gun frame is manufactured from polymer
, while the slide
and barrel use either stainless steel
or carbon steel. In 1996, Smith & Wesson updated the Sigma by adding a compact model by shortening the barrel (from 4-1/2 to 4 inches) and again in 1999, modified the series by changing the grip by adding checkering and adding an integral accessory rail for lights and laser targeting devices.
line of pistols. Branded as the SW99, the pistol is available in several calibers, including 9 mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, and in both full size and compact variations. Under the terms of the agreement, Walther produced the frames, and Smith and Wesson produced the slide and barrel. The pistol has several cosmetic differences from the original Walther design and strongly resembles a hybrid between the P99 and the Sigma series.
The M&P is available in 9x19 mm Para
, .40 S&W
, and .357 SIG
. A .45 ACP
model was released in early 2007, after making its debut at the SHOT Show
. In addition, compact versions are available in 9x19 mm Para
, .40 S&W
, .357 SIG
, and .45 ACP
.
In 2003, Smith & Wesson introduced their variation of the classic M1911
.45 ACP semi-automatic handgun, the SW1911. This firearm retains the M1911's well known dimensions, operation, and feel, while adding a variety of modern touches. Updates to the design include serration at the front of the slide for easier operation and disassembly, a high "beaver-tail" grip safety, external extractor, lighter weight hammer and trigger, as well as updated internal safeties to prevent accidental discharges if dropped. S&W 1911s are available with black finished carbon steel slides and frames or bead blasted stainless slides and frames. They are available with aluminum frames alloyed with scandium in either natural or black finishes. These updates have resulted in a firearm that is true to the M1911 design, with additions that would normally be considered "custom", with a price similar to equivalent designs from other manufacturers.
Smith & Wesson's Performance Center produces the top of the line hand fitted competition version knowns as the PC 1911. While most 1911s run around 38 to 39 oz (1,077.3 to 1,105.6 ), the PC 1911 is heavier, at approximately 41 ounces (1,162.3 g). The full-length guide rod adds some weight, and so does the add-on magazine well.
under request from the British Government.
In January 2006, Smith & Wesson reentered the rifle market with its M&P15
series of rifles based on the AR-15
platform. Unveiled at SHOT Show 2006, the rifle debuted in two varieties; the M&P15 and the M&P15T. Both are basically the same rifle, chambered in 5.56 NATO, with the T model featuring folding sights and a four-sided accessories rail. At its debut, the M&P15's suggested retail price was $1,200, while the M&P15T retailed for $1,700. Their current line consists of four models, ranging in price from $1,049 to $2,200. These rifles were first produced by Stag Arms, but marketed under the Smith & Wesson name. Currently Smith & Wesson makes the lower receiver in house while the barrel is supplied by Thompson/Center, an S&W company.
In May 2008, Smith and Wesson introduced their first AR-variant rifle in a caliber other than 5.56 NATO. The M&P15R is a standard AR platform rifle chambered for the 5.45x39mm
cartridge. In 2009, they released the M&P15-22, chambered for .22 Long Rifle.
Smith and Wesson manufactures a line of bolt action rifles called the i-Bolt. These synthetic stock rifles are available in .270 Win or .30-06 caliber.
submachine gun (Kulsprutepistol m/45 or Kpist m/45) which had been popular with the U.S. forces in Vietnam as the "Swedish K") and made a similar side-folding stock. But the rest of the straight blowback (arms)
weapon had no parts in common with the earlier Swedish gun. The S&W Model 76
submachine gun was made in limited numbers and was primarily used as a police weapon. Because all of them were made prior to 1986, many of them made it into civilian hands in the USA and are commonly used in Submachine gun competition
.
design, and 1000 intended to compete with the popular Remington Model 1100; both were produced by Howa of Japan. However, with the sale of the company to British Tomkins PLC, Smith & Wesson exited the shotgun market in the mid-'80s to return to their "core" market of handguns.
During the 1980s, Smith & Wesson released the S&W assault shotgun
which had full automatic capability.
In November 2006, S&W announced that it would reenter the shotgun market with two new lines of shotguns, the Elite series and the 1000 series, unveiled at the 2007 SHOT Show. The 1000 series was discontinued in 2009. Along with the new shotguns, S&W debuted the Heirloom Warranty program, a first of its kind in the firearms industry. The warranty provides both the original buyer and the buyer's chosen heir with a lifetime warranty on all Elite Series shotguns.
Smith & Wesson announced in March, 2009, that it would begin phasing the internal lock out of its revolver lineup. Smith and Wesson is now producing the original model 442 and 642 without the internal lock.
, safes, apparel, watches, collectibles, knives, tools, air guns, and myriad other products under its brand name, including cologne, handbags, and washing machines.
In October 2002, Smith & Wesson announced it had entered into a licensing agreement with Cycle Source Group to produce a line of bicycles designed by and for law enforcement. These bicycles feature custom configurations and silent hubs ( for 'stealth' cycling ), and are available for purchase by 'civilians'.
Smith & Wesson flashlights are available to the general public. They are designed and produced by PowerTech, Inc, in Collierville, Tennessee
.
Smith & Wesson has a line of wood pellet grills named after various pistol cartridges, such as .22 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, and .500 Magnum.
Smith & Wesson has entered into a licensing agreement with North Carolina based Wellco Enterprises to design and distribute a full line of tactical law enforcement footwear.
Handgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
s in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
s and revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
s have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world. They are also used by sport shooters and have been featured in numerous Hollywood movies, particularly Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
's Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry is a 1971 American crime thriller produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in the Dirty Harry series. Clint Eastwood plays the title role, in his first outing as San Francisco Police Department Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan....
. Smith & Wesson has been known for the many types of ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
it has introduced over the years, and many cartridges bear the company's name.
Beginning
Horace Smith (inventor)
Horace Smith was a gunsmith, inventor, and businessman. He and his business partner Daniel B. Wesson formed two companies named Smith & Wesson, the first of which was financed in part by Oliver Winchester and was eventually reorganized into the Winchester Repeating Arms Company-Early career:Born...
and Daniel B. Wesson
Daniel B. Wesson
Daniel Baird Wesson was a firearms designer from the United States. He was responsible for helping develop several firearms that had a very large influence in the field.-Early years:...
formed a company to produce a lever-action pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
nicknamed the Volcanic pistol. The company became known as the "Volcanic Repeating Arms Company"; financial difficulties caused it to come into the majority ownership of investor Oliver Winchester. Previously, in the late 1840s, Daniel Wesson's brother Edwin, of Hartford, Massachusetts, had manufactured revolvers under the name of Wesson & Leavitt. After Edwin Wesson's death, that firm continued under the supervision of Thomas Warner.
In 1856 the partners left the Volcanic Company to begin a new company and to manufacture a newly-designed revolver-and-cartridge combination which would become known as the Smith & Wesson Model 1
Smith & Wesson Model 1
The Smith & Wesson Model 1 was the first firearm manufactured by Smith & Wesson, with production commencing in 1857. It was also the first commercially available revolver to use rimfire cartridges instead of loose powder, musket ball, and percussion caps...
. The success of Model 1 was due to a combination of new innovations, the bored through cylinder and the self-contained metallic cartridge. A gunsmith by the name of Rollin White
Rollin White
Rollin White was an American gunsmith who invented a revolver with a bored-through cylinder which allowed metallic cartridges to be loaded from the rear.-Early life:...
had patented his invention, patent (#12,648, 3 April 1855) on bored-through revolver cylinders for metallic cartridge use. Smith & Wesson negotiated with Rollin White for assignment of the patent, agreeing to pay him a 25 cent royalty on every pistol sold. In return, White agreed to pay any legal fees associated with the defense of his patent against any infringements. For more than one decade Smith & Wesson was the sole manufacturer of this technological improvement. However, the success did not come without a fight. Other manufacturers quickly developed unique metallic cartridges and cylinders designed to circumvent White's patent. White took these manufactures to court, where he eventually won in 1862, however full implementation of the ruling did not take effect until 1865. The timing of the founding of this new company proved quite opportune for the partners, since the onset of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
five years later produced a great demand for Smith & Wesson's products, specifically the Smith & Wesson Model 2.
In 1867, Smith & Wesson began a global sales campaign that introduced the company's revolvers and ammunition to new markets, such as Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and established the company as one of the world's premier makers of firearms. The Smith & Wesson Model 3, eventually became known as the "Russian Model" and was a favorite of US Lawman, Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
. The US Army adopted the Model 3 as the "Schofield" and used it throughout the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
of the West.
In 1964 the company passed from Wesson family control, and subsequently several conglomerates took control of it.
Between 1987 and 2001 Smith & Wesson was owned by the British engineering company Tomkins PLC.
Agreement of 2000
In March 2000 Smith & Wesson signed an agreement with the Clinton Administration in order to avoid lawsuits. The company agreed to numerous safety and design standards, as well as limits on the sale and distribution of their products. Gun clubs and gun rights groups responded to this agreement by initiating large-scale boycottBoycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
s of Smith & Wesson by refusing to buy their new products and flooding the firearms market with used S&W guns. After a 40% sales slide, the sales impact from the boycotts led Smith and Wesson to suspend manufacturing at two plants. The success of the boycott led to a Federal Trade Commission anti-trust investigation being initiated under the Clinton administration, targeting gun dealers and gun rights groups, which was subsequently dropped in 2003. This agreement signed by Tomkins PLC ended with the sale of Smith and Wesson to the Saf-T-Hammer Corporation. The new company (Smith and Wesson Holding Corporation), which publicly renounced the agreement, was received positively by the firearms community.
Acquisition by Saf-T-Hammer
On 11 May 2001, Saf-T-Hammer Corporation acquired Smith & Wesson Corp. from Tomkins PLC for US$15 million, a fraction of the US$112 million originally paid by Tomkins. Saf-T-Hammer assumed US$30 million in debt, bringing the total purchase price to US$45 million. Saf-T-Hammer, a manufacturer of gun locks and other firearms safety products, purchased the company with the intention of incorporating its line of security products into all Smith & Wesson firearms in compliance with the 2000 agreement.The acquisition of Smith & Wesson was chiefly brokered by Saf-T-Hammer President Bob Scott, who had left Smith & Wesson in 1999 because of a disagreement with Tomkins’ policies. After the purchase, Scott became the president of Smith & Wesson to guide the 157-year-old company back to its former standing in the market.
On 15 February 2002, the name of the newly formed entity was changed to Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation.
Ammunition types introduced by Smith & Wesson
- .22 Short.22 Short.22 Short is a variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. Developed in 1857 for the first Smith and Wesson revolver, the .22 rimfire was the first American metallic cartridge....
- .32 S&W.32 S&WThe .32 S&W cartridge was introduced in 1878 for the Smith & Wesson model 1½ revolver. It was originally designed as a black powder cartridge.The .32 S&W was offered to the public as a light, defense cartridge, for "card table" distances....
—sometimes called .32 Short - .32 S&W Long.32 S&W LongThe .32 S&W Long is a straight-walled, centerfire, rimmed handgun cartridge, based on the earlier .32 S&W cartridge. It was introduced in 1896 for Smith & Wesson's first-model Hand Ejector revolver...
—sometimes called .32 New Colt Police - .32-44 S&W, defined as .32 Caliber (true .32 caliber measures .323", sole use in Model 3 Revolver to 1898.
- .38 S&W.38 S&WThe .38 S&W is a revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1877. Though similar in name, it is not interchangeable with the later .38 Smith and Wesson Special due to a different case shape and slightly larger bullet diameter....
—sometimes called .38 Colt New Police and the 38/200 in England. - .38-44 S&W There are two distinct loads with this designation. The first was intended for use in model 3 revolvers up to 1898. The second was a predecessor to the .357 Magnum. Using the latter load in a pre-1898 gun could cause serious injury.
- .38 S&W Special.38 SpecialThe .38 Smith & Wesson Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson. It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round...
- .357 S&W Magnum.357 MagnumThe .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
- .40 S&W.40 S&WThe .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
- .41 Magnum—While Remington ArmsRemington ArmsRemington Arms Company, Inc. was founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York, as E. Remington and Sons. It is the oldest company in the United States which still makes its original product, and is the oldest continuously operating manufacturer in North America. It is the only U.S....
developed the ammunition, Smith & Wesson made the first revolvers to chamber the cartridge. - .44 S&W Special.44 SpecialThe .44 Special or .44 S&W Special is a smokeless powder center fire metallic cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1907 as the standard chambering for their New Century revolver, introduced in 1908.-Development history:...
- .44 Remington Magnum.44 MagnumThe .44 Remington Magnum, or simply .44 Magnum, is a large-bore cartridge originally designed for revolvers. After introduction, it was quickly adopted for carbines and rifles...
- .45 S&W Schofield.45 SchofieldThe .45 Schofield or .45 Smith & Wesson is a revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson for their S&W Model 3 American top-break revolver. It is similar to the .45 Colt round though shorter and with a slightly larger rim, and will generally work in revolvers chambered for that cartridge...
- .460 S&W Magnum
- .500 S&W Magnum.500 S&W MagnumThe .500 S&W Magnum is a fifty-caliber semi-rimmed handgun cartridge developed by Cor-Bon in partnership with the Smith & Wesson "X-Gun" engineering team for use in the Smith & Wesson Model 500 X-frame revolver and introduced in February 2003 at the SHOT trade show...
Notable revolvers
Smith & Wesson has produced revolvers over the years in several standard frame sizes. "M refers to the small early Ladysmith frame, I to the small .32 frame, J to the small .38 frame, K to the medium .38 frame, L to medium large, and N to the largest .44 Magnum type frame. In 2003, the even larger X frame was introduced for the .500 S&W Magnum.
- Smith & Wesson Model 1Smith & Wesson Model 1The Smith & Wesson Model 1 was the first firearm manufactured by Smith & Wesson, with production commencing in 1857. It was also the first commercially available revolver to use rimfire cartridges instead of loose powder, musket ball, and percussion caps...
- Smith & Wesson Model 3Smith & Wesson No. 3 RevolverThe Smith & Wesson model 3 was a single-action, cartridge-firing, top-break revolver produced by Smith & Wesson from 1870 to 1915, and again recently as a reproduction by Smith & Wesson themselves, Armi San Marco, and Uberti.It was produced in several variations and sub-variations, including both...
—first automatic ejection of spent cartridge cases - Smith & Wesson Model 4
J-Frame (small) Models
- Smith & Wesson Model 36Smith & Wesson Model 36The Smith & Wesson Model 36 is a revolver chambered for .38 Special. Like nearly all other "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers, it has a 5-round capacity in a swing-out cylinder, and features an exposed hammer. It features a nickel-plated or blued finish and either wood or rubber grips...
—known as the "Chiefs Special"; first J-frame (1950), 5-shot revolver - Smith & Wesson Model 37—known as the "Chiefs Special Airweight";
- Smith & Wesson Model 60Smith & Wesson Model 60The Smith & Wesson Model 60 revolver is a 5-shot snubnosed revolver that is chambered in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum calibers. Like nearly all other "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers, it has a swing-out cylinder, and features an exposed hammer...
—first regular production all stainless steel revolver (1965); the stainless Chief's Special - Smith & Wesson Model 340PDSmith & Wesson Model 340PDThe Smith and Wesson 340PD is an ultra-light, J-frame, five shot, short-barrel revolver chambered for .357 Magnum ammunition.-Design:It has a frame constructed of scandium enhanced aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy cylinder, and a corrosion resistant steel barrel liner...
—first revolver made of scandiumScandiumScandium is a chemical element with symbol Sc and atomic number 21. A silvery-white metallic transition metal, it has historically been sometimes classified as a rare earth element, together with yttrium and the lanthanoids...
alloy, very light, possibly the final evolution of the classic J-frame Chief's Special introduced over 60 years earlier, weighs 12 ounces (340 g). - Smith & Wesson Lemon SqueezerSmith & Wesson Lemon SqueezerThe Smith & Wesson Lemon Squeezer or the "Safety Hammerless" is a double action revolver that was produced in the late 1880s by Smith & Wesson. The revolver was chambered in .32 S&W and .38 S&W calibers; these calibers were discontinued just before World War 2. The gun went through a few changes...
—The "lemon squeezer," also known as Model 40, Model 42 and 38 Safety - Smith & Wesson CentennialSmith & Wesson CentennialS&W Centennial is a family of 5-shot revolvers made by Smith & Wesson on the "J-Frame". Centennial's feature a fully enclosed hammer, which makes them Double Action Only firearms. Like nearly all other "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers, they have a swing-out cylinder...
—standard and "Airweight" (Models 40, 42, 442, 640, 642) (at one time available in 9x19mm9 mm Luger ParabellumThe 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge was designed by Georg Luger and introduced in 1902 by the German weapons manufacturer Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken for their Luger semi-automatic pistol...
caliber as the Model 940) - Smith & Wesson Chief's Special—standard and "Airweight" (Models 36, 37, 60, 637)
- Smith & Wesson Bodyguard—standard and "Airweight" (Models 38, 380, 49, 438, 638, 649)
- Smith & Wesson Ladysmith
K-Frame (medium) Models
- Smith & Wesson Model 10—.38 Special. Previously the ".38 Military & Police" and ".38 Victory Model"
- Smith & Wesson Model 11—.38 S&W. Previously the ".38 Regular Military & Police"
- Smith & Wesson Model 12—.38 Special. "Airweight" (alloy frame) version of the Model 10.
- Smith & Wesson Model 13Smith & Wesson Model 13The Smith & Wesson Model 13 is a .357 Magnum revolver designed for military and police use. It is based on S&W's K-frame platform—specifically, it is a .357 Magnum version of the heavy-barrel variant of the .38 Special Model 10 .This is a double action revolver with a capacity of six rounds...
—.357 Magnum version of the Model 10. - Smith & Wesson Model 14Smith & Wesson Model 14The Smith & Wesson Model K-38 Target Masterpiece Revolver Model 14 is a six-shot double action revolver, with adjustable open sights, built on the medium-size "K" frame. It is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge and is fitted with a 6-inch barrel...
—.38 Special. Previously the "K-38 Masterpiece" - Smith & Wesson Model 15—.38 Special. Previously the "38 Combat Masterpiece"
- Smith & Wesson Model 16—.32 Caliber. Previously the "K-32 Masterpiece"
- Smith & Wesson Model 17—.22 Caliber. Previously the "K-22 Masterpiece"
- Smith & Wesson Model 18—.22 Caliber. Previously the "22 Combat Masterpiece"
- Smith & Wesson Model 19—.357 Magnum. Previously the "Combat Magnum"; first lightweight .357 Magnum, built at the request of Bill Jordan
- Smith & Wesson Model 53—blued steel .22 Magnum, built for .22 Remington Jet Center fire Magnum ammunition
- Smith & Wesson Model 64Smith & Wesson Model 64The Smith and Wesson Model 64 Military and Police revolver is the stainless steel version of its Model 10. It is a six shot revolver chambered in .38 Special....
—.38 Special. Stainless steel version of the Model 10. - Smith & Wesson Model 65Smith & Wesson Model 64The Smith and Wesson Model 64 Military and Police revolver is the stainless steel version of its Model 10. It is a six shot revolver chambered in .38 Special....
—.357 Magnum. Stainless steel version of the Model 13 - Smith & Wesson Model 66—.357 Magnum. Stainless steel version of the Model 19
- Smith & Wesson Model 67—.38 Special. Stainless steel version of the Model 15
- Smith & Wesson Model 68—.38 Special version of the Model 66 (half-lug) 6" barrel
- Smith & Wesson Model 617—.22 Caliber. Full-lug, Stainless steel, 10-shot version of the Model 17
- Smith & Wesson Model 386—alloy
- Smith & Wesson Model 586—blued steel
- Smith & Wesson Model 686—stainless steel
- Smith & Wesson Model 619Smith & Wesson Model 619 & 620The Smith & Wesson models 619 & 620 are 7 shot revolvers introduced by the company in 2005. The 619 has fixed rear sights while the 620 comes with adjustable rear sights and a different handgrip. They are very similar and often mistaken for members of the 686 family....
—7-shot .357 Magnum, no full underlug, fixed sights. - Smith & Wesson Model 620Smith & Wesson Model 619 & 620The Smith & Wesson models 619 & 620 are 7 shot revolvers introduced by the company in 2005. The 619 has fixed rear sights while the 620 comes with adjustable rear sights and a different handgrip. They are very similar and often mistaken for members of the 686 family....
—7-shot .357 Magnum, no full underlug, adjustable sights. - Smith & Wesson Model 646Smith & Wesson Model 646The Smith & Wesson Model 646 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge, manufactured by the U.S. company Smith & Wesson. The 646 is unusual in that is was a revolver chambered for a rimless cartridge generally used only for semi-automatic pistols...
—stainless steel .40 S&W, adjustable sights
M-Frame (extra small old) Models
- Smith & Wesson 38 Double Action—nickeled steel .38 S&W
N-Frame (large) Models
- .44 Hand Ejector First Model "New Century"Smith & Wesson Triple LockThe Triple lock, officially the Smith and Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model 'New Century', is a double action revolver. It was and is considered by many, including handgun enthusiast and expert Elmer Keith, to be the finest revolver ever made....
—first N-frame, introduced in 1908. The first chambering of .44 S&W Special. - Model 1917M1917 revolverThe M1917 Revolver was a U.S. six-shot revolver of .45 ACP caliber. It was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1917 to supplement the standard M1911 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol during World War I. Afterwards, it was primarily used by secondary and non-deployed troops...
—first revolver chambered for .45 ACP.45 ACPThe .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S... - Smith & Wesson Model 22Smith & Wesson model 22The Smith & Wesson model 22 series revolvers is a refined, commercial version of the M1917 revolver issued during World War I. - Description :...
—.45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim; also called the M1950 Military; Base for the 2nd issue Thunder Ranch Revolver; This was the evolution of the M1917 revolver - Smith & Wesson Model 25—similar to the Model 29, but chambered for the .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim and later, the .45 Colt.45 ColtThe .45 Colt cartridge is a handgun cartridge dating to 1872. It began as a black powder revolver round developed for the Colt Single Action Army revolver, but is offered as a magnum level handgun hunting round in modern usage. This cartridge was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 and served as the...
cartridge. The best known, and most common, variants of this revolver are the Model 25-2 (.45 ACP) and Model 25-5 (.45 Colt). - Smith & Wesson Model 27—first .357 Magnum; usually a custom or limited-run revolver, with a deep blue lustre
- Smith & Wesson Model 28Smith & Wesson Model 28The Smith & Wesson Model 28, also known as the Highway Patrolman, is a revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, in production from 1954 to 1986. It is a budget version of the S&W Model 27.-Development:...
—"Highway Patrolman" .357 Magnum; fewer frills than the Model 27, same performance; marketed to police for its reduced price and equal performance. - Smith & Wesson Model 29—first .44 Magnum by S&W, made famous by its appearance in the film Dirty HarryDirty HarryDirty Harry is a 1971 American crime thriller produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in the Dirty Harry series. Clint Eastwood plays the title role, in his first outing as San Francisco Police Department Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan....
- Smith & Wesson Model 57Smith & Wesson Model 57The Smith & Wesson Model 57 is a large frame, double-action revolver with a six round cylinder, chambered for the .41 Magnum cartridge, and designed and manufactured by the Smith & Wesson firearms company. The gun was designed as a weapon for law enforcement agencies...
—first .41 Magnum; initiated and sponsored by Elmer KeithElmer KeithElmer Keith was an Idaho rancher, firearms enthusiast, and author. Keith was instrumental in the development of the first magnum revolver cartridge, the .357 Magnum, as well as the later .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum cartridges.-Personality and life:Keith's trademarks were his cigars, his ten-gallon...
and others, top end premier model identical in features, fit, and finish to .44 Magnum Model 29. - Smith & Wesson Model 58—.41 Magnum; 4-inch barrel with fixed sights; marketed as basic, entry-level police duty revolver offering greater power than .38/.357 revolvers when using a reduced power .41 Magnum police load.
- Smith & Wesson Model 610Smith & Wesson Model 610The Model 610 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the 10mm Auto cartridge first created for the Bren Ten pistol. It is manufactured by Smith & Wesson. It uses the N-frame, similar to the Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum, and the Model 28 in .357 Magnum...
- Smith & Wesson Model 625—used by Jerry MiculekJerry MiculekJerry Miculek is a speed shooter and competition shooting instructor, experienced in nearly every type of firearm made. He is renowned as one of the fastest revolver shooters in the world, emptying a five-shot revolver in 0.57 seconds in a group the size of a playing card. Miculek currently holds...
in .45 ACP.45 ACPThe .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
to set the world record for 12 rounds (with one reload) on target in 2.99 seconds
X-Frame
- Smith & Wesson Model 500
- Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR
Semi-automatic pistols
In 1953 the US Army was looking for a pistol to replace the Colt 1911A1. In order to obtain a bid from the US Government, Smith & Wesson began working on a design similar to the German Walther P-38. A year later the Army dropped its search and Smith & Wesson introduced its pistol to the civilian shooting market as the Model 39.The Model 39 would come to be known as a first generation pistol. Since the Model 39 debuted, Smith & Wesson has continuously developed this design into its third generation pistols now on the market. The first generation models use a 2 digit model number, the second generation use 3 digits, and third generation models use 4 digits.
- Smith & Wesson Model 1913Smith & Wesson Model 1913The Smith & Wesson Model 1913 is a center fire semi-automatic pistol introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1913. This pistol was also known as the model 35 which was produced from 1913 to 1922. Approximately 8,350 were built and this gun was chambered in the .35 S&W Auto cartridge...
—The first center fire S&W semi-automatic pistol began in 1913. This pistol was also known as the model 35 which was produced from 1913 to 1922. - Smith & Wesson Model 39—first U.S.-designed double action pistol in 9 mm Luger (or Parabellum)
- Smith & Wesson Model 41Smith & Wesson Model 41The Smith and Wesson Model 41 is a semi-automatic pistol developed by Smith & Wesson after World War II as a competitive target pistol. It was designed with a 105 degree grip angle, the same as the Colt M1911 pistol, to maintain a consistent grip angle....
- Smith & Wesson Model 52Smith & Wesson Model 52The Smith and Wesson Model 52 was a semi-automatic pistol developed by Smith & Wesson for Bullseye shooting. It was one of the first semiautomatic pistols chambered in .38 Special with flush-seated, full wadcutter bullets. The shape of the rimmed cartridge limited the magazine capacity to five...
- Smith & Wesson Model 4506
- Smith & Wesson Model 439—updated model 39
- Smith & Wesson Model 459—S&W's entry into the US Army's XM9 program
- Smith & Wesson Model 469
- Smith & Wesson Model 59—S&W's first high-capacity double-action pistol in 9 mm Parabellum.
- Smith & Wesson Model 5906
- Smith & Wesson Model 61Smith & Wesson Model 61The Smith and Wesson Model 61 Pocket Escort is a small semi-automatic pistol designed for self-defense. It was available in blued or nickel-plated finishes and black or white plastic grip plates...
—Debuting in 1970, the pocket 'Escort' was a tiny automatic .22LR pistol, designed to be cheap and easily concealable. It was available in blued or nickel-plated with black or white plastic grips. Production stopped in 1973. - Smith & Wesson Model 908
- Smith & Wesson Model 909Smith & Wesson Model 909The Smith & Wesson Model 909 is the first model in the 900 series, the 909 is a medium sized automatic pistol chambered in 9mm Luger. It sports a blued finish and a 9 round single stack magazine. It features both a decocking safety and a magazine interlock safety.Production ran from 1995 until...
- Smith & Wesson Model 910
- Smith & Wesson Model 915
- Smith & Wesson Model 1006Smith & Wesson Model 1006The Smith and Wesson Model 1006 is a recoil operated double-action semi-automatic handgun chambered in the powerful 10 mm auto cartridge. It is constructed entirely of stainless steel, a 5 in barrel and a 9 round single column magazine. Its safety is a slide mounted de-cock/safety, internal...
—stainless steel 10mm Auto - Smith & Wesson Model 1026Smith & Wesson Model 1026The Smith and Wesson model 1026 is a recoil operated DA/SA semi-automatic handgun chambered in the 10 mm auto cartridge. It is constructed of stainless steel, a 5 in barrel and a 9 round single column magazine. It has no safety, and instead has a frame-mounted decocking lever. Internal safeties...
with a frame-mounted decocker - Smith & Wesson Model 4006
Sigma series
Smith & Wesson Sigma
The Sigma is Smith & Wesson's venture into using synthetic materials in gun construction, using high-strength polymer material for the frame.Created in 1994, it also incorporates a self-cocking or double-action only firing mechanism, so that the pistol can be fired without delay or preparation...
series of recoil-operated
Recoil operation
Recoil operation is an operating mechanism used in locked-breech, autoloading firearms. As the name implies, these actions use the force of recoil to provide energy to cycle the action...
, locked-breech semi-auto
Semi-automatic self-loading pistol
A semi-automatic pistol is a type of handgun which uses a single chamber and barrel, with a mechanism powered by the previous shot to load a fresh cartridge into the chamber...
pistols in 1994 with the Sigma SW40F, followed by the Sigma SW9F 9 mm, which included a 17 shot magazine. Glock initiated a patent infringement
Patent infringement
Patent infringement is the commission of a prohibited act with respect to a patented invention without permission from the patent holder. Permission may typically be granted in the form of a license. The definition of patent infringement may vary by jurisdiction, but it typically includes using or...
lawsuit against Smith & Wesson. The latter paid an undisclosed amount to settle the case and for the right to continue producing models in the Sigma line. The gun frame is manufactured from polymer
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
, while the slide
Pistol slide
The slide is the part of the weapon on a majority of semi-automatic pistols that moves during the operating cycle and generally houses the firing pin or striker and the extractor, and serves as the bolt...
and barrel use either stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
or carbon steel. In 1996, Smith & Wesson updated the Sigma by adding a compact model by shortening the barrel (from 4-1/2 to 4 inches) and again in 1999, modified the series by changing the grip by adding checkering and adding an integral accessory rail for lights and laser targeting devices.
- SW9 in 9 mm Luger Parabellum
- SW40 in .40 S&W.40 S&WThe .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
- SW357V in .357 SIG.357 SIGThe .357 SIG pistol cartridge is the product of Swiss-German firearms manufacturer SIG-Sauer, in cooperation with the American ammunition manufacturer Federal Cartridge. While it is based on a .40 S&W case necked down to accept bullets, the .357 SIG brass is slightly longer...
- SW380 in .380 ACP.380 ACPThe .380 ACP pistol cartridge is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. It was introduced in 1908 by Colt, and has been a popular self-defense cartridge ever since...
SW99 Series
S&W reached an agreement with Walther to produce variations of the P99Walther P99
The Walther P99 is a semi-automatic pistol developed by the German company Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen of Ulm for law enforcement, security forces and the civilian shooting market as a replacement for the Walther P5 and the P88...
line of pistols. Branded as the SW99, the pistol is available in several calibers, including 9 mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, and in both full size and compact variations. Under the terms of the agreement, Walther produced the frames, and Smith and Wesson produced the slide and barrel. The pistol has several cosmetic differences from the original Walther design and strongly resembles a hybrid between the P99 and the Sigma series.
M&P Series
In 2005, Smith & Wesson debuted a new polymer-frame pistol intended for the law enforcement market. Dubbed the M&P (for Military and Police), its name was meant to evoke S&W's history as the firearm of choice for law enforcement agencies through its previous lineup of M&P revolvers. The M&P is a completely new design with no parts interchangeable with any other pistol including the Sigma. The new design not only looks completely different than the Sigma but feels completely different with 3 different back straps supplied with each M&P. Many of the ergonomic study elements that had been incorporated into the Sigma and the SW99 were brought over to the M&P. The improved trigger weight and feel, and unique takedown method (not requiring a dry pull of the trigger) were meant to set the M&P apart from both the Sigma and the popular Glock pistols.The M&P is available in 9x19 mm Para
9 mm Luger Parabellum
The 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge was designed by Georg Luger and introduced in 1902 by the German weapons manufacturer Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken for their Luger semi-automatic pistol...
, .40 S&W
.40 S&W
The .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
, and .357 SIG
.357 SIG
The .357 SIG pistol cartridge is the product of Swiss-German firearms manufacturer SIG-Sauer, in cooperation with the American ammunition manufacturer Federal Cartridge. While it is based on a .40 S&W case necked down to accept bullets, the .357 SIG brass is slightly longer...
. A .45 ACP
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
model was released in early 2007, after making its debut at the SHOT Show
SHOT Show
The ' is an annual tradeshow for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industry. It is the biggest event of this type in the world together with IWA & OutdoorClassics , also taking place annually. "SHOT", besides being a general reference to shooting, is an acronym for "Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor...
. In addition, compact versions are available in 9x19 mm Para
9 mm Luger Parabellum
The 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge was designed by Georg Luger and introduced in 1902 by the German weapons manufacturer Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken for their Luger semi-automatic pistol...
, .40 S&W
.40 S&W
The .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
, .357 SIG
.357 SIG
The .357 SIG pistol cartridge is the product of Swiss-German firearms manufacturer SIG-Sauer, in cooperation with the American ammunition manufacturer Federal Cartridge. While it is based on a .40 S&W case necked down to accept bullets, the .357 SIG brass is slightly longer...
, and .45 ACP
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
.
SW1911 Series
M1911
The M1911 is a single-action, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, and recoil-operated handgun chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. John M. Browning designed the firearm which was the standard-issue side arm for the United States armed forces from 1911 to 1985. The M1911 is still carried by some U.S....
.45 ACP semi-automatic handgun, the SW1911. This firearm retains the M1911's well known dimensions, operation, and feel, while adding a variety of modern touches. Updates to the design include serration at the front of the slide for easier operation and disassembly, a high "beaver-tail" grip safety, external extractor, lighter weight hammer and trigger, as well as updated internal safeties to prevent accidental discharges if dropped. S&W 1911s are available with black finished carbon steel slides and frames or bead blasted stainless slides and frames. They are available with aluminum frames alloyed with scandium in either natural or black finishes. These updates have resulted in a firearm that is true to the M1911 design, with additions that would normally be considered "custom", with a price similar to equivalent designs from other manufacturers.
Smith & Wesson's Performance Center produces the top of the line hand fitted competition version knowns as the PC 1911. While most 1911s run around 38 to 39 oz (1,077.3 to 1,105.6 ), the PC 1911 is heavier, at approximately 41 ounces (1,162.3 g). The full-length guide rod adds some weight, and so does the add-on magazine well.
Rifles and carbines
During the early years of WW2, Smith & Wesson manufactured batches of the Model 1940 Light RifleSmith & Wesson Light Rifle Model 1940 MkI
The Model 1940 Light Rifle was a carbine manufactured in a desperate attempt by Smith & Wesson under request from the British government who wanted a short barrel, pistol calibre carbine....
under request from the British Government.
In January 2006, Smith & Wesson reentered the rifle market with its M&P15
Smith & Wesson M&P15
The Smith & Wesson M&P15 is Smith & Wesson's version of the AR-15 rifle with which Smith & Wesson reentered the rifle market in January 2006.-History:Smith & Wesson is a gun manufacturer and long time supplier of law enforcement and personal-defense firearms...
series of rifles based on the AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
platform. Unveiled at SHOT Show 2006, the rifle debuted in two varieties; the M&P15 and the M&P15T. Both are basically the same rifle, chambered in 5.56 NATO, with the T model featuring folding sights and a four-sided accessories rail. At its debut, the M&P15's suggested retail price was $1,200, while the M&P15T retailed for $1,700. Their current line consists of four models, ranging in price from $1,049 to $2,200. These rifles were first produced by Stag Arms, but marketed under the Smith & Wesson name. Currently Smith & Wesson makes the lower receiver in house while the barrel is supplied by Thompson/Center, an S&W company.
In May 2008, Smith and Wesson introduced their first AR-variant rifle in a caliber other than 5.56 NATO. The M&P15R is a standard AR platform rifle chambered for the 5.45x39mm
5.45x39mm
The Soviet 5.45×39mm cartridge is a rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge. It was introduced into service in 1974 for use with the new AK-74 assault rifle. It gradually supplemented then largely replaced the 7.62x39mm round in service....
cartridge. In 2009, they released the M&P15-22, chambered for .22 Long Rifle.
Smith and Wesson manufactures a line of bolt action rifles called the i-Bolt. These synthetic stock rifles are available in .270 Win or .30-06 caliber.
Submachine gun
In 1967 Smith & Wesson produced a 9mm Submachine gun, hoping to capitalize on US sales of the Israeli Uzi and HK MP5. They borrowed the magazine of the Carl Gustav M/45Carl Gustav M/45
Kulsprutepistol m/45 , also known as the Carl Gustav M/45 and the Swedish K SMG, is a 9 mm Swedish submachine gun designed by Gunnar Johnsson, adopted in 1945 , and manufactured at the Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden. The m/45 was the standard submachine gun of the...
submachine gun (Kulsprutepistol m/45 or Kpist m/45) which had been popular with the U.S. forces in Vietnam as the "Swedish K") and made a similar side-folding stock. But the rest of the straight blowback (arms)
Blowback (arms)
Blowback is a system of operation for self-loading firearms that obtains energy from the motion of the cartridge case as it is pushed to the rear by expanding gases created by the ignition of the propellant charge....
weapon had no parts in common with the earlier Swedish gun. The S&W Model 76
Smith & Wesson M76
The Smith & Wesson M76 submachine gun was produced by Smith & Wesson from 1967 to 1974. It is a clone of the Carl Gustav M/45.-History:In 1966, the Swedish government blocked the sale of firearms to the United States because it opposed the Vietnam War...
submachine gun was made in limited numbers and was primarily used as a police weapon. Because all of them were made prior to 1986, many of them made it into civilian hands in the USA and are commonly used in Submachine gun competition
Submachine gun competition
Submachine gun and belt-fed machine gun shooting competitions take place across the United States every month in many states where firearms which fall under the National Firearms Act are legal...
.
Shotguns
Smith & Wesson bought patents and tooling for a 12 ga. shotgun design from Noble Manufacturing Co. in 1972, and produced it as the Model 916, 916T, and 916A. The guns were plagued by a variety of quality issues, including a recall due to a safety issue with barrels rupturing. The 916 series was discontinued, then later replaced by the Models 3000, based on an improved Remington 870Remington 870
The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...
design, and 1000 intended to compete with the popular Remington Model 1100; both were produced by Howa of Japan. However, with the sale of the company to British Tomkins PLC, Smith & Wesson exited the shotgun market in the mid-'80s to return to their "core" market of handguns.
During the 1980s, Smith & Wesson released the S&W assault shotgun
Smith & Wesson AS
The S&W AS is a 12 gauge select fire shotgun manufactured by Smith & Wesson. Its layout is similar to the M16 rifle and fed from a 10 round magazine. The S&W AS was a rival to the Heckler & Koch HK CAWS....
which had full automatic capability.
In November 2006, S&W announced that it would reenter the shotgun market with two new lines of shotguns, the Elite series and the 1000 series, unveiled at the 2007 SHOT Show. The 1000 series was discontinued in 2009. Along with the new shotguns, S&W debuted the Heirloom Warranty program, a first of its kind in the firearms industry. The warranty provides both the original buyer and the buyer's chosen heir with a lifetime warranty on all Elite Series shotguns.
Internal locking mechanism
All Smith & Wesson revolvers have been equipped with an internal locking mechanism since the acquisition by Saf-T-Hammer. The mechanism is relatively unobtrusive, is activated with a special key, and renders the firearm inoperable. While the lock can simply be left disengaged, some gun enthusiasts prefer "pre-lock" guns. Smith & Wesson has repeatedly stated that the locking mechanism does not affect reliability, although several cases have been documented.Smith & Wesson announced in March, 2009, that it would begin phasing the internal lock out of its revolver lineup. Smith and Wesson is now producing the original model 442 and 642 without the internal lock.
Other products
Smith & Wesson markets gun accessories, handcuffsHandcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
, safes, apparel, watches, collectibles, knives, tools, air guns, and myriad other products under its brand name, including cologne, handbags, and washing machines.
In October 2002, Smith & Wesson announced it had entered into a licensing agreement with Cycle Source Group to produce a line of bicycles designed by and for law enforcement. These bicycles feature custom configurations and silent hubs ( for 'stealth' cycling ), and are available for purchase by 'civilians'.
Smith & Wesson flashlights are available to the general public. They are designed and produced by PowerTech, Inc, in Collierville, Tennessee
Collierville, Tennessee
Collierville is a town in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and a suburb located in the Memphis metropolitan area. The town had a population of 43,965 at the 2010 census....
.
Smith & Wesson has a line of wood pellet grills named after various pistol cartridges, such as .22 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, and .500 Magnum.
Smith & Wesson has entered into a licensing agreement with North Carolina based Wellco Enterprises to design and distribute a full line of tactical law enforcement footwear.