Gun maker [Smith and Wesson] banks on Pentagon

International Herald Tribune ^ | 11 April 2006 | Leslie Wayne

[45Auto]

It is hard to imagine a company sinking as low as Smith & Wesson, the legendary arms maker that equipped soldiers from the Civil War to the Vietnam War and 98 percent of American police forces. Just two years ago, the company's chairman was found to be a convicted felon: he had failed to disclose spending 15 years in prison for armed robbery. Federal investigators were looking into accounting irregularities, and the company's stock was stuck at $1.50 a share. Adding to the company's woes, American soldiers for the past decade have carried Italian-made Berettas, and most police forces long ago switched to handguns from Glock, an Austrian company. But now, with new owners and a new chief executive, Michael Golden, who once sold power tools for Black & Decker and bathroom fixtures for Kohler, Smith & Wesson is coming back to life, thanks to an expanding Pentagon budget and growing spending by the Homeland Security Department.

[45Auto]

Smith and Wesson SW9VE

[tigtog]

This is basically a political advertisement for S&W for the Joint Services Handgun. They are a player, but not necessarily the best player. I hate to see this junk while the services are testing a replacement handgun.

[ozzymandus]

I don't think making another Glock clone is going to help S&W that much. I own several of their revolvers, but lately they've been focusing on plastic autos and circus-freak cannons. I love my 29, but who wants a revolver that needs a set of wheels on it?

[SFC Chromey]

Thats what you have!

[Rodney King]

blah. Not a bad gun, but not that great either... I can't imagine why it would be chosen over say a .40 or .45 caliber glock, or my personal preference a 1911.

[Rodney King]

I once had one of the glock clones in .380, it was a real piece of garbage.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I like Rugers more. I guess it's a Southpaw thing.

[Armedanddangerous]

Far as I'm concerned, the new H&K 45 auto sort of USP with 1911 controls is the way to go for the new service handgun.

[EagleUSA]

Smith is also eyeing the closed Winchester plant for the purpose of building AR-15 type rifles for the military, tactical and sporting markets.

They just may do it!!! :-)

[45Auto]

I've always been partial to this one:

[ozzymandus]

That's the classic gun by which all others are judged. (And usually found wanting)

[CholeraJoe]

Proud owner of two Sigma's, in 9mm and .40.

[ExcursionGuy84]

...but who wants a revolver that needs a set of wheels on it?

I do! I wanna see baody parts fly when I "punch-out" my hunting prey [a la Barrett M107 .50-cal].

[Dixie Yooper]

I have a 9mm Beretta 92FS. Very dependable.
I have always liked S&W revolvers but only need one handgun.

[ozzymandus]

Big rifles I can understand, but giant pistols hold no interest to me. About 18 full-house rounds from my M-29 are all I can enjoy. I really don't like to shoot guns that hurt me.

[absolootezer0]

blah. Not a bad gun, but not that great either... I can't imagine why it would be chosen over say a .40 or .45 caliber glock, or my personal preference a 1911.

1911s are "too unsafe" and "too complicated" and "too heavy" for cops, not to mention they were designed for the "antiquated" and "underpowered" .45acp, also they had "too much recoil" for police that were of smaller stature.
oddly enough, those are almost the same reasons i say that i won't buy a glock.
the only reason any LEA might choose an S&W over a glock is because S&W is a US company.

[TC Rider]

I've got a safe full of Smith wheelies, but only one bottom feeder from Smith, a new 1911.

Between the lawyer locks and the magazine disconnects, most of their autos don't appeal to me.

[ExcursionGuy84]

What'san M-29??? And what caliber does it shoot?

[conservativeharleyguy]

"I don't think making another Glock clone is going to help S&W that much..."

I don't know.... I shot one of their "new" 1911's a while back.

I've shot a lot of 1911's, and out of the box, this one was the best one I've ever shot.

Better than my Colt, better than any Kimber I've shot, and way better than a Springfield.

The price was decent too ($750.00). I've since kicked myself many times for not buying it on the spot.

I declined because I already have a full-sized Colt, and really needed a carry gun.

I should have just bought it to replace the Colt (which I've had for years and love, BTW), and bought another carry gun.

That's how well I regard the S&W 1911.

When S&W releases one in an "Officer's" config., I'll buy it for my new carry gun no matter the cost.

[mcshot]

I'm diseased in that I rarely find a gun I don't like but I'm partial to Smith 3rd generation autos then Colt .45 Commanders and multiple Glocks. That being said I've never owned a poly Smith but with their customer service I wouldn't hesitate.
Hey Ozzy, I even have a wheelless "circus freak" that shoots .50 caliber bullets comfortably slow.