Smith & Wesson Introduces New .50 Caliber Magnum Revolver...

Business Wire ^

[RCW2001]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb 13, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The legendary 150-year-old handgun maker, Smith & Wesson Corp., a subsidiary of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation ( AMEX:SWB) today introduced the largest and most powerful production revolver ever made along with eight other new products at the 2003 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Orlando, Florida.

The new 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum(R) revolver is chambered for the new .50 caliber 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum(R) cartridge.

"The 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum is a natural progression of our leadership role in handgun development," said Roy Cuny, president and CEO of Smith & Wesson Corp. "Smith & Wesson has a strong customer contingency of hunting and shooting enthusiasts that are continually looking to us for innovation. We produced the original Magnum(R) revolver with the introduction of the .357 Magnum in 1935 and 20 years later amazed the shooting world with the .44 Magnum. Now in 2003, we have once again produced a premier hunting revolver with no equal."

The newly introduced 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum cartridge produces nearly three times the muzzle energy of the .44 Magnum round, which far exceeds all other handgun cartridges.

Based on orders to date from Smith & Wesson dealers, production on the new .50 caliber revolver has been increased. "The demand has far surpassed our original expectations," said Cuny.

Industry Response

Recently editors and writers from the firearm industry and outdoor publications previewed the new 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum revolver and the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum cartridge at the Smith & Wesson state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Springfield, Massachusetts. "I have no doubt that within a year our members will have used this new Smith & Wesson revolver and cartridge in Africa on the world's most dangerous game", said Steve Comus, director of publications for Safari Club International.

"This firearm offers the confidence required when hunting the world's most challenging animals with a handgun," Comus concludes.

"The new Smith & Wesson Corporation has proved its capabilities, not only with the introduction of the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum(R) revolver, but with the extensive line of products it is bringing to market in 2003," said Roy Huntington, editor of AMERICAN HANDGUNNER. "The Company, under its new leadership, has made a commitment to its core products - and to its customers."

Russ Thurman, editor of SHOOTING INDUSTRY, an industry trade publication stated, "It is exciting to see so many new products come from one manufacturer in one year. I believe dealers and consumers will find this line- up of products quite interesting."

More New Products

Smith & Wesson will also be launching the most extensive introduction of new products seen in over a decade at the 2003 SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida, February 13-16, 2003. In addition to the 500 Magnum press, dealers and distributors will see the latest in the Scandium Series revolvers, the SW1911, new rimfire revolvers and new SW99 pistols. For more information, visit the Smith & Wesson website at http://www.smith-wesson.com.

[Doomonyou]

Yumpin Yiminy!

[G L Tirebiter]

72.5 oz = 4 1/2lbs.+

Wheew!

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

This is still the company that bent over for the Clintons like Ford.

Beat me to it bump...

I won't buy from the one company who caved to the Clinton's demands. It put all of the other companies in a bad spot.

[Quilla]

From RCW2001's above post under features:

"A Hunting Handgun For Any Game Animal Walking"

Ain't that the truth!

[Mr. K]

Yes, that is true, but you have to remember the climate we were in- the Xlintoons had pretty much threatenend that they would do to the gun makers the same thing they did to the tobacco indistry- sue them out of existance.

S&W should be watched carefully for any further bending over and grabbing ankles.

[longtermmemmory]

does anyone have evidence or links of this?

[Shooter 2.5]

I don't know which .45 you're referring to but the Walker is a horrible choice for power. The recoil lets the ramrod fall down with every shot and you can only get so much power out of a short barrel with black powder. After 50 grains it's just burning outside the barrel.

The inexpensive way to get power out of a handgun would be to buy a Thompson Contender first, then a Ruger Blackhawk. Then the prices get a little higher with a Ruger Redhawk, a Taurus Raging Bull and the finally the ultimate, a Freedom Arms.

The damage to my wrist limits me to a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. I use John Limebaugh's starter loads.

[duk]

Barney would only need one bullet, and a heavy duty pocket to store it in.

[flashbunny]

The agreement still stands. They bought the company (still publicly traded under saf-t-lock, the parent company) and they bought the agreement.

They got the boston agreement scrapped, but are standing by the HUD agreement. Their excuse is that it's a republican administration now and it's not being enforced, but as soon as there's a democrat in power, do you think it will stay dead?

The agreement still lives, the boycott still lives.

[Shooter 2.5]

Wimpy. I'm holding out for the .100 caliber magnum.

Using tweezers to load it?

[flashbunny]

yes there is. The agreement still lives. They are bound by it, it's just not being enforced. They have stated they intend to honor the agreement.

Plenty of reasons to avoid S&W.

[finnman69]

Kate: Every other cop in this city is satisfied with a .38 or .357, whattya have to carry that cannon for?
Harry: `Cause I hit what I aim at, that's why.

[bmwcyle]

So then keep the trail lawyers friends out of office. If you cave to the Clintons you are off my buying list.

[longtermmemmory]

The company needs to make a VERY FULL PAGE public statement that recinds the agreement with no weasel words like "may" or "should".

[Squantos]

Wonder if HKS is makin speed loaders for it yet ? Or Cor-Bon is gonna make "hot" loads for it ?? .....:o) I think I'll just hang onto my Ruger Bisley in .500 Linebaugh for now........

Stay Safe

[FreeTally]

You don't do home defense with a pistol with too much recoil to allow double taps. Stick with the .45ACP.

Unless its the Terminator breaking into your house, who needs a second shot with this gun?

[and the horse you rode in on]

I had this pistol in my hand in what would be a normal hold. When I pulled the trigger I damn near lost the gun out of my hand.....It was a new 44 magnum. If the recoil is proportional ,I can't imaging a 50 magnum. You are definately going to have to hang on. -Tom

S&W has also introduced an "Airlight" alloy frame .44 mag. Half the weight on the steel guns. It will make a great "Mountain Gun" but it is sure gonna hurt.

See all the new S&Ws here:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/products/firearms/whatsnew.htm

[Doomonyou]

The Hunting version...

[Travis McGee]

Is Cor-Bon is gonna make "hot" loads for it ?? .....:o)

[ezo4]

:-)