The Firearm Blog

Time to buy gun shares? CNBC says NO, and so do I.

While S&W (SWHC) sell a wide range of M&P branded AR-15s, Ruger (RGR) sells the Mini-14 / Mini-30 (and since recently high capacity Mini-14 magazines) and Olin Corp. (OLN, makers of Winchester branded ammo) is selling overprice ammo, along with everyone else, I suggest you stay away from all three.

So, why not Ruger and S&W? In 10 words … a gun sold today is a gun not sold tomorrow. There may be a mad rush to purchase evil semi-automatic rifles, handguns and “sniper” rifles today but in the long run, even if there is no AWB 2.0, sales will drop. If/when there is an AWB then sales will drop unless the manufactures manage to ensure the AR and Mini-xx family of rifles is are banned by name, and even then they will be competing with the pre-ban market.

So why not Olin? Apart from my prediction yesterday that ammo prices will drop in 2010 or sooner, Olin does many other chemical related manufacturing, ammo is only part of the business, so betting that the stock price will go up based on ammo prices would be a mistake.

Share price (60 day moving average in red) over the past year. Charts from Yahoo Finance:

Ruger

Olin Corp.


S&W

S&W have just released a press release saying that they are supplying 7500 M&P9 pistols to the Iraq Military and security forces. I don’t know how long they have been using the pistol. I was not aware they had adopted the M&P9 before reading the press release.

Nichols, added, “In addition to the M&P9s currently used in Iraq, Smith & Wesson firearms have also been used in active duty for the last two years with several security forces in Afghanistan including the Afghanistan National Army and Border Patrol as well as the Afghanistan National Police. To date, over 80,000 Smith & Wesson firearms are currently being used in these two countries. Reports from the field continue to indicate that the firearms are exceeding all expectations in the areas of reliability and durability. We are honored to continue delivering firearms that support men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and we remain committed to supplying high-quality small arms to the military and federal government.”

Smith & Wesson M&P9

Full press release here.

These run the end of the year.

Smith & Wesson

Through December 31, 2008, consumers will have the opportunity to take part in two promotions from Smith & Wesson - the Hunting Fall Spectacular and the Holiday Handgun Promo. During the designated months, consumers will be able to receive rebates or free magazines with the purchase of select firearms.

Hunting Fall Spectacular:
· Purchase a new Smith & Wesson Elite Gold or Silver shotgun and receive a free shotgun case
· Purchase a new Model 500 or 460XVR revolver and receive a $75 rebate
· Purchase a new i-Bolt™ rifle and receive a $50 rebate
· Purchase a new 1000 Series shotgun and receive a $50 rebate

Holiday Handgun Promotion:
· Purchase select J-frame revolvers and receive a $30 rebate
· Purchase select revolvers over $500 and receive a $50 rebate
· Purchase a new M&P pistol and receive a $50 rebate or two free magazines
· Purchase a new Sigma pistol and receive a $50 rebate or two free magazines

Thompson/Center Arms

Thompson/Center will offer new incentives this year as part of the Get in the Hunt Promo, which began October 1 and continues through December 31, 2008.

Get in the Hunt:
· Purchase any new Encore barrel and receive a $25 rebate
· Purchase any new Omega Z5 muzzleloader and receive a $50 rebate
· Purchase a select Encore Pro Hunter or Endeavor and receive a $50 rebate
· Purchase a new ICON™ rifle and receive a $50 rebate

Walther

Walther will begin its PPK & PPK/S Promotion starting October 7, 2008 running through January 7, 2009. During the three month long promotion, consumers will receive a $50 rebate or two free magazines with the purchase of a new Walther PPK or PPK/S pistol.

James, of Hell in a Handbasket, has written a post about his “new” S&W Model 10 he recently purchased.

What a great photo Full sized version here.

This revolver is at least 50 years old. As James pointed out, it will still be useful in another 50 years time. My great-grandfathers rifles are still floating around my family. This is one of the things I love about firearms. When you buy one you know it will outlive yourself if you look after it. Compared to ipods ( I have bought two ipods in the last 3-4 years and am about to purchase a third), cell phones, cars etc. firearms are really cheap when you consider how long they last.

More here.

S&W have partnered with the Second Amendment Foundation to produce a S&W “Heller” Model 442 revolver

The Smith & Wesson Model 442 will be laser engraved with an insignia to commemorate the ruling by the Supreme Court. On the right side plate of the revolver, the scale of justice is depicted with the wording “D.C. vs. Heller” across the scale. The balance is in favor of the “Heller” name with the court date of “June 26, 2008″ positioned across the top. Underneath the scale, the side plate reads “Second Amendment” and “The right to keep and bear arms” in white lettering.

S&W Model 442 (the regular version)

UPDATE: GunTalk has photos of the Second Amendment Foundation model. Very cool.

S&W have announced the M&P15R, an AR-15 chambered for the 5.45×39mm. The idea being you can save costs by shooting the cheaper round instead of 5.56mm.

The product spec sheet says the launch date was “May 1, 2008″, yet the website says coming soon.

M&P15R. No surprises if you have seen an AR before

It will also be available as a complete upper.

It ships with one 30 round 5.45×39mm magazine.
Specs:

Model: M&P15R

Caliber: 5.45 x 39 mm
Capacity: 30 Rounds
Action: Semi-Auto
Barrel Length: 16”
Barrel Twist: 1 in 8”
Front Sight: M4 Post
Overall Length: 35” Extended ,32” Collapsed
Stock: 6-Position Collapsible
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Barrel Material: 4140 Steel
Receiver Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
Finish: Hard Coat Black Anodized
Chromed Comp: Barrel Bore, Gas Key
Bolt Carrier, Chamber

Another photo:

When I interviewed Magpul they were planning on releasing a 5.45×39mm conversion kit for the Masada so that trips to the range would cost less. I wonder if Bushmaster is going to follow through with this with the ACR.

Press release after the jump

Continue Reading »

Market Watch has listed SWHC (S&W) as …

“misleading earnings,” a situation where a company appears to have growing profits but where statements and footnotes in filings shows that the real bottom line is falling.

Beware.

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An interesting revolver I came across for sale at gunbroker.com

There are very few examples of these revolvers known. I know of only two others reported in print. Note the distinctive hammer and grip. Seven shot cylinder, Birmingham proof marks, nickle plated brass frame and butcap. A rare revolver.

Two of these revolvers were reported by W.C. Dowell in his book, THE WEBLEY STORY. See also pages 43 and 45 of WEBLEY REVOLVERS by Bruce and Reinhart. These are the only examples I know of.

From 1864 to 1866 Webley had a licencing agreement with Smith & Wesson to make .22 tip-up revolvers. However, I believe this revolver pre-dates that agreement and thus Webley did not want to be known as the maker. Although the workmanship appears to be excellent.

On page 45 of Webley Revolvers, there is a photo of an almost identical revolver to this one. The revolver pictured is serial number 4 with a silver plated frame. Also mentioned in the text is serial number 2 which was reported by Dowel as having a gold plated frame. Due to corrosion of the front of the cylinder and the face of the barrel, the numbers on this revolver are no longer visible, if it ever had any numbers at all.

Like the two revolvers mentioned in the above books, this revolver has Birmingham proof house markings and nothing else. The lack of Webley markings may indicate that this was made before the licencing agreement was obtained. After the licence was granted, Webley produced several different single action models, some of which resembled Smith and Wesson rim fire revolvers and some did not. Webley soon dropped single action pocket pistols in favor of his successful line of double action Bull Dogs. All of the early single action rim fire revolvers are extremely scarce.

Very cool. I am not sure when it will be available. The long slide version is initially only be available in 9mm.

Photo by SMGLee

I came across an M4 comparison chart. Its compares the Colt 6920, LMT, Noveske M4 Light Carbine, Sabre Defense XR15-A3 M4, S&W M&P15 CMMG 16″ M4 Carbine, Stag Model 1, Bushmaster BCWA3F 16M, Rock Rivers Arms AR1251X, Armalite M-15A4C, Olympic K3B-M4-A3 and DPMS AP4-C.

Click to enlarge.

The latest version of this chart can be found here on m4carbine.net