The Firearm Blog

S&W have launched a series of polymer M&P pistols with a thumb safety. The non-thumb safety models are still available.

From the press release:

“Soon after the introduction of the full-size and compact M&P45 pistols, we began receiving requests from law enforcement professionals and recreational shooters asking for a frame mounted thumb safety on other M&P calibers,” said Leland Nichols, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Smith & Wesson. “The optional external safety provides an even broader range of choices to the M&P line, adding flexibility in order to meet the needs of our customers.”

The M&P9 (9mm full size) thumb safety model has an MSRP of $719 and the non-thumb safety is going for $679. That is a $40 premium. I suspect many will pay the premium.

UPDATE: To clarify, I think all the models (calibers) now can be bought with a thumb safety.

In February S&W will launch two new M&P15 (AR-15) models. The M&P15 MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) features, as the name suggests, as many Magpul accessories as they could fit on the rifle.

Click to expand.

Specs:

Model: M&P15 MOE
Barrel Length: 16”
Barrel Twist: 1 in 9”
Front Sight: M4 – A2Post
Rear Sight: Folding Magpul MBUS)
Overall Length: 35 ”Extended / 32” Collapsed
Stock: Magpul MOE
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Finish: Hard Coat Black Anodized
Other Features: Magpul MOE Grip, Magpul Handguard, Magpul PMAG

Two colors will be available: Black and Flat Dark Earth (what the cool kids call tan these days).

Overall I think this is a compelling package. Instead of buying and AR-15, only to spend more on Magpul accessories you can just get an M&P15 MOE.

No word on pricing.

S&W will be selling the S&W Model 310 NightGuard that chambers .40 S&W and its’ parent cartridge 10mm Auto. Because these are rimless cartridges moon clips will be needed to be used to hold the cartridges together.

This combination of cartridges could be quite beneficial to the budget conscious shooter (ie. every shooter). The cheaper .40 S&W would make a good practice round instead of the hot 10mm which could then be used as the primary carry round.

The revolver features XS Standard Dot Tritium Sights and a Pachmayr grip.

Specs:

Capacity: 6 Rounds
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 2 3/4″
Front Sight: XS® Sight 24/7 Standard Dot Tritium Sights
Rear Sight: Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty Fixed
Overall Length: 7 5/8″
Weight Empty: 28 oz.
Grip: Pachmayr® Compac Custom
Material: Scandium Alloy Frame/Stainless PVD Cylinder
Finish: Matte Black

MSRP: $1153

Hat Tip: The High Road and Guns Holsters and Gear

S&W will be selling a sub compact 1911 pistol called the “Model SW1911 .45ACP Sub Compact – Pro Series”. It features an Oversized External Extractor, 3-Hole Curved Trigger with Overtravel Stop and a Full Length Guide Rod.

Model SW1911 .45ACP Sub Compact – Pro Series

Specs:
Caliber: .45ACP
Frame Size: Sub Compact
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds
Action: Single Action
Barrel Length: 3″
Front Sight: Dovetail White Dot
Rear Sight: Fixed White 2-Dot
Overall Length: 6 7/8″
Weight Empty: 24 oz.
Grip: Fully Stippled Synthetic
Frame Material: Scandium Alloy
Slide Material: Carbon Steel
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Matte Black

MSRP: $1,264

Hat Tip: The High Road and Guns Holsters and Gear

Another 9mm from S&W this year is the Model SW1911 9mm Pro Series. The stainless 9mm 1911 features:

* Crisp 4# – 5-1/2# Trigger Pull
* 30 LPI Checkered Front Strap
* Hand Polished Integral Feed Ramp
* Precision Crowned Muzzle
* Oversized External Extractor
* Full Length Guide Rod
* Double Sided Frame Safety
* Extended Mag Well
* Stoned Hammer and Sear

Specs:
Capacity: 10+1
Action: Single Action
Barrel Length: 5″
Front Sight: Dovetail White Dot
Rear Sight: Fixed White 2-Dot
Overall Length: 8 3/4″
Weight Empty: 38.5 oz.
Grip: Fully Stippled Wood
Material: Stainless Steel Frame, Slide and Barrel
Finish: Matte Silver

MSRP is $1635

Four different S&W Model 57 Classic revolvers is available in .41 Remington Magnum.

They feature a classic thumb piece, wide spur hammer and wide serrated target trigger. All chamber 6 rounds, are single/double action and have a red pinned front sight and micro adjustable rear sight.

Two finishes are available: blue and nickel and each finish comes with a 4″ or 6″ barrel.

Click to expand the images.

6″ Blue. MSRP: $1,074.00

6″ Nickel. MSRP: $1130. Shiny

The J-Frame’d Model 632 Carry Comp Pro Series is now available in the newish .327 Federal Magnum.

The .327 Federal Magnum cartridge, which was announced just over a year ago (Nov 2007), was specifically designed to offer .357 Magnum performance in a 6 shot compact revolver although it does not deliver this.

This pro-series model features a full length extractor rod, powerport with expansion chamber and full lug barrel.

Capacity: 6 Rounds
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 3″ Full Lug
Front Sight: Pinned Serrated Ramp
Rear Sight: S&W Adjustable
Overall Length: 7 1/2″
Weight Empty: 24.5 oz.
Grip: Synthetic
Material: Stainless Steel Frame and Cylinder
Finish: Matte Black

MSRP $980

The S&W Model 357 Night Guard is now available chambered in .41 Magnum for $1153.

Specs:

Capacity: 6 Rounds
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 2 1/2″
Front Sight: XS® Sight 24/7 Standard Dot Tritium Sights
Rear Sight: Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty Fixed
Overall Length: 7 3/4″
Weight Empty: 29.7 oz.
Grip: Pachmayr® Compac Custom
Material: Scandium Alloy Frame/Stainless PVD Cylinder
Finish: Matte Black

Dennis @ Mister Mills is without doubt a man who loves his revolvers:

This is a tip of the hat to a couple of the best guns you can find.One is a work of art and the other is a working horse of a gun.

He has info and lots of photos of the S&W “Combat Masterpiece” and the Ruger GP-100 here.

S&W Model 15. Beautiful grips

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Important safety recall on i-Bolt rifles:

Smith & Wesson has identified a condition that may exist with the bolt supplied with some rifles that would allow the striker to become disengaged from its locking tabs during cycling of the bolt, allowing the rifle to fire without the trigger being pulled. In the interest of consumer safety, we are initiating this recall to allow for the prompt inspection and, if necessary, the repair and replacement of each bolt.

…

This recall applies to the bolts of all i-Bolt rifles manufactured by Smith & Wesson prior to December 1, 2008.

…

Please contact Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-331-0852 or at ibolt@smith-wesson.com to arrange for the inspection and repair, if necessary, of your bolt.

More info at Smith & Wesson.

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.