Smith & Wesson Secures Contracts for M&P Pistols
September 06, 2006 12:00:55 (ET)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Sept 06, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (SWHC, Trade), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 154-year old firearms maker, announced today that it has secured contracts to supply the Columbus, Ohio Police Department and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Police (DFW) with the company's advanced-design polymer pistol, the M&P40. The agreements call for 1,875 M&P40 pistols to be shipped to the Columbus Police Department and 305 M&P40 pistols to be shipped for use by DFW Airport police officers.
After an extensive evaluation process, both departments indicated that the M&P40 incorporates key features that provide accuracy, durability and flexibility for use in duty. During performance testing completed by the Columbus Police Department, over 60,000 rounds were fired through six M&P40 pistols, with no malfunctions recorded. In conjunction with the testing, an additional rapid-fire test was conducted and 2,500 rounds were fired through one pistol in 40 minutes. Officials at both the Columbus Police Department and the DFW Airport Police indicated that the M&P40 performed flawlessly through each test.
Sergeant Dana Winship, Columbus Division of Police, said, "Trying to find a pistol to match the range of hand sizes of the 1,800 officers at the Columbus Police Department, along with insuring accuracy, durability, and the stopping power needed for police work, was a daunting effort. After an extensive evaluation of the various makes of pistols available, the M&P40 proved to be superior in all aspects. Smith and Wesson developed the M&P pistol with the police officer in mind. The M&P40 is an ergonomic, lightweight yet controllable pistol with ambidextrous capabilities, excellent accuracy and a crisp, smooth trigger pull. The officers on the street deserve the best equipment available. Smith & Wesson stepped up and delivered that with the M&P."
Tom Taylor, Smith & Wesson's Vice President of Marketing, said, "Since the M&P Pistol Series was first introduced in November 2005, it has quickly changed performance expectations in the duty firearm test and evaluation process. We are proud to support the men and women of the Columbus Police Department and the Dallas Fort Worth Airport Police, and are pleased to add them to the growing number of law enforcement agencies that have selected M&P pistols."
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is a global provider of products and services for the safety, security, protection and sport markets. The Company manufactures firearms and handcuffs and is home to America's longest-running firearms training facilities for America's public servants. The Company also markets a variety of products for sport shooters including firearm safety/security devices, shooter protective gear, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines. The Company is based in Springfield, Mass., with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. Contact (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.
Thought I'd throw this out there to put a preemptive kabosh on the "I heard ABC gun co. got a contract with agency x for 100, 000 units." Good for S&W. Any THR shooters with a range report on this pistol?
