smith&wesson?

smokey1

Does anyone know the status of Smith & Wesson and their deal with slick Willie's buddies?It seems that since Saf-T-Hammer acquired them, there has been very little news as to the status of "The Deal".Just doing a simple Google search returns old news. Even the NRA website has little to offer in the way of information regarding this.Is the boycott over, and I'm asleep at the wheel?I'm a newbie at this forum, so go gently on me if this has already been discussed.

Evil ATF

All the BS from before is still in place. The ONLY thing that has changed is ownership.Take from that what you will.Don't talk about The Ban, though. You'll give Matt an ulcer!Just kidding, Opal. Where you been hiding, man?

smokey1

Evil,So I should still hide my Smittys when company comes to my house?It sucks being a closet S&W owner!

Evil ATF

Nah, my understanding is that it's okay to have them, just don't buy any more!Not really a problem for me. I think that S&W autos are pieces of crap and I'm not a big revolver fan either.I had a S&W Model 60 for a few years, but sold it awhile back to a fella here on GB.

Rembrandt

Here is the only thing I've seen on Smith for a while.... Smith & Wesson Increases Sales, Posts Profits, Attracts New Distributors Saf-T-Hammer Corp., the parent company of Smith & Wesson, announced that October 2001 sales for the gun company were $7.6 million, resulting in a $663,000 profit."October provides us with the clearest picture to date about the financial strength of Saf-T-Hammer and our subsidiary Smith & Wesson," said Bob Scott, president of Smith & Wesson. "The renewed support of consumers and dealers has significantly increased sales momentum and greater market visibility, due in large part to the ownership of Smith & Wesson being returned to the U.S."According to Scott, Smith & Wesson sales have increased significantly every month since Saf-T-Hammer purchased the gun company from the British company Tomkins."This demonstrates that consumers and retailers are again enthusiastic about the overall product line and specifically about our new AirLite Sc scandium line of revolvers," Scott said. "Wholesalers and suppliers at the NASGW show echoed that interest by re-affirming or establishing new sales relationships with our company. Our incoming orders continue to show approximately a 50-percent increase over the comparable period in the previous year."According to company sources, Smith & Wesson lost about $2 million during October 2000. According to Mitchell Saltz, chairman and CEO of Saf-T-Hammer, the positive posting for October 2001 is just a beginning."We have made the difficult, but necessary, decisions to stabilize Smith & Wesson's operations and provide a platform from which to develop this legendary brand name to its fullest potential. In addition to further growth within the firearms category, we believe that the additional opportunities in the licensing, branding and acquisitions areas provide us with an exceptional opportunity for significant additional growth," said Saltz."The transition period has been challenging, but the rewards are apparent in our recent gains in sales and profits. In the short time since we acquired Smith & Wesson, we have streamlined operations and increased our sales and profitability, while working to regain our position within the industry."New Distributors Three new national distributors have signed on to carry the Smith & Wesson line. They are Davidson's Inc., AcuSport Corp., and Big Rock Sports, which has five independent divisions."These three established firms represent important additions to Smith & Wesson's distribution network," Scott said. "Both Davidson's and AcuSport, which focus their primary sales efforts on telemarketing and computer technology-based marketing, have been separately honored in recent years by being named `Distributor of the Year' by their industry peers."The rapidly growing Big Rock Group brings 126 road salesmen to call on dealers. The additional sales staff will help to further re-establish our market position."According to Scott, the company estimates that the new distributor appointments will result in a combined $4 million of initial stocking orders."We have been gratified by the reaction to our new American-made and American-owned status," said Ken Jorgensen, director of communications at Smith & Wesson. "The reaction of consumers has been tremendous. We receive e-mails and letters every day telling us about peoples' decisions to support our great American company."

smokey1

Rembrandt,Thanks for the article. I had missed that one.I'm glad the company is doing good.I just hope that now, they at Smith & Wesson have ALL of our collective rights at heart.

Iconoclast

I love S&W revolvers, but I haven't bought one since they caved and until I see a public repudiation of that act of cowardly expedience, I will not consider buying a new one again.

offeror

These guys talk like businessmen, and yes I use the term disparagingly. They talk about S&W as a brand name. Nothing about heritage, quality, expertise. Just "features and benefits." They would do themselves some good if they didn't drape themselves in the flag quite so much and instead, if they truly believe foreign ownership was responsible for the sell-out, say so. Then start talking about craftsmanship more and market share less. If they deserve sales, they'll get them. We already know S&W is capable of making good guns. As for scandium, since other makers have titanium and space age resins just as light and durable, it's a wash for me. Well, Ruger went to the woodshed, now it's S&W's turn I guess. But didn't Colt voluntarily stop making some models for civilians as well? I don't remember them taking quite as much heat for that.

---

"The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."

daddo

"We have made the difficult, but necessary, decisions to stabilize Smith & Wesson's operations and provide a platform from which to develop this legendary brand name to its fullest potential. In addition to further growth within the firearms category, we believe that the additional opportunities in the licensing, branding and acquisitions areas provide us with an exceptional opportunity for significant additional growth," said Saltz. Blah! Blah! Blah!- Any buisness could say the same thing. No mention of why they must do what they are doing.