Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Selects Smith & Wesson® M&P® Pistols

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, today announced that it has been awarded a firearms contract from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) for new service firearms from the Company's M&P Pistol Series. As part of a five-year contract, the LASD will purchase Smith & Wesson M&P9 pistols which will replace currently issued non-Smith & Wesson firearms.  The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fields approximately 13,000 sworn and non-sworn personnel who are issued duty handguns.   

Serving as the second largest local policing agency in the United States and the world's largest sheriff's department, the LASD currently lists over 18,000 active duty employees.  Composed of over 9,000 sworn deputies and 8,000 professional staff members, the LASD provides general service law enforcement to 43 municipalities that encompass more than 3,000,000 citizens. Formed in 1850, the LASD has a prestigious track record of aligning itself with superior products and companies to better assist and protect California residents.

James Debney, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson, said, "The decision by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department represents a significant milestone in the history of the Smith & Wesson M&P Pistol Series.  The LASD has long been characterized by its high performance standards and comprehensive testing procedures for duty equipment. We view the department's selection of the Smith & Wesson M&P9 as an endorsement of the winning attributes of the pistol as well as the professional services that support it."

Widely known throughout the law enforcement community for its objective testing procedures and high standards, the LASD procured samples of the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol for testing and evaluation. After rigorous testing against a wide range of competitive products, the M&P pistol delivered superior results in the areas of quality and reliability. The M&P pistol was noted for its high-grade professional features and ability to accommodate individual officer preferences. The LASD will begin issuing the M&P9 pistol chambered in 9mm upon the completion of the department's transitional requirements.

"It is the goal of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to provide our personnel with the highest quality law enforcement equipment available.  The partnership between Smith & Wesson and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has provided a duty handgun with modern attributes and capabilities critical to enhancing the safety of our sworn personnel and the communities we serve," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca.

In addition to supplying the department with new duty side arms, Smith & Wesson will support the agency with a variety of services including armorer classes and transitional training. The M&P9 pistols supplied to the LASD include standard features such as customizable grip inserts, ambidextrous operating features and the ability to disassemble the firearm without pulling the trigger.

Debney concluded, "The ability of our M&P Pistol to meet the high standards of the LASD and many other law enforcement agencies is a direct result of the commitment to quality and performance that is shared by all of us at Smith & Wesson. We are proud and honored to support the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department who dedicate themselves to the tireless support and protection of their communities."

For more information on the robust line of M&P Pistols, please visit www.smith-wesson.com.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing and design, delivering a broad portfolio of quality firearms, related products and training to the consumer, law enforcement, and military markets. The company's brands include Smith & Wesson®, M&P® and Thompson/Center Arms^(TM). Smith & Wesson facilities are located in Massachusetts and Maine. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.

Elizabeth Sharp
413-747-3304
[email protected]

SOURCE Smith & Wesson