San Antonio Police Department Converts to Smith & Wesson® M&P® Pistols

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 1, 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 San Antonio Police Department for duty side arms from the company's M&P Pistol Series. The San Antonio Police Department has selected the M&P40 as its new service firearm and has begun to convert officers to the new handgun platform.

As one of the state's largest police forces with over 2,100 sworn officers, San Antonio joins the ranks of agencies that have converted to the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol. The full-department conversion calls for 2,600 M&P40 pistols chambered in .40 S&W to be delivered to the department. The recent order represents Smith & Wesson's largest contract to date to an agency in the state of Texas.

The M&P40 pistol was selected by the San Antonio Police Department after an extensive testing and evaluation period, which included comparisons with numerous firearms from various competitors. After thoroughly examining each submission, the department chose the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol based on its high level of quality and dependability. Throughout the assessment process, the M&P pistol was commended for its professional-grade features and performance during live-fire exercises.

James Debney, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson, said, "We are honored that our M&P pistols have been selected by the San Antonio Police Department. Our nation's first responders are extremely important to us, and they have always been so.  These men and women work tirelessly and dedicate their lives to helping keep our communities safe and we are proud to support them with firearms designed to meet their high standards for performance and reliability." 

In addition to supplying the department with new duty sidearms, Smith & Wesson will support the agency with a variety of additional services including armorers' classes and transitional training for officers. The M&P40 pistols supplied to the San Antonio Police Department include standard features such as customizable grip inserts, ambidextrous operating features and the ability to disassemble the firearm without pulling the trigger.

"Smith & Wesson is proud to support the San Antonio Police Department and its long-standing history of dedicated service to the citizens of Texas," said Mike Brown, Vice President of U.S. Sales for Smith & Wesson. "From its historic roots, which can be traced back to its foundation in the Texas Rangers, to the department's highly decorated SWAT team, the San Antonio Police Department has amassed a commendable legacy of active service. Smith & Wesson is committed to providing the most reliable and dependable firearms to law enforcement professionals. As an American owned and operated supplier of law enforcement duty pistols, we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the San Antonio Police Department.

­­­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.

Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
(480) 949-9700 x. 115
[email protected]

Industry Contact: Matt Rice
Blue Heron Communications
(800) 654-3766
[email protected]

SOURCE Smith & Wesson