NEWTOWN, Conn. – Last year was an extraordinary one for firearm sales, a year unlike any other in the industry’s history. That’s a fact to be mindful of when comparing estimated sales through the first seven months of 2014 with those of the previous year, notes Steve Sanetti, President and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry.

Remove the extraordinary 2013 from the rear-view mirror and sales of firearms in America still show an almost uninterrupted rise over the past 10 years, according to national background check figures adjusted by NSSF to reflect market activity. For the first seven months of 2014, total firearm sales rank as the highest in the last decade, with the one big exception of 2013 (see chart). Read more

Compact .22LR Pistol Delivers Popular M&P Features in a Smaller, Rimfire Package

Made in U.S.A. – Accessories Available – Ammo Rebate with Purchase

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (August 12, 2014) — Smith & Wesson Corp. announced today that it has added a new model to the company’s flagship line of M&P® polymer pistols with the introduction of the M&P22 Compact. Engineered to professional standards, the new tactical rimfire pistol incorporates a variety of features inherent to the design of the full size M&P centerfire pistol in a new, smaller scale version. Manufactured entirely in the United States by Smith & Wesson, the .22 LR pistol provides shooting enthusiasts with M&P accuracy and reliability in a new fun-to-shoot, compact profile. To round out the shooting experience, from now through December 31, 2014, Smith & Wesson will ship 222 rounds of Winchester .22LR ammunition to each M&P22 Compact consumer who redeems the promotional coupon. Read more