Brand Info
Smith & Wesson
Manufacturer
| Overview | |
|---|---|
Founded | 1852 |
Headquarters | Springfield, MA |
| Tagline | Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. is one of the oldest and most iconic American firearms manufacturers, founded in 1852 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The company produces a wide range of handguns, long guns, and suppressors under the Smith & Wesson and M&P (Military & Police) brands. Publicly traded as SWBI on NASDAQ, Smith & Wesson is a leading manufacturer of revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and AR-15 platform rifles. |
SAAMI | Member |
Products | |
| Key Products | Heritage & History, Innovation & Technology, Community & Reputation, Buyer's Guide, The BGC Take |
Links | |
| www.smith-wesson.com | |
Smith & Wesson
Reference article
From The Boise Gun Club Handbook
Smith & Wesson has been making guns longer than anyone else in America — 172 years and counting. Founded in 1852 in Norwich, Connecticut — later relocating to Springfield, Massachusetts — they're still there today as Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWBI). They make revolvers, pistols, and rifles, and they're a SAAMI member.
S&W invented the practical revolver cartridge in 1857, created the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum, made the most famous revolver in history (Model 29), and then successfully pivoted to striker-fired pistols with the M&P series. Most gun companies don't survive 50 years. S&W has stayed relevant for 170+ years by respecting their heritage without being trapped by it.
Very few manufacturers can claim they dominate both their traditional category and their modern one. S&W does — J-Frame revolvers still rule concealed carry wheelguns, and the M&P 2.0 competes directly with Glock.
Heritage & Historyedit
| Year | Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1852 | Founded by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson | Norwich, CT; later Springfield, MA |
| 1857 | Model 1 revolver | First commercially successful cartridge revolver |
| 1899 | .38 Special cartridge | Still dominant 125+ years later |
| 1935 | .357 Magnum introduced | First magnum handgun cartridge |
| 1955 | Model 29 .44 Magnum | "Most powerful handgun in the world" |
| 1971 | "Dirty Harry" film | Model 29 becomes American icon |
| 2005 | M&P striker-fired series | S&W's answer to Glock |
| 2012 | M&P Shield | Concealed carry revolution begins |
| 2017 | M&P 2.0 | Addresses trigger and grip complaints |
| Present | SAAMI member | Springfield, MA; SWBI (NASDAQ) |
The company survived the Civil War, two World Wars, the assault weapons ban, multiple ownership changes, and the rise of Glock. They did it by innovating when they had to and perfecting what already worked.
170+ years of continuous innovation and market adaptation
Most gun companies don't survive 50 years. S&W has stayed relevant for 170+ years by respecting their heritage without being trapped by it.
Product Linesedit
Revolvers
S&W's bread and butter for 150+ years. They make five frame sizes, each with a specific purpose.
| Frame | Models | Caliber | Capacity | Price Range | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-Frame (small) | 642, 442, 340PD | .38 Spl / .357 Mag | 5 | ~$450–$800 | Concealed carry; backup gun |
| K-Frame (medium) | Model 19, Model 66 | .357 Mag / .38 Spl | 6 | ~$700–$900 | Duty; range; all-around |
| L-Frame (medium-large) | Model 686 | .357 Mag / .38 Spl | 6 or 7 | ~$700–$900 | Home defense; target; the "do everything" revolver |
| N-Frame (large) | Model 29, Model 629 | .44 Mag | 6 | ~$900–$1,100 | Hunting; "Dirty Harry" |
| X-Frame (massive) | Model 500 | .500 S&W Mag | 5 | ~$1,200–$1,500 | Most powerful production revolver; hunting |
The J-Frame Model 642 Airweight is what most people carry when they carry a revolver. Fifteen ounces, hammerless, reliable as gravity. The Model 686 with a 4" barrel is the revolver to own if you can only own one — strong enough for unlimited .357 Magnum, accurate enough for competition, practical enough for daily carry.
M&P Semi-Automatic Pistols
S&W's answer to Glock. The first generation had a mushy trigger that everyone complained about. The 2.0 series fixed it.
| Model | Size | Caliber | Capacity | Price Range | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M&P9 2.0 | Full-size | 9mm | 17+1 | ~$450–$550 | Duty/home defense; improved trigger over 1.0 |
| M&P9 2.0 Compact | Compact | 9mm | 15+1 | ~$450–$550 | Concealed carry / duty |
| M&P Shield Plus | Micro-compact | 9mm | 10+1 / 13+1 | ~$400–$500 | P365/Hellcat competitor; excellent value |
| M&P Shield EZ | Compact | 9mm / .380 | 8+1 | ~$400–$450 | Easy-rack slide; perfect for weak hands/new shooters |
| M&P 5.7 | Full-size | 5.7x28mm | 22+1 | ~$550–$650 | High-capacity; FN 5.7 competitor |
| M&P10mm | Full-size | 10mm Auto | 15+1 | ~$550–$600 | Full-power 10mm; bear country |
The Shield Plus is probably the smartest gun S&W makes right now. It matches the P365 and Hellcat for capacity but costs $100 less and has a better trigger than either.
M&P Rifles
S&W keeps it simple here — they make ARs that work without breaking the bank.
| Model | Type | Caliber | Price Range | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M&P15 Sport II | AR-15 | 5.56 / .223 | ~$650–$750 | Entry-level AR-15; consistent seller for a decade |
| M&P15-22 | AR-15 (.22 LR) | .22 LR | ~$400–$450 | Dedicated .22; not a conversion; proven training platform |
| M&P10 | AR-10 | .308 Win | ~$1,400–$1,600 | .308 AR platform |
| M&P FPC | Folding PCC | 9mm | ~$550–$600 | Folds in half; uses M&P mags; truck/backpack gun |
The M&P15 Sport II is the Honda Civic of AR-15s. It's not fancy, but it runs, it's affordable, and there's a reason everyone recommends it for first-time buyers.
Other Notable Models
| Model | Category | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SW22 Victory | .22 target pistol | ~$350–$400 | Accurate target .22; threaded; adjustable sights |
| CSX | Metal-frame micro-compact | ~$500–$550 | Aluminum frame; SAO trigger; unique in class |
| Performance Center | Custom shop | ~$800–$2,000 | Enhanced versions of standard models |
Innovation & Technologyedit
Historical Innovations
S&W has been solving problems for 170 years. Some of their solutions are still the standard today.
| Innovation | Year | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Self-contained cartridge revolver | 1857 | Eliminated percussion caps; founded modern revolver |
| .38 Special cartridge | 1899 | Most enduring handgun cartridge; 125+ years of service |
| .357 Magnum | 1935 | First magnum handgun cartridge; still the LE standard |
| .44 Magnum | 1955 | Most powerful handgun cartridge of its era; hunting standard |
| M&P polymer striker-fired | 2005 | S&W's successful answer to Glock |
| Shield EZ easy-rack | 2018 | Accessibility innovation; new shooters / weak hands |
| .500 S&W Magnum | 2003 | Most powerful production handgun cartridge |
| M&P FPC folding carbine | 2022 | Folds to 15"; takes M&P mags; new category |
Three waves of innovation spanning 170 years
The .38 Special they created in 1899 is still one of the most popular cartridges in the world. That's staying power.
M&P 2.0 vs. Competition
| Feature | S&W M&P 2.0 | Glock 17/19 | Sig P320 | CZ P-10 | Springfield XD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Good (much improved) | Adequate | Good | Very good | Good |
| Ergonomics | Very good | Polarizing | Very good | Excellent | Good |
| Grip texture | Aggressive (excellent) | Adequate | Good | Good | Good |
| Aftermarket | Very good | Unmatched | Excellent | Growing | Moderate |
| Street price | ~$450–$500 | ~$500–$550 | ~$500–$600 | ~$400–$500 | ~$450–$550 |
| LE adoption | Widespread | Dominant | Growing | Limited | Limited |
| Track record | Very good | Legendary | Good | Good | Good |
The M&P 2.0 sits right in the sweet spot — better ergonomics than Glock, more affordable than Sig, proven track record that the others are still building.
Community & Reputationedit
Market Segments
| Segment | Reputation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Revolver enthusiasts | Legendary | American revolver brand; 170-year legacy |
| Law enforcement | Strong | M&P series widely adopted; revolver heritage |
| Concealed carry | Excellent | Shield Plus and J-Frames are frequently recommended |
| Competition | Strong | Performance Center models; M&P used in USPSA/IDPA |
| Collectors | Revered | Pre-1980s revolvers are the gold standard |
| New shooters | Very good | Shield EZ specifically designed for new/elderly shooters |
| AR-15 market | Solid | M&P15 Sport II is the default entry-level AR |
What People Praise
- 170 years of firearms manufacturing — longest track record in the industry
- J-Frame revolvers (Model 642, Model 442) remain the gold standard for backup/CCW wheelguns
- Model 686 handles everything you throw at it
- M&P 2.0 trigger is a massive improvement over first generation
- Shield Plus competes with P365/Hellcat at a lower price
- M&P15 Sport II consistently recommended as first AR-15
- Shield EZ genuinely innovative for new shooters and those with limited hand strength
- Performance Center delivers near-custom quality at production prices
What People Complain About
- M&P 1.0 trigger was mushy and universally criticized (fixed in 2.0)
- Internal lock ("Hillary Hole") on revolvers angers traditionalists
- Some internal lock failures reported (lock engaging during firing)
- Post-2000 revolver fit/finish doesn't match 1960s–1970s "golden age"
- AR-15 offerings are competent but unremarkable beyond Sport II
- M&P 2.0 still isn't quite as refined as CZ P-10 or Walther PDP trigger
- Corporate decisions (2000 Clinton agreement) created lasting boycott among some buyers
Buyer's Guideedit
| If You Want... | Get This | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CCW revolver | Model 642 Airweight (~$450) | 15 oz; hammerless; .38 Spl; the pocket revolver standard |
| All-around revolver | Model 686 4" (~$800) | .357/.38; 6-shot; L-Frame strength; does everything |
| Most powerful revolver | Model 500 (~$1,300) | .500 S&W Mag; because you can |
| Value striker 9mm | M&P9 2.0 (~$475) | 17+1; good trigger; competes with Glock at lower price |
| Budget concealed carry | Shield Plus (~$430) | 10+1 / 13+1; value champion in micro-compact class |
| New/elderly shooter | Shield EZ 9mm (~$430) | Easy-rack slide; easy-load magazine; designed for accessibility |
| Entry-level AR-15 | M&P15 Sport II (~$700) | Consistent seller; reliable; everything you need |
| .22 AR trainer | M&P15-22 (~$420) | Dedicated .22; not a conversion; proven training platform |
| Truck / backpack gun | M&P FPC (~$575) | Folds in half; takes M&P mags; 9mm PCC |
| Target .22 pistol | SW22 Victory (~$370) | Accurate; threaded; adjustable; great suppressor host |
The BGC Takeedit
Smith & Wesson is one of the few firearms companies that's genuinely excellent in both its traditional category (revolvers) and its modern category (striker-fired pistols). They don't always make the single finest product in any given category, but across their entire lineup, no other manufacturer offers this breadth of quality at these prices.
The J-Frame is still the concealed carry revolver. The Model 686 is still the all-around revolver. The M&P 2.0 legitimately competes with Glock while costing less. The Shield Plus might be the smartest value play in the micro-compact market.
The M&P15 Sport II remains the default recommendation for your first AR-15.
You know what's impressive? S&W survived every major disruption in the firearms industry for 170+ years and stayed relevant. The transition from percussion to cartridge. Two world wars. The rise of semi-autos. The polymer revolution. The striker-fired takeover. Most companies don't make it through one of those transitions.
S&W navigated all of them.
170 years of relevance is not an accident. It's earned.
References:
- Smith & Wesson official site: smith-wesson.com
- Shooting Illustrated: "The Golden Age: Smith & Wesson in the Mid-20th Century"
- American Rifleman: Smith & Wesson model reviews
- S&W Forum: community discussions and model-specific threads
- Guns & Ammo: J-Frame revolver roundup
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